JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Acts 17: 26 to 28.

The Apostle Paul said, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they should seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

This insight reveals that we are not here by accident, but rather by providence. God made us for the purpose of knowing Him. He is not distant from hearing the cries of our heart. He is near enough to hear our humble prayers and to save us from our sins. He has the power to restore us to a right relationship with Him through faith in Jesus.

These faith-building verses inspire us to call on the name of the Lord in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Second Corinthians 1:18 to 20.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “yes” and “no”. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-by me and Silas and Timothy-was not “yes” and “no”, but in him, it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”

Over and over in the Bible, we get the clear message that God is faithful. One of the implications of His faithfulness is that we can count on God’s promises to be trustworthy and true. He is faithful to do what He says He will do. So, whenever you see God’s promises in the Bible, you can count on Him to fulfill that promise in His own way and in His own timing.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust God’s promises in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 34:8.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

This is possible when we live in relationship with God, as we walk with Him, talk with Him, love Him, and trust Him.

As we grow in God’s Word, we will learn the value of His wisdom and the treasure of His love. We will live in the freedom of His forgiveness and in the hope of His salvation. The eyes of our heart will be opened to the goodness of His grace. Jesus will be the focus of our faith. His cross is a reminder of His suffering for our sins. His empty grave is a reminder of His victory over death. His gentleness and humility invite us to approach Him with the cares of our heart.

This faith-building verse inspires us to taste and see that the Lord is good in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

First Peter 1:22 says, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

Flattery may appear to be friendly, but it comes with personal agendas. Sincere love does not flatter someone with hidden motives. Instead, sincere love is purely motivated to build up others. The pure love of Jesus is the motivating force to reach out to others with words of hope and encouragement.

First Peter 4:8 shows us what can happen when we love with sincerity instead of using flattery. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Romans 12:10 encourages us to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

We were made for relationships. Devoted love here is an affection love based on friendship. Our relationships have opportunity to thrive when we think beyond our own self-interests and look to the interests of others. In relationships, we can learn together, grow together, and build godly character in each other.

There is joy in friendships where affectionate love exists, where mutual respect is shared, and where each person thoroughly enjoys the companionship of the other.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week’s Praise & Worship playlist includes brand new songs from Hillsong United, North Point Worship, Andy Cherry and a collab cover of “Make Room” by Meredith Andrews featuring Chris McClarney and Sarah Reeves. Plus, mini themes giving God our “Yes”, declaring “I Will” and “Returning to our First Love”.

 

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Podcast: Spotify & Apple Podcasts & SoundCloud

