JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Titus 3:4 and 5.
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. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
We can thank God for His mercy. It was God’s mercy that stopped the stoning of a woman who had been caught in adultery. It was God’s mercy that turned a persecutor of the church named Saul into an apostle of the church named Paul. And God’s mercy changes our lives when we see the kindness of God expressed in Christ.
Jesus did not come to a world that had its act together. Rather, He came to a world in a sinful condition. He came because we needed His mercy. That is what He provided for us when He shed His blood at the cross.
Jesus is our source of Good News, leading us to a place of new life in His kindness and mercy in the Year of Vision.
This morning’s playlist includes lots of new songs from Rend Collective, Chris McClarney, MoveSomebody and a bunch from Matt Redman’s new release “Let There Be Wonder”! Plus, clips from my recent conversation with Cory Asbury. (You can hear the whole thing on the Praise & Worship Podcast, Episode 5)! I do have his very latest, the acoustic rendition of “The Father’s House” in today’s lineup.
Plus, some little song sets with encouraging reminders in the lyrics, focusing on God moving even in the winter season of our lives — and his new mercies and great faithfulness.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the power of God’s mercy to transform our lives.
In Romans 12, verses 1 and 2, we see God’s mercy as the starting place for transformation from the inside out.
“In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Of all the voices that seek our attention, the most important voice is God. He has spoken at the cross. He has spoken at the empty grave, and He has spoken in the Bible. His message speaks to us of mercy as Jesus took the penalty for our sins on the cross. Keeping God’s mercy in view, we are moved to gratitude and worship. We are also better equipped to discern the will of God for our lives.
Focusing on God’s mercy gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
Cory Asbury has had a big week. He posted a blog with answers to all the big questions he’s getting lately about his time off in 2019, including a break from social media. He also shared a collection of family video clips about that Year of Surrender. As far as music, his new single, “The Father’s House” released studio and acoustic versions (last Friday and today, respectively.) One more contribution to the frenzy: an appearance on WJTL’s Praise & Worship Podcast! We talk about his experience from giving it all up to his fruitful return. Plus, the lizards in Texas, how God moves in seasons and when the rest of the new album will release.
I hope it encourages you! (And enjoy the sounds of his family throughout. I felt it was appropriate to keep them in.)
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on John 14, verses 1 to 3.
Jesus told His followers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
This statement gives us a view of what Jesus is doing right now. He is preparing a place for His followers to be with Him in His Father’s house. Today, we look around and we see the beauty of the earth which God has formed in six days. How much more beauty will we see in heaven, which Jesus has been preparing for two thousand years? In those days when we feel down or discouraged, we can look to the LORD with hope in our heart. Jesus is alive and well, and He is preparing a glorious future for His followers to be with Him in a glorious place.
Jesus is our source of good news, leading us to a place of heavenly hope in the Year of Vision.
Praise & Worship Podcast Episode 4 features special guest, Nathan Horst of Life Center Worship and Attic Studios–both in Harrisburg, PA. (Formerly of SisterBrother, too!) I loved talking studio gear, tempo, worship leading, cappuccino-making and more with Nathan. He’s detail-oriented, great with adjectives, and drops lots of songwriting tips through our conversation. Plus, some motivational ideas to get your kid to practice that instrument you’ve rented! We also follow up on the last episode, and compare notes with David Leonard.
On a personal note, Life Center is my home church. I’ve sung the songs we talk about for years–and love the stories behind the house favorites. Life Center Worship released their official Debut EP last year, and some new songs are on the way soon! Get a little heads up on them in this episode, and stream the Debut EP until then.
Today’s lineup features an excellent variety of ADJECTIVES in the lyrics, describing God in so many ways: Matchless, Wonderful, Extravagant, Amazing, Great, Fascinating, Breathtaking and Indescribable (to name a few).
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the Father’s will.
Jesus said in John 6:40, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
The Bible tells us that salvation is found in no one else. Jesus is the name given to mankind by which we must be saved. He is God’s precious gift from heaven. As we look to Jesus with a believing heart, He will be our source of righteousness and salvation. He will be our source of peace in times of conflict; He will be our source of confidence in times of crisis.
Focusing on Jesus as the reason for our hope gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
Praise & Worship Podcast Episode 3 features special guest, David Leonard! Singer/Songwriter, Worship Leader, Producer–he’s a Dove Award winning unstoppable generating force of creativity. We talk about filming a music video with his dad, corporate versus individual worship songs, and breaking away from the keyboard on MercyMe’s 2020 tour. Plus, miscarriage from a man’s perspective: how it feels and what helps.
On a personal note: David Leonard‘s album, “The Wait”, was huge for my husband and me. If you know our story, you know Sam was diagnosed with testicular cancer right after we were married. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a couple years later. Doctor’s said we had a one in a million chance at having a baby. It was 7 years before our son, Josiah, was born with some help from IVF. We say (hands down!) infertility is harder to go through than cancer. You might also know that last year: after trying and waiting for even more years, we got pregnant–but it was ectopic, which meant emergency surgery and incredible shock. Pain like that threatens to destroy you. But, surprisingly God has encouraged us deeply, reawakening our hearts and our hope! After that hardest hit yet, we feel more compelled than ever to share and encourage you. We know so many can relate. For me, songs are essential in this process. Lyrics give you voice while music does its work on your soul. If you are in this boat too, I’d love to share this conversation with you. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. I pray it helps you feel more hope (and less alone).
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the eyes of the Lord.
Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Where God sees faithfulness in us, He notices and encourages us with His love. Satan also does a scan around the world with his eyes, but with very different motives. The devil is our enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. He is looking for the worst in us, while God is looking to bring out the best in us. And so, the devil will tempt us and accuse us, while God will seek us in order to encourage us, so that we might walk with Him in the refreshment of His grace.
Focusing on the encouragement of God’s love gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
