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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 5:35.

Jesus said that John the Baptist was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

Each believer has a lamp to shine through the witness of our lives. John’s light drew people to repentance from their sins and prepared the way for the Lord.

When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

John knew his mission. When it was time for the ministry of Jesus to shine, John was glad to see that day arrive. As more and more people were going to Jesus, John said, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to take joy in leading people to Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is “Saying No” to the unholy and unhealthy.

We see the wisdom of this in the Ten Commandments. For example, “You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. And you shall not steal.”

Saying “No” to temptation allows us to say “Yes” to the ways of God. The New Testament teaches the positive view of obeying God’s commandments. Romans 13:9 and 10 says that these commands are “summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”

The grace of God is a bright influence to give us wise discernment for life’s decisions. Titus 2:11 and 12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Saying “No” to the unholy and unhealthy is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 17:10.

As Jesus was praying for His disciples, He said to His Heavenly Father, “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.”

The glory of Jesus shines brightly in the testimony of His followers. The disciples of Jesus were faithful witnesses to the resurrection and spread His good news wherever they went. We have been created by Him and for Him. Living for the glory of God is the highest purpose for our lives.

There are various ways we can shine the light of Jesus to the world: We shine His light whenever we sing songs that praise His name; whenever we stand for His gospel in a public setting; whenever we are motivated by God’s love to serve someone in need; whenever we step forward in obedience to God’s Word.

This Light Reflection inspires us to make it our ambition to live for the glory of God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Gratitude to God.

This is a thankful response to the display of God’s graciousness extended toward us. He made us. We disobeyed Him and brought a lot of pain and problems into our world as a result. But God had the solution in place all along. He sent His One and Only Son into the world to redeem us. Our hope for a relationship with God was restored at the cross and empty grave. Our proper response to God’s redeeming love is gratitude. Our faith in the Lord has a way of growing stronger when our thankfulness overflows into our words and actions.

Colossians 2:6 and 7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Gratitude to God is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 5, verse 9.

The Apostle John saw a vision of heaven. One of the scenes he saw was a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.

They fell before the Lamb and sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Heaven resounds with worship for Jesus, who is glorified at the throne. These words are spoken in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power, and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

This Light Reflection inspires us worship Jesus reverently on earth as He is honored in heaven in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is the Pursuit of Wisdom.

The starting place for finding wisdom is NOT in gaining knowledge. The starting place for wisdom is reverence for God and walking in His ways. There are opportunities to grow in wisdom every day that we grow with God.

Proverbs 16:16 highlights the value of wisdom to our lives. “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver.” We are blessed by the Lord when we seek wisdom and find it.

Wisdom is consistent with the attitude of Jesus and is expressed in these productive ways. James 3:17 says that “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

The pursuit of Wisdom is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 28:9.

After Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus, they encountered an angel who announced that Jesus was not in the tomb and had risen from the dead. He sent them on their way to tell this good news to the disciples of Jesus.

As they hurried away from the tomb, suddenly Jesus met them, saying “Greetings.” They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Jesus was glorified at His resurrection. There was a pattern here. The eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus would worship Him, and then Jesus would tell them to spread the good news of His resurrection.

This is the calling of His followers today-to worship Jesus and be a light that tells other people that He is alive and able to save us from sin.

This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with faith, worship, and testimony in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is godly contentment.

A reporter once asked the richest man on earth, “how much is enough?” His reply was “just a little more.”

Godly contentment can prevent us from always craving more than what we have or coveting what other people have.

Godly contentment is a state of the mind and heart that is at peace with God and finds sufficiency in His grace.

First Timothy 6:6 says, “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” In Philippians 4:13, Paul the Apostle shared his secret to contentment. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Godly contentment is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com