JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 1:17.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed-a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.”

The book of Romans makes it very clear that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That puts us in debt to God. We owe Him more than we can offer Him.  Our good deeds are not enough to earn credit. Our tithes and offerings are not enough to buy credit. But God’s grace has been revealed through Jesus and is a gift by which we can receive the credit of righteousness, which clears our debt of sin.

Romans 3:22 says that this righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. That is how we can truly live in the light of God’s love.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of forgiveness, faithfulness, and righteousness in the Year of Vision.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on John 14:23.

Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

Doing good deeds does not always reflect love for Jesus with pure motives. However, a sincere love for Jesus always motivates us to obey the teachings of Jesus.  

Humility is the quality that we need to be teachable and to stay on track with God.

God gives grace to the humble and makes Himself at home with the humble heart. Isaiah 57:15 talks about the two dwelling places of God. One of those places is a high and holy place, but the other place is with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit. He revives the heart of the contrite.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of meaningful relationship with God in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on prayer with God in a place of privacy.

In Matthew 6:5, Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

In Jesus’ day, hypocrites were actors who appeared religious on the outside, but inside, they were full of greed and self-indulgence. The reward they received for their religious show was praise from people, but not favor from God.  Jesus instructs us to find a quiet place and have a talk with God. That is where our relationship with God has an opportunity to grow stronger. Then the practice of our faith will be guided by pure motives that reflect our love for God.

Focusing on personal time with God in prayer gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Many of the songs we sing at church have a story. I think of them kind of like a banner flown after a battle is fought and won. The writer has been through so much to get to the point where they can sing those words! So, join me to hear the worship leaders tell their stories on the Praise & Worship Podcast.

Some of my favorites include:

The song Kim Walker Smith wrote for her son who was having nightmares,

David Leonard’s song written as he wrestled with his wife’s miscarriage,

Jeremy Camp’s song in response to the disappointment of the shutdown ,

The song that helped Kirby Kaple make it through 6 years of infertility ,

Brandon Lake’s almost-didn’t-make-the-album-turned-favorite-song and so many more.

Whether you’re a worship leader, or someone who loves to worship, knowing these stories brings the songs to life even more and gives us even more reason to sing!

Here are places to watch the video conversations:

My IGTV

WJTL’s YouTube Channel

Or listen to the audio versions here:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

SoundCloud

Subscribe wherever you connect because there are more episodes coming soon!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ 
Kristi@WJTL.com
Follow on Instagram & Facebook Playlists on Spotify

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the extraordinary faith of ordinary men.

Peter and John were two of Jesus’ disciples.

In Acts 4:12, Peter made this public declaration about Jesus, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Here is how the religious leaders responded to this statement: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  

One of the demonstrations of extraordinary faith is courage, and the pathway to extraordinary courage is time well spent with Jesus.

Focusing on being with Jesus daily gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Jesus’ compassion for people.

The ministry of Jesus changed people’s lives in dramatic ways. He would go through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. That is what Jesus did for people. Here is why He did those things.

Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” 

Compassion was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry, and moves His followers today to reach the world with God’s love.

Focusing on the compassion of Jesus for people gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Colossians 3:1.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

With eyes of faith, we set our affections on Christ, His Kingdom, His truth, His grace, and His priorities. What matters to Jesus is what matters to us. This is what happens when we identify with Christ. He forms our identity into His likeness. 

Colossians 3:4 describes Christ as our life. He is our motivation for waking up in the morning. He defines our purpose and mission in life. He is the reason we have hope in broken circumstances. He is the spark that ignites love in our heart to glorify His name, and encourage others with His love.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of aligning ourselves with God’s priorities in the Year of Vision.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on James 5:13.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

We will experience different seasons of life. Sometimes, we will be on the mountaintop of celebration. At other times, we will be in the valley of grief and sorrow. The circumstances of our lives give us opportunities to draw closer to God if we respond to them with faith.

Rick Warren has said, “In happy moments, praise God. In difficult moments, seek God. In quiet moments, worship God. In painful moments, trust God. In every moment, thank God.”

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of prayer and praise through the various seasons of life in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Good morning! Today’s lineup includes an Alive & Breathing mini theme! Plus, new releases from Kari Jobe, Mack Brock and We The Kingdom. See the playlist below.

Plus, here are a few highlights mentioned on today’s program:

Rita Springer & Amanda Lindsey Cook teaming up for “Spotlight”!

Gateway is celebrating their 20th anniversary! One of the posts remembers Kari Jobe’s first anthem “Revelation Song”–over 16 years old now!

Jon Egan shared this quote on the necessity of worship.

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Follow on Instagram & Facebook Podcast on Spotify/Apple Podcasts