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

This is a friendly disposition to serve others who need some kind of assistance.

If a person is recovering from surgery, they might not be able to do some of the regular household chores that they did before the surgery.

Being helpful in that situation might mean bringing a meal for that household or doing some work around the house for them until they recover.

The starting place for being helpful is a compassionate heart that perceives human need and follows up with a willing heart to serve. By doing so, we offer to carry someone’s burdens with them.

Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Genesis 15:6.

From the New Living Translation: Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Righteousness before God is the result of our faith in the LORD. Romans 4:23 points out something very exciting for us by Abraham’s faith.

“When God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to get right with God by trusting in Jesus to save us from our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

The way of wisdom leads to character qualities that build better relationships.

Wisdom can be defined as “the ability to discern what is true, right, or lasting.”

James 3:13 asks the question, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Verse 17 in that same chapter says, “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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The conflict in Ukraine has left many people vulnerable and in need of aid.  As we continue to pray for all that are impacted by the invasion and unrest; there are organizations providing opportunities to lend critical support.

MCC is accepting donations for a response in Ukraine.  From their website: “MCC’s response will be focused on longer-term scale up of existing programs that support vulnerable people and extending those services to internally displaced populations. It will likely include psychosocial support and trauma healing, temporary emergency housing, emergency distributions of locally purchased emergency supplies such as blankets, and distribution of food packages. MCC also plans to resume shipments of material resources once the in-country conditions are stable enough to do so.”

Samaritans Purse is operating multiple medical facilities in various parts of Ukraine and providing food and non-food relief items through church partnerships in both Ukraine and Moldova.

Hope International has created a Hope Ukraine assistance fund

World Vision  is on the ground in Eastern Europe preparing to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families who have been forcibly displaced due to the escalating crisis in Ukraine.  Your donation can help provide children and families searching for a safe haven with protection and psychosocial support including Child-Friendly Spaces in neighboring countries in the Middle East and Eastern European region.

Mission Eurasia    Has established a Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund to help provide for the urgent, immediate needs of Ukrainians still living in the country, as well as refugees who have fled to neighboring countries.  Hear Fred’s interview with Don Parsons, Director of the Unreached People Groups Initiative here

Barnabas Aid   Sending funds to churches in the neighboring countries as they care for Christian and other refugees.  Barnabas supporters in the United Kingdom are donating food items, blankets and winter clothes, to be transported by van or truck across Europe to the borders of Ukraine to supply the local churches caring for the refugees from Ukraine.

World Without Orphans has established a Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund to support the work of their Ukrainian staff and partners in the country serving those who are internally displaced or fleeing to neighboring countries. A specific focus of their ministry is on safety and provision for orphaned children and their caregivers.

BCM International  Providing food, shelter, and medical supplies as well as aiding the displaced in their journey to western Ukraine and other international safe-havens.

Tying Vines  Vice President Melissa Mitchell is working with the Polish ambassador to help in organizing aid to the thousands of refugees flooding into Poland.

Compassion International has some helpful prayer targets published for times of turmoil around the world.

The Pocket Testament League is providing Ukranian Gospels through Blessings of Hope food containers and are also providing gospels to other ministries providing relief.

Tomorrow Clubs International is coordinating with local churches and Christ followers to provide basic needs for Ukranian refugees including hot meals, food packages, mattresses and medications and more.

Friends in Action International   University of Divine Grace (FIA ministry partner) Faculty and Bible school students are distributing blankets, hot drinks, food, and hope. The Chișinău university campus and support facilities have become a haven for refugees while providing an opportunity to learn about Jesus, our Prince of Peace. UDG also supports those traveling by vehicle with free maintenance and repair services, enabling stranded travelers to continue on their way into Western Europe.

Missions International is the organization Tommy Iceland partners with. This non-profit organization that directly helps those in need who are impacted by the war. All donations made will benefit the families in Melitopol and all over Ukraine.

Sunrise4Ukraine:  A global initiative encouraging churches to host an additional Sunrise Service on April 24 to join together in praying for Ukraine & Russia.  April 24^th is Easter Sunday for the Orthodox and for most Eastern Christians.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 16:33.

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He prepared His disciples for what was to come. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

Jesus is the great overcomer who helps us to overcome the world.

Jesus overcame temptation. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus would resist by using the word of God. He showed us how we can overcome temptation with God’s Word.

Jesus overcame evil with good. At the cross, Jesus responded to the hatred that was poured out on Him by pouring out His love for us. His blood was shed at the cross for our redemption.

Jesus also overcame the grave, breaking the power of death, and freeing us from being paralyzed by the fear of death.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be encouraged by the victory found in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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