JOHN SHIRK – Goliath was the bully of the Old Testament, ridiculing the army of Israel, challenging someone to step forward to fight him man to man. He was an imposing figure, a champion fighter, who was over 9 feet tall. Every one was intimidated by him, except David.

When David approached Goliath, he said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” David was making the point that it is the LORD who saves, not someone’s physical weapons. This battle was the LORD’s and the LORD enabled David to strike the giant down.

The Bible says that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. God has provided us with help to fight the good fight of faith, such as the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation,  and others. You can find the complete list in Ephesians 6. Using God’s weapons of righteousness, we can overcome the giants that threaten and intimidate us.

David and Goliath is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

JOHN SHIRK – In Luke 5:31, Jesus responded to a question as to why He was eating with sinners. His response was this: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus is especially good at heart surgery. This is where the seat of ambition and desire is found. Jeremiah 17 describes the heart as “deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” This is our condition without the transforming effect of God’s grace on our hearts. The words of Jesus pierce the skin and serve as a cleansing agent for our corrupted heart. His grace changes us to follow after His heart rather than trusting our own heart. His desire becomes our desire. His passion becomes our passion.

So, why did Jesus relate with sinners? He came to heal hearts that were broken, sick, and deceitful. Ezekiel 18:31 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

The influence of Jesus as our Great Physician is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE –   It’s been encouraging to hear the response from listeners who were challenged, reminded and inspired to impact the life of a child during our 26 Hours of Compassion last week.  I’ve also gotten to catch up with some adult students  that I befriended during my trip.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to chat with a couple of the college students in Compassion International’s Leadership Development Program who came up through the Child Sponsorship Program.   They were involved in some service projects this past week that included prison ministry, serving at Compassion projects in the local church,  serving by painting in the homes of some of the sponsored families,  helping to train parents and volunteers and just loving the children.  How inspiring to know that these young adults are already having such an impact!    This is the kind of God given hope and opportunity that our sponsorship provides!

We have heard from several listeners about ways that God has already reaffirmed things that He was speaking to their heart about missions, child sponsorship and our responsibility during the 26 Hours of Compassion.  I (literally) ran into someone in the mall who flagged me down to introduce their family to me and thank WJTL for this opportunity!

We discovered that there are still a handful of students at WJTL’s project that are still waiting to “get into the classroom”.   I’m highlighting their photo’s below.  Please consider the impact that you can make on a life or share the opportunity and this link with a friend.

Good morning, everybody!  Here is all the song info for today’s Praise & Worship show!

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

STACEY GAGNE – There will be much rejoicing at the Tedecha Mechane Yesus Church, the Ethiopian Compassion Office and the homes of hundreds of children and their family.   Wow!  As I write this, 287 children have been sponsored and there are still people making decisions to go online and sponsor children!  We are thrilled that our community has sponsored another entire project in Ethiopia plus other children all over the world including several that have been on a waiting list for some time.  We hoped to sponsor at least 250 children and together have exceeded that goal.

This is something to celebrate!  Let’s give God the glory for the lives about to be changed both overseas and here in our community… because child sponsorship not only changes the life of the child and their family but that of the sponsor, too.

In the upcoming weeks and months, we’ll be sharing about an opportunity to travel to Ethiopia where you can meet your sponsored child, see their home,  visit a Compassion project and even participate in some sort of service project, too.

So, thank you for listening, for praying, for sponsoring and for your faithfulness to the ministry of WJTL and our partnership with Compassion International. 

February 22, 23 & 24, 2013

5) River Towns Fourth Friday tonight 5-9pm at all the river towns – Visit galleries, antique shops, local eateries, and specialty shops in the Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville. View exhibits from local and visiting artists, enjoy refreshments and discover the uniqueness of towns along the Susquehanna River. More Info: (717) 684-5249

4) A Comedy presented by the BBCoB youth group tomorrow (Sat. Feb. 23rd) at 7pm and Sunday (Feb. 24th) at 2 & 7pm both days at Blue Ball Church of the Brethren in Blue Ball.  An offering will be taken to benefit the youth summer mission trip.  More info: 717-354-7990

3) The Crispus Attucks Association of York is sponsoring a Lecture Series in celebration of Black History Month at the Early Learning Center in York (the corner of S Duke St and E Boundary Ave) Sunday (February  24) at 2 PM.  In addition to the lectures, light refreshments and auxiliary exhibits related to the lectures.  The Lecture Series is free and open to the public.  More Info: 717-848-3610 x 280

