JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 84:11.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

God is the source of light for anyone whose walk is blameless. As a sun, God provides for us, He gives us the light of understanding and direction to follow His will. As a shield, God protects us. He keeps our soul secure in His grace. Nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. He delights in pouring out His good and perfect gifts on those who walk with Him in fellowship. The joy of being in God’s presence is emphasized in this Psalm.  This leads us to worship time and time again.

Psalm 84:12 says, “LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to look to the LORD as our sun and shield in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rely on God’s love for us.

First John 4:16 says, “We know and rely on the love God has for us.” This kind of reliance involves a confidence that God’s love is dependable and serves as a strong foundation for our lives.

In the summer of 1859, Charles Blondin became the first person to walk on a tightrope between Canada and the United States over the Niagra Falls. Huge crowds would gather to see him pushing a wheelbarrow over the falls. On one occasion, he asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow? The crowd affirmed “Yes.” Any takers?  His question challenged their claims of confidence.

When it comes to Jesus, we can rely on His love to carry us on this journey of faith to a heavenly destiny, where we will enjoy a relationship with God forever. He won’t let us down. He will take us to the other side.

Relying on God’s love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 27:1.

The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?

The light of God’s favor on David made a difference in his life. In the presence of dangerous circumstances, he was able to go forward with confidence and courage in the LORD rather than shrink back in fear.

The LORD’s salvation is a comfort for the person who follows Jesus. He is our source of security. His grace has a firm grip on us. We can live with the confidence that He is able to protect us from the schemes of our spiritual enemies. Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus. If God is for us, who can be against us?

This Light Reflection inspires us to keep our focus on Jesus as the stronghold of our lives in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Steps to a Radiant Faith are repentance and baptism.

This was the message that Peter shared with the crowd on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.

He centered his message on Jesus, explained His death and resurrection, and spoke of His identity as Lord and Messiah.

This generated the question from the crowd, “What shall we do?”

That is when Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

This is the message for anyone who is longing for a fresh start in God’s grace. Freedom and forgiveness are offered for anyone who changes the course of their lives to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

About 3,000 people embraced that message during Pentecost and were added to the church.

Repentance and Baptism are Vital Steps to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Light Reflection is from First Corinthians 1:30.

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.

When Jesus steps into our lives, He brings the influence of His grace and truth to redirect our path in a new direction.

His Light overcomes our darkness. His Clarity overcomes our confusion. His Wisdom overcomes our folly.

The wisdom of Jesus leads us into paths that are righteous, holy, and redemptive. James 3:17 tells us that the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to fully embrace Jesus and live out His wisdom in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to honor God with our wealth.

That’s the word from Proverbs 3:9. Whenever the subject of money and giving comes up in Christian circles, there is a lot of emphasis on tithing. This is the practice of giving 10 percent of our income to the Lord. Jesus confirmed the value of tithing in His earthly ministry, but also said there were more important matters to focus on like justice, mercy and faithfulness.

The New Testament teaches us to be cheerful givers. This means, giving generously with a glad and willing heart.

First Timothy 6:18 tells us how to honor God with the wealth that He provides for us. “Do good, be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share.” This is how we can store for ourselves treasures in heaven.

Honoring God with our wealth is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08gfXlSjkuiDuEt16Yfxtz?si=645654387f494d2a

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Philippians 2:13.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

The Gospel highlights God’s good purpose for our lives. After we come to faith in Jesus, we begin to wrestle with the question “What is God’s will for my life?” “Where is my place to serve Him?”

The good news is that we are not left alone to figure things out by ourselves. God promises to be with us. His Holy Spirit is available to guide us. His Word is available to help us grow in His grace and prepare for our mission. His love becomes the compelling force for our lives, driving us to be a voice of good news in a world that is looking for hope.

This Light Reflection inspires us to cooperate with God’s will and carry out His good purpose in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our time to God.

David said to the LORD in Psalm 31:15, “My times are in your hands.”

There is faith in that statement and understanding that God has given us a window of time on the earth. We are not here by accident, but by Providence.

Without God in view, some people reason that since time is limited, ‘let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” But with God in view, we have another perspective for the way we use our time. That perspective seeks to do the will of God and please Him with a heart of faith.

Ephesians 5:14 says, “Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Offering our time to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Philippians 1:21.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Life on this earth is temporary. Our bodies are not made to last, but while we live in them, we can live for a purpose that leaves a legacy of faith.

The Apostle Paul loved Jesus and lived for the glory of His name. As a result, Paul lived with purpose and hope.

There is much fulfillment when we live according to God’s design for our lives. If we live, that means fruitful labor for us. If we die, that means that we are in the comfort of God’s presence forever. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find our purpose and hope in Christ in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com