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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 9:26.
Speaking of Jesus, “He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
Jesus appeared to take away our sin. John the Baptist told us to look to the Lamb of God who takes away our sin. But as we look at our lives, we know in our heart of hearts that we still fall short of God’s glory by disobedient thoughts, words, and actions.
The good news is that our story is not over. By looking to Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith, He breaks the power of sin over us and releases us from the punishment of sin.
The reason that the angel told Joseph to name Mary’s firstborn son “Jesus” was because He will save His people from their sins. Jesus lives up to the meaning of His name.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to celebrate God’s promise of salvation to those who believe in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Integrity
john : December 20, 2022 6:04 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Integrity.
Titus 2:7 is a word for anyone who wants to have an influence for Christ in this world.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Integrity backs up words with action. Charles Swindoll has said that “few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle-not prudish. Not preachy. Just honest to goodness deep, non-hypocritical integrity.”
With this kind of integrity, we can make this world a better place, serving as a light to guide people to Jesus, and encouraging others to a higher standard.
Integrity is a key element for Thriving Relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Sharpening One Another
john : December 19, 2022 6:03 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Sharpening one another.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
The Christian life is to be lived out in the context of a community.
As we connect with each other, we have the opportunity to sharpen each other to be useful instruments of God’s grace.
This is how the early church was a dynamic force of the Gospel. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
Acts 2:47 says that the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Sharpening one another is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 18:37.
Jesus told Pilate when He was on trial, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
In a world that is concerned about the spread of misinformation and fake news, we can take comfort in the truth of the good news found in Jesus Christ.
The truth that Jesus taught was not a confining message to ruin our fun. It was a liberating message to save us from our sins. Jesus said in John 8:32 that the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk in the truth of God’s good news in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
This morning’s Praise & Worship Playlist is filled with songs exclaiming Gloria & Hallelujah! Lots of Christmas songs of worship in the lineup, too. I hope these anthems stir your heart to praise in this beautiful season as we celebrate Jesus’ birth!
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
Forever and Ever Amen (feat. Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham) | Maverick City Music | A Very Maverick Christmas | 2021 |
Song in the Air | Christy Nockels | The Thrill of Hope | 2016 |
Agnus Dei (feat. Amy Grant) | Michael W. Smith | Worship Forever (Live) | 2021 |
Rejoice | Life Center Worship | Single | 2019 |
Unto Us | Aaron Shust | Unto Us | 2014 |
Messiahs Song | Jared Anderson | Worship And Adore-A Christmas Offering | 2009 |
Emmanuel (Glory in the Highest) | Sovereign Grace Music | Heaven Has Come | 2020 |
Heart Sings Hallelujah (Live) | Paul McClure & Hannah McClure | Christmas Morning (Live) | 2020 |
Yours (Glory and Praise) | Elevation Worship | There Is a Cloud | 2017 |
Gloria | Matt Redman | We Shall Not Be Shaken | 2009 |
Jesus What a Savior | Housefires | We Say Yes | 2017 |
7AM | |||
My Hallelujah | Pat Barrett | Pat Barrett | 2018 |
Hallelujah The Lord Has Come | Jadon Lavik | Christmas | 2010 |
Emmanuel (God with Us Forever) | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Champion | 2016 |
Hallelujah, Our God Reigns (feat. Brett Younker) | Passion | Whole Heart (Live) | 2018 |
Glory In The Highest | Meredith Andrews | Christmas | 2020 |
Glory Honor Power (feat. Melody Noel Matt Gilman) | Influence Music | Glory Honor Power (Studio Version) | 2022 |
Glory Hallelujah | Canyon Hills Worship | Single | 2022 |
Hallelujah, To Saving Grace | Bellarive | Before There Was | 2014 |
Angels (Singing Gloria) [feat. Chris Tomlin] | Matt Redman | These Christmas Lights | 2016 |
Gratitude | Brandon Lake | Gratitude | 2022 |
Raise a Hallelujah | Jonathan & Melissa Helser | Victory | 2019 |
Gloria | Stephen Christian | Wildfires | 2017 |
8AM | |||
Adore Him (Live) | Paul McClure & Hannah McClure | Christmas Morning (Live) | 2020 |
Glory Hallelujah | Matt Redman | These Christmas Lights | 2016 |
Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel (Gloria) | Matt Boswell Matt Papa Keith & Kristyn Getty | Single | 2019 |
Alleluia | Matt & Kim Goss | The Worship EP | 2019 |
Hark The Herald Angels Sing | Phil Wickham | Christmas | 2019 |
Hallelujah, Christ Will Come Again | Shane & Shane | Psalms, Hymns, And Spiritual Songs, Vol. 1 | 2021 |
Glory Hallelujah | Taya | TAYA | 2022 |
King of Kings / Angels We Have Heard on High | Maverick City Music | A Very Maverick Christmas | 2021 |