2) Watch the Schreiber Volleyball Bash tomorrow (Sat. Feb. 23rd) from 9am-9pm at Millersville University.  12-hour non-stop Volleyball Bash for All ages. Spectators are welcome. Benefits Schreiber Pediatric. More Info: schreiberpediatric.org

1) Glenview Alliance Church in Glen Rock  is hosting A Winter Family Fun Day with Forgotton Friends Reptile Sanctuary’s Jesse Rothacker tomorrow (Saturday, Feb 23) 10:00-11:30 A.M.  An interactive reptile show, crafts, snacks, and door prizes.  More Info: (717)428-2502.

STACEY GAGNE –   “God mobilizes the heart of the world even for just one child”.   When I visited the Ethiopian office for Compassion International, the Country Director said this and it really impacted me.  Of course He does.  God did it for me.  He did it for you and He is doing it all over the world… creatively drawing people to Himself.  I am confident that Compassion International is one of those ways.

Child sponsorship is so powerful because it focuses in on the individual but then impacts many.  As we “honor the image of God” in a young person and value their holistic care we are also speaking to the fact that they matter.  As a sponsor you get to be a part of a childs journey as they are fed spiritually, economically, socially and of course physically.   You also get to encourage them to follow Jesus as they pursue their dreams.    Your sponsorship also encourages that childs family, community and the local church that is hosting their project.

I invite you to pray about taking this journey with a child this week.  Call 1-866-392-3690 Wednesday or Thursday or click here to sponsor a child right now. 

STACEY GAGNE – The time has come!  WJTL’s 26 Hours of Compassion is this Wednesday and Thursday!  I am thrilled that we have another opportunity to come together with a church in Ethiopia and sponsor an entire project.  One that I had the opportunity to visit just last month! (if you missed them, call in reports are available at our wjtlcasts page)

Our focus for this event is the Tedecha Mekane Yesus Church Student Center located in Dukem, about 20 miles southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in Africa.  It’s home to about 22,000.   Through child sponsorship with Compassion we have the opportunity to help provide these children with Bible teaching, health screenings, field trips, sports, health education, educational supplies, school fees and HIV/AIDS awareness education.  The center staff will also provide opportunities for project involvement for the parents or guardians of your sponsored child.  HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, typhoid fever and typhus are a problem in this region. Most adults in Dukem work as day laborers and earn the equivalent of $30 per month.

Together with the local church in Ethiopia and Compassion International;  we can help bring the light and hope of Jesus to many!  Tune in this Wednesday and Thursday to hear stories about specific children we met, testimonies and more.  Visit wjtl.com to check out videos as they are posted  and please be praying for this event and consider sponsoring one of these children.

This morning’s Praise & Worship Show starts off with the “I Will” theme.  I Will overcome, worship, wait, search, rise, etc.  Let’s determine to go after God and His heart!  These songs will help reinforce that decision.

Let me know if you have any song questions, etc.

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

February 15, 16, 17, 2013

5) Community Parents Night Out tonight (Fri. Feb. 15th)  from 6pm to 8pm at York Springs United Methodist Church. A night of games, ice cream, food, movies, crafts, and more.  More info:717-528-4314

4) A Night of Worship with the Jimmy Emig Band tomorrow (Sat. Feb. 16th) at 7pm at Strasburg Assembly of God, Gap Road, Strasburg. More info: (717) 687-6865

3) Chris Ivey “Character Juggler” will be performing at Central Manor Church of God in Washington Boro tonight (Friday February 15th) from 6:30-7:30PM.  Donations accepted but not required.  More info: 717-872-2772

2) THE NATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM, Resevoir Park, Harrisburg is having a Community Free Day tomorrow (February 16, 2013) from 10am-4pm. Family fun for all ages! Children’s games with Thompsons Battery C, Lectures, Living Historians, Music. More info: nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

1) Lititz Fire & Ice Festival, tonight, tomorrow and Sunday  (Feb 15- Feb 17) Ice Sculptures, Chili Cook-offs, Friday night block party tonight 5-9 includes a fire eater, marshmallow roast, wing eating contest, and more. The weekend will continue with an art show and auction, live entertainment,  a Winter Wonderland carnival and more! WJTL broadcasting live tonight. More info: lititzfireandicefestival.com