JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to accept Jesus as the Bread of life.

One of the ways that God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness was to send them manna from heaven. Without food, our bodies cannot survive. In the spiritual realm, our souls would not survive without the grace of the Lord Jesus.

That is why we need Him. Our souls are dependent on Him for survival. We need Him for every breath, and we need Him beyond our last breath to receive eternal life.

In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” His grace will forever sustain and satisfy our soul.

Take the daily challenge to embrace Jesus as the Bread of Life on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

One of the definitions of worthy is “deserving of honor or respect.”

When we worship God, we are really celebrating His worthiness to be praised and honored and adored.

One of the activities that makes heaven so heavenly is the unhindered worship that happens there.

In Revelation 5:11, the Apostle John heard the voice of many angels, encircling the throne along with the living creatures and elders. In a loud voice they were saying, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Find encouragement in the worthiness of Jesus to receive our worship in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Whenever snow is in the forecast, different people have different reactions. Some people immediately start to adjust their travel plans. Others look forward to sledding while others dread the thought of shoveling snow. Regardless of what we may think about snow, there is a lesson of faith that we can learn from it.

In the Bible, snow sometimes symbolizes purity. As David was confessing his sin in Psalm 51, he prayed, “wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

David recognized that God had the power to make his heart clean again.  If our heart is polluted by sin, God can give us a pure heart again that is refreshed in the glow of His grace. We can turn to Jesus for His forgiveness, and He will be faithful to make our heart clean.

Find encouragement in the grace of God to make us whiter than snow in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Blessing.”

One definition of this word is “God’s favor.”

If we look at the life of Abraham, we see that one of the reasons that God blesses us is to make us a blessing. If we are blessed with material wealth, He wants us to be generous. If we are blessed with a job, He wants us to bless others with faithful service.

In Genesis 12:2, the LORD said to Abraham, “I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

The ultimate blessing that comes from God is His forgiveness. Without forgiveness of sins, there would be no hope for us to be restored to God. Forgiveness is a gift of God’s grace that becomes our reality when we put our faith in Jesus Christ to forgive us.

Romans 4:7 says, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Find encouragement in the blessings that come from God in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Light has a way of breaking the darkness, just as the power of God is dependable for breaking the power of sin. John 1:5 says that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

We can trust in Jesus to overcome the forces of darkness because He is the light of the world. He made this claim in John 8:12.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

If we feel surrounded by darkness, whether it be the pressures of this world or the temptations by our own sinful desires, there is a light to lead us out of darkness. His name is Jesus. He is the source of light to shine on our hearts and give us the hope of an abundant and eternal life with Him.

Find encouragement in the light that Jesus provides to lead us out of darkness in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to step toward consideration in the way we treat other people.

First Corinthians 13:5 tells us that love does not dishonor others.

Real love considers how our actions and attitudes may affect someone else. It is not rude.

For example, it would not be considerate to make a lot of noise in our neighborhoods at 2 in the morning when most residents are trying to sleep.

But on the positive side, it would be considerate to shovel snow for a neighbor who has physical challenges.

To be considerate of others is to think about the needs of others and respect their time and space.  Titus 3:2 encourages us to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. Jesus taught us to do to others what we would have them do to us.

Take the daily challenge to walk with consideration in how we treat one another on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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