JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Philippians 1:21.

The Apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

As long as we are alive in our bodies, we have the opportunity to know Jesus personally, to live for Him, and find our purpose in Him. Paul reasoned that as he went on living in his body, that would mean fruitful labor for him. Yet, to be with Christ was better by far. So, he viewed death as a promotion into the presence of God.

So, as we live for Jesus today, we have the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God. This happens as we work for the progress and joy of believers, and persuade unbelievers to become followers of Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to use our time on this earth to live for Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is choosing places of humility.

In Luke 14:8, Jesus taught a parable to show the value of seeking humility rather than honor for ourselves.

Jesus said that when someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited…..When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Philippians 2:3 instructs us with these words, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Choosing places of humility is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Acts 4:12.

Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

He did not make this statement in a church or at a Bible study among believers. He said this in front of very influential men who were not believers in Jesus. Just a few weeks earlier, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. But this time, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and with courage.

This kind of courage flows out of spending time with Jesus in His Word and in prayer. The teachers of the law observed the courage of two disciples that day-Peter and John. They noted that these unschooled, ordinary men had been with Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to turn to 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 sharing the workload with others.

If our workload gets too heavy for us, that is a good time to seek support from others to share the workload. This will include them with meaningful tasks and help us to prevent burnout.

In Exodus 18, the father-in-law of Moses saw that Moses was serving as judge for the Israelites from morning until evening. When he observed this, he said, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. This work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.”

So, he advised Moses to select capable men from all the people-trustworthy men who feared God, and hated dishonest gain. They would decide the simple cases. Moses would decide the difficult cases. This was how Moses enlisted much-needed support.

Sharing the workload with others is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Micah 7:7.

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Micah made this statement in the background of a morally corrupted culture around him. Sons were dishonoring their fathers. Daughters were rising up against their mothers. A man’s enemies were members of his household. Neighbors were not trustworthy.

Micah turned his hope toward heaven where God would be his source of comfort and strength. Micah’s faith spoke in how he waited on God. That is a good example for us. People will let us down. Things will break down. But there is salvation from above, and a certain hope in the Lord. He is our source of help in troubled times.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to put our hope in God’s unfailing love in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Habakkuk 3:17 and 18.

The prophet said, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

This statement of faith stops us in our tracks to consider what our relationship with God might look like if the crops failed or if food was scarce. After this prophet of God struggled with hard questions, he arrived at a place where his joy was in the Lord, not in his circumstances.

For people like Habakkuk, David, and Jacob in the Bible, their struggles led to worship. That is what can happen with us when we seek God through our difficult questions.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to rejoice in the Lord through the circumstances of our lives in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

After Solomon died, Rehoboam had a choice to make in First Kings 12. The people said to him, “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor he put on us, and we will serve you.”

He consulted the elders who advised him to be a servant to the people and give them a favorable answer. Then he went to his peers, who advised him to make the yoke even heavier.

Rehoboam listened to his peers, and the result was a divided kingdom. Servant leadership considers the needs of those they serve and does not lead by intimidation or selfish ambition. That is the kind of leadership that Jesus demonstrates. He said in Matthew 11:28 and 29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”

Servant Leadership is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 3:30.

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah with his preaching of repentance and Baptizing ministry.

The day came when Jesus was drawing followers. John heard what people were saying, “that man you testified about-look, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him.”

This was welcome news. John’s faith spoke in his humility. This was his reply: “He must become greater; I must become less.”

That’s a great statement of faith for anyone who is wanting to see Jesus magnified. Draw attention to His worthiness rather than our own. That is what John did when he said about Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to magnify Jesus with a humble heart in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com