Staff
Red Letter Wisdom-Walking Through God’s Open Doors
john : November 6, 2019 6:21 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 3:7.
Jesus had a message for the Church at Philadelphia.
“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
The church at Philadelphia was a faithful church to Jesus Christ. One thing we learn through Jesus’ words here is that no one can shut the door on God’s opportunities. The curse of man cannot overrule the blessing of God. The strength of man cannot overpower God’s plans. If God is for us, who can be against us? Darkness retreats in the presence of light.
The words of Jesus inspire us to walk through the open doors of God’s opportunities in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Red Letter Wisdom-True Worship and Moral Purity
john : November 4, 2019 4:42 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 2:19.
Jesus had a message for the church at **Thyatira.
“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you:”
The church tolerated a woman who was misleading God’s servants into immorality. Jesus was giving time for the woman to repent of her ways, but she was unwilling.
Those who joined with her immorality and idolatry would suffer intensely unless they repented of her ways. For the rest of the church, Jesus encouraged them to hold on to what they had until He comes.
The words of Jesus inspire us to faithful worship and moral purity in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Happy November!!
It’s time to start a Season of Thanksgiving Sunday mornings on WJTL. Each week, we’ll have a special focus to stir gratitude in our hearts. This week’s playlist is themed around remembering God’s faithfulness.
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6:00 a.m. | |||
You Never Fail (Live) | Hillsong Live | Glorious Ruins (Live) | 2013 |
Hes Always Been Faithful | Sara Groves | Conversations | 2002 |
Never Let Go | David Crowder Band | Remedy | 2007 |
Never Ever | Kristene DiMarco | Where His Light Was | 2017 |
I Still Believe (Faithful Always) | Thrive Worship | A Thousand More | 2019 |
You Are Faithful | Carrollton | Breathe In Deep – EP | 2014 |
You Never Change | Rita Springer | Battles | 2017 |
Greater Things | Mack Brock | Greater Things | 2018 |
I Lift My Hands | Chris Tomlin | And If Our God Is For Us | 2010 |
Faithful God | Gateway Worship | God Be Praised | 2010 |
Unfailing | Lifepoint Worship | Holy Spirit Come | 2015 |
Faithful to Us (Live) | Covenant Worship | Covenant Worship Live | 2018 |
Day After Day | Kristian Stanfill | Mountains Move | 2011 |
You Never Let Go | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Champion | 2016 |
7:00 a.m. | |||
Rejoice | Brad+Rebekah | Single | 2019 |
Goodness of God (Live) | Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson | Victory (Live) | 2019 |
Take Courage (Kristene DiMarco) | Bethel Music | Starlight (Live) | 2017 |
Faithful | Rend Collective | Build Your Kingdom Here | 2010 |
Questions (You Are Faithful) | Matt Redman | Glory Song | 2017 |
Faithful (feat. Dan & Lauren Smith) | Community Songs | From the Valley – EP | 2019 |
Do It Again (feat. Rita Springer) | Mack Brock | Greater Things | 2018 |
God Is Always Good (Live) | Covenant Worship | Covenant Worship Live | 2018 |
Valley (Live) | Chris McClarney | Single | 2019 |
Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy) | Shane & Shane | Psalms, Vol. 2 | 2015 |
Always | Kristian Stanfill | Passion: Here For You | 2011 |
Mountain | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Champion | 2016 |
8:00 a.m. | |||
Faithful to the End (feat. Paul & Hannah McClure) | Bethel Music | Have It All | |
Faithful | Elevation Worship | Hallelujah Here Below | 2018 |
Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor | Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | His Mercy Is More: The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa | 2019 |
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (feat. Christy Nockels) | Worship Circle | Worship Circle Hymns | 2019 |
Psalm 118 (Your Steadfast Love) | Robbie Seay Band | Psalms LP | 2015 |
Yes and Amen | Housefires | Housefires III | 2016 |
Way Maker (Live) | Leeland | Single | 2019 |
Never Lost | Elevation Worship | Single | 2019 |
By My Side (Live) | David Leonard | The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live) | 2019 |
Always Good (feat. Rita Springer) | The McClures | The Way Home (Deluxe) | 2019 |
Your Love Never Fails | Chris McClarney | Love Never Fails | 2008 |
9:00 a.m. | |||
Promises Never Fail (Live) | Bethel Music & Emmy Rose | Victory (Live) | 2019 |
How Great Is Your Faithfulness | Matt Redman | We Shall Not Be Shaken | 2009 |
The Lord Our God (feat. Passion) | Kristian Stanfill | Passion: Let The Future Begin | 2013 |
Faithful | Sisterbrother | SisterBrother | 2011 |
Faithful | Sarah Reeves | Easy Never Needed You | 2018 |
He Is Faithful (feat. Bryan Torwalt) | Jesus Culture | Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago | 2011 |
Faithful (Live) | GATEWAY | Greater Than (Live) | 2018 |
Great Is Your Faithfulness | Martin Smith | Back to the Start (Deluxe Version) | 2013 |
Faithful | Chris Tomlin | And If Our God Is For Us… | 2010 |
Counting On Your Name | Tim Hughes | Love Shine Through | 2011 |
What a Friend (Live) | Chris McClarney | Fill This Place (Live) – EP | 2019 |
Red Letter Wisdom-Faithfulness in Dark Places
john : November 1, 2019 5:36 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 2, verse 13 a.
