JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Proverbs 21:23.

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

This does not mean that we will never experience calamity, but it does mean that our carefully guarded words will protect us from future regrets.

What are the kinds of careless words that can come back to bite us? Gossip, slander, deception, angry outbursts, and profanity use words words that are toxic to the atmosphere and harmful to our spiritual health. This is a dangerous path leading to conflict and lack of trust.

But instead of thinking how to use our words for harmful purposes, we can breathe life into the atmosphere with words of praise, honesty, gratitude, and encouragement. These are ways that we can build trust in relationships and bring glory to God.

Avoiding the calamity of using careless words is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the shield of faith.

According to Ephesians 6, the armor of God is vital for us to take our stand against the devil’s schemes. Satan seeks to destroy us with his attacks, whether they be in the form of temptations or accusations.

Verse 14 highlights one of the pieces of God’s armor, which we can use. “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

The shield of faith protects us from Satan’s attacks. It reminds us daily of our need for God’s grace and it challenges us to believe the truth about the Gospel. Belief in the truth shields us from the lies of the devil and this world’s system. The shield of faith reminds us that we are not alone in the spiritual battles of our lives.

Psalm 28:7 says, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”

Having God as our shield is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His competency.

According to Jeremiah 32:17, nothing is too hard for God. Jeremiah prayed, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

If we look at the ministry of Jesus, we see His authority to drive out demons from people, to multiply a boy’s lunch to feed five thousand people, and heal the sick. He is the God who delivers us from evil, nourishes our soul, and fills us with His righteousness.

With His outstretched arms at the cross, Jesus was providing for our ultimate healing. He was shedding His blood, pouring out His mercy and providing the sufficient payment for our sins. His words, “It is finished” was a declaration that His mission of love was accomplished successfully. Three days later, the power of His mission was confirmed at the empty grave. Nothing is too hard for the LORD.

God’s competency is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
May 19-21, 2017

5 Rock Ford’s annual May Fair Celebration, Sunday (May 21) 10am-3pm at Rock Ford Plantation in Lancaster. Craftsmen, vendors, 18th century entertainment, Costumed Characters and dancing around the Maypole! All outdoor activities are free and open to the public. There is a cost for the guided mansion tours. More Info: RockFordPlantation.org

4 World Night Market tonight (Friday May 19) at Binns Park in Lancaster from 6pm-10pm hosted by Mennonite Economic Development Associates, Lancaster City and Music For Everyone.  Live music, international food, tuktuk rides and more! More Info: meda.org/wnm

3 Rhubarb Festival today-11am-8pm and tomorrow – 10am-8pm (Friday May 19 & Saturday, May 20) at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA. Rhubarb race-car derby, Best Rhubarb Dessert baking contest, Rhubarb Whoopie Pie Filling Contest, Rhubarb Stroll Parade, costumed characters, musicians, and more. More Info: KitchenKettle.com

2 Open Streets Lancaster Sunday (May 21) from 11am-3pm Water Street in Lancaster. Open Streets encourages physical activity and socializing, support of the local economy and celebrating downtown Lancaster. Food trucks, fire trucks,  face painting, a ball pit, bounce house, martial arts demonstrations, obstacle courses, arts, crafts, live music and dozens of community organizations hosting activities and educational experiences. More Info: OpenStreetLNC.org

1 65th Annual Sertoma Chicken BBQ tomorrow (Sat. May 20) at Long’s Park in Lancaster. Enternainment, Bounce Houses, Obstacle Course and more. Kids Cookie Break & WJTL live all day in the family fun area near the baseball fields and the Park City tunnel entrance. More Info: LancasterSertomaBBQ.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Proverbs 16:1.

“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.”

This is a significant statement for the person who belongs to God. Yes, we can go ahead and make our plans. God might bless those plans or He might redirect them. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tells us that as we submit ourselves to God and trust in Him, He will direct our steps. And if He redirects us, we have to believe that His plans are wiser than ours. We may not understand why He changes our plans, but we know enough about Him that we trust His plan to be good and productive for bearing spiritual fruit.

A God-directed life is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Mother’s Day!

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Here’s your Mother’s Day Weekend Handcrafted Playlist:

Hour 1

1. Where the Light Shines Through – Switchfoot
2. Clarity – Come Wind
3. Dying Inside – Facing Fire
4. War of Change – Thousand Foot Krutch
5. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions
6. I’m Down – The Almost
7. Unforsaken – Adelaide
8. All Yours – Kutless
9. Erase – Disciple
10. Wash Away – As We Ascend
11. Stones – Manafest
12. I Will Overcome – Devin Williams
13. Beneath the Skin – Gold Frankincense & Myrrh
14. Evil Lies – Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh
15. Mirror Mirror – Random Hero

Hour 2

1. The Window – Thrice
2. Impossible – Anberlin
3. Grindin’ – NF
4. Sidelines – Lecrae
5. Back From the Dead – Skillet
6. Mr. Roboto – Rapture Ruckus
7. Keep Me – Crowder
8. Bummin’ – Relient K
9. Plastic – Reality Check
10. This Is Who We Are – Written in Kings
11. These Arrows Shoot To Kill – Flagship Armada
12. Surface Of The Sun – All Star United
13. Live Again – torndown
14. Pull Me Through – torndown
15. The Change – Bread Of Stone

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
May 12-14, 2017

5 14th Annual Etown’s Arts in The Park, tomorrow (Saturday, May 13) 9am-3pm at Elxiabethtown Community Park. More than 30 artists and artisans, live music, kids activities and more.More Info: EtownOnline.com

4 Freedom Fun Fair tomorrow (Saturday May 13) 10am-2pm at Lebanon Valley Bible Church in Lebanon. Free games, pony rides, face painting, food, drinks, live events and more! More Info: LVBibleChurch.org

3 Friendship Community’s 24th Annual Fest & Auction tonight (Friday, May 12) and tomorrow (Saturday, May 13) at the Friendship Community corporate grounds in Lititz. Auction, 5K run, walk or wheel, performance by family friendly magic show – Insanity Factor and more.
More Info: FriendshipCommunity.net

2 Make a Wish Mother’s Day Convoy, Sunday (May 14) 8am-4pm at Burle Business Park, New Holland Ave. Lancaster. 8am-4pm Over 500 trucks, games, music, live auction and more. The Truck Convoy departs at 1:30pm. More Info: PhilaSV.Wish.org

1 Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services Walk/Run for Life tomorow (Sat. May 13th) beginning at 8am at two locations: Calvary Church in Lancaster & South Hills Park in Lebanon. WJTL broadcasting live along with Kelly Good performing in Lebanon. Lisa and KCB broadcasting live along with The DKers in Lancaster. Kids Zone at both locations. More Info: SVPS.org

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His zeal.

According to Isaiah 9:7, the prophesied Messiah will have no end to the greatness of His government and no end to His peace. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

To have zeal is to live with passion. God is passionate about souls. He is passionate about righteousness. He is passionate about justice. And He is passionate about restoration.
Jesus came in history as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will return in the future to establish a kingdom based on justice and righteousness. War will come to an end. Peace will prevail. His people will thrive in His Kingdom. His zeal will make it happen.

The zeal of the LORD is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com