JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Rejoice.

Philippians is a good book in the Bible that emphasizes this word.

In one place, the Apostle Paul stresses the importance of rejoicing so much that he repeats it in Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

This is possible when we look to Jesus as our trustworthy Savior, Leader, and Friend.

His joy becomes the strength of our heart when we walk in fellowship with Jesus. He encourages us with His love, comforts us with His peace, and saves us by His grace. The death and resurrection of Jesus are reference points in history to direct us to His faithfulness. He is faithful to His people. He is faithful to His promises. These are reasons to celebrate a relationship with God.

Discover how the word “Rejoice” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Leviticus 19:18.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”

Jesus referred to this statement as the second greatest commandment of the Law. The story of the Good Samaritan taught by Jesus is really an explanation of what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

A Samaritan walking along the road to Jericho, set aside his agenda to help someone who was beaten by robbers. He attended to his physical needs and provided lodging for him until he could recover from his injuries. Samaritans were considered outcasts among the Jews in the days of Jesus, but in this story, Jesus made him an example for us to follow. He had compassion for someone in a moment of need.

Leviticus 19:18-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Interest.

This is the state of wanting to know or learn more about something or someone. It’s looking beyond ourselves to enter someone else’s world.

We can do this by asking questions like “How is your day going?” “What are your thoughts about this or that?” or “what did you do this weekend?” And then, listen to what they say. As time goes on, showing interest in someone else’s world builds bridges to deeper connections.

Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Discover how the word “Interest” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Matthew 7:12.

Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

This statement is called “the Golden Rule.” This is a good rule to apply to our relationships on a daily basis.

This is a way of putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. “If I was in their situation, how would I want to be treated? Go and do likewise!” This shapes our mindset to consider how to treat others with respect in a way that addresses their needs. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” This is how we can express the mindset of Jesus in our relationships with one another.

Matthew 7:12-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Listen.

To listen to the words of another person is to give someone your attention and hear what they say.

Listening is the key to learning. Listening is an opportunity for building relationships. Listening is also the bridge to faith in Jesus.

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word about Christ. It matters whose voices we heed.

In Matthew chapter 17, when Jesus was transfigured on a mountain, three of His disciples were witnesses to His brilliant appearance. A voice from a cloud was heard saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

If we listen to the words of Jesus, we will draw closer to Him, learn His ways, and grow wiser in our understanding of His Kingdom.

Discover how the word “Listen” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Luke 13:20.

“What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus often spoke in parables in His earthly ministry. He would use ordinary things to illustrate the nature of God’s Kingdom.

This Parable highlighted how yeast affected the flour in the baking process to make the dough rise.

The influence of the Gospel is working throughout the world to produce change in people’s hearts from the inside out. It can lead to changes in society when a culture fully embraces God’s good news. It can lead to changes individually for the person who receives Jesus. His grace will produce change in our lives and lift us up to reflect God’s glory.

Luke 13:20-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Serve.

When we serve someone, we are reaching out with a labor of love. This is an investment of time and energy that makes a difference for the better. Serving God can be seen as an act of worship, where our labor of love brings glory to His name. When we serve someone with a cheerful heart, we are reflecting the example of Jesus. There is great joy in seeing how someone’s needs are met and how their day can feel brighter through our humble acts of service.

First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

Discover how the word “Serve” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Luke 13:18.

“What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

This shows the humble beginnings and impressive growth of God’s Kingdom over time until it proves to be a place of shelter and refuge.

Jesus began His ministry with a few disciples. These were the men that He taught about the kingdom of God. They would tell others about Jesus in the book of Acts. The church gradually grew in numbers. Even though believers were persecuted for their faith, their influence would expand as they would spread out to other parts of the world and take the Gospel with them wherever they went.

Today, the kingdom of God continues to grow and expand as more and more people leave behind their old way of life to follow Jesus.

Luke 13:18-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Helpful.

To be helpful is to give aid or assistance that benefits someone else.

We are helpful by lending a hand when someone moves to a new neighborhood. Or we might be helpful by a trip to the hospital to visit a friend.

People need encouraging words, which are useful for building them up.

That is where Ephesians 4:29 is a good verse to apply to memory. It shows us how we can be helpful with our words.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Discover how the word “Helpful” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Haggai 1:5.

“Give careful thought to your ways.”

This was a message to a nation who planted much but harvested little. They ate, but never had enough. They drank but never had their fill.

Something was missing in their lives. They were busy with their own house while the house of the LORD was in ruins. The time was right for them to build the LORD’s house, but they were neglecting their call.

This page in Judah’s history is a reminder to examine our priorities. Give careful thought to our ways. Remember to invest in the Kingdom of God with our time, our energy, our resources, and our money. Supporting the ministry of the church is one of the ways we can build up God’s family and see His Kingdom flourish.

Haggai 1:5-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com