Staff
Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Removal of Distractions
john : June 6, 2022 4:39 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is the removal of distractions from conversations.
In today’s busy world where we are connected to technology, there are many factors that can prevent us from having meaningful interactions with loved ones. Computers, cell phones, and televisions can capture our attention at the expense of meaningful relationships.
In Martha’s case, it was not technology distracting her, but busyness and worry. In Luke 10:38, Jesus came to her house. Martha was working on preparations. Meanwhile, her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her, Jesus tenderly said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Clearing the distractions of our day will help us have focused time with Jesus and focused conversation with others.
The removal of distractions is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) (feat. Pat Barrett, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Naomi Raine, Crowder) | Worship Together & Matt Redman | 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) [10th Anniversary] | 2022 |
I Choose To Worship | Rend Collective | Choose To Worship | 2020 |
High Praise (feat. Ryan Ofei & Mariah Adigun) | Tribl & Maverick City Music | Tribl I | 2021 |
In The Hands Of Christ My King | Austin Stone Worship | With/In | 2020 |
Make Room (feat. Chris McClarney & Sarah Reeves) | Meredith Andrews | Single | 2022 |
Simple Kingdom (feat. Cody Carnes) | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Ive Got Good News (Live) | 2022 |
A Thousand Hallelujahs (Live) | Brooke Ligertwood | Single | 2022 |
Hallelujah Here Below | Elevation Worship | Hallelujah Here Below | 2018 |
Worthy Of My Song | Phil Wickham | Single | 2022 |
Is He Worthy? (feat. Chris Tomlin) | Keith & Kristyn Getty | Sing! In Christ Alone | 2022 |
His Mercy Is More (feat. Shane & Shane) | Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | Sing! In Christ Alone | 2022 |
7AM | |||
Faith and Wonder (Live) | Meredith Andrews | Faith and Wonder (Live) | 2019 |
Firm Foundation (He Wont) | The Belonging Co & Cody Carnes | Here (Live) | 2022 |
Leaning (feat. Lizzie Morgan) | Matt Maher | Single | 2022 |
Nothing Can Separate (feat. Matt Redman) | Lucy Grimble | Gods Heart Explodes | 2020 |
Every Hour | David Leonard | Single | 2022 |
Beautiful Jesus (feat. Chidima) | Passion | Burn Bright – EP | 2022 |
Mention of Your Name | Jenn Johnson | After All These Years | 2017 |
Thats The Power (feat. Benjamin Hastings) | Hillsong Worship | These Same Skies (Live) | 2021 |
I Thank God (feat. Dante Bowe, Aaron Moses, Maryanne J. George & Chuck Butler) | Maverick City Music & UPPERROOM | Move Your Heart | 2021 |
See Clearly (feat. Sandra McCracken) | Elias Dummer | Single | 2022 |
Love Song (feat. Elle Limebear) | one sonic society | Love Song (feat. Elle Limebear) – Single | 2018 |
8AM | |||
God Really Loves Us (feat. Dante Bowe & Maverick City Music) | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
How You Love Me | Patrick Mayberry | Holy Spirit Come (Bonus Video Version) – EP | 2021 |
Run to the Father | Cody Carnes | Single | 2019 |
Reaching For You (feat. We The Kingdom) | Chris Tomlin | Chris Tomlin & Friends | 2020 |
Another in the Fire (Live) | Hillsong UNITED | People (Live) | 2019 |
By My Side (Live) | David Leonard | The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live) | 2019 |
Dont You Give Up On Me | Brandon Lake | HELP! | 2022 |
Hope and A Future (feat. Nate Moore & Chandler Moore) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires + Friends (Live) – Single | 2020 |
All Your Plans (feat. Michael Bethany) | Gateway Worship | See You Move: Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 2 | 2020 |
Plans | Rend Collective | Single | 2022 |
Plans | Tim Hughes | Pocketful of Faith | 2015 |
As Sure As The Sun | Ellie Holcomb | As Sure As The Sun | 2015 |
9AM | |||
Time and Time Again | Local Sound | To the King – EP | 2022 |
On Repeat | Hillsong UNITED | On Repeat – Single | 2022 |
Over and Over | Chris McClarney | Breakthrough | 2018 |
Neverending | David Crowder Band | Remedy | 2007 |
Faithful God | I AM THEY | Faithful God – Single | 2020 |
Morning By Morning (Live From Worship Together) | Pat Barrett | Morning By Morning (I Will Trust) – EP | 2022 |