Jesus sent a message to the church at Pergamum: “I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me.”
This church was situated in a spiritually dark place. There were some influences of the culture infiltrating the church like immorality, idol worship, and false doctrine. Not everyone in that church was compromising, but some were corrupted. In His love for the church, Jesus called for repentance, because He is looking for a purified church that remains true to His name.
The words of Jesus inspire us to live with pure devotion to Christ in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 2:8.
Jesus had a message for the church at Smyrna:
“These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich!”
This church faced adversity in the form of poverty and persecution. Yet, Jesus noticed the richness of their spiritual condition.
Some of His words may not seem very comforting. He told the church that the devil would put some in prison and that they would suffer persecution. But Jesus was allowing them to identify with His sufferings along with His victory. He said, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
When we stand for a noble cause worth dying for, we have meaningful purpose for living.
The words of Jesus inspire us to overcome adversity with faithfulness in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 2:5.
Jesus had a message for the church at Ephesus, who had forsaken their first love.
He said, “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
The Christian life is a journey of faith. Sometimes, we might lose that love we had at the beginning of our journey when we served God with enthusiasm. Our faces were radiant whenever we thought about God.
Jesus gives us hope that those days can return again. Remember the mountaintop where we encountered God and marveled at His grace, and return to those things that we were doing when we were in love with Jesus.
The words of Jesus inspire us to return to our first love in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Right at the beginning, God said “Let there be light”. That was it! Darkness lost. Just a spark and it still flees today. This morning’s “Marvelous Light” theme fills our lineup with songs celebrating the defeat of darkness. Whatever darkness you’re up against (depression, discouragement, confusion, sickness, grief)…I’ve got a feeling it won’t last very long. The playlist is below.
Bright hope to you,
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6:00 a.m. | |||
Light Will Shine | Hillsong United | Aftermath | 2011 |
Live Alive (live) | Rend Collective | Campfire II-Simplicity | 2016 |
In Your Light (feat. Jeremy Riddle) | Bethel Live | For The Sake Of The World | 2012 |
Life Light Up | Christy Nockels | Life Light Up | 2009 |
Lift Up the Light | Shane & Shane | The One You Need | 2011 |
Joyous Light | Chris Tomlin | Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern | 2004 |
Let There Be Light | The City Harmonic | We Are | 2016 |
God of Our Yesterdays | Chris McClarney | Glimpses of Worship | 2009 |
Let It Shine | All Sons & Daughters | Season One | 2012 |
Old for New (Live) | Bethel Music & Hannah McClure | Starlight (Live) | 2017 |
Pure Light | Matt Redman | Facedown | 2004 |
Turn Your Eyes | Jadon Lavik | Roots Run Deep | 2008 |
Salt & Light | Lauren Daigle | How Can It Be | 2015 |
As Sure As The Sun | Ellie Holcomb | As Sure As The Sun | 2015 |
Sunrise | Meredith Andrews | Deeper (Deluxe Edition) | 2016 |
7:00 a.m. | |||
Bright as the Sun | Hillsong Worship | Awake | 2019 |
Marvelous Light | Charlie Hall | Flying Into Daybreak | 2006 |
Never Lost | Catherine Mullins | Sing Like the Battle Is Over | 2019 |
To the End (feat. Amanda Cook) | Mack Brock | Greater Things | 2018 |
Morning Sun | Philip Herndon | Decade | 2019 |
Shine On Us | Cory Asbury | Immersed | 2007 |
