Kids Cookie Break Fest 2019 is coming up in just a couple of months… August 24, to be exact. It’s become our annual traditional to offer FREE AM and PM sessions of music and Kids Cookie Break style family fun all over the property here at The Junction Center . What a fun way to wrap up the summer!

This special day for local families could not happen without our awesome team of volunteers. Many of our incredible team help at events year round, too! We are so grateful! Can you join us?

There are tons of areas that you could help us with: Parking, Ticket Taking, Craft, Bounce House Attendant, Pedal Cars, handing out pre-purchased Chick-fil-A Meals, Concessions/Drink Sales, Artist Merchandise, Trash and more! You must be age 14 on up in order to volunteer.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people OR you could sign up with a friend or as a small group project.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Just email stacey@wjtl.com. OR if you would like to check out the various options and even sign yourself up, go to https://signup.com/go/MFQJhby

THANK YOU!!!

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 22:51.

Jesus said to Peter, “No more of this.” Then, He touched a man’s ear and healed him.

Peter had just drawn the sword and used it on the servant of the high priest. That was when Jesus stepped into say, “No more of this”-meaning, No more violence. He was telling Peter to put away his sword. 

Earlier, Jesus told the disciples to take two swords, but clearly, it was not for the purpose of preventing His arrest. Jesus told Pilate at His trial, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

The words of Jesus inspire us to use peaceful means in our defense of the Gospel in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 5:31.

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

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

Jesus spent time with people who had sinful reputations because He loved them. He sought to save them from their sins and change their eternal destiny from death to life. In reality, when He came to the world, He came to a situation where there was no one who always does right and never sins. That is the way the world is today too. That means, Jesus came for us in our sinful condition, not to condemn us, but to redeem us and be in relationship with us.

The words of Jesus inspire us to find the cure for our sinful condition in God’s amazing grace in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 28, verses 18 to 20.

Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This is known as the “Great Commission.” Jesus promises to be with us as we go in His name to produce more devoted followers of Jesus. Notice, the focus of this Commission is not just conversion. God does want us to give people the opportunity to come to faith in Christ. But that is not where it stops. Jesus also told His disciples to teach them to obey His words. That is the process of discipleship, which helps people to grow in their faith as they follow Jesus.

The words of Jesus inspire us to be part of the Great Commission in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 23:3b.

With the LORD as my Shepherd, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

In John chapter 10, when Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, He said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

Jesus knows how to guide His people in the right direction. His grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. Jesus will not tempt us to do what is wrong, but He will move us to do what is right for the glory of God.

Through Jesus, we are set free to walk on the righteous pathways where God leads us. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 23:2.

With the LORD as my shepherd, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”

In a relationship with God, we can rest in His grace. His love will be our source of peace and confidence. In a works-oriented religion, a person tries to earn the favor of God with good deeds, but with that mindset, there is never any true security that we have done enough to please our Maker. When we see God’s love through the cross, we see His grace as a gift to be received by faith, not a paycheck to earn by our good deeds.  

Our yearning for peace with God is satisfied in Christ, and our thirst for righteousness is satisfied by the gentle flow of His grace.   

Through Jesus, we are set free to enjoy God’s rest and refreshment.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 5:3.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is talking about the blessing of being humble before God. A person who is proud does not recognize their need for God’s grace. But with humility, we see a clearer picture of who God is, who we are, and how much we need Him.

When David confessed his sin in Psalm 51, he said, “A broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise.”

The Kingdom of heaven will be filled with people who have turned to God in their brokenness.

The words of Jesus inspire us to be humble before God in the Year of Redemption. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Hello!

This morning’s lineup is special.  It’s a Breakthrough Theme!  These songs are powerful — helping us to sing our way through impossible situations.  If you’re in one, or know someone who is, I hope you receive a boost of confidence that God gets our victory before the battle begins. Proceed with praise and faith!

Praying you are encouraged—and that your breakthrough is coming soon!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” –Romans 12:12 (NIV)

“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”–Romans 15:13 (MSG)

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com