Staff

avatar

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Guard Against Overconfidence

john : July 14, 2023 10:50 am : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to guard against overconfidence.

First Corinthians 10:12 says, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

One of the spiritual blind spots that can lead us into temptation is when we think we are stronger in our faith than we really are.  An example of that is Simon Peter, who insisted to Jesus that he would not deny knowing Jesus. He said he was ready to go to prison and die for Jesus.

But when his courage was tested, he denied Jesus three times the next morning.

The good news from this story is that Peter rebounded from his failures and went on to serve God with a strong faith. We can learn from our failures, accept God’s forgiveness, and recognize our need for His grace to be strong in times of temptation.

Guarding against overconfidence is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Light Reflections-John 4:23-24 True Worship

john : July 13, 2023 11:11 am : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 4:23 and 24.

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman by the well, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

What does true worship look like? Here are some expressions.

True worship seeks the glory of God rather than glory for ourselves.

True worship celebrates God’s grace with profound gratitude.

True worship seeks to know God personally as He really is.

True worship commits our ways to God’s plan for our lives.

True worship approaches God with humility and reverence.

This Light Reflection inspires us to worship God in the Spirit and in truth in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Confidence in God

john : July 13, 2023 11:09 am : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to live with confidence in God.

There is a lot of emphasis in our world today on self-confidence, having the assurance that we have what it takes to get the job done and be successful. Someone who displays self-confidence may draw people to themselves, but confidence in God will draw people to Christ.

The Apostle Paul lived with confidence in God and lived as an ambassador for Christ.

In Second Corinthians 3:4, he said, “Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”

What Paul understood was that his strength came from God. He only had a platform to make a difference in people’s lives because of the grace of God. This kept him humble and his source of confidence focused in the right place.

Confidence in God is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Light Reflection-Romans 8:28 and 29a For the Good

john : July 12, 2023 3:13 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Romans 8:28 and 29a.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…

God works through the circumstances of our lives for His glory and our good. The good that He seeks to accomplish in our lives is to conform us to the image of Jesus. So, as we go through various experiences-(challenges, opportunities, victories, and disappointments), God is able to weave all those circumstances together to build our character to reflect the likeness of Jesus.

The trials and the painful situations that we face are opportunities to grow more mature in the faith.

This Light Reflection inspires us to grow with God through the circumstances of our lives in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Light Reflection-Psalm 63:6 and 7 Resting in God’s Love

john : July 11, 2023 5:04 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 63:6 and 7.

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

In the stillness of the night, our soul can be encouraged by the thought of God’s love and faithfulness. Someone has said that if we are having trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep. Rather, talk to the Good Shepherd.

His name is Jesus, and He can use the quiet moments of our lives to draw us to prayer, fill us with peace, and stir us to praise.

Psalm 149 tells us that the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

This Light Reflection inspires us to rest in God’s love for us through the watches of the night in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Guard Your Heart

john : July 11, 2023 5:00 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to guard our heart.

There is much wisdom in protecting our heart from influences that corrupt our character and compromise our faith in the LORD.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Then, it gets more specific. “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

If we have failed to guard our heart, there is good news. Through Jesus, the corrupted heart can be made clean again as we step into the light of confession. Then, apply the shield of faith for our current and future spiritual battles.

Guarding our heart is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Compassion

john : July 10, 2023 4:42 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is compassion.

One of the familiar stories that Jesus told is about the Good Samaritan, who saw someone in a desperate situation, and was moved by compassion to help him.

The man was attacked by robbers and was wounded. Other religious leaders saw the same thing as the Samaritan but did nothing about it. When the Samaritan came to the scene, he bandaged the wounds of the injured man, put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he would take care of his needs. He paid for the man’s expenses.

It is not uncommon for the expression of compassion to come at a personal cost to the giver, but it also comes to a great benefit to the person who receives the care. Compassion is the way of love that meets vital needs and reflects the heart of Jesus.

Compassion is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Light Reflection-Psalm 119:59 God’s Statutes

john : July 10, 2023 4:39 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119, verse 59.

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”

When we consider our ways and compare them to God’s statutes, we have the opportunity to assess more thoroughly whether we are going forward in the will of God. The statutes of God are rules for living found in the Bible. They are given to us to guide us in His will.

If we think that God’s laws are designed to ruin our fun and make us miserable, we are not trusting in God’s plan to be good for us.

But God’s Word declares that His plan for our lives is good. In Isaiah 48:17, the LORD declares that He teaches what is best for you, and directs you in the way you should go.