Every Morning | Aaron Shust | Single | 2021 |
Lift You High (feat. Kirby Kaple & Dante Bowe) | Housefires | Single | 2020 |
Mercies (New Every Morning) | Matt Redman | Let There Be Wonder (Digital Deluxe) | 2020 |
Morning Song (Acoustic) | Land of Color | Single | 2019 |
Morning Sun | Philip Herndon | Decade | 2019 |
What a Good God | Paul Baloche | Behold Him | 2020 |
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tiJA8wfJlUbQrQAfbATKi?si=557987cc17f94ec9
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Colossians 3:23 and 24.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Worship is a way of life that includes our work. We serve customers, and we serve our supervisors in the workplace, but ultimately, our service is for Christ. His eyes are on us in the workplace. He is honored through service that is motivated by love for God. That does not mean that we have to be a pastor or a missionary to glorify God in our work. We can honor Him right where we are by being responsible stewards of our time and skills on the job.
Work gives us opportunity to serve and be a blessing to those we serve for the glory of God.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to worship God in our work in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 10:24 and 25.
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Worship is a way of life that includes fellowship with other believers.
Church is one place where we can find edifying relationships for our faith. As we seek out friendships with other people who sincerely love God and care about us, there will be opportunities to learn, grow, and find support for our faith. And the same thing can happen for others through our encouragement. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise.” The local church is a place where we can help each other grow in our walk with Christ.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to form friendships that will move us closer to God in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 4:14 to 16.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Worship is a way of life that includes prayer. Jesus is our Mediator. He lives to intercede for us. A relationship with God is possible because of Jesus who died for us and rose again. Prayer is an opportunity to have a conversation with God-to tell Him what is on our mind and heart, and to seek the perspective of God’s mind and heart. We have access to His throne of grace anytime of the day, anywhere we happen to be.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to draw near to God in prayer in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
This week’s Praise & Worship Playlist has 4 new themes: Songs for God’s Presence, Songs for Your Household, a Don’t Worry Theme and Plans & Promises Theme. I hope these songs connect with your heart!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19Gpjmdzy9oYCusxKI4pdO?si=fc705242963449f8
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5fONrVX3fL3HV2HdXYm5Rw?si=95b8fbc3c0d74a97
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41dgkbD36yhozPulbiWlI0?si=2ffda4d5d5614eb6
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM Presence Theme | |||
Come And Let Your Presence | The Merchant Band | The World Can Wait | 2006 |
In The Hands Of Christ My King | Austin Stone Worship | With/In | 2020 |
Holy Spirit Come | Patrick Mayberry | Holy Spirit Come – EP | 2021 |
Just Like Heaven (Live) | Brandon Lake | House of Miracles (Live) | 2021 |
Prayer Medley (I Love Your Presence, Babylon) | Anthony Skinner | Forever and a Day | 2003 |
Here in the Presence | Elevation Worship | There Is a Cloud | 2017 |
Your Presence | Matt & Kim Goss | The Worship EP | 2019 |
In Your Presence (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) [Live] | Jesus Culture | Let It Echo (Live) | 2016 |
Song For His Presence | Hillsong Worship | These Same Skies (Live) | 2021 |
Im a Lover of Your Presence | Bryan & Katie Torwalt | Here On Earth | 2011 |
7AM Songs for Your Household | \ | ||
The Solid Rock | Charlie Hall Band | The Death of Death | 2013 |
Firm Foundation (He Wont) | The Belonging Co & Cody Carnes | Here (Live) | 2022 |
We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) | Bethel Music & Brian Johnson | We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition] | 2015 |
