JOHN SHIRK – Agility is a term for the mind and the feet.

It means the ability to think and draw conclusions quickly.

It also means, the power of moving quickly and easily.

First Peter 1:13 is a verse that calls for agility of our minds.

The New International Version urges us to “prepare our minds for action.”  And the King James Version urges us to “gird up the loins of our minds.” In the first century, the reader was challenged to literally gather up his long, flowing garment and be ready to move.

Sometimes, when a request is made of someone, their willingness to help can be understood by how promptly and quickly they respond to that request. With a sober mind, we are ready to respond quickly to the voice of God when He calls us into action.  One of the pieces of armor that God wants us to wear for the spiritual battles of life is ready feet to take the good news of Jesus to the streets.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – The definition of “rely” is to depend on with full trust or confidence.

To fully rely on God means that we can lean all our weight on His grace and trust in His capacity to support us.

His love is able to keep us from falling into the depths of depravity.

His love is able to forgive our sins authentically and completely.

His love is able to bring out the potential that God designed us for.

His love is able to work through us to accomplish His redemptive purposes on earth.

His love expresses His view of us as valuable.

His love is able to lift us to heaven beyond our final breath.

God’s love for us is sincere, powerful, and merciful.  His love reaches out to us through Jesus Christ, inviting us to say “Yes” to His plan for our lives and to follow Jesus.  First John 4:15 and 16 says, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Concern can be defined as a matter of personal interest or importance.  Concern is expressed in various ways, including caring, sharing, and praying.  A person who is concerned is willing to enter the world of someone else, even if it means hearing about the mess of their lives.

If we sense someone having a difficult day, we can raise some questions to give them the opportunity to open up, and then give them our attention.

What is getting you down? Are you all right? Is there anything I can do to help?

According to First Corinthians 12:25, God’s will for the church is that each “part should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

LISA LANDIS- In 2007 Hurricane Felix unleashed its power on the village of Boom Sirpi.  The village is located along the Mosquito Coast (or Miskito Coast), Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.  Friends in Action Executive Director Tim Johnston and I visited with one of the village judges who was living in the village at the time of the storm.  He talks about the storms impact and the hope that FIA is bringing to the people, who are still rebuilding after the 2007 storm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyVO2mTsNZY

lisa@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Transparency is defined by openness, frankness, and candor.  There are no hidden agendas in a transparent person. They don’t wear masks, or use deception.  Transparency gives others a window into our joys, sorrows, concerns, and shortcomings.  Yes, there is risk, and yes, transparency is a vulnerable place to be.

Transparency is also a place of spiritual breakthroughs.  This happens in a supportive atmosphere. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Leadership sets the tone for transparency to thrive. The Apostle Paul told the Thessalonian church, “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put up a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness.”  He also said, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Developing a godly perspective comes about as we see the world in the way that God sees the world.  With a godly perspective, our interpretation of events and circumstances flows out of seeking to understand how God sees the picture.  We don’t need human reasoning to develop a godly perspective.  We need Divine revelation.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Seeking God in prayer and seeking God in the Bible are essentials for better understanding how God views the world.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  With God’s perspective, we learn of His love for lost souls to the degree that He “so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  That is a godly perspective on the world. God teaches us to hate the sin in the world and to love the people in the world, so that they might be saved from their sins through faith in Jesus Christ.

A Godly Perspective is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Temperance can be described as using restraint with the expression of our thoughts, actions, or feelings.  This character quality surfaces in the form of either moderation or abstinence of certain activities.

Ned Holmgren said, “Temperance means the abstinence from all that is evil, and the moderate use of all that is good.” Just because we can do something does not mean it is beneficial or constructive.

Even good things can become a hindrance to spiritual growth if it becomes too important or violates someone else’s conscience.  Temperance appears in the list of qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in the King James version of the Bible.  Other translations use the word “self-control” instead.  With temperance, we are careful not to be sidetracked by anything that threatens to derail us from doing God’s will.  The overindulgence of alcohol, food, sports activities, or computer-time can have a negative effect on our well-being and hinder the development of healthy relationships. Temperance challenges us to make time for different activities under the sun, and for those activities to bring glory to God.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

LISA LANDIS- It’s been two weeks since my return home from an amazing trip with Friends In Action International (FIA) to Nicaragua.  FIA is located in Middletown, PA. FIA is a team of people with diverse gifts and abilities who serve indigenous people groups and missionaries in remote parts of the world with humanitarian aid & relief projects while establishing the church.

Here is an example of how FIA is working in a remote part of the world.  This video features several highlights from my visit to the small island Rama Cay, a half-hour boat ride from Bluefields, Nicaragua, on the Caribbean coastline.  Approximately 883 people live on this tiny isalnd, which is the size of two city blocks.  The island is overcrowded and FIA is helping to establish a village on the nearby mainland so there will be an environmentally stable and self-supporting community as the community continues to grow.

FIA is looking for people to come along side them as volunteers, work teams, and financial supporters so they can continue to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the Rama people.  Visit FIAintl.org for information on how you can help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY1h6_JuCDk

JOHN SHIRK – With conviction, we are devoted to following the precepts of Scripture with zeal.  Some time ago, Josh McDowell wrote a book entitled, “Beyond Beliefs to Convictions.” The general aim of the book was to equip followers of Christ to know what they believe and why they believe it. The value of a deep seeded conviction is that we are not easily swayed by deceptive teachings.

Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”  Just because someone dresses the part of a Christian teacher does not make them one.  We need to be ready to evaluate what is being said and compare it with what the Bible says.

Knowledge and acceptance of the Bible as God’s Word is the best way to discern the difference between what is true and what is false.

It helps us to understand who Jesus is and become fully convinced that He is the Son of God who was sent by God the Father to die for the sins of the world. Conviction also gives us confidence to proclaim the Gospel as the truth. First Thessalonians 1:5 says, “Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – To edify someone is to build their moral values and to strengthen their faith in God. Edification can happen through words of instruction or encouragement. Proverbs 10:21 tells us that the lips of the righteous nourish many.

When God’s people are consistent in building up each other, the results are uplifting.  The church grows in unity with each other and in faith in the Lord Jesus.

What can we do to edify someone today?  If we are committed to this form of ministry, we will be promoting spiritual growth.  We will become a helpful influence, not a hindrance. We will become a motivator to spur love and good deeds that spring from a heart of faith. Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

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

John Shirk 

john@wjtl.com