Follow: Instagram & Facebook

Playlists: Spotify

Song Title	Artist	Album	Year
6AM
How Great Thou Art	Kerrie Roberts	Single	2022
Firm Foundation (He Wont) [feat. Chandler Moore & Cody Carnes]	Maverick City Music	Single	2022
The Solid Rock	Charlie Hall Band	The Death of Death	2013
Build My Life (feat. Cory Asbury)	Pat Barrett	Build My Life EP	2018
Jesus Over Everything	The Belonging Co	See The Light	2021
Mighty (Live)	Andy Cherry	Single	2021
Thats The Power (feat. Benjamin Hastings)	Hillsong Worship	These Same Skies (Live)	2021
Might Get Loud (feat. Chris Brown, Brandon Lake & Tiffany Hudson)	Elevation Worship	Single	2021
Even Louder (feat. Leeland)	Steven Malcolm	The Second City, Pt. 2 – EP	2018
First Love (Live)	Kari Jobe	The Blessing (Live)	2020
Resurrender (feat. Brooke Ligertwood)	Hillsong Worship	These Same Skies	2021
7AM
Return to You (feat. Luke Hellebronth)	Gas Street Music	Single	2021
Returning (Live)	Kim Walker-Smith	Wild Heart (Live)	2020
My Eyes Have Seen (feat. Chidima)	Passion	Burn Bright – EP	2022
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Amazing Grace)	Shane & Shane	Hymns, Vol. 2	2019
I See You (feat. Brandon Lake)	Chris Tomlin	Single	2021
Our Eyes Are on You (feat. Elle Limebear)	Martin Smith	Single	2022
God I Look to You (feat. Jenn Johnson) [Live]	Bethel Live	Be Lifted High (Deluxe Edition) [Live]	2011
God, Turn It Around (feat. Matt Maher)	Jon Reddick & Matt Maher	Single	2021
Hallelujahs Song (Psalm 103) (feat. Caleb Chapman)	JUDAH.	3 + 7	2021
Speak To The Mountains (feat. Chris McClarney)	Church of the City	Defiant Joy (Live) – EP	2021
Reason To Praise (feat. Cory Asbury & Naomi Raine)	Bethel Music	Homecoming (Live)	2021
8AM
Find a Reason (Joyful Joyful) [feat. Brett Stanfill]	North Point Worship	Find a Reason	2020
Reason I Sing	Phil Wickham	Hymn Of Heaven	2021
Mercies (New Every Morning)	Matt Redman	Let There Be Wonder (Digital Deluxe)	2020
Over and Over	Chris McClarney	Breakthrough	2018
Morning By Morning (Live)	Pat Barrett & Mack Brock	Nothing/Something (Live)	2021
On Repeat	Hillsong UNITED	On Repeat – Single	2022
God So Loved (feat. Dante Bowe)	We The Kingdom	Single	2021
The Joy of the Lord	Patrick Mayberry	Joy – EP	2018
Bless His Name (Ive Got That Joy) (feat. Brandon Lake & Andy Cherry)	Seacoast Music	Single	2021
Deliverer (feat. Lauren Lee)	North Point Worship	Single	2022
Running To The Light	Brandon Lake	House Of Miracles	2020
9AM
You Have My Yes (feat. Naomi Raine)	Maryanne J. George	Not Just Stories	2021
Yes I Will	Vertical Worship	Bright Faith Bold Future	2018
I Will Sing	Martin Smith	Exalt – EP	2020
So Will I (100 Billion X) [Live]	Hillsong UNITED	(in the meantime) – EP	2020
I Will Wait (Live)	David Leonard	The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live)	2019
Make Room (feat. Chris McClarney, Sarah Reeves(	Meredith Andrews	Single	2022
Christ Be Magnified (feat. Cody Carnes)	The Belonging Co	See The Light (Live)	2021
Hallelujah Here Below	Elevation Worship	Hallelujah Here Below	2018
A Thousand Hallelujahs (Live)	Brooke Ligertwood	Single	2022
Let The Light In (Live)	Kari Jobe	The Blessing (Live)	2020

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0K2PrA1gmGY07hLOsJLhur?si=722bf2ba198749aa

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Proverbs 31:30.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Our culture often looks to the surface of things like beauty and personality to define value. But the Bible tells us that God looks at the heart. He looks at godly character and pure motives. His eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. That’s God’s perspective.

Outward beauty has a way of fading over time, but the inward beauty of purity and reverence has great worth in God’s sight, and never loses value.

This faith-building verse inspires us to focus on Christ to develop the inward beauty of godly character in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

To be impartial is the quality of not being biased or prejudiced. It means we treat others with fairness.

Galatians 3:28 and 29 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

No one is superior or inferior based on their ethnic background, economic situation, or gender. In heaven’s eyes, we are equally in need of a Savior at the foot of the cross, and loved by God who created us.

Peter learned this lesson when as a Jew, he went to the house of a Gentile named Cornelius. He said in Acts 10:34, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

From one church leader to another, Paul the Apostle wrote in Second Timothy 2:25, “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

When we take a stand for Jesus publicly, there will be times of opposition. That will be a test to our character, and an opportunity to display the love of Jesus. Paul encouraged Timothy to avoid foolish and stupid arguments, to be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful. That is what we can do to keep the conversation going with those who have yet to believe in Jesus.

Gentle Instruction is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com