JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Luke 18:14b.

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus said this to people who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else. He confronted their attitudes and engaged them with a story.

Two men went up to the temple to pray. A Pharisee, who was a religious leader, prayed about himself and thanked God for not being like people who broke God’s laws, including the man beside him. Meanwhile, the tax collector would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ Jesus said that it was the tax collector who went home justified before God, not the Pharisee. God knows the worst parts about us, so we can be honest with Him about our weaknesses and find freedom in His forgiveness.

Luke 18:14b-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 Steadfast.

To be steadfast is to be spiritually grounded. Our faith does not depend on favorable circumstances, but on the favor of God. With a steadfast faith, we are firmly planted in the truth of the Gospel, and not tossed back and forth by deceptive words or times of trouble.

The resurrection of Jesus is the life-changing event in history to make our faith steadfast. His empty grave assures us that Jesus conquered death. That is a foreshadow of things to come for those who are in Christ.

First Corinthians 15:57 says this in the New King James Version, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Discover how the word “Steadfast” 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 Zechariah 13:9.

“This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people’, and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.”

This is a picture of the future when God purifies the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The fire of affliction is one of the ways that God gets our attention. He is passionate about purifying His people from sin. This is why He sent Jesus to the cross, so that we might call on His name, and find forgiveness in His grace.

We do not have to live in Jerusalem to come to Jesus and to belong to Him. He hears us from anywhere. Acts 2:21 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Zechariah 13:9-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 Still.

To be still means that we stop striving on our own strength and find our rest in the Lord. His presence gives us peace. His love gives us joy. His sure promises give us hope.

Being still helps us to cope with the chaos of life. We are less fearful and less prone to go into panic mode. We are more likely to trust God.

Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”  Time spent with God reminds us that He reigns on the throne, and that no one will take away His power or authority.

In Psalm 46:10, He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Discover how the word “Still” 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 Mark 10:14.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

One of the familiar Sunday school songs learned by children at an early age is “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” It is believed that the writer of that song, Herbert Woolston was moved by those statements of Jesus that spoke honorably of children.

While the disciples appeared to be annoyed by the little children, Jesus welcomed them, and challenged His disciples to become like children in certain ways. He said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Jesus draws our attention to little children as examples of faith and humility.

Mark 10:14-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 Forgive.

Forgiveness is a decision not to hold someone’s sins against them. When this happens, we give up the right to retaliate against them for the way they mistreated us. We say no to revenge. This is an effective way to keep bitterness and anger from tearing us apart inwardly. We keep the door open for reconciliation to take place, which brings peace and harmony back into the relationship. Forgiveness is a form of extraordinary love.

Remembering what Jesus did for us at the cross gives us the courage to seek forgiveness rather than vengeance.

Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Discover how the word “Forgive” 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 Hosea 5:15.

“Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for me”.

This was a message to a nation who turned away from God toward idolatry. However, God had a word of hope for Israel as He does for people who are guilty of sin today.

Sin has consequences. We invite trouble whenever we wander from God. But God allows us to experience trouble in times like that so that we might come to our senses and turn back to God. That is what the Prodigal Son did in Luke chapter 15. He came to the end of his resources after squandering his money, and then he came to his senses, saying, “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you.’” What he found was a warm welcome from his Father. This is how times of trouble can be used of God to get our attention.

Hosea 5:15-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 Give.

This is a generous offer of something to someone without expecting any payment in return.

Giving is a big part of the Gospel, as we see that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son….

When we receive God’s love, we are inspired to give to those who have material needs. We are moved to give our offerings and tithes to our local church and various ministries. We are thinking about how we might bless others with our giving. God’s love is a powerful influence to motivate us to give.

Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Discover how the word “Give” 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 Mark 8:34 and 35.

Jesus said this to the crowd and His disciples: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

The Gospel is an invitation to die to ourselves and live for Jesus. This is a matter of setting Him apart as Lord and trusting Him to lead the way, whatever the cost. Even in death, our salvation is secure in Christ. Our hope is not found in the treasures of this world but rather the treasures of heaven.

Mark 8:34 and 35-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com