JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Amos 5:4.

“Seek me and live.”

To seek God is the pursuit to know the living God, and to experience the joy of being in His presence. It is a desire to be in relationship with Him and to acknowledge Him for who He is.

The writer of Ecclesiastes sought meaning in various pursuits such as wealth, pleasure, and work. However, he ended up saying that these things were meaningless. They do not satisfy our soul in the long run.

There is a place of satisfaction for our soul in the grace of God. 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.” This invitation remains open. “Seek the LORD while He may be found: call on Him while He is near.”

Amos 5:4-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 Grace.

To be in God’s grace is to have God’s unmerited favor. By God’s grace, sinners are converted to saints, and receive blessings beyond measure.

Ephesians 2:8 says. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

And Romans 3:22 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith.”

That is what the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was all about-to offer us the gift of grace, so that we might be redeemed, restored, and reconciled to God.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

It’s time to focus on God’s goodness and our gratitude! The Thanksgiving Edition of our Praise & Worship playlist is below for you. It’s filled with songs that count our blessings and bless the Lord!

Song Title	Artist	Year
6AM
Give Thanks to God (ft. Kirby Kaple)	Housefires	2017
Evidence	Josh Baldwin	2020
Goodness of God (Live)	Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson	2019
Ive Witnessed It (ft. Melodie Malone, Jenn Johnson)	Passion	2023
Thank You (Famine Or Feast)	Erik Nieder	2022
Promises	Maverick City Music	2021
Faithfulness (ft. Jami Garcia)	Lakewood Music	2024
From Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)	Hillsong Worship	2019
What a Good God	Paul Baloche	2020
Good (Cant Be Anything Else) [Live]	Cody Carnes	2022
Thank You Jesus (Live)	Josh Baldwin	2024
God Im Just Grateful (ft. Chandler Moore)	Elevation Worship	2025
7AM
So Much	Life.Church Worship	2025
Reason To Praise (feat. Cory Asbury & Naomi Raine)	Bethel Music	2021
Ways	Sean Curran	2021
Gratitude	Brandon Lake	2020
Nothing Holding Me Back	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	2011
So Good to Me	Zach Williams	2016
This Is How I Thank The Lord	Mosaic MSC	2022
Every Good Thing	Pat Barrett	2023
Bless The One (feat. Matt Maher)	Mack Brock	2020
Jesus, Thank You (Deluxe Version)	Katy Nichole, CAIN & David Leonard	2023
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) (ft. Passion)	Matt Redman	2012
Reason I Sing	Phil Wickham	2021
8AM
Ill Give Thanks (ft. Kirby Kaple)	Housefires	2020
Be Glad	Cody Carnes	2022
What A Good God	Mack Brock	2021
Rejoice	Brad & Rebekah	2022
King of My Heart	John Mark & Sarah McMillan	2015
I Thank God	Maverick City Music & UPPERROOM	2021
A Thousand More	Thrive Worship	2019
THANKYOU 1000X (ft. Mitch Wong)	Bella Taylor Smith	2024
How Good Is He (Song Session)	Vertical Worship & Essential Worship	2022
God So Good	Life.Church Worship	2020
So Good (feat. Chris McClarney)	Rita Springer	2020
Give Thanks	Thrive Worship	2024
God Is Always Good (Live)	Covenant Worship	2018
9AM
Still God, Still Good (Live)	Here Be Lions	2021
Forever	Chris Tomlin	2001
Grateful	Elevation Worship	2017
Thank You Lord	River Valley Worship	2022
I Am Thankful (feat. Leslie Jordan)	Paul Baloche	2020
A Thousand Thank Yous	Sarah Kroger	2021
Good Forever (Live)	Matt Redman	2013
Thank the Lord	Patrick Mayberry	2025
God Youre So Good	Passion	2018
Thank You	Life.Church Worship	2023
Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise)	Shane & Shane	2021
Satisfied	Chris Tomlin	2018
Sure Been Good (ft. Tiffany Hudson)	Elevation Worship	2024

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Genesis 12:2 and 3.

The LORD said to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

This blessing to the world is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus who came through the line of Abraham’s descendants. God keeps His promises. It may take many years, but God is always true to His Word. He will bring to light what He has promised in due time.

Another lesson we learn is that God blesses us to be a blessing.  Whenever God blesses us, that is an opportunity to pass the blessing along through generous giving, hospitality, and acts of service that meet people’s needs.

Genesis 12:2 and 3-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 “Delight.”

In the Bible, delight is sometimes used to describe our satisfaction and joy in a relationship with God.

Psalm 37:4 instructs us to “take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

God’s grace is our source of joy and satisfaction because that is where we find salvation. God’s will is our source of joy and satisfaction because that is where we find our purpose.

As we delight in the LORD, He will place those desires in our heart that are from Him. God’s desires will become our passion. That passion will fuel our mission to shine for the glory of God.

Discover how the word “Delight” 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 John 21, verse 22.

Jesus said this to Simon Peter about the Apostle John. “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Jesus had just mentioned how Peter would glorify God in his death. Peter looked back to see John following them, then turned to Jesus and said, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus was encouraging Peter not to concern himself with what would happen to John. Instead, Peter was to focus on following Jesus.

It can be easy to compare ourselves with others, especially if we perceive that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. But this becomes a distraction from where God wants our focus to be. That focus point is following Jesus. Look to Him. That is where we see life with greater clarity and can move forward in faith with clear purpose.

John 21:22-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 Confidence.

One definition of confidence is having trust or faith. This is how we can approach God with our needs, concerns, and petitions, knowing that He cares for us.

Hebrews 4:15 and 16 says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Jesus sees us, He loves us. He cares for us in our time of need and is able to help us. He is uniquely qualified to save us from sin and to purify us from all unrighteousness.

Discover how the word “Confidence” 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 John 17:24.

Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” That was the yearning of Jesus expressed in this prayer.

Jesus was faithful to His mission from start to finish. The book of Hebrews tells us that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame.

His sacrifice for our sins and resurrection from the dead has made it possible for us to see the fulfillment of this prayer in the future.

John 17:24-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 Rain.

Acts 14:17 says about God, “He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Just as the land is nourished by rain from above and yields crops for food, so the word of God has a nourishing impact on our soul, and yields a spiritual crop with eternal value.

In Isaiah 55:10 and 11, the LORD says, “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.” This comparison of rain to God’s Word is a compelling reason to give thanks to God for the physical and spiritual nourishment He provides for us.

Discover how the word “Rain” 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 Psalm 32:8.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

There is no better place to be than under God’s guidance. He watches us and works with us as He shapes us into the likeness of Christ, much like the potter who works with clay. He prepares us for a productive place of service where we can testify of His love for the world.

The invitation of Jesus is “Follow me.” He will guide us in God’s good plan as the Wonderful Counselor, as He watches over us with His loving eye.

Psalm 32:8-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com