Where His Light Was | Kristene DiMarco | Where His Light Was | 2017 |
The Light Will Come | Phil Wickham | Cannons | 2007 |
Into The Light | SisterBrother | TBD | 2013 |
Step Into the Light (feat. Sean Curran) [Live from Passion 2019] | Passion | Single | 2019 |
Let Me Feel You Shine | David Crowder Band | Give Us Rest-A Requiem Mass In C (The Happiest Of All The Keys) | 2011 |
Echoes (Till We See the Other Side) [Live] | Hillsong UNITED | People (Live) | 2019 |
Light of the World (feat. Chris Quilala) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Unstoppable Love (Live) | 2015 |
8:00 a.m. | |||
Into the Light | Red Rocks Worship | Into the Light | 2015 |
Word of God (feat. Andi Rozier) [Live] | Vertical Worship | Live Worship from Vertical Church | 2012 |
Let There Be Light | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Champion | 2016 |
Shine On Us | Phillips, Craig & Dean | My Utmost For His Highest | |
See the Light | Hillsong Worship | Awake | 2019 |
Shine a Light | Elevation Worship | Here as in Heaven | 2016 |
Joyful, Joyful | Laura Hackett | Joy (LIVE) | 2010 |
Love Shine Through | Tim Hughes | Love Shine Through | 2011 |
The Cross Has the Final Word (Live) | Cody Carnes | The Darker the Night / The Brighter the Morning | 2017 |
Threads (Live) | David Leonard | The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live) | 2019 |
Let There Be Light | Bellarive | Before There Was | 2014 |
Alive | Hillsong Young & Free | We Are Young & Free | 2013 |
Thy Word (Live) | Amy Grant | Time Again (Live) | 2006 |
Lamp | Charlie Hall | The Rising | 2010 |
9:00 a.m. | |||
Oh How I Need You | All Sons & Daughters | The Longing – EP | 2012 |
Marvelous Light | Christy Nockels | Life Light Up | 2009 |
Let Your Light Shine | Bethany Dillon | Waking Up | 2007 |
Free, Amen (Live) | We The Kingdom | Live At the Wheelhouse – EP | 2019 |
King of Heaven | Mack Brock | Covered – EP | 2019 |
Shining | Phil Wickham | Cannons | 2007 |
Let There Be Light (Live) | Hillsong Worship | Let There Be Light (Deluxe) | 2016 |
My Lighthouse | Rend Co. Kids & Rend Collective | Sparkle. Pop. Rampage. | 2019 |
Marvelous Light | Ellie Holcomb | As Sure As The Sun | 2014 |
Now I See (Live) | The McClures | The Way Home (Deluxe) | 2019 |
Children Of Light | Kristian Stanfill | Passion: Let The Future Begin | 2013 |
Father of Lights | Jesus Culture | Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago | 2011 |
Awake My Soul | Hillsong Worship | Awake | 2019 |
Freedom Phrase-Boast In The Lord, not in ourselves
john : October 24, 2019 5:28 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First Corinthians 1, verses 30 and 31.
“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Anyone with a true understanding of the Gospel knows that we have no reason to brag about how great we are. All the boasting goes to God who has been gracious in providing a Savior for us.
Our redemption is the result of God’s graciousness toward us. His grace provides us with the opportunity to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, and to be saved from our sinful nature. Every breath we take is an opportunity to praise Him.
Through Jesus, we are set free to boast in the saving grace provided by a generous God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Today’s playlist is filled with highlights from the 50th GMA Dove Awards ceremony just a few days ago! Lots of winners are featured in the lineup, including Hillsong UNITED, Phil Wickham, David Leonard and more. There’s also music memories performed by Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans and Steven Curtis Chapman, who just won a record-breaking 58th Dove Award! I also have a special story from the event from Matt Maher and the Gaithers. Plus, brand new singles to share with you by Brad+Rebekah, Sarah Reeves and Kalley!