Arrows (I Will Be With You) | Bethel Music & We The Kingdom | Peace, Vol. II | 2021 |
House of Miracles (Live) | Brandon Lake | House of Miracles (Live) | 2021 |
As For Me | Pat Barrett & Chris Tomlin | Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly | 2021 |
Build My Life (feat. Cory Asbury) | Pat Barrett | Build My Life EP | 2018 |
Talking To Jesus (feat. Brandon Lake) | Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music | Old Church Basement | 2021 |
The Blessing (Live) | Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | Graves Into Gardens (Deluxe) [Live] | 2020 |
8AM Don’t Worry Theme | |||
Sparrows | Cory Asbury | To Love a Fool | 2020 |
Sparrows and Lilies | Pat Barrett | Pat Barrett | 2018 |
Sparrow (feat. Nate Moore) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires VII (Live) | 2021 |
Joyful | Dante Bowe | Circles | 2021 |
Rejoice | Andrew Ripp | Evergreen | 2021 |
Ill Give Thanks (feat. Kirby Kaple) | Housefires | Ill Give Thanks | 2020 |
Evergreen | Gable Price and Friends | Fractioned Heart | 2020 |
Hallelujah For Every Broken Heart | Crowder | Milk & Honey | 2021 |
Jireh (feat. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine) | Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music | Old Church Basement | 2021 |
Mysterious Ways (Live) | David Leonard | The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live) | 2019 |
God Moves In A Mysterious Way | Jeremy Riddle | Full Attention | 2007 |
Take Courage (Kristene DiMarco) | Bethel Music | Starlight (Live) | 2017 |
Take Heart (MMXX) | Hillsong Worship | Take Heart (Again) | 2020 |
9AM Plans & Promises Theme | |||
Promises Never Fail (Live) | Bethel Music & Emmy Rose | Victory (Live) | 2019 |
Yes and Amen (feat. Chris McClarney) | Jesus Culture | Living with a Fire | 2018 |
Abraham | Josh Baldwin | The War Is Over | 2017 |
Hope and A Future (feat. Nate Moore & Chandler Moore) [Live] | Housefires | Housefires + Friends (Live) – Single | 2020 |
Never Fail (Live) | Hillsong Young & Free | Out Here On A Friday Where It Began (Live) | 2021 |
You Never Fail Me (All My Life) | Mosaic MSC | HUMAN EP (Live) | 2020 |
Promises | Mission Worship | Single | 2020 |
All Your Plans (feat. Michael Bethany) | Gateway Worship | See You Move: Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 2 | 2020 |
By the Grace of God (feat. Tim Hughes) | Gas Street Music | Rewilding – EP | 2021 |
I Will Wait (Live) | David Leonard | The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live) | 2019 |
Promises (feat. Trenton Bell & Davy Flowers) | The Worship Initiative & Shane & Shane | The Worship Initiative, Vol. 22 | 2020 |
JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 1:1 to 3
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”
Worship is a way of life that includes meditation on God’s Word. This is vital for a thriving faith. A.W. Tozer has said that “the importance of reading the Bible is not reading, but fellowship with the Author.” When we read from the Bible, we are seeing the inspired words of God through His trusted messengers. As we give God our attention, His words will be our delight, and His counsel will guide our steps to a fruitful place. Never underestimate the power of God to transform lives through His Word.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to meditate on God’s Words and to delight in them in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7smvd2eecObMje3ML6kr2K?si=d19d93f813074f1a
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 46:10.
God’s Word speaks to us with this counsel- “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The key to a confident faith is time spent with Jesus. Worship is a way of life that includes time alone with God-away from the noise of the day. We have many gadgets that can speak into our lives, and some of the content in our podcasts, broadcasts, and telecasts can be quite edifying. But there are no substitutes for intimate moments with God where we meditate on His Word and seek His face.
Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Finding a specific solitary place to be with God on a regular basis is an extraordinary step to shutting out distractions so that we can fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be still and know the LORD in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com