A Christmas Alleluia (feat. Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan) | Chris Tomlin | Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship (Live) | 2015 |
Hallelujah Anyway | Rend Collective | Whosoever | 2022 |
Light Of The World (Sing Hallelujah) | We The Kingdom | Single | 2020 |
Hallelujahs Song (Psalm 103) (feat. Caleb Chapman) | JUDAH. | 3 + 7 | 2021 |
9AM | |||
Hallelujah, You Are Good (feat. Matt Maher) | Steven Curtis Chapman | Worship and Believe (Deluxe Edition) | 2016 |
Endless Alleluia (Live) | Bethel Music & Cory Asbury | Victory (Live) | 2019 |
Alleluia (Live) | Jesus Culture | Live from New York (with Martin Smith) [Live] | 2012 |
Mighty God (Another Hallelujah) | Elevation Worship | Hallelujah Here Below | 2018 |
Highest Hallelujah (feat. Brett Younker) | Passion | Hope Has a Name | 2020 |
Is He Worthy/ Agnus Dei / We Fall Down | Maverick City Music | Maverick City Christmas | 2020 |
Hallelujah (Why We Sing) (feat. Clay Finnesand) | North Point Worship | Hallelujah (Why We Sing) / O What a Miracle – EP | 2020 |
Hallelujah For Every Broken Heart | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
Jesus Our Savior (feat. Brett Stanfill) | North Point Worship | Single | 2019 |
Glory (Let There Be Peace) | Matt Maher | The Advent of Christmas | 2018 |
Shall Not Want (feat. Chandler Moore) | Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music | Old Church Basement | 2021 |
A Child Has Come | Jon Reddick | Single | 2020 |
Hallelujah | Blessing Offor | Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship | 2021 |
Faith Building Verses-Galatians 4:4 and 5
john : December 16, 2022 4:06 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Galatians 4:4 and 5.
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”
If we live by the law, we will die by the law. The law can show us the difference between what is good and what is evil. The law also exposes where we have fallen short of God’s glory by our sins. The law is powerless to save us from our shortcomings. But where the law fails to save us, the grace of Jesus is sufficient for our greatest need. He is able to set us free from the penalty of the law and make us right with God.
Romans 3:21 says “Now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to stop trusting in our good deeds to save us and start trusting in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Wholesome Fun
john : December 16, 2022 4:04 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is clean, wholesome fun.
Not all humor is created equal. Some humor can stir us to laughter that brightens our day. Other forms of humor are harmful when it puts down other people or makes fun of them.
The Bible talks about laughter and joking in a number of places.
Ephesians 5:4 talks about obscenity and coarse joking being out of place for the believer in Christ.
Proverbs 26:18 and 19 says, “Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking.”
On the positive side, Proverbs 17:22 tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time to laugh. That moment is right during celebrations, fun times with friends, and having a heart filled with happiness.
Clean, wholesome fun is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Ephesians 2:17.
Speaking of Jesus, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who are near.”
Jesus is our source of peace. He has the power to give us peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.
In Luke 2:14, the announcement of Jesus’ birth stirs praise among the heavenly host to say, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Peace comes to those who have God’s favor, and God’s favor extends to those who humbly recognize our need for Jesus to save us from our sins.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to find peace with God by following Jesus in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Confronting Sin Carefully
john : December 15, 2022 4:27 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is confronting sin carefully.
Nathan was a prophet who confronted King David about serious sin issues in his life. He told a story to help David see the injustice of his actions and the pain that he caused. David repented of his sin and Nathan supported his leadership in the days that followed.
Confronting sin is not easy. It is an attempt to stand for righteousness and help someone to be set free from sin. The purpose of confrontation is not condemnation, but rather it is restoration. It is an opportunity for a spiritual breakthrough.
Galatians 6:1 says this: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
Confronting sin carefully is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Standing By Our Friends
john : December 14, 2022 4:51 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is standing by our friends in their trials.
Just before going to the cross, Jesus told His disciples in Luke 22:28, “You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom….”
When the world is a harsh place for our friends, that is not the time to turn away from them. That is the time to stand with them. The Apostle Paul felt the support of the Philippian church when he said, “It was good of you to share in my troubles.”
Here are a few things we can do to support our friends in their trials. Pray for them. Keep the communication lines open. Find out how they are weathering the storm. Offer words of encouragement. Offer the gift of time and attention. Help them find their strength and hope in God.
True friends are great company for our celebrations and a great support for our trials.
Standing by our friends in their trials is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com