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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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Philippians 3:8.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”

Some people have an impressive religious resume and find their security there. For a while, that was Paul’s source of confidence before knowing Jesus as His Lord. When it came to legalistic righteousness, Paul said he was faultless. He had all the credentials of a Pharisee. His zeal led him to persecute the church because he was opposed to Christ.  After his encounter with Christ, Paul moved from legalistic religion into a faithful relationship with Jesus.

Apart from faith, our good deeds are like filthy rags. With faith in Jesus, our good deeds produce fruit that brings glory to God.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to understand the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is serving others from our heart.

This quality is found in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Our jobs are opportunities to be productive in our community and to provide for the needs of our family. In our area of customer service, how would we do our job if we were serving Jesus? For followers of Jesus, that question challenges us to give our very best, because in reality, we are serving Christ where we work.

This motivation brings out the best in our efforts to provide quality work that makes a difference in people’s lives. First Corinthians 15:58 tells us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Serving with all our heart is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith Building Verses are Psalm 20, verses 7 and 8.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”

Chariots and horses would have represented military power at the time these words were written.  Some people find their security in the weapons of this world. But God’s people find strength in the armor of God. These are not military weapons, but weapons of righteousness. They are reliable for helping us to stand firm in the faith.

Ephesians 6 identifies them as the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, ready feet to go and share the Gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Verse 13 says, “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand.”

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust in the name of Jesus on the spiritual battlefield of life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Ephesians 3:20 and 21.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

God’s power is at work in the world today through hearts that believe the Gospel. Jesus was able to feed at least 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish that were offered to him. His power is not just in the physical realm, but also the spiritual realm. All over the world, this gospel is bearing fruit. We might not know the impact of our skills and resources on the kingdom of God. But as we commit what we have to Jesus, we can count on Him to multiply our offerings with His blessing.

These faith-building verses inspire us to stay connected to Jesus and see His power work beyond imagination in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com