It is with great sadness that we need to report that Phil Smith was arrested Thursday night. Phil has served for many years as a WJTL DJ, most recently on the 3pm-7pm shift. At this time we only know what we read in the press. Please join us in praying for all those involved and that truth and justice will prevail.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Galatians 6, verses 1 and 2.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

A person who has sinned against God does not need words of condemnation from those who follow Christ. What that person needs is restoration. As we pursue those who have wandered from the truth, we reflect the love of the Savior who left the ninety-nine sheep to bring us into His flock.

This is a sacred pursuit. It’s delicate. Gentleness is required. Handle the situation with care and concern. Wounded souls are valuable and fragile. We are wise to protect our own hearts from compromising situations as we seek to restore the hearts of others back to God.

Walking in the gentleness of Christ is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Exodus 20, verse 3.

The LORD says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

This was the first commandment that the LORD gave in this chapter. Nine others would follow. This one establishes God as our most important priority. No politician, no religious leader, or athlete, or movie star deserves the kind of allegiance that we offer to God.

God was telling the Israelites in the preceding verse that He brought the Israelites out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of sin. In light of what He has done for us at the cross, we can show our gratitude by setting Him apart as Lord.

Walking with full devotion to Christ is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on First Chronicles 28:9.

David was entrusting Solomon with a God-sized project. That project was building the temple.

Along with making provisions for Solomon to build the temple, David also had some spiritual advice:

“Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

David is on to something here. Success for any God-sized task requires a heart that is fully devoted to God and depends on the blessing of God to help us.

Walking with wholehearted devotion is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Job.

In the book of Job, his noble character is described as “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”

His faith had the attention of God and Satan. They had a conversation about him. Satan told God that the only reason that Job was upright was because God had blessed him and put a hedge around him. But if God would strike everything he has, Satan was convinced that Job would curse God to his face. Tragedy followed this conversation.

One by one, messengers came to tell Job that he lost his wealth, his sons and daughters, and his livestock. Job responded to the news by tearing his robe, shaving his head, and worshiping God. He said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

The faithfulness of Job to worship the LORD in tragedy inspires us to stay true to God in our brokenness and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – All this week, the person of Integrity from the Bible that we are examining is Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 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.

Here we see that Jesus willingly went to the cross. He did not do this reluctantly or begrudgingly. His love for us kept Him moving forward to reach the goal. Jesus kept the joy of His future glory in mind as He was going to the cross.

Keeping God’s eternal promises and His unfailing love in view will strengthen us to press on in the faith through the trials of life.

The faithfulness of Jesus to endure the cross inspires us to endure hardship for Him and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Luke 15:20.

As the Prodigal Son returned home after a season of wild living and squandering his father’s wealth, what would happen when his father saw him?

Would he be angry? Would he refuse to talk to him? Or would he welcome him with open arms?

Verse 20 reveals the answer. “He got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” This is great compassion, to welcome His son with joy and have a celebration on his behalf. This is the Father’s heart for those who earnestly seek His forgiveness.

The Father’s love for us inspires us to have a tender heart for others. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Walking with great compassion is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Timothy.

He worked with Paul the Apostle, who mentored him and spoke highly of him in his writings.

On one occasion, he wrote in First Corinthians 4:17, “For this reason, I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus.”

On another occasion, he wrote in First Thessalonians 3:2, “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.”

In these two letters, we see Paul’s confidence in Timothy to be reliable to send edifying messages to the churches.

The faithfulness of Timothy to be one of Paul’s trusted messengers inspires us to build the church with our words and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Isaiah 12:5 and 6.

“Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

If there is one thing that will give the follower of Jesus real joy, it is to notice when God does glorious things in the world.

It might be the conversion and salvation of a precious soul to Christ.

It might be the mending of a troubled marriage.

It might be the opening of a new church in the neighborhood.

Or it might be seen in a person who is moved by God to help their neighbor in a meaningful way.

As we notice the glorious things that God is doing among us, we will have a reason to sing songs of praise from a joyful heart.

Walking in praise and joy are virtues to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com