JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on one of the purposes for Jesus dying on the cross.

Second Corinthians 5:15 tells us that “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

At the cross, Jesus committed Himself to His Father’s plan for the redemption of the world. He leaves us an example to make the glory of God the reason for our activity. That is when our faith really comes alive-when we are in the will of God, expressing the love of God for the glory of God. The death of Jesus means that we can live with purpose to make His name famous. Living for Jesus is what matters most.

Focusing on the opportunity to live for God’s glory gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Sunday!
Even though we’re not gathering to celebrate, today is a special occasion. It’s Palm Sunday! Listen in and sing along with me: songs of hosanna and hallelujah to the King!

I hope you are well, and pray you stay well. 

Be encouraged as you choose to worship,

Kristi Leigh , WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
On Instagram & Facebook Podcast: Spotify/Apple Podcasts | Playlists: Spotify

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on a prophecy about Jesus’ death.

It’s found in Isaiah 53, verses 4 to 6. “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

This prophecy contains the prediction of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Suffering is a harsh reality of life, and sometimes people blame God for it. But one thing that we learn here is that Jesus would be willing to take on the pain of our sin’s penalty to extreme measures. He knows the pain of the cross. 

His pain had a redemptive purpose-to restore us to a right relationship with God.

Focusing on Jesus as the Suffering Savior gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the contagious effect of kindness.

While the Coronavirus is having a contagious effect on the world in an unhealthy way, there are contagious influences that have a positive effect on our lives.

One of those influences is kindness.

Kindness uses a gentle tone rather than a Megaphone to draw attention to God’s love for the world. Kindness is how God moves us to places of repentance. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. When we think of the price He paid for our sins, we are humbled. 

The Apostle Paul noted the contagious effect of God’s kindness on his life. He wrote in Titus 3:3, “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Focusing on the kindness of Jesus gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Listen to Episode 7 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Soundcloud or right here!

Today is the 3rd Sunday in a row that my family watched our church service from home. These weeks have involved new adjustments along with a lot to process. You can probably relate! Songs are helping. I heard from lots of friends about what they’re singing these days during this week’s #worshipleaderwednesday conversation on social media. And I caught up with worship leader, Jared Anderson, to find out how he and his large family are impacted by the Coronavirus. They’re on official lockdown in Colorado. I asked him about his song picks for this season, too. He’s been going LIVE on social media each evening for Nights of Song (6-7 Eastern), sometimes with a friend or family members. I loved that Jared shared his heart and mind, and that he’s sharing the gift of music as an offering to help others while also steadying his family. I also 100% love that Jared is fun to talk with and lives in a colorful home!

Episode 7 also features Neal Harmon, CEO of VidAngel: a filtering service with access to familiar titles and original content, allowing you to skip the stuff you’d otherwise fast-forward and mute. That’s good news if you need a laugh from Dry Bar Comedy or are looking for something spiritual for the family like The Chosen. You may have heard about this first-ever multiple-episode tv series based on the life of Jesus and the impact he had on those closest to him. My husband and I recently binged it. So, as a fan, I was eager to geek about about with Neal. Listen to the podcast to find out when season 2 is coming out – and how it’s being affected by the Coronavirus. Plus, Neal shares his favorite character and scene, and some fun stories behind-the-scenes.

I hope you’re hanging in there. This morning’s playlist has songs of peace for times of trouble. And I had a little help from my friends (on social media)! We were talking about the songs we’re singing to get through this storm for #WorshipLeaderWednesday, and there were so many good ones mentioned in the comments on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, episode 7 of the Praise & Worship Podcast is up on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud, featuring Jared Anderson. He shared his song picks for this season—and I have them in today’s lineup.

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ 
On Instagram & Facebook | P&W Highlight Playlists on Spotify

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the contagious effect of good deeds.

While the Coronavirus is having a contagious effect on the world in an unhealthy way, there are contagious influences that have a positive effect on our lives.

One of those influences is good deeds from pure motives.

God’s love is pure motivation for carrying out good deeds. Titus 3:14 says, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” In the present climate, there will be serving opportunities and sharing opportunities to reflect God’s love with those in urgent need.  

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Focusing on good deeds that shares God’s love gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the contagious effect of a credible witness.

While the Coronavirus is having a contagious effect on the world in an unhealthy way, there are contagious influences that have a positive effect on our lives.

One of those influences is a credible witness. 

In a court of law, a witness is called upon to testify to the truth of what they saw.  Jesus called His followers to be witnesses of His good news. As they were faithful to the task, the gospel spread around the world, starting in Jerusalem.

Acts 11:19 records that after persecution broke out against the church, believers scattered to various parts of the world. Some went to Antioch, telling the Greeks the good news about the Lord Jesus. “The LORD’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”

Focusing on being a credible witness for Jesus gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the contagious effect of courage.

While the Coronavirus is having a contagious effect on the world in an unhealthy way, there are contagious influences that have a positive effect on our lives.

One of those influences is courage. 

Sometimes, one person’s willingness to step forward and stand for God motivates others to step forward too. This can happen when someone leads the way by example or offers words of encouragement for someone who is feeling timid or fearful. Billy Graham has said that courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. 

Jesus is the ultimate example of courage. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Focusing on the courage of Jesus to go to the cross gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the contagious effect of Love.

While the Coronavirus is having a contagious effect on the world in an unhealthy way, there are contagious influences that have a positive effect on our lives.

One of those influences is love.

God loves us, and inspires us to love. Our capacity to love others is influenced by the fact that God loved us first. Whenever God’s people are motivated by the love of Jesus, we are sending a powerful statement to the world. 

Jesus said in John 13:34, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The love of Jesus was a sincere expression of God’s grace extended at the cross. That is the kind of love that is able to turn sinners to saints.

Focusing on the life-changing impact of God’s love gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com