JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Kindness.

This quality is identified in the fruit of the Spirit, showing tender concern for others. Kindness causes us to take notice of the person who feels forgotten or to be gentle with the person who feels anxiety.

Kindness is refreshing for someone who is beaten down by harsh words and discouraging influences.

Kindness is life-changing for someone who recognizes their need for God’s grace. Romans 2:4 tells us that the kindness of God leads us to repentance.

Because of God’s kindness toward us, we can be a voice of kindness and refreshment for others. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Kindness is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 11:1 and 2.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”

When we look into the Old Testament stories of the heroes of faith, we will notice a pattern where God called specific people into specific missions to accomplish His planned purpose.

Each one of them, including Noah, Abraham, and Moses needed to trust God without seeing the big picture. This is true of us too. God’s grace has been revealed ultimately through Jesus Christ. We have the Bible to tell us about this reality. He has a purpose for our lives, and we can find and fulfill that purpose by looking to Jesus and following His will step-by-step, day-by-day. We don’t know what the journey may bring, but we can trust Him to lead us to a place where our faith can thrive for His glory.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us put our confidence in God for salvation and direction in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Bs0WWV0eIetl53FY6Ggnw?si=681311b797344468

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Isaiah 55:6 and 7.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Life is a gift from the Lord. The present moment is our opportunity to draw near to Him in repentance, faith, and thanksgiving.

The word of God allows for U-turns when we are going the wrong direction. When we heed His call to come home to His mercy, the good news is that He will not treat us as our sins deserve. He sets us free from guilt and gives us new life in the freedom of His grace.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to seek the LORD’s mercy in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Peace.

This is one of the qualities found in the fruit of the Spirit. As a result of keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, we walk in the peace of God.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

The peace of God can be experienced even in the midst of chaos and confusion, because we have the assurance of God’s love embracing us in every season of our lives.

This will make a difference in how we relate with others around us, including our enemies. Romans 12:17 and 18 says this: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” The peace of God is a powerful force for enabling us to overcome evil with good.

Peace is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Luke 8:38 and 39.

Jesus was met by a demon-possessed man in this chapter of the Bible. Jesus commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man.

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’”

Jesus is able to deliver us from evil. Whenever that happens in our lives, that is a reason to praise the Lord and tell others about His graciousness to us. The Bible tells us that this man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. This kind of good news is worth spreading across our communities.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to tell others how our lives are changed by God’s grace in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is praise.

As the Holy Spirit moved among the believers in the early church, these disciples united in a chorus of praise. Joy was moving them to lift up the name of Jesus publicly.

Acts 2:47 tells us that they were praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Praise has a contagious effect on a community. People will take notice of a church that is rejoicing in the Lord, and some will be drawn to Jesus by the testimony of praise.

As we express praise for the goodness and graciousness of God, there will be opportunities to shine the light of the Gospel among those who need to hear this good news.

Praise is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Matthew 8:26 and. 27.

In the midst of a furious storm, the disciples woke up Jesus while they were in a boat.

They said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Jesus demonstrated His authority over the weather conditions. Job 28:26 talks about God making a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm. Sometimes, God takes us out of the life’s storms, and sometimes He brings us through it, but just like the disciples, we are never alone. Jesus is there with comfort and encouragement.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to trust in Jesus through the storms of life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6TOzhvraHbbr5nARRA8B9l?si=3db5aa08445a4035

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Consistent Connection.

While the disciples of the early church were certainly not perfect, they were committed to Jesus and lived out the Gospel in a powerful way that moved the world.

One of the dynamics of the early church was their constant connection to each other. They met regularly for prayer, worship, and fellowship.

Acts 2:46 says “Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple courts.” Relationships in the church have opportunity to thrive where the Lord is invited into our conversations, and communication lines remain open among ourselves.

Consistent Connection is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com