JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on John 7:17.

Jesus said, “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”

When Jesus came to earth, His words and actions did not depart from His Heavenly Father’s message to the world. Jesus said to His followers, “I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” He also said, “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

Jesus is saying that as our lives come into alignment with God’s will, it will be made clear to us that the teachings of Jesus originate from heaven, and are not separated from the Father’s wisdom. We will believe Jesus’ words to be true, and will learn to follow His teachings. His counsel will guide us where God wants us to go.

Understanding the inspiration behind Jesus’ teachings is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Here’s your handcrafted playlist for the July 14th/16th episode of Some Sort of Rock Show:

Hour 1

1. Holding On – Sun City
2. Escape – Foreverlin
3. Evil Lies – Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh
4. The Broken One – We Are Vessel
5. Grindin’ – NF
6. Gameface – KJ-52
7. A Different Kind of Dynamite – Thousand Foot Krutch
8. Run & Escape – RED
9. Tell Me – As We Ascend
10. The Worst Kind of Gods – House of Heroes
11. The Coming Storm – Matt Moore
12. Shouting Grounds – Crowder
13. No One Like You – David Crowder Band
14. Where the Light Shines Through – Switchfoot

Hour 2

1. The Truth – I Am Spartacus
2. Radiator – Family Force 5
3. Don’t Be Long – Army of Bones
4. Fire – The Wrecking
5. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions
6. Back From the Dead – Skillet
7. Break The World – Nine Lashes
8. This Is Who We Are – Written in Kings
9. Have It All – Lybecker
10. Against the Grain – Earthsuit
11. Live Again – torndown
12. The Window – Thrice
13. Hearing Voices – Anberlin
14. Falling Apart – Spoken
15. The Bigger Picture – Adelaide

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His ability to multiply our offerings for Kingdom impact.

According to John chapter 6, at least five thousand people formed a great crowd to gather around Jesus. But there was a shortage of food, and Jesus wanted to feed them. But where would the food come from?

One of Jesus’ disciples, Andrew pointed out, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” With Jesus’ touch, the answer became “far enough to satisfy every person in the crowd.”

This true story shows what can happen when we offer Jesus what little we have, (whether a tithe or our spiritual gift). He can multiply something we consider ordinary or insignificant and touch many lives with it. Ephesians 3:20 tells us that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

God’s ability to multiply our offerings 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
July 14-16, 2017

5 That Fish Place – That Pet Place Third Annual Kids Day celebration! Sunday (July 16) 11am to 3pm at their store in Lancaster. Fun activities, prizes and pet education. Kids Day gives children the opportunity to learn about their favorite pets! More Info: ThatPetPetPLace.com/Kids-Day

4 Worship In The Park, tomorrow (Saturday July 15) 11am-2pm at Long Level Park, Lock 2 next to the Susquehanna River south of Wrightsville.  Music, face painting, food, games and fun. Bring a lawn chair. More Info: GatewayChurchYork.com

3 Zealand Worship Concert, tomorrow (Saturday July 15) 7pm at Lykens Valley Campmeeting. Phil Joel formerly of the Newsboys has formed a new band called Zealand Worship. Free seating available in the open air tabernacle or bring a chair or blanket. More Info:www.lykensvalleycamp.com

2 Conestoga Fun Day, Sunday (July 16)from 10am-3pm at Safe Harbor Park, River Road in Conestoga. Bounce houses, free food, live music, face painting, balloons, juggling and more. www.conestogaunderground.com

1 Cavod Academy Open House, tomorrow (Sat. July 15) from 9am-2pm at Cavod Academy of the Arts in New Holland. Face Painting, Bounce Houses, Free Food, Entertainmment and Tour the Cavod facility & meet the instructors. Lisa and Kids Cookie Break Broadcasting Live. More Info: cavodacademy.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Philippians 1:6.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

It is an amazing thought to consider that the God who made us will choose to work through us, even as He is working on us. After we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, He enables us to grow more mature in the faith through the truth of His Scripture and life’s experiences.

He also enables us to become a witness for the Lord that speaks to His transforming power in our lives. And that witness lives on through the people we have reached with the Gospel, even after our death until the coming of the Lord.

A lasting legacy of faith is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Recently, my wife and I attended a funeral service and a wedding reception on the same day. It was the first time I had ever done that, and there was a wide range of emotions that we shared that day-from the tears of sadness at the funeral to the music on the dance floor at the wedding reception.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone, the living should take this to heart.”

I thought about that verse that day. I was glad for the experience of the wedding reception for it was a celebration of life, and a celebration of committed love. There is real joy in that kind of celebration.

But the funeral was also a celebration of life, remembering someone’s faithfulness to the Lord, and someone’s special qualities that added joy to our lives while they lived. That person was my mother-in-law, and she will be missed.

Among the sympathy cards we received, one person noted how at the service, they were challenged with some legacy questions. After I am gone, how will I be remembered? Will I be remembered as someone who loved the Lord and loved my family? These are some of the ways that attending the house of mourning can help us make the most of the opportunities that God gives us with our window of time on this earth.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 gives us wisdom for turning to God at the crossroads of life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

5.  Free First Fridays for Families at the Lancaster Science Factory tonight from 5-8pm.  Visitors  receive free access to more than 60 interactive exhibits relating to science, technology, engineering and math, as well as demonstrations and activities in the “Science Cafe,” thanks to donations from PPL Electric Utilities. For more information: lancastersciencefactory.org.

4. The  Bible Truck Museum and Exhibit on display Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12:00 – 9:00 PM at the Harrisburg Mall in Harrisburg.  It will be parked in the parking lot outside Bass Pro Shops. Guided tours will take place every half hour. It features information on how the Bible was written, distributed and translated, and offers various examples of ancient and modern Bibles. An outdoor planetarium will also be on site.  Admission is Free. Fore more information harrisburgbibletruck.com.

3.  Rural Life Festival on Saturday, July 8th from 9am-3pm at Newburg United Methodist Church in Newburg.  Spend a day in the past with displays of antique farm machinery, small engines, working steam engine, and demonstrations of old-time farm and kitchen chores — grain thrashing, blacksmith, sheep shearing, log hewing, scrapple and butter-making. In addition, there will be many activities for children, an auction, and an abundance of food, including fresh apple cider, kettle cooked sassafras tea, black bean kettle soup, chicken barbecue and ice cream. Free admission and parking.  For more information 717-423-6223 or shipsaves.com.

2.  New Bloomfield Fire Company Carnival July 7th & 8th at 5:15pm at the New Bloomfield Fire Company. Delicious foods, thrilling rides and a family-friendly atmosphere. Free admission and free parking. For more information (717) 582-2144 or visit the New Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page.

1. Celebrate tomatoes at the 59th Annual Washington Boro Tomato Festival featuring live entertainment, carnival games, prizes, and food.  Held at Washington Boro Community Park the festival offers free admission for all.  The annual festival is this Saturday evening and next Saturday evening, July 16th from 5-9.  Food starts at 4.  Visit the Washington Boro Tomato Festival Facebook page. 

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as our Teacher.

According to John 13:13, Jesus was recognized as a Teacher. He said to His disciples, “You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

He was teaching His disciples about humble service to one another. He taught by His words, and He taught by example. Sometimes, it takes some time for Jesus’ disciples to learn the lesson plans of faith. But as we keep our ears tuned into His teachings we will find over time that we are starting to apply those lesson plans into our lives, and He is preparing us for productive service. In Luke 6:40, Jesus said, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” That is the hope that we have as we follow Jesus. He will train us to become more like Him.

Knowing Jesus as our Teacher is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com