JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to rejoice in the Lord.

First Thessalonians 5:16 instructs us to “rejoice always.” Philippians 4:4 reiterates the point. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

How can joy be fulfilling part of our Christian journey? When we look into what the Bible says about “joy” and “rejoicing”, we will often see those words connected with worship.  With the eyes of our faith focused on magnifying Jesus, the door is open for us to experience His joy. We see His greatness, we taste His goodness, and we experience His forgiveness.

Psalm 68, verses 3 and 4 connects joy with worship: “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him-his name is the LORD.”

Take the Daily Challenge to rejoice in the Lord on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2V3Is8TDSPRz2pQXl3oZwQ?si=75dfcbcff00f4cef

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to show respect for those in authority.

If we look closely into the Bible, we see a strong emphasis on respect for other people, including authority figures.

One of those places is First Thessalonians 5:12, which says, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”

With the stress of day-to-day ministry, leaders are refreshed by the respect and love from those who will support their work.

We can be a blessing to our spiritual leaders by partnering with them in ministry and praying for them. The Apostle Paul felt that respect from Timothy. He said in Philippians 2:22, “But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the Gospel.” The name of Jesus is honored when we work together in a spirit of unity and respect.

Take the Daily Challenge to show respect for those in authority on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

One definition of “Blessed” is a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

To be blessed by God is to receive His favor.  His face is turned toward us in relationship, and we enjoy the benefits of His grace.

While God will bless us with material things, His spiritual blessings have far greater value that last forever.

Ephesians 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

What follows is a list of specific blessings: Adoption, Redemption, Forgiveness, Acceptance, and the promised Holy Spirit. These are blessings that reflect God’s unfailing love for us.

Find encouragement in the blessing of being united with Christ in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to proclaim the Gospel boldly.

We have a life-giving message to share with the world.

The disciples declared this message about Jesus 2,000 years ago. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

How could these men be so bold about their faith? We gain insight from Acts 4:13, where the rulers and elders of the people saw the courage of Peter and John and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Spend time alone with Jesus is the key to learning from Him and gaining confidence to share the reason for our hope. In Ephesians 6, The Apostle Paul asked the church to pray that he would declare the Gospel fearlessly, as he should.

Take the Daily Challenge to proclaim the Gospel boldly on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

A gift is a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.

Some gifts are priceless, such as the grace of God. We cannot put a monetary value on grace. It is the gift that saves our soul and lasts forever.

Ephesians 2:8 says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

We cannot buy God’s grace with money or earn God’s grace by good works, but we can receive it as a gift, and enjoy a relationship with God that lasts forever. Revelation 22:21 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” That is how the Bible ends, and how things will be in the picture of eternity.

Find encouragement in the gift of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy November! This month is a big Season of Gratitude Sunday mornings on WJTL. Every week there will be a special lineup meant to stir up thankful praises. This week the playlist is themed with a focus on remembering God’s faithfulness. It includes songs like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “Faithful To The End”, “You Never Let Go”, “Yes and Amen”, “Promises” and more. Plus, a group of songs from local leaders and worship teams! See all the details below.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3jFEs87z2FkYHXYGFrLULK?si=90fb58c1ae0141f1

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Podcast: Spotify & Apple Podcasts & SoundCloud

