https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0b3DILoe4r8hPvvCRQmx1W?si=b70141189952493f

JOHN SHIRK – 2024 is the Year of Gratitude at WJTL. In our 40^th year of ministry, we are thankful to God for His faithfulness and thankful for our family of listeners.

Each weekday, we will share a Scripture with you that focuses on God’s goodness, which gives us a reason to be grateful.

Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in First Timothy 1:15.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.

The Apostle Paul lived with profound gratitude to God for His grace and mercy that reached him when he was at the lowest depths of depravity. He had been filled with hatred toward followers of Jesus, but was stopped in his tracks on the way to Damascus, where he had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. The journey of Paul to faith reminds us that no one is a hopeless cause beyond God’s ability to reach them.

The mission of Jesus to save sinners reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2024 is the Year of Gratitude at WJTL. In our 40^th year of ministry, we are thankful to God for His faithfulness and thankful for our family of listeners.

Each weekday, we will share a Scripture with you that focuses on God’s goodness, which gives us a reason to be grateful.

Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Psalm 7:17.

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.”

Righteousness refers to moral excellence. Humanly speaking, we fall short of the mark of moral excellence, because we have all sinned against God and disobeyed His laws. However, the Gospel gives us opportunity to be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Trusting Him for salvation opens the way for us to be forgiven by God and to be given the righteousness of Christ.

Romans 1:17 says, “the righteous will live by faith.”

The Righteousness of God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 36:9.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

To get to our desired destination, we need to follow the right directions. To find correct answers, we need to have reliable information. Every strong building starts with a firm foundation.

Jesus is the light source we need for a vibrant relationship with God. He is the pathway to an eternal destiny. He is the answer to solve the problem of our sinful nature. He is the foundation for a thriving faith. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to look to Jesus for the clarity we need everyday 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 a desire to know Jesus.

A relationship with Jesus is foundational for a life that pleases God and brings glory to His name.

This was the desire of the Apostle Paul-to know Christ.

He said in Philippians 3:8, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him.”

Knowing Jesus Christ was his greatest joy and source of fulfillment. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” When we come to faith in Jesus, He becomes our source of righteousness, which is enough to satisfy our soul.

A desire to know Jesus is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This playlist is packed with Christmas songs of worship, adoring and celebrating Emmanuel: God With Us! Plus, mini themes like Joy, Noel and Behold.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 2:1 and 2.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The light of Christmas leads us to a place of worshipping Jesus. As the Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for Jesus, they also brought with them their hearts of worship. Their example reveals that Jesus is worthy of our very best that we have to offer Him. After all, God gave His best for us.

Their journey reflects the truth of Jeremiah 29:13, where the LORD says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to seek Jesus earnestly for the honor of His name 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 to sing joyfully.

Psalm 33:1 says, “Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”

The gift of music gives us opportunity to use it as an instrument of worship. This time of year, as our thoughts turn to the season of Christmas, we can add to the celebration by singing Christmas carols that reflect on the birth of Jesus and why He came.

There is a place in Luke chapter one, where we find lyrics to Mary’s song after she learned that she would give birth to Jesus. She said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”

Singing joyfully is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com