JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Isaiah 9:6.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is God’s ultimate gift to the world. Love moved the heart of God to reach out His hand to humanity with His salvation plan. These are some of the ways we come to know Jesus when we receive His precious gift of grace into our lives.

The counsel of Jesus leads us to His truth and righteousness.

He reigns on the throne of our hearts as our King and Savior.

Jesus embraces us as God’s children in His unfailing, everlasting love.

And He fulfills our yearning for peace by restoring us to God.

Isaiah 9:6-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Immanuel.

At the birth of Jesus, the Bible records in Matthew 1:22, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet, ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him ‘Immanuel’, which means ‘God with us.’

God did not keep His distance from the human experience. He stepped right into it in the form of Jesus.

Jesus did not keep His distance from our pain and suffering and grief. Instead, He stepped right into it by going to the cross.

Jesus stepped into a world that needed a Savior, and showed us how we can be with Him forever. God cares and is close enough to hear every humble prayer that reaches out to Him.

Discover how the word “Immanuel” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Isaiah 9:2.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

New hope was born for us at the birth of Christ. Jesus fulfilled this Old Testament prophecy in His ministry.

He is the great light that we need to find our way out of spiritual darkness. The message of Jesus was to repent-to turn from selfish ways and false beliefs and turn toward Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. That is where the real hope for a brighter day can be found-following in His footsteps.

Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 9:2-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Glory.

This word reflects the light of God’s many attributes: His beauty, majesty, power, and purity, to name a few.

We were made to bring God glory. When our actions and attitudes reflect His character, we become agents of light to share His good news.

The light of God’s glory is brilliant, and leaves people overwhelmed with a sense of awe and wonder. When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds at the time of Christ’s birth, the Bible tells us that they were terrified. But in Luke 2:10, the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The glory of God shines light on Jesus Christ, His identity, and His worthiness of praise. That is good news for us to embrace.

Discover how the word “Glory” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week we have another festive Praise & Worship playlist packed with songs of joy celebrating the Light of the World! Details are below for you, including songs from local churches, new artists and longtime leaders.

Merry Christmas!

Kristi Leigh

Kristi@WJTL.com

Song Title	Artist	Year
6AM
O Holy Night / Holy Forever	Garett & Kate Serban	2025
Glory In The Highest	Meredith Andrews	2020
Behold Him (ft. Kim Walker Smith)	Paul Baloche	2019
Noel (ft. Chris Tomlin)	Lauren Daigle	2015
The First Noel	LCBC Worship	2024
Prince Of Peace (ft. Nathan Horst)	Life Center Worship	2024
Light of the World	CLA Worship	2021
Adore Him (Live)	Paul McClure & Hannah McClure	2020
He Shall Reign Forevermore	Chris Tomlin	2015
JOY!	ELEVATION RHYTHM	2024
Hark	Thrive Worship	2024
Silent Night	SEU Worship	2025
Generous God (Gloria)	Naomi Raine	2023
7AM
The First Noel	Phil Wickham	2010
Jesus Here With Us	Canyon Hills Worship	2024
Worthy and Wonderful / Worthy of Worship (ft. Mitch Wong & Tiffany Hudson)	Elevation Worship	2023
Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel (Gloria)	Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Keith & Kristyn Getty	2019
Behold Him	Francesca Battistelli	2020
Go Tell It (Gloria)	Matt Maher	2023
This Is Emmanuel	Central Live	2023
Jesus Is Our King (ft. Mike Grayson of Mikeschair)	Cross Point Music	2020
Hymn of Joy (Live)	Chris Tomlin	2015
Joy To The World / Joy Of The Lord (ft. Todd Galberth)	Naomi Raine	2023
Heart Sings Hallelujah (Live)	Paul McClure & Hannah McClure	2020
Angels (Glory To God)	Phil Wickham	2024
We Have A Savior	Hillsong	2013
Hope Has Come (Behold Him)	Red Rocks Worship	2022
Behold (ft. Anne Wilson)	Phil Wickham	2024
8AM
Here I Am to Worship (More Than Life)	Maverick City Music	2021
Holy Forever (Christmas Version)	Chris Tomlin	2024
High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You (Live)	Paul McClure & Hannah McClure	2020
When We Behold (In Excelsis) (ft. Jon Guerra)	Matt Redman	2024
Hope Has A Name	Passion	2020
Your Name (Christmas Version)	Paul Baloche	2013
Agnus Dei / King Of Kings (ft. Passion, Jenn Johnson & Brooke Ligertwood)	Hillsong Worship,	2021
Here Comes Heaven	Elevation Worship	2018
All Hail King Jesus (Live)	Jeremy Riddle	2018
A Christmas Alleluia (feat. Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan) [Live]	Chris Tomlin	2015
Prince Of Heaven	Hillsong	2017
9AM
O Come All Ye Faithful	Lakewood Music	2023
Behold The Savior	Meredith Andrews	2018
Saviour	We Are Messengers	2022
Light Of The World (Sing Hallelujah)	We The Kingdom	2020
Forever and Ever Amen (feat. Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham)	Maverick City Music	2021
Emmanuel God With Us	Chris Tomlin	2021
His Name Will Be	River Valley Worship	2021
Hallelujah Here Below	Elevation Worship	2018
Jesus Our Savior (feat. Brett Stanfill)	North Point Worship	2019
Holy	David Leonard	2022
Crown Him (Glory in the Highest)	The Worship Initiative	2022
Rejoice	Life Center Worship	2019
Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) (ft. Ed Cash)	Chris Tomlin	2009

