JOHN SHIRK – Earnestness is marked by a sincere desire to be near God and to be right with God. Intense conviction accompanies a person with an earnest faith. The Apostle Paul noted how godly sorrow produced earnestness in the life of the Corinthian church.

In Psalm 63:1, David wrote, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”  This is the picture of someone who recognizes their incompleteness without the grace of God.  It’s like being in a desert without any water or source of refreshment.

There are a lot of voices claiming to satisfy the soul, but they turn out to be a mirage that leaves us empty.  Jesus has living water to offer the thirsty soul. His grace is able to satisfy the person that earnestly searches for Him.

Earnestness is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Success is one of those words that means different things to different people.  It is entirely possible to be successful in the eyes of the world, but fall short of God’s plan for our lives.  Or we might be a failure in the eyes of the world, but succeed in the eyes of God. Oftentimes, we limit our view of success by results, whereas God also sees success in the light of a process.  John Maxwell is quoted as saying that “true success is obeying God.” Doing things God’s way brings about success, although it may not appear successful to the human eye.

For example, many of Jesus’ disciples were martyrs for the Gospel. (Not successful in the world’s view) but Jesus calls them blessed. There was power in their witness for Jesus in their persecution and integrity.  Spiritual success may have different outcomes, but obedience to God’s Word is an essential ingredient.

Joshua 1:8 says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Success is a quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Liveliness means to be full of life and energy, to be vigorous.

Jesus did NOT say that He came to make us dull or boring people.  No, He came to give us life and to have it to the full.

He came to wake us up from the slumber of our sins, and be stirred by the grace of God to be made holy. The liveliness of our faith in Christ is fed by God’s love to motivate us to live for God’s glory.  We wake up each day with a sense of purpose to know God better and share His love with others.

Each day, our faith can be made lively as we think about God’s grace, find encouragement in the Scriptures, and share in the fellowship of other believers in Jesus. When we do God’s will, and see fruitful results, that, too is an encouragement to the liveliness of our faith.  Ephesians 2:4 and 5 describes the life-changing difference that Jesus makes when He touches our lives by His grace. “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.”

Liveliness is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – A priority is something regarded as more important than another. Godly priorities place value in our personal lives those things that are also important in the eyes of God. These are some of God’s priorities for our lives.

To be in relationship with Him.

To trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins and salvation of our souls.

To be guided by the word of God to do the will of God.

Love.

To share the Good News of Jesus with others.

To love and provide for the family that God has entrusted to us.

To worship at a local church and become involved in the ministry of the church.

We can learn a lot about what we value through our investments of time and money. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.”

Godly Priorities,  a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Tenderness is defined by gentle emotions and loving gestures.

With a tender faith, we are reminded of the compassion of Christ toward us, and that affects the way we treat other people.  We are more inclined to forgive, to be sympathetic, and to be kind toward others when tenderness forms in our heart.  A tender heart motivates us to offer the gentle touch of God’s grace on the people we meet.

In the New King James Version of the Bible, Ephesians 4:32 says,  “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Tenderness is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Lisa Landis takes the Kids Cookie Break on a field trip to Hershey PA to see the elephant bath with the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey circus!

JOHN SHIRK – Radiance is defined by light or heat emitted or reflected by something. Another definition of radiance is “great joy or love apparent in someone’s expression.”

In the spiritual realm, God gives us radiance when we look to Christ in faith and reflect His joy and love to the people we meet.  The Son of God is our source of radiance. Through His influence, we can be a shining example of purity and compassion to the world.

Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

Radiance is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – One definition of evangelism is the spread of the Christian gospel by preaching or personal witness.  At the heart of evangelistic fervor is a love for lost souls that desires to see them redeemed by Christ.

In the Bible, Luke 15 is a chapter about the lost being found.  A lost sheep is found, a lost coin is found, and a lost son is found.  In each case where the lost is found, celebration follows.

Jesus tells us, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Heaven celebrates the conversion of lost souls. God’s compassion motivates His people to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others so that they might trust in Jesus for salvation and receive eternal life.  Colossians 4 instructs us to seize moments of opportunity to be a witness for Christ.  Verse 5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Evangelistic fervor is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – When we think of nobility, we might think of a person who holds a high rank in the British monarchy.

However, nobility can also be used to describe a person with outstanding character qualities. Proverbs 31:10 ponders the question, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”  Isaiah 32:8 tells us that “the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.”

In the Gospel, nobility is not defined by the clothes we wear or the status we have.  It’s found in being a child of God and belonging to His kingdom.  That identity makes a difference in how we live on the earth.  First Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  Nobility reflects the light of a changed heart by the grace of God.

Nobility is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Consistency is defined by a steadfast adherence to the same principles and patterns of behavior.

Since the Bible compares people to sheep, we need to recognize that it is easy for us to lose our way. We are prone to wandering.  That is why we need the care of the Good Shepherd.  With consistent practice of the spiritual disciplines, God teaches us His righteous ways.

With consistent prayer, we are regularly talking with God, getting to know His heart and learning to rely on His love.

With consistent Bible study, we are regularly hearing from God, getting to know His will, and learning to walk in His counsel.

With consistent fellowship with other Christians, we are regularly building the church community, getting to know God’s people, learning to encourage one another to remain true to the Lord with all our hearts.  Psalm 106:3 says, “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”

Consistency is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com