This Light Reflection inspires us to consider our ways and turn our steps to God’s statutes in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
avatar

Praise & Worship Playlist

kristi : July 9, 2023 8:00 am : Kristi Leigh, Staff Pages
This week’s lineup features new songs from Steffany Gretzinger, Planetshakers, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham and more . Plus, mini-themes including a focus on traveling the “Narrow Road” and building our house on the “Firm Foundation”.

 

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Podcast: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Follow: Instagram & Facebook
Playlists: Spotify
 

Song Title Artist Album Year
6AM
How You Love Me Patrick Mayberry Radio Edit 2022
Save the Day Anthem Worship Human 2023
Who You Say I Am (Live) Hillsong Worship There Is More (Live) 2018
The Blood (feat. Mitch Wong) Jenn Johnson Simple 2022
Fear Is Not My Future (feat. Chandler Moore) Brandon Lake HELP! 2022
Take You At Your Word (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) Cody Carnes God Is Good! (Live) 2022
Live Up To Your Name Danny Gokey Single 2022
I Believe Phil Wickham I Believe 2023
Christ And Christ Crucified (Live) Lindy Cofer, Circuit Rider Music & Mitch Wong I Saw The Lord (Live) 2022
Back To Life Zahriya Zachary Homecoming (Live) 2021
Altogether Good (feat. Sandra McCracken) Citizens Single 2020
7AM
Monday Morning Faith SEU Worship & Chelsea Plank Heart Cry 2022
Holy Forever (feat. Brian & Jenn Johnson) Chris Tomlin Single 2023
Holy (Song Of The Ages) (feat. Andrew Holt) The Belonging Co Single 2020
Ancient Gates (Live) Brooke Ligertwood SEVEN (Live) 2022
The Narrow Way Steffany Gretzinger The Narrow Way 2023
Narrow Road Taya TAYA 2022
Narrow Road Josh Baldwin Where The Glory Is 2022
By My Side David Leonard The Wait 2019
Sons and Daughters (feat. Brett Stanfill) [Live] North Point Worship Hear (Live) 2015
Miracle In Me Red Rocks Worship Single 2023
Jireh (feat. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine) Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music Old Church Basement 2021
8AM
The Lords Prayer (Its Yours) (feat. TAYA) Matt Maher Single 2023
Hidden Here Tiffany Hudson Hidden Here 2023
Youre Not Done (feat. Charity Gayle) Leeland Single 2023
What A Good God Mack Brock Single 2021
Oh But God Davy Flowers Radio Edit 2022
Great Are You Lord All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters 2014
Praise The Lord (Brighter The Morning) Sean Curran 1,000 Names 2021
This Is How I Thank The Lord (feat. Cody Carnes, Amanda Cook & Joe L Barnes) Mosaic MSC Thanks – EP 2022
Praise You Anywhere Brandon Lake Single 2023
Rise And Shine (Live) (feat. Mitch Wong) The Belonging Co Now (Live) 2022
Thats The Thing About Praise (feat. Blessing Offor) Benjamin William Hastings Benjamin William Hastings 2022
9AM
Shine On Us (Live) (feat. Mitch Wong) CAIN Honest Offering (Live) 2023
Lead On Good Shepherd Patrick Mayberry Single 2023
Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) (feat. Meredith Andrews) Phil King Single 2023
I Cant Get Away (feat. Naomi Raine) Melissa Helser The Land Im Livin In (Live) 2022
Youve Already Won (Live) Shane & Shane Single 2022
YAHWEH (No One) (feat. Elevation Worhip) Chris Tomlin Always 2022
Feels Like A Blessing Benjamin Hastings & JUDAH. Single 2022
Honest Offering / I Surrender All (Live) CAIN Honest Offering (Live) 2023
Make Room (feat. Chris McClarney & Sarah Reeves) Meredith Andrews itunes Single 2022
Up On This Rock VOUS Worship I Met Jesus In Miami 2022
The Rock Planetshakers Single 2023
Build My Life (feat. Cory Asbury) Pat Barrett Build My Life EP 2018
Firm Foundation (He Wont) Cody Carnes Single 2022
Leave a response »
avatar

Light Reflection-Luke 18:9 to 14 Our Need for Mercy

john : July 7, 2023 5:17 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Luke 18:9 to 14.

Jesus told this story to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

Jesus said, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to confess our need for God’s mercy in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Leave a response »
« Page 1 ... 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 ... 294, »