JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is asking the question, “How may I help you?”

This question is only beneficial if we have true intentions to back up words with action.

In Mark chapter 10 verse 47, a blind man named Bartimaeus pleaded to Jesus for mercy.

Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.”

There are needs all around us. People with transportation needs. People with financial needs. People who are preparing to move to another neighborhood. People, who are limited by health conditions. We might be surprised at the opportunities we have to make a difference just by asking “How may I help you?” And then, following up with action.

Asking how we can help someone is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Ephesians 1:18.

Paul told the church, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

The riches of God’s grace are beyond comprehension. They are worth more than the wealth of the whole world. But if you look into the description of heaven in the Bible, you can get a small picture of the treasures that await God’s people in the future.

The riches of God’s grace are not just for the future. They also include blessings in the here and now. God is doing a work in the heart of those who love Him. He is transforming us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. He offers us forgiveness, so that our sins will not be counted against us on judgment day. He accepts us with grace and places us in a family of believers called the church. This enlarges our family connections considerably. These are just some examples of God’s blessings.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to open our eyes to see the riches of God’s grace in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is James 1:5.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Some sources claim that adults make an estimated 35,000 decisions each day. Some decisions will be easier to make than others. Anyone who makes that many decisions will need wisdom from above. God invites us to seek Him for it.

When Solomon became king, he was given the opportunity to ask God for anything. Solomon requested wisdom, and was honored for that request. First Kings 10:24 says that the whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

With wisdom, we are given the ability to discern what is right in God’s eyes, and then follow through with the right course of action.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek God for the wisdom we need in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is telling our children about God’s faithfulness.

In Isaiah 38:19, King Hezekiah said to the LORD, “Fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.”

This is a significant way that the Gospel message gets passed on from generation to generation. This requires parents to be proactive in telling our children the good news about Jesus Christ. By sharing this message in a spirit of love, we are giving our children the gift of hope and spiritual direction.

Psalm 78:4 says, “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

Telling our children about God’s faithfulness is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 32:1 and 2.

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

In this Psalm, David acknowledged the draining effect that unconfessed sin was having on his body and emotions. God’s hand was heavy on him. God was applying pressure on David, not to destroy him, but to set him free from the sin that was plaguing him.

Verse 5 reveals the turning point for David. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

If we confess our sins to the Lord, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to purify us.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to bring our dark deeds into the light of God’s forgiveness in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is pursuing excellence in our work.

Excellence is not the same as perfectionism. Perfectionism does not allow for any mistakes and causes us to become quite irritable when we feel like we have failed. When we pursue excellence, we are seeking to do the best we can with our God-given talents.

If we are committed to Christ, we will recognize our skills as opportunities to inspire others and honor God with the platform He gives us.

Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”

Whether we share our skills with five people or five hundred people, we know that God is in the audience. Let that reality motivate us to do our very best before the King.

Pursuing Excellence in our work is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Building Margin into our lives.

Putting margin into our lives involves leaving blocks of time unscheduled so that we have time for refreshment.

Too much work leads to burnout and stress. That does not benefit anybody, including ourselves.

When Jethro (the father-in-law of Moses) visited Moses, he noticed that Moses was working too hard. And he said to him in Exodus 18:17, “the work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” He counseled Moses to delegate responsibility to make his load lighter. Delegation is one way we can build margin into our lives.

Here are some other things we can do to replenish ourselves: Spend quiet time with God. Read His Word, and pray. Get together with a friend. Spend quality time with family. Enjoy a hobby. Exercise. Get some rest.

Building Margin into our lives is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is First John 4:18.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

God’s plan for our lives is to be motivated by His love, not to be motivated by fear.  Verse 19 tells us that we love because He first loved us. As we step into God’s grace, we realize that we do not have to fear judgment or condemnation.

God’s love is secure and assures us that nothing in all creation is able separate us from His unfailing love. So, we can go forward today with the confidence that through faith in Christ, we are accepted by God. That will make a strong impact on how we relate with the people that God has placed in our lives.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be motivated by the perfect love of God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Deuteronomy 31:6.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Moses spoke these words to the Israelites just before his death. They were preparing to enter the Promised Land, and God was bringing them to this place. The reason that they could go forward in confidence was because the LORD was with them. His presence makes the difference.

We will face opposition in our journey of faith. There will be times of testing and temptation. There will be enemies, such as the devil, who want to destroy us. But if we stay close to God and are guided by His word, we can go forward with the blessing of His favor and the promise of His peace. Faith in God keeps us from getting paralyzed by fear of others or fear of our circumstances.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be strong and courageous as we move forward in God’s plan in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com