JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “Is Christianity a crutch?”

Sometimes, people think of Christianity as a crutch in negative terms to imply that faith is for the weak and for losers. Is it better to rely on ourselves or rely on God to meet our greatest needs?

Physically, crutches are useful for the person who lacks strength to walk on their own. Spiritually, sin weakens us to the point that we are not able to stand before God in our own righteousness. This is why we need Jesus. His righteousness gives us light for our path, strength for the journey of faith, and a way to live in good standing with God.

Isaiah 50, verse 10 says, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

The Hebrew word for “rely” in that verse means to lean on for support. Charles Spurgeon has said, “That is what you have to do with Christ-lean on Him with all your weight of sin and sorrow-lean on Jesus Christ….do not try to hold yourself up now-throw yourself right on him.

By leaning on Jesus, we are relying on the strength of God for support and salvation in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is encouragement in the church.

Barnabas was a role model of encouragement in the early church. Acts 11:23 records that when he went to Antioch, he saw the evidence of the grace of God. He was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Encouragement has a way of bringing out the best in people who want to serve God. Sometimes the circumstances of life wear us down, and the support of a brother or sister in Christ can provide a spark that ignites our faith once again.

Encouragement can also prevent someone from wandering into sinful patterns. We find that in Hebrews 3:13, which says, “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” So, let’s be a modern day Barnabas and find someone to encourage in the faith today.

Encouragement in the church is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How do I get ready each day to honor God with my life?”

We would not think of going to work without putting on clothing that meets the dress code at work. Nor would we think about going out the door without combing our hair, brushing our teeth, and in some cases, putting on makeup or shaving the face. These are some routines in the morning that make our appearance presentable in public.

The Bible talks about a dress code for Christians that can help us get spiritually ready for each new day to bring honor to God.

Colossians 3:12 says, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

By spending quality time with God in His Word and in prayer, we will be reminded that we are made holy by His grace and dearly loved. Then, we will be prepared to clothe ourselves with the qualities of Christ in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Here’s the playlist of the October 14/16 episode of Some Sort of Rock Show:

[Friday 10 // Sunday 8 & 10

Hour 1

1. Still Breathing – Veridia
2. God Of Fire – Kingdom
3. Set Sail – Attaboy
4. Dance Like You’re From The Future – After Edmund
5. Take Me Over – RED
6. Anchor Me – Decyfer Down
7. Birds Will Never Fly – Come Wind
8. Safe In Your Arms – Abandon
9. Haters – Beacon Light
10. You Can’t Stop Me – Andy Mineo
11. Darkness – Gold  Frankincense & Myrrh
12. Now – Fireflight
13. Wake Up – Thrice
14. Stare at the Sun – Thrice
15. I Lost It – Plain Cities

Hour 2

1. Don’t Bring That Trouble – NEEDTOBREATHE
2. Bottle Rocket – House of Heroes
3. Warm Up – NF
4. Sidelines – Lecrae
5. The Maze – Light45
6. War Of Change – Thousand Foot Krutch
7. Headed For Disaster – Flagship Armada
8. Roses – I Anthem
9. One Man Revolution – Starfield
10. These Hands – Hearts Like Lions
11. God Is With Us – Disciple
12. Underdog Fight Song – Disciple
13. Feel Invincible – Skillet

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How can I have peace in a world of turmoil?”

There is a way to have peace in the mist of an unsettled today and an uncertain tomorrow. Hold on to Jesus with all your weight. Lean on Him with all your trust.

In John 14:27, Jesus said to His followers, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus is the source of peace-peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.

Knowing the peace of God is linked with trusting God in Isaiah 26, verses 3 and 4: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Long after the troubles of this world are gone, the grace of God will remain for His people forever. That is why we have a secure foundation for our faith, and that is why we can trust in Jesus in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
October 14-16, 2016

5 Grace Church at Willow Valley’s Harvest Party tomorrow (Saturday, October 15) from 10am-2pm Games, a bounce house, Kids activities and food. More Info:  GraceWV.org

4 Disguise & Prize tomorrow (Sat. Oct. 15) from 1-4pm at  Jerusalem Church, Newport Rd in Manheim. Corn Maze, Prizes and kid friendly activities. Kids, wear a non-scary disguise and visit the trunk or treat vehicles for candy and prizes. More Info: www.jerusalemchurch.net

3 2016 Apple-Umpkin Festival, tomorrow (Saturday, October 15)
10am-4:30pm at Adamstown Community Park, West Main Sreet in Adamstown. Costume Parade, Hayride, Pumpkin Chucking, Build a Scarecrow, Carnival Games and lots of Apples of every kind. More Info AdamstownCommunityDays.com

2 MCFEE, (the Manheim Central Foundation for Educational Enrichment) Classic Car Show. Tomorrow (Saturday, October 15) 10am-2pm , on the Square of Manheim. Cars, Motorcycles, Antiques, Family friendly activities, food trucks and more. More Info: McFee4Kids.org

1 St. Paul Christian Early Learning Center Touch A Truck event, tomorrow (Saturday, October 15) 9am-1pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, West Orange Street in Lititz. Loads of vehicles and machinery, rides, activities,and more. Bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Lititz Warwick Community Chest. More Info: 717-627-0900

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the provision of God to live a godly life.

Second Peter 1:3 says that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him, who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Life is a spiritual battlefield. There are sinister forces that work against our soul, seeking to destroy us and separate us from God’s love. But God has resources too, to help us overcome those forces that wage war against our soul. Three of those resources are the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the Church.

The Holy Spirit fills us with love and hope. He reminds us of Jesus’ words, and guides us in the truth.

The Bible is the word of God, encouraging us with the message of grace and making known His will for our lives.

The church gives us a support structure in the Christian life and a place of belonging in His family of believers.

God’s provision for us to live a godly life is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Hurricane Matthew has made life even worse for thousands of people already living in extreme poverty in Haiti.  Houses have been washed away, and whole communities are left without food, water and shelter. Compassion has been at work in Haiti since 1968 and has and established network of almost 300 church partners which enables them quickly get the money you donate into the hands of those in Haiti providing relief and assistance.

Your gift will be put to work immediately to provide emergency shelter, food, water and medical care to those most in need. Just call 855-301-2323 or click the Hope In The Hurricane Banner below to bring Hope in the Hurricane with Compassion and WJTL.