JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 19:5.

Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

These are significant statements showing us how Jesus transforms a life from the inside out.

Notice that Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name, while Zacchaeus was in a tree. Jesus is personal. He calls us by name. We matter to Him.

Jesus tells Zacchaeus to come down immediately. “Now” is an important time to respond when Jesus calls our name.  

Jesus also tells Zacchaeus that He must stay at his house today. It was important for Zacchaeus to receive Jesus.  And that is how he responded. He came down from the tree and welcomed Jesus gladly.

The words of Jesus inspire us to receive Jesus as Lord of our home and Lord of our lives in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Joel 2:13.

“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

In Jewish history, the tearing of the clothes often was a sign of deep anguish or extreme grief. Jacob, for example, tore his clothes when he thought that his son Joseph had died. 

Here in the book of Joel, the LORD is calling His people to a contrite heart-one that is broken with sorrow because of sin.  In the Bible, sin is a big deal because the LORD is holy. God demands justice for it. At the cross, God showed that His grace is an even bigger deal when Jesus took the punishment for our sins. If we have lost our way by running away from God, there is a way to return through Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Through Jesus, we are set free to return to God and experience His abounding love.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 33, verse 1.

“Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”

When we commit our lives to Jesus, we are moved by His love to honor Him in worship. God has given us a meaningful way to express our devotion and praise to God from the overflow of our joy. That way is music.   

Verse 2 of Psalm 33 encourages us to “praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”

Through Jesus, we are set free to celebrate His glory and grace with songs of worship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 13, verses 20 and 21.

Jesus said, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Many times in the Bible, yeast is considered a bad thing, but not in this parable. Jesus is referring to the permeating influence of God’s Kingdom to have a strong impact on the world. 

The Gospel also has a permeating influence on our lives. When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, His influence becomes the dominating factor that transforms us, so that we are moved to honor Him with our entire being.

The words of Jesus inspire us to invite God to move in us and through us to advance His Kingdom in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 24:14.

Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

This was the mission that Jesus left with His followers before ascending to heaven: He told them to preach the good news to all creation and to make disciples of all nations. Jesus says the Gospel will have an impact on every nation. In heaven, there will be representatives from every nation joining in the celebration.

Through the efforts of missionaries to share the Gospel and efforts to translate the Bible into more languages, the good news of Jesus continues to spread around the world. Opportunities for evangelism continue to abound, thanks to the increase of technology, air travel, the internet, and the commitment of Jesus’ followers to share the good news.

The words of Jesus inspire us to go on mission with God and tell others about His saving grace in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com
This week’s playlist has some brand new tracks from Shane & Shane’s Hymns 2 record (just came out a couple days ago!)  I also lined up some Mack Brock, Rita Springer, Pat Barrett, I AM THEY, Brandon Lake, Leeland and more.  

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Summer is zooming by and Kids Cookie Break Fest 2019 is going to be here before we know it. August 24th is our big event for kids and their families here on our campus at The Junction Center. That’s just over a month away!

We have a fantastic time with the many volunteers that come out to help us put on a really fun, free day for the community.

There are tons of areas that you could help us with: Parking, Ticket Taking, Craft, Bounce House Attendant, Pedal Cars, handing out pre-purchased Chick-fil-A Meals, Concessions/Drink Sales, Artist Merchandise, Trash and more! You must be age 14 on up in order to volunteer.

Sign up with a friend, your small group, family, etc etc… or sign up yourself and meet some new people in your area at KCB Fest.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Just email stacey@wjtl.com. OR if you would like to check out the various options and even sign yourself up, go to https://signup.com/go/MFQJhby

THANK YOU!!!