JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Word of Encouragement is Adoption.

Parents who adopt children choose to welcome them into their family with open arms.

Adoption is one of God’s spiritual blessings for the person who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. We are welcomed into the family of God with open arms.

Ephesians 1:5 says, “In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace.”

What a gift! To be included in God’s family and to enjoy the blessing of His acceptance and forgiveness-that is a compelling reason to praise Him every single day.

Find encouragement in the blessing of being adopted into God’s family in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3CrPfGPclEnv23sw8WxLzQ?si=204c843d5c5345f0

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to praise God for changed lives.

In the early church, Saul was a dangerous man. He actively sought to persecute Christians. But one time, when he was on such a mission to Damascus, he had an encounter with Christ which led to his miraculous conversion.

When Saul’s eyes were opened to the Gospel, he responded by faith and became a leader in the early church. Notice how the believers in Judea responded to his conversion in Galatians 1:23.

“They only heard the report: ‘the man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.”

If we can think of someone who recently came to faith in Christ, we can praise God for the road that they are travelling. Love them, pray for them, be part of building them up in the faith, and celebrate with them.

Take the daily challenge to praise God for changed lives that puts them on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Belonging.

To belong to something is to have a sense that we fit in somewhere, and that we are connected to a group.

We were not made to be isolated from people.  The LORD said at the time of Creation that it is not good for man to be alone. So, He created a helper for him.

The grace of God opens the way for us to be part of God’s family and His kingdom. First Peter 2:9 says to the faithful church, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Belonging to God is a precious connection that brings joy to our heart, light to our day, and praise to our words.

Find encouragement in the opportunity of belonging to God and His family in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to submit to God’s authority.

Before we are willing to do that, it is quite likely that we need to be convinced that God is good and that His love is real.

The truth is that God’s goodness and love were revealed at the cross where Jesus died for our sin. Then, His resurrection power came to life 3 days later. Today, His redemption plan invites us to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. This step requires humility, an awareness that we need God’s forgiveness.

James 4:6 tells us that ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.’

As we respect God’s authority and rely on His grace, He will be faithful to save us and lift us up at the proper time.

Take the daily challenge to submit to God’s authority and find grace for the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Secure.

The most secure place to be is in the grace of God. That is where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. Our guilt is removed. Forgiveness is our reality, Jesus is our firm foundation, and His love is our source of confidence. Heaven is our destiny. With our focus on Jesus, faith becomes stronger than fear.

Psalm 112:6 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.”

No matter what happens today, God is still on the throne, and His grace sustains us through times of trial and triumph. Our true security is ultimately found in Jesus Christ.

Find encouragement in the security of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Father’s Day! Below you’ll find today’s themed Praise & Worship playlist, including songs celebrating our Father God and our adoption into His family. Plus, a special mini theme for the final hour, filled with songs for the household—both individual family homes and also the congregation in the house of the Lord.

Here’s a link to a highlights version of today’s playlist on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tx69SI0OxO7GlV73YdCLC?si=853c36428f054323

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Podcast: Spotify & Apple Podcasts & SoundCloud & Google Podcasts

