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

The Bible tells us that we all fall short of the glory of God. We miss the mark of God’s perfect standard whenever we disobey Him.

But through Jesus Christ, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. Acts 10:43 says about Jesus, “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Jesus came to take the punishment of our sins upon Himself. That was the purpose of the cross. When we cling to the message of the cross as our only hope, God no longer holds our sins against us.

The Gospel is calling us to agree with God that we need a Savior, and Jesus is His name. First John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Find encouragement in God’s forgiveness in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

To have a ministry is to have some form of service that meets people’s needs for the glory of God.

Many times, we might think of pastors and evangelists as having ministries. But there are others in the body of Christ with a vibrant ministry too, such as greeters, worship leaders, small group leaders, and the set-up crew.

In the early church, Tabitha helped the poor by making clothing.  Barnabas had a ministry of encouragement. Epaphras was faithful in prayer. Aquila and Priscilla had the ministry of hospitality as they opened their home to believers for times of worship.

Effective ministry reflects the attitude of Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote in Second Corinthians 5:18 that God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Find encouragement in the ministry that God entrusts to you in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2eFvc9QFhhx16ZHQZ6I8QO?si=fzMSGYIcSDai4M3U–BwQg

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to step toward listening for the voice of God.

The LORD was calling a boy named Samuel to service. In First Samuel 3:10, he responded to the voice of God with these words, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

Listening is a big part of walking with God in faithfulness. Jesus said in John 10, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Samuel grew up with a heart that was responsive to God’s voice and became Israel’s trusted prophet. Our lives also will serve as credible witnesses for Jesus as we heed His voice and serve Him with a faithful heart.

Take the daily challenge to walk with a listening ear to the words of God on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to take a step toward discipleship.

In the days of Jesus, a disciple was someone who would learn from their mentor and follow them wherever they went. Jesus called His disciples to follow Him and then prepared them for leadership.

Mark 1:16 and 17 records the appointment of two of Jesus’ disciples: As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Jesus said, “Come follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Just as Simon and Andrew spent time with Jesus and were trained for productive service, so we can have a voice for God today that leads others to faith in Christ. The starting place for that kind of platform is to accept the invitation of Jesus to follow Him.

Take the daily challenge to walk as a disciple of Jesus and learn from Him on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

I caught up with Centricity Music singer/songwriter Chris Renzema on Groundhog Day: the perfect occasion for a conversation about seasons and learning how God works as we observe nature’s process! In 2020, he released the album “Let The Ground Rest”–and in 2021, he put out the “Let The Ground Rest B-sides” EP! Chris’ latest music is rich with lyrics encouraging listening hearts to hold on for the harvest. (The instrumentation, especially the strings, conveys that potential, too!) Chris and I talked about the standouts: “Springtime”, “Not Finished Yet”, “Tear My House Down” and the title track. He shared stories behind the songs, what he’s gotten out of his own music after its release and the thing that makes him feel like he’s having a good gig.

https://soundcloud.com/user-254508556/wjtl-praise-worship-podcast-chris-renzema

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

The meaning of healing is to be made whole or well.

One of the reasons that Jesus came to this earth was to provide healing for our souls. Sin is a spiritual sickness that leaves us with a heart condition that needs repair. Jesus has the power to restore our heart because of what He did for us on the cross.

First Peter 2:24 says about Jesus, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus is the cure for the human condition, forgiving our sin, and rearranging our priorities to live for righteousness.

Find encouragement in the power of God’s love to heal our heart from the sickness of sin 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 the character of Jesus.

First John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

When we give our lives to Christ, we have a new leader. Jesus becomes the focus of our faith as Lord and Savior. He is also our ultimate role model. Not only are His teachings reliable for living a godly life, but His example is also worthy of our imitation.

Ephesians 5:2 shows us how to follow the pattern of Jesus’ life: “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The example of Jesus moves us in the direction of authentic love.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1r2UZsN3gbqyLccFFrBIdd?si=Z2VQ5-AxQnK-KqU1Rolh5A