JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Luke 17:15 and 16.

After Jesus healed ten men of leprosy, one of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him-and he was a Samaritan.

10 men were healed of leprosy, but only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus. Thanksgiving is an expression of praise to God. It may be expressed as a simple “thank you” or it may be expressed in an offering to God or in a song. It may involve keeping a journal of remembering specific ways that God has blessed our lives.

In the Christian faith, thanksgiving is meant to be more than just a holiday. It is a way of life that notices God’s blessings, and acknowledges His gracious hand with expressions of praise.

These faith-building verses inspire us to thank Jesus for His goodness and graciousness in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Romans 12:16 tells us to live in harmony with one another.

This is a good word for the church today as we seek to build healthy relationships that reflect God’s love.

In an orchestra, instruments play different notes, but harmonize to form a masterpiece as each musician does their part at the direction of the conductor.

God did not make us all alike. We have different gifts and personalities, but as we look to Jesus as our conductor, and contribute with the part we do well, the church works together to form a beautiful song that glorifies God and unifies His people.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 7:26 and 27.

Such a high priest truly meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once and for all when he offered himself.

Here we see that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our imperfect lives. The description of humanity points to our need for a Savior. Romans 3:12 says, “There is no one who does good, not even one.” Jesus is the exception. He lived a sinless life. He came from heaven to earth to reveal the way to be forgiven of our sins and enjoy life with God forever. Then, He laid down His life for us on the cross. He paid the price in full for our redemption.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to look to Jesus as the worthy sacrifice for our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Learning from the example of others.

Take note of the consequences of bad decisions, and the fruitfulness of good decisions. This will help us grow in the way of wisdom, and give us discernment when choosing friends.

In First Corinthians 10, Paul wrote about the experiences of the Israelites in the days of Moses. The people of that time committed idolatry, indulged in revelry, engaged in immorality, and grumbled against God. Verse 6 says, “These things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did”.

A positive view of learning is found in the example of Paul the Apostle. He wrote in Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Learning from the Example of others is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a Thought Life focused on Jesus.

The foundation for a focused thought life that pleases God is Jesus. Philippians 4:8 says to the family of God, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Jesus fits the description of all these words. When we focus our thoughts on Him, we learn to see others through His eyes of love, concern, and compassion.

This focus will also enable us to appreciate these virtuous qualities in others and to offer them encouragement when we see them displayed.

A Thought Life focused on Jesus is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtlcom

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 7:24 and 25.

Speaking of Jesus, “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Intercession is prayer on behalf of another.

If we want to know what Jesus is doing in heaven right now, this Scripture points us to one of His functions. He is interceding for us.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He told Simon Peter that he would deny knowing Jesus three times. Yet, even knowing Peter’s weaknesses, Jesus would not give up on him. He said in Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

In Jesus, we have an advocate to the Father, to intercede on our behalf and to defend us through our weaknesses.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to trust Jesus to intercede for us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Job 13:15.

Job said about the LORD, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

Job persevered in faith through suffering. He understood some things about life and the Lord that can help us to endure the trials of life.

First, Job understood that life on earth was temporary, and that his life was in God’s hands. He said in Job 1:21 in a moment of worship, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.”

Second, Job understood that life on earth and his blessings were gifts from above. He said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Third, Job knew His Redeemer was his source of hope. He said in Job 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand on the earth.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to endure the trials of life with our hope in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to be a welcoming influence.

This is what Jesus did with the crowds that came to see Him. Luke 9:11 says that as the crowds followed Jesus, He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Jesus came to the world to engage us in conversation and to teach us about the kingdom of God.

His example shows us the value of rolling out the welcome mat to invite others into meaningful conversation. We will learn a lot in those conversations and have opportunity to be an influence for Christ as we share the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect.

Near the end of his life, Paul the Apostle lived in a rented house. Acts 28:30 says that for two whole years, he “welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance, he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Being a Welcoming Influence is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com