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

This includes overseas missionaries, the local church, and community outreaches that help people in Jesus’ name. The church functions best when we work together under the leadership of Jesus to carry out His mission of making disciples.

This mission is supported by the prayers, service, and financial support of God’s people. This kind of support serves to equip Christian ministry for sharing the Gospel. and refreshing God’s servants.

Paul the Apostle told one church in Philippians 4:15, “In the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only…….you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.” Paul described their gift to him as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

Support of Christian Ministries 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 Luke 12:35.

Jesus said, “Be dressed, ready for service, and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him.”

Jesus is urging us to be ready for His return. The way to be prepared is to be one of His faithful servants who watches for His return. This is a motivating promise to be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to us.  Jesus later said in verse 42, “Who is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to keep our lamps burning for God with faithful service and wise stewardship in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

The fire that devastated the historic town of Lahaina is among the deadliest US wildfires in over 100 years.  As Maui residents continue to sift through the ashes, they are in need of our prayer and support.  The following organizations are providing various types of relief.  We will continue to update this list as we receive additional information.

Samaritans Purse  “Our DC-8 cargo jet airlifted a volunteer team and 17 tons of relief supplies from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Maui, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Among many other items onboard were solar lights, cooking kits, hygiene kits, and plastic tarp to provide immediate relief to survivors of the deadly wildfires. The plane also carried tools and equipment that will help our volunteers sift through ashes to recover valuables and treasured mementos for devastated homeowners.” To sign up to receive updates about volunteer opportunities on Maui, visit spvolunteer.org.  Contributions are being accepted here

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is also on the ground ministering to the spiritual needs of people who have suddenly found themselves in displacement centers due to the fires. These chaplains are also assisting local law enforcement offices with a variety of duties. So far, there have been two reported salvations. Please pray for the suffering people of Maui and for Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Rapid Response teams as they extend the comfort and hope offered in Jesus Christ.

Harvest Christian Fellowship   Greg Laurie’s church, Harvest Kumulani, is located on West Maui.  The church building was unharmed by the fires but the church family has been dramatically affected.  They have set up the Harvest Maui Relief Fund   They are there as a community of believers to bring hope, relief and the gospel to the hurting people of the island of Maui at this critical time.

The Salvation Army  The Salvation Army provides food, emotional and spiritual care to survivors of the Maui wildfires.  The Salvation Army has been providing feedings, food distribution, safe havens and other services at their local community centers.

Mennonite Disaster Service: Currently praying, monitoring and assessing the needs.  “MDS has been communicating with its partner organizations—including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster—about potential long-term needs on the ground in Maui. “Please pray for emergency responders as they continue to face an unprecedented situation in their communities,” said MDS Executive Director Kevin King. “As we assess needs, please be aware that, particularly in the aftermath of a wildfire, MDS may not send volunteers for another nine to 12 months, as fire cleanup and relief operations will be unfolding during that time. ” Look for updates at mds.org.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 132:17 and 18.

“Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”

This passage looks forward to the reign of the Messiah. When Jesus arrived, Zechariah the priest prophesied, “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”

Jesus came as God’s anointed One to bear the cross. On that day, He wore a crown of thorns. But His Second Coming will reveal Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will wear a radiant crown that reflects His majesty and holiness. He will sit on David’s throne forever and no one will take away His crown. God’s faithful people will be there to join the celebration and will sing for joy.

This Light Reflection inspires us to set apart Christ as Lord and live in the joy of His glorious reign 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 follow through with good intentions.

In Second Corinthians 8:10, the Apostle Paul noted the intentions of the Corinthian church to excel in the grace of giving. They had expressed their desire to do so. Then, he encouraged them with the follow-thru.

He said, “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it.”

When we follow through with our good intentions to bless others, we have opportunity to share God’s love with them, to give what they are lacking, and help them to thrive where they are planted.

Following Through with Good Intentions 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 Ephesians 1:18.

This was the prayer of the Apostle Paul for this church, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which God has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

A relationship with Jesus is the key to understanding the hope that we have in the kingdom of God. As we follow Jesus step-by-step, day-by-day, we will get to know Him better. We will see Him more clearly, and learn just how blessed we are to have access to His words of wisdom and the riches of heaven.

This Light Reflection inspires us to live in the awareness of God’s blessings and promises 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 take refuge in the Lord.

Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Throughout the Bible, we can see references to God as the protector and provider of our soul.

Proverbs 18:10 describes God as a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.

According to Hebrews 6:19, we have an anchor for our soul, firm and secure, because of our hope in Jesus.

And Jesus described Himself as “the good shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep.”

In God’s grace, we find the goodness of God and a secure place for our soul.

Taking Refuge in the LORD is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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