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in John 10:10.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

One of Satan’s agendas is to rob the blessings of God from us. He seeks to devour us, but Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work. Jesus has the power to save us from our sins. That is because He rose from the dead. And by His grace, we can say, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Instead of death apart from Jesus, we can enjoy life with Jesus. Walking with Him is an experience of peace and joy in His redeeming love, thanksgiving for His worthy sacrifice, and hope in His promise of eternal life. He gives us opportunities to shine His light with a thriving faith. His abounding grace and dependable Word encourage us to grow more mature, and to bear fruit for God’s glory.

John 10:10-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Water.

This substance is necessary for life. It is a basic need for survival. Jesus talked about our need for the water that He offers.

In John 4:13, Jesus said to a woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The living water that Jesus offers us provides us with hope and refreshment. If we are weary, Jesus invites us to drink from His well that does not run dry.  In John 7:37, Jesus said these words in a loud voice. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this, he meant the Spirit.” Those who believed in Jesus would later receive Him. Faith gives us access to the fountain of life.

Discover how the word “Water” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Luke 5:31 and 32.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

When Jesus said this, He was responding to this question from the Pharisees, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

The response of Jesus reveals His love for sinners in need of God’s grace. He came on a rescue mission to be the ultimate cure for our sick condition called sin. His love calls us out of selfish ambition and misplaced trust. He invites us to follow Him. As we say “Yes” to Jesus, He is faithful to restore us to spiritual health with a heart that beats consistently for the living God.

Luke 5:31 and 32-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is “Ambassador.”

An ambassador is a diplomat in a foreign land, representing their leader on a mission of peace.

This is a good description of the person who follows Jesus. This world is not our home. We are serving the King of Kings in a foreign land, representing Jesus on a peacemaking mission. That is a high calling, and a privilege to serve in such a way.

The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

Representing Jesus is a mission of peace to share why Jesus came to the earth. We have good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.

Discover how the word “Ambassador” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

I have Christmassy trios for you this week! Our Praise & Worship Playlist has a mix of Christmassy songs and year-round anthems that are themed to help focus are our hearts and our songs. Mini-themes center on words we hear a lot this time of year: Emmanuel, Joy, Peace, Hope, Adore, Gloria and more!