JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to support our pastors and spiritual leaders in our prayers.

When we pray for our leaders, we not only support their work but also become partners in their ministry.

In Second Corinthians 1, verses 10 and 11, the Apostle Paul said, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

So, God hears and responds to the prayers of His people on behalf of our leaders. We can pray for them to be a bold witness for the Lord. Pray for their protection-from harm and from evil. Pray that their work would prosper as their relationship with God prospers. And pray about how we might partner with them to reach people with the Gospel.

Take the Daily Challenge to support our pastors with prayer on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2q0LRL2m4PfN5mPqAgeQwm?si=5f29643352244cdb

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

The meaning of marvelous is “Causing great wonder; extraordinary.” Another definition of this word is “Extremely good or pleasing; splendid”.

The Bible uses the word “Marvelous” to describe the deeds of God.

Psalm 86:9 and 10 says, “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s marvelous deeds. In His death and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated God’s love for the world and gained victory over the grave.

These events have paved the way for our redemption, so that we might saved from our sins.  Referring to Himself, Jesus said in Matthew 21:42, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Find encouragement in the marvelous deeds of the LORD in the Year of Endurance.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iIIRRCCVxfnqVrCNkCVKC?si=e63d5dc9e4c14d05

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6UHO3Pyle3pkPwhiktmODD?si=7886b1404ae84510

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to flavor this world with God’s good news.

Jesus said to His followers in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth.”

Salt is a preservative. When God’s people live out the Christian life, our influence keeps the world from descending deeper into moral or spiritual decay. The power of God’s love will flow through us to build faith and bring out the best qualities in people.

Salt also adds flavor to food. When God’s people live out the Christian life with acts of service, gracious words, and the attitude of Christ, we give other people the opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Colossians 4:5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Take the Daily Challenge to flavor this world with God’s good news on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

This a farming term referring to the gathering of crops after they are fully ripe. It is the time when the farmer reaps what has been planted.

There is a spiritual analogy to this process in Galatians 6:8 and 9.

“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

We might not always see the fruit of our labor, and in such a situation, the only thing growing in our lives is discouragement. We feel like giving up, but God encourages us to keep pressing on with faithful service. The harvest is coming. Our labor in the Lord is bearing fruit. God’s reward is near when we see Jesus face to face, and hear His words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Find encouragement in the harvest of blessing that is promised for persevering saints in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to be a peacemaker.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Jesus came on a peacemaking mission to restore us to a right relationship with God. He removed the barrier of sin at the cross for all who would call on His name for salvation.

We have a peacemaking mission today to be ambassadors for Christ. We are called to follow Jesus and represent Him while we live in the world. That means, spreading word of His amazing grace to reconcile us to God. The Apostle Paul was one of Christ’s ambassadors. He wrote in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

Take the Daily Challenge to be a peacemaker as an ambassador for Christ on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com