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Reason To Believe-The Moon

john : November 3, 2016 6:23 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the moon.

According to NASA, the Moon is approximately 238 thousand miles from planet earth. On a cloudless night, it appears as a light in the sky faithfully.

Psalm 89:37 describes the moon as the faithful witness in the sky. We see the moon because it reflects the light of the sun.

God’s promises are like the moon in the sense that they reflect His goodness and trustworthiness.

Our good deeds carried out in the name of Jesus are also like the moon in the sense that they reflect God’s glory.

Jesus instructs us to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

In this way, followers of Jesus can be like the moon and reflect Christ’s love and goodness to the world in which we live.

The Moon, as a faithful witness in the sky, is a reflector of light and is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-What does the Bible say about work?

john : October 27, 2016 3:53 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What does the Bible say about work?”

In the beginning of the Bible, we see a description of God at work in the world. For six days, He created the world, and on the seventh day, He rested from all his work. The Sabbath-rest followed this pattern of six days of work and one day of rest.

God gave work for man to do, even before sin entered the human race. Genesis 2:13 says that the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

The thorns and thistles came to the workplace after sin entered the human race. Frustration from work was what resulted from the fall.

The good news about Jesus is that His resurrection provides purpose for the labor that we do for Him. First Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to always give ourselves fully to the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

God uses work in our lives in various ways: to give us satisfaction, provide for our families and others in need, serve others, and bring glory to Jesus. Work is a gift from God that gives us the opportunity to serve Him productively in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-Is Christianity a Crutch?

john : October 18, 2016 5:24 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “Is Christianity a crutch?”

Sometimes, people think of Christianity as a crutch in negative terms to imply that faith is for the weak and for losers. Is it better to rely on ourselves or rely on God to meet our greatest needs?

Physically, crutches are useful for the person who lacks strength to walk on their own. Spiritually, sin weakens us to the point that we are not able to stand before God in our own righteousness. This is why we need Jesus. His righteousness gives us light for our path, strength for the journey of faith, and a way to live in good standing with God.

Isaiah 50, verse 10 says, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

The Hebrew word for “rely” in that verse means to lean on for support. Charles Spurgeon has said, “That is what you have to do with Christ-lean on Him with all your weight of sin and sorrow-lean on Jesus Christ….do not try to hold yourself up now-throw yourself right on him.

By leaning on Jesus, we are relying on the strength of God for support and salvation in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Reason To Believe-Encouragement In The Church

john : October 17, 2016 5:30 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is encouragement in the church.

Barnabas was a role model of encouragement in the early church. Acts 11:23 records that when he went to Antioch, he saw the evidence of the grace of God. He was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Encouragement has a way of bringing out the best in people who want to serve God. Sometimes the circumstances of life wear us down, and the support of a brother or sister in Christ can provide a spark that ignites our faith once again.

Encouragement can also prevent someone from wandering into sinful patterns. We find that in Hebrews 3:13, which says, “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” So, let’s be a modern day Barnabas and find someone to encourage in the faith today.

Encouragement in the church is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-Getting Ready for Each Day

john : October 17, 2016 5:25 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How do I get ready each day to honor God with my life?”

We would not think of going to work without putting on clothing that meets the dress code at work. Nor would we think about going out the door without combing our hair, brushing our teeth, and in some cases, putting on makeup or shaving the face. These are some routines in the morning that make our appearance presentable in public.

The Bible talks about a dress code for Christians that can help us get spiritually ready for each new day to bring honor to God.

Colossians 3:12 says, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

By spending quality time with God in His Word and in prayer, we will be reminded that we are made holy by His grace and dearly loved. Then, we will be prepared to clothe ourselves with the qualities of Christ in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Q and A-How can I have peace in a world of turmoil?

john : October 14, 2016 4:19 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How can I have peace in a world of turmoil?”

There is a way to have peace in the mist of an unsettled today and an uncertain tomorrow. Hold on to Jesus with all your weight. Lean on Him with all your trust.

In John 14:27, Jesus said to His followers, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus is the source of peace-peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.

Knowing the peace of God is linked with trusting God in Isaiah 26, verses 3 and 4: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Long after the troubles of this world are gone, the grace of God will remain for His people forever. That is why we have a secure foundation for our faith, and that is why we can trust in Jesus in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Reason To Believe-God’s Provision for a Godly Life

john : October 10, 2016 5:40 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the provision of God to live a godly life.

Second Peter 1:3 says that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him, who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Life is a spiritual battlefield. There are sinister forces that work against our soul, seeking to destroy us and separate us from God’s love. But God has resources too, to help us overcome those forces that wage war against our soul. Three of those resources are the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the Church.

The Holy Spirit fills us with love and hope. He reminds us of Jesus’ words, and guides us in the truth.

The Bible is the word of God, encouraging us with the message of grace and making known His will for our lives.

The church gives us a support structure in the Christian life and a place of belonging in His family of believers.

God’s provision for us to live a godly life is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Ways to Respond to Needs in Haiti

stacey : October 5, 2016 1:06 pm : News, Stacey Gagne

Areas of Haiti, especially in the Southwest peninsula, were severely devastated by Hurricane Matthew.  Please prayerfully investigate what is being done by various ministries and consider how you can help.

