JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. Throughout the upcoming year, we will be highlighting statements made by God in the Bible.

This is what the LORD says in Luke 11:28.

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Jesus said this after a woman in the crowd pronounced a blessing on His mother who gave Jesus birth.

But Jesus responded with a blessing for those who listen attentively to God’s words and puts them into practice. This is when our faith shines brightly and where our joy is made complete-embracing the love of God, walking in the grace of God, and living according to the will of God. He moves in extraordinary ways in someone whose life is fully devoted to God.

Luke 11:28-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. We will explore the meanings of specific words found in the Bible and discover how they apply to our lives today.

Today’s Word is Discernment.

To have discernment is to know the difference between what is true and false, good and evil, right and wrong. Having discernment is also being able to identify God’s will and having the willing heart to go in that direction. Discernment flows out of a relationship with God, where we know what matters to Him and what He upholds as virtuous.

Hosea 14:9 asks the question, “Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. Throughout the upcoming year, we will be highlighting statements made by God in the Bible.

This is what the LORD says in Matthew 7:24 and 25.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Jesus was wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount when He said this. This includes the Beatitudes, the Lord’s prayer, and the Golden Rule. The teachings of Jesus form a firm foundation for our lives that build a strong faith in Him.

Matthew 7:24 and 25-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. We will explore the meanings of specific words found in the Bible and discover how they apply to our lives today.

Today’s Word is Welcome.

To Welcome someone is to invite them to be with us and to be receptive to their company.

In Luke 8:40, a crowd welcomed Jesus, for they were all expecting him.

Crowds were not always so kind to Jesus, but this crowd was receptive to His presence and wanted to be near Him. What does that look like for us to roll out the welcome mat for Jesus?

Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. Throughout the upcoming year, we will be highlighting statements made by God in the Bible.

This is what the LORD says in Jeremiah 29:11-“For I know the plans I have for you….plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The LORD was making this statement to the Israelites who were in captivity, but God was promising that they would not stay in captivity forever. He had plans to bless them in the future. This can be said for those who belong to God today.

He has a noble purpose for us to glorify God and shine His light in the world.

He has a plan of redemption to free us from the slavery of sin and to know the joy of being in relationship with Him.  That plan is Jesus.

He has a future hope in His glorious presence. That hope is heaven.

Jeremiah 29:11-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. We will explore the meanings of specific words found in the Bible and discover how they apply to our lives today.

Today’s Word is Create.

One definition of “Create” is to bring something into existence.”

By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command. Genesis 1 describes what happened.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” We are part of His creation. The question some people wonder is “Why?” If we can answer that question, we can have a clearer understanding of how we can spend our time wisely while we are here.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We were created by God and for God. When we live in relationship with Him, we will be in the best position to thrive for His glory.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. Throughout the upcoming year, we will be highlighting statements made by God in the Bible.

This is what the LORD says in Isaiah 43:18 and 19-“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Because of the grace of God, we do not have to live in regrets for past sins and failures. Through Jesus, God provides forgiveness for His people. He guides our pathway forward with a vision of hope. He showers us with blessings for the purpose that He states in verse 21-“that they may proclaim my praise.”

Isaiah 43:18 and 19-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2025 is the Year of God’s Word at WJTL. We will explore the meanings of specific words found in the Bible and discover how they apply to our lives today.

Today’s Word is New.

One definition of “New” is something that has recently come into existence. When our lives are made new in Christ, we have a fresh start and a clean heart. We have a new purpose and a new focus. That purpose is the glory of God. That focus is Jesus Christ.  We have a new life that welcomes the attitude of Jesus into our lives. This attitude includes compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in John 1, verses 11 and 12.

Speaking of Jesus, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Jesus did not wait to enter the world until we got our act together. He came when we were a mess. He came to a human race that was corrupted by sin, and had no hope of digging ourselves out of the spiritual debt that we owed to God. But Jesus came to make things right in our relationship to God. He bridged the gap by shedding His blood on the cross and rising from the dead.

By faith, we recognize what Jesus did for us, receive Him as Lord and Savior, and join the family of God as daughters and sons.

Acceptance into God’s family reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Matthew 1:23.

At the birth of Jesus, this prophecy was fulfilled, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us.’)

The birth of Jesus was a moment when God came near to us in a human body. The arrival of Jesus showed us that God is faithful to His promises. He showed up in a visible way to demonstrate His love for us. He walked among the crowds and taught them. He was close enough to hear their cries and close enough to help them. His main focus of ministry was to seek and to save the lost, so that we might be redeemed.

The coming of Jesus means that God took the initiative to restore our relationship with Him. His love moved toward us so that we might experience the fullness of His grace. History took a hopeful turn the day that Jesus came to earth as a baby.

Immanuel reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com