Follow: Instagram & Facebook

Playlists: Spotify

Song Title	Artist	Album	Year
6AM
Song Of My Father	Urban Rescue	Wild Heart	2016
Father, Spirit, Jesus	Casting Crowns	LIfesong	2005
My Fathers World	Jadon Lavik	Roots Run Deep	2008
Our Father (Live)	Jared Anderson	All the Saints: Live from the CentricWorship Retreat, No. 1	2014
Distant God (Live)	David Leonard	The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live)	2019
Lean Back	Providence Worship	Live On The Hill	2020
Risen King (Sons and Daughters) (feat. David Leach)	Life Center Worship	Debut EP	2019
Father	Hillsong United	Aftermath	2011
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (feat. Christy Nockels)	Worship Circle	Worship Circle Hymns	2019
Who You Are	Jenn Johnson	For The Sake Of The World	2012
Find a Reason (Joyful Joyful) [feat. Brett Stanfill]	North Point Worship	Find a Reason	2020
7AM
Extravagant	Meredith Andrews	Deeper (Deluxe Edition)	2016
Father I Thank You	Jeremy Camp & Adrienne Camp	The Worship Project – EP	2020
Children of God	Phil Wickham	Children of God	2016
The Blessing (Live)	Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes	Graves Into Gardens (Deluxe) [Live]	2020
Doxology (God Be Praised) [feat. Todd Fields]	Worship Circle	Worship Circle Hymns	2019
Our Father	Hillsong Worship	No Other Name	2014
Everlasting Father	Elevation Worship	Only King Forever	2014
Sons and Daughters (feat. Brett Stanfill) [Live]	North Point InsideOut	Hear (Live)	2015
Abba (Arms of a Father)	Jonathan David & Melissa Helser	Beautiful Surrender	2016
Run to the Father	Cody Carnes	Single	2019
The Fathers Heart	Hillsong Worship	A Beautiful Exchange	2010
8AM
The Fathers Heart	Bellarive	The Heartbeat	2012
Praise the Father, Praise the Son	Chris Tomlin	Hello Love	2008
Our Father	Jenn Johnson	For The Sake Of The World	2012
This I Believe (The Creed)	Hillsong Worship	No Other Name	2014
Children Of Light	Kristian Stanfill	Passion: Let The Future Begin	2013
Father of Lights	Jesus Culture	Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago	2011
Good Good Father	Chris Tomlin & Pat Barrett	Single	2018
Who You Say I Am (Live)	Hillsong Worship	There Is More (Live)	2018
No Longer Slaves	Jonathan & Melissa Helser	We Will Not Be Shaken	2015
Tear My House Down	Chris Renzema	Let The Ground Rest B-Sides – EP	2021
Jesus Firm Foundation (feat. Robbie Seay)	The Worship Initiative & Shane & Shane	The Worship Initiative, Vol. 22	2020
9AM
Build My Life	David Leonard	Open House Sessions – EP	2020
Build Your House	Charlie Hall Band	The Death of Death	2013
As For Me (Live)	Pat Barrett & Chris Tomlin	Nothing/Something (Live)	2021
Home (Live)	Bethel Music & Hunter Thompson	We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition]	2015
Walk Around My House	John Mark McMillan & Sarah McMillan	You Are the Avalanche – EP	2015
The Fathers House	Cory Asbury	To Love A Fool	2020
Better Is One Day	Charlie Hall	Better Is One Day	1999
House of Miracles (Live)	Brandon Lake	House of Miracles (Live)	2021
The House Of God, Forever	Jon Foreman	Limbs & Branches	2008
The Way Home	The McClures	The Way Home (Deluxe)	2019
Youre My Home	Josh Baldwin	The War Is Over	2017
Fill This House	Judah & the Lion	First Fruits – EP	2012
House Of The Lord	Phil Wickham	Single	2021

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to keep walking with Jesus.

Faith is a relational journey. Step-by-step we are moving on a pathway toward a specific destiny. If we are walking with Jesus by faith, we are moving in the narrow path of God’s will toward a place called heaven. That is where Jesus is right now. Someday, we will meet Him face-to-face and give an account of our lives to Him.

First John 2:28 instructs us to “continue in Him, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”

When sin entered the human race, Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves because they felt shame. But in Christ, our shame is removed and is replaced with confidence in His grace to purify us. His righteousness covers us and gives us garments of praise.

Take the daily challenge to walk with Jesus on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4V9bnDhGZ4cJLKZbLRS3RX?si=cdc4d1b2f0184fb1

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to keep our spiritual fervor.

Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

When someone serves the Lord with fresh enthusiasm, they can have a contagious effect on people’s lives for the Gospel.

It is good to be aware of those influences which damage our enthusiasm for God and stay away from them, including sinful patterns, discouraging voices, and hurried schedules.

It is also good to be aware of those influences that increase our enthusiasm and move toward them: Jesus, faithfulness in prayer, supportive believers, meaningful Bible study, and service for God in the ways He has gifted us.

Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Take the daily challenge to keep spiritual fervor alive on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com