By the way, The Dove Awards will be televised this evening (10/20) at 8:00 on TBN. Details at www.DoveAwards.com
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6:00 a.m. | |||
This Is a Move (Live) | Tasha Cobbs Leonard | Single | 2019 |
Alabaster Box | CeCe Winans | Alabaster Box | 1999 |
Alabaster Heart (Live) | Kalley | Single | 2019 |
I Can Only Imagine | MercyMe | Almost There | 2001 |
The Whole Landscape | Jared Anderson | The Whole Landscape EP | 2019 |
Anxious | Sarah Reeves | Single | 2019 |
Never Alone (feat. Kirk Franklin) | Tori Kelly | Hiding Place | 2018 |
Be Still and Know (feat. Caleb Chapman) | Steven Curtis Chapman | Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows | 2013 |
Peace Be Still (feat. Lauren Daigle) | The Belonging Co | All the Earth | 2017 |
It Is Well With My Soul | Jason Ingram | Bridges – Classic Hymns, Modern Worship | 2005 |
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) | Matt Redman | 10,000 Reasons | 2012 |
7:00 a.m. | |||
Defender | Rita Springer | Battles | 2017 |
Threads | David Leonard (of All Son & Daughters) | The Wait | 2019 |
Rejoice | Brad+Rebekah | Single | 2019 |
Cover The Earth (feat. Cody Carnes) | Kari Jobe | Cover The Earth – Single | 2018 |
Even When Youre Running | Casting Crowns | Only Jesus | 2018 |
The Change in Me | Casting Crowns | Only Jesus | 2018 |
We Rise | Cageless Birds & Jonathan David Helser | We Rise | 2019 |
White as Snow | Cageless Birds & Melissa Helser | We Bow – EP | 2019 |
Raise a Hallelujah (feat. Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser) | Bethel Music | Victory | 2019 |
For the Cross (feat. Brian & Jenn Johnson) | Bethel Music | Tides | 2013 |
Alive & Breathing (feat. Elle Limebear) | Matt Maher | Alive & Breathing, Vol. 2 | 2019 |
Run to the Father | Cody Carnes | Single | 2019 |
8:00 a.m. | |||
Heres to the One (Live) | Hillsong UNITED | People (Live) | 2019 |
Agnus Dei (feat. Skye Reedy) | Michael W. Smith | Awaken: The Surrounded Experience | 2019 |
El Shaddai | Amy Grant | Rock of Ages… Hymns & Faith | 2005 |
Who You Say I Am (Live) | Hillsong Worship | There Is More (Live) | 2018 |
All He Says I Am (feat. Kari Jobe) | Cody Carnes | All He Says I Am (feat. Kari Jobe) – Single | 2011 |
Remember | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Remember – Single | 2019 |
I Wont Forget | Brian Johnson | After All These Years | 2017 |
Remember | Tim Hughes | Happy Day | 2009 |
Kindness | Jared Anderson | The Whole Landscape EP | 2019 |
Oasis | kalley | Single | 2019 |
I Love You | Sarah Reeves & Kirk Franklin | I Love You – Single | 2018 |
Living Hope (feat. Brian Johnson & Jenn Johnson) [Live] | Phil Wickham | Singalong 4 | 2019 |
Who You Say We Are | Steven Curtis Chapman | Worship and Believe (Deluxe Edition) | 2016 |
9:00 a.m. | |||
You Say | Lauren Daigle | Look Up Child | 2018 |
I Will Wait | David Leonard | The Wait | 2019 |
Waymaker (feat. Vanessa Campagna) | Michael W. Smith | Single | 2019 |
The Cross Has the Final Word (Live) | Cody Carnes | The Darker the Night / The Brighter the Morning | 2017 |
Forever (Live) | Bethel Music & Kari Jobe | You Make Me Brave (Live) | 2014 |
Because He Lives | Matt Maher | Alive & Breathing, Vol. 2 | 2019 |
Good Grace (Live) | Hillsong UNITED | Good Grace (Live) – Single | 2018 |
Echoes (Till We See the Other Side) [Live] | Hillsong UNITED | People (Live) | 2019 |
Let It Rain (Is There Anybody) (feat. Mandisa) | Crowder | I Know A Ghost | 2019 |
Victory In Jesus (feat. Herb Chapman Sr. & Herb Chapman, Jr.) | Steven Curtis Chapman | Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows | 2019 |
Rain Down | Rita Springer | I Have To Believe | 2005 |
Exalt | Martin Smith | Iron Lung | 2019 |
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First Corinthians 10, verses 12 and 13.
“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
When it comes to temptation, it is wise to be on guard. If we think we are above being tempted in a certain area, that may be when we are most vulnerable. Peter insisted he would not deny Jesus three times, but was willing to die for Him. His overconfidence kept him from recognizing his lack of courage for the Lord.
There is a strategy for overcoming temptation found in James 4:7. “Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Through Jesus, we are set free to say “Yes” to God’s will and “No” to Satan’s temptations.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com