https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6q67u0m17BBH3kDjzHW7BI?si=5459f5091fcf4d3d

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is First Peter 2:9.

But you are a chosen people-a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

When God transforms our heart to trust in Jesus, we live with the assurance that we belong to Him. He has given us a testimony of praise that reveals God’s mercy that was shown to us.

The goodness of His grace is the reason for our testimony. That is why He deserves the credit for the good ways that we are changed by the Gospel. The writer of Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to declare praise for God for His mercy and acceptance in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is following the Golden Rule.

These are the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

How do we want to be treated by others? This is a good question to ask ourselves when considering how to treat others. This will keep us from using careless words from a self-righteous attitude. This framework will train us to be more considerate about the impact of our actions on others. How do we want to be treated by others? Go and do likewise.

The Golden Rule is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54JZUaA27pcNqrRixbynnY?si=2f0ac067a3d34040

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Generosity.

This is the quality of being kind and unselfish with our resources, and is moved by a grateful heart toward a gracious God.

Proverbs 22:9 tells us that “the generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”

Generosity is not measured in the amount of money or resources that we give, but the condition of our heart. There was a poor widow that put a small amount of money in an offering plate, but Jesus noticed what she gave, and commended her offering from a generous heart.

The Apostle Paul told a young pastor in First Timothy 6:18 to command those who are rich in this present world “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

Where generosity flows, people’s needs are met and the hungry are fed. The giver and receiver are both refreshed in the process.

Generosity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Titus 2:11 to 13.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

The grace of God not only saves us from our sins, but is also an incentive for holy living.  In gratitude for what Jesus did for us at the cross, we desire to live for Him with whole-hearted devotion as we anticipate the day when we see Him face to face. His love is the treasure of our heart that draws us closer to Jesus day-by-day.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to live under the influence of God’s grace in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Chronicles 7:14.

The LORD says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This verse was specifically focusing on the nation of Israel. God would respond to the earnest prayers of His people to bring an end to droughts and plagues in their land. This verse also has relevance for believers today.

Just as humility, prayer, and repentance were the pathways to healing for the Israelites, so we can experience God’s forgiveness today by trusting in the One gift that God has provided for our redemption. That gift is Jesus. He came to offer us forgiveness and a place of belonging in His family through faith in His name.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to humility, prayer, and repentance to follow Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Mother’s Day! I’ve filled today’s Praise & Worship playlist with lots of lovely songs, beautiful instrumentation, songs from the garden and songs led by worship leader moms!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7la4KADCvXfyN3lMk3i7Ka?si=1af7ecf14ffd45d6&nd=1