Follow: Instagram & Facebook

Playlists: Spotify

Name	Artist	Album	Year
6AM
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (feat. Christy Nockels)	Worship Circle	Worship Circle Hymns	2019
You Never Let Go	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	Champion	2016
Faithful God	I AM THEY	Faithful God – Single	2020
You Are For Me	Kari Jobe	Kari Jobe	2010
Great Is Your Faithfulness	Martin Smith	Back to the Start (Deluxe Version)	2013
I Still Believe (Faithful Always)	Thrive Worship	A Thousand More	2019
Questions (You Are Faithful)	Matt Redman	Glory Song	2017
Counting On Your Name	Tim Hughes	Love Shine Through	2011
By My Side (Live)	David Leonard	The Wait: Silence the Noise (Live)	2019
You Never Change	Rita Springer	Battles	2017
Day After Day	Kristian Stanfill	Mountains Move	2011
Over and Over	Chris McClarney	Breakthrough	2018
Greater Things	Mack Brock	Greater Things	2018
7AM
Faithful	Chuck Gibson Band	Chuck Gibson	2012
Faithful (feat. Dan & Lauren Smith)	Community Songs	From the Valley – EP	2019
Forever and Always	Clay Collective	Living Stones	2021
Faithful	Sisterbrother	SisterBrother	2011
Your Faithfulness	Worship Center Live	In This Place	2011
Worthy of It All (Live)	LCBC Worship	Rise – EP	2021
Hindsight	Hillsong Young & Free	III	2018
Never Once	Matt Redman	10,000 Reasons	2011
Unfailing	Lifepoint Worship	Holy Spirit Come	2015
You Are Faithful	Carrollton	Breathe In Deep – EP	2014
Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor	Matt Boswell & Matt Papa	His Mercy Is More	2019
Always Good (feat. Rita Springer)	The McClures	The Way Home (Deluxe)	2019
Only Ever Always (Feat. Sandra McCracken)	Rain For Roots	All Creatures	2020
8AM
Great is Thy Faithfulness/ How He Loves	Celtic Worship	Morningtide	2021
Faithful	Rend Collective	Build Your Kingdom Here	2010
Always	Kristian Stanfill	Mountains Move	2011
Faithful Now	Vertical Worship	Grace is on Our Side	2020
How Great Is Your Faithfulness	Matt Redman	We Shall Not Be Shaken	2009
Too Good To Not Believe (feat. Jenn Johnson)	Brandon Lake	Co-Lab Single	2021
He Always Provides (feat. Chandler Moore)	ONE HOUSE WORSHIP	He Always Provides	2021
The Solid Rock	Charlie Hall Band	The Death of Death	2013
Faithful (Live)	GATEWAY	Greater Than (Live)	2018
Unstoppable God	Elevation Worship	Wake Up The Wonder	2015
Take Courage (Kristene DiMarco)	Bethel Music	Starlight (Live)	2017
The Lord Our God (feat. Passion)	Kristian Stanfill	Passion: Let The Future Begin	2013
9AM
Promises	Maverick City Music	Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2	2021
I See You (feat. Brandon Lake)	Chris Tomlin	Single	2021
Never Let Go	David Crowder Band	Remedy	2007
He Is Faithful	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	Here On Earth	2011
Faithful to the End (feat. Paul & Hannah McClure)	Bethel Music	Have It All
Faithful to Us (Live)	Covenant Worship	Covenant Worship Live	2018
You Never Let Go	Matt Redman	Beautiful News	2006
Never Ever	Kristene DiMarco	Where His Light Was	2017
Promises Never Fail (Live)	Bethel Music & Emmy Rose	Victory (Live)	2019
Yes and Amen (feat. Chris McClarney)	Jesus Culture	Living with a Fire	2018
Do It Again	Elevation Worship	Speak Revival – EP	2016
You Never Let Go (Feat. Tammi Haddon)	Tim Timmons	Single	2020
Hes Always Been Faithful (feat. John Marc Kohl)	The Worship Initiative	The Worship Initiative, Vol. 25 (Live)	2021

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5reY1SooXdMAtTrwTBdrZe?si=f80ec25a1591458c

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to do everything for the glory of God.

John Piper has said that “God created us for this: to live our lives in a way that makes Him look more like the greatness and the beauty and the infinite worth that He really is. This is what it means to be created in the image of God.”

Whenever God’s love moves our faith into action, we have opportunity to draw attention to God’s greatness.  It could be singing a love song to Him, or serving in the children’s ministry at church, or visiting the elderly at a retirement community. It might mean saying an encouraging word to a co-worker having a rough day, or inviting a neighbor to our place for a meal.

First Corinthians 10:31 says, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This is God’s purpose for our lives.

Take the Daily Challenge to do everything for the glory of God on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com