Haiti Bible Mission:  Located in Jeremie Haiti, which was an area devastated due to the hurricane

Life Connection Mission : During this hurricane, Montrouis, Haiti is experiencing damages to property as a result of heavy winds and flooding.

Olive Tree Projects/Maison de Naissance:   Maision de Naissance, a birthing care center in Les Cayes has become an emergency shelter for several of their neighbours and expect they will have to continue housing them for a couple weeks. Maison de Naissance also has some structural damage that will eventually need to be repaired.  They are in a need of a wide spectrum of items from clothing, to food, to medications, to equipment like shovels.  Money that comes in to Olive Tree Projects for “Matthew Relief” will be used to purchase as many things on their needs list as we can, and sent via private plan from Port au Prince. For the next week they will collect funds to provide them with supplies and future financial support to Maison de Naissance can be given directly to www.globalbirthinghomefoundation.org

World Vision

Cross International

Food for the Poor 

Compassion International

Samaritan’s Purse

Mennonite Central Committee

Bethany Christian Services

* If you have a suggestion for another ministry that you know is doing hurricane relief work in country, please email contact@wjtl.com.
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Construction Starts at WJTL

tim : September 26, 2016 11:11 am : Staff Pages, Tim Landis

constructionstarts091916

The Vision . . . The Need!

It is an exciting time here at WJTL as construction has begun on the final phase of The Junction Center Project.  We have clearly seen God at work over the past five years as many obstacles have been overcome with the final plans exceeding what had been hoped for.

The vision is to expand and improve the ministry outreach of WJTL!  We believe that music is an important non-threatening way to reach people for Christ, many of whom would never darken the doors of a church.  Our goal is also to provide quality Christian content that supports, strengthens, and challenges you as a believer in your daily walk with God.  Ratings show that approximately 100,000 different individuals listen to WJTL for a total of 5 to 6 hours each week.  That adds up to more than 36 million listener hours per year!  That does not count the thousands more reached daily over the Internet!

The venue will be very flexible with seating that can be configured many different ways allowing for a wide range of small to medium size events.  Major artists like Chris Tomlin and TobyMac will continue to be held at larger venues but this venue will allow for a host of additional regional and national artists that deserve to be heard and supported.  The stage audio and video will be wired directly to the WJTL studios allowing for the broadcasts of live concerts both through WJTL, Facebook Live and Youtube.

Faith based theater will also be presented including an anticipated summer youth theater camp.  Current outdoor events like the  “The Kid’s Cookie Break Fest” and the “National Day of Prayer” will continue to use the whole site but be improved by the addition of this facility.  The Junction Center tent will be repositioned into the grassy area next to the Arts Center Hall and will be used as the stage cover for an outdoor amphitheater that can hold up to 6,000 people.

It will be a beautiful venue with a fresh contemporary style that utilizes many natural materials.  A custom designed audio system from Clair Brothers will mean the sound will be world class. A full forty foot wide theatrical stage will have a state-of-the-art lighting system designed by Stray Lights.  Running the length of the building will be a really cool balcony featuring a unique vantage point to see a concert.  We are really excited about the design and layout and think you will be too.

Your gift is greatly needed to help WJTL finish this building.  The cost to complete this project is slightly more than $2,500,000 of which 80% is being funding internally by WJTL/Creative Ministries through the sale of some assets and long term savings.  The remaining 20% ($500,000) though needs to come from WJTL supporters.  As you know it is a challenge each year for WJTL to meet it’s annual operating budget so it is very important that any gifts given be “over and above” what you would ordinarily give to the station.  This is a real exercise of faith for the ministry as it will be a significant challenge to meet both the current operating budget while also expanding the ministry.  (Here is a link to donate to WJTLs General Fund.)

A donor has agreed to match each and every gift until the goal is met!  This means that your gift to the Performing Arts Center will in fact be doubled!  As an additional incentive, every donor who gives more than $500 will be acknowledged on a plaque in the vestibule of the new building unless directed otherwise.  All gifts are needed both large and small if this goal is to be reached.  Please prayerfully consider how you can help.
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Click here to make donation to the Performing Arts Center

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Reason To Believe-Tombs Of The Prophets

john : September 19, 2016 5:27 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the tombs of the prophets.

All throughout Israel, and the Middle East, there are graves of various prophets and patriarchs.

The traditional site of King David’s tomb is located on Mount Zion. First Kings 2:10 records that David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.

The grave site of Moses is somewhere in Jordan, although the exact location is unknown. This is consistent with the Biblical account which says in Deuteronomy 34:6 that God buried him in Moab, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.

Joseph’s tomb is a familiar site in Nablus. As he was about to die, he gave instructions for his bones to be carried from Egypt when God came to the aid of Israel to guide them to the Promised Land.

In Matthew 23, Jesus acknowledged that the Pharisees built tombs for the prophets and decorated the graves of the righteous.

The tombs of the prophets indicate that these people really did live on the earth, and they were part of God’s great story of redemption that led to the time of Christ.

The tombs of the prophets are reasons to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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