JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Faith.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Even though we do not see Jesus, we can have confidence that His death on a cross was sufficient payment for our sins, and that His resurrection from the dead really did happen. Jesus is alive and well today. He is Lord and Savior of all who live by faith in His name. We can trust in His love to forgive our sins and lead us to eternal life in His glorious presence.

Hebrews 11:6 highlights the importance of faith to the Christian life: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

There are many examples of faith found in Hebrews chapter 11.

Discover how the word “Faith” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 4:13 and 14.

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jesus made this statement to a Samaritan woman who came to Jacob’s well. He was pointing out the difference between physical nourishment and spiritual nourishment. We get thirsty for water, and it satisfies for a moment, but where can we go for unfailing love that never ends?

Jesus answers that question right here. He is offering grace, forgiveness, and eternal life as a gift. This gift extends to us today. This day is an opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good.

John 4:13 and 14-that’s Today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Friend.

Friendship is a precious gift through the experiences of life. Thomas Fuller was quoted as saying, “Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs.” Have you found that to be true in your experience?

A true-blue friend is not someone who is there only in the fun times and abandons us in the dark times. Fair weather friends do that.

Proverbs 17:17 points out the consistency of a good friend. “A friend loves at all times.”  This Proverb describes Jesus, who was willing to give His life for those He would call friends. He is the ultimate friend we could possibly have.

Discover how the word “Friend” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Psalm 46:10.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

In the midst of a broken world, where there is war, violence, and upheaval, God is reminding us to see the big picture in light of eternity. No matter how severe the news is breaking in a given day or how broken our circumstances may be, God is still on the throne. This world is not spinning out of His control. He is moving through the unfolding events of this world to ultimately reveal His glory.

Each day, we are wise to take moments to find quiet time with God and to reflect on His grace, goodness, and glory. Flowing out of prayer and worship, we can face each day with confidence in God’s love for us and in His unshakeable kingdom.

Psalm 46:10-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Neighbor.

Jesus made it clear that the second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

On one occasion, an expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” That is when Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan was on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho when he noticed a man who had been attacked and beaten by robbers.

He was moved by compassion to go to him at his moment of need, bandage his wounds, and provide lodging for him. A neighbor can be anyone who is next to us or someone who crosses our path in a given day. Jesus shared this story to illustrate the actions of this Samaritan to be a good neighbor who showed mercy. Then He told the expert in the law, “Go and do likewise.”

Discover how the word “Neighbor” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 15:13.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Jesus expressed His love for His friends, and proved it by His actions. Jesus went to the greatest degree of love for us so that we might experience God’s forgiveness and freedom. He paid the ultimate price by the shedding of His blood. Philippians 2:8 says, “Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!”

By our disobedience, we waged war against God. But by God’s love for us, Jesus came to turn us back to Him as faithful followers and friends. His grace is the agent of change that we need to experience peace with God.

John 15:13-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Wait.

The Bible instructs us to wait on the Lord. This is a patient and confident trust in God’s timing and in His love for us.

We don’t always know when He will open doors of opportunity for us, or when He will move us to another stage of service, but with faith and hope in God, we can rely on Him to break through in our situation when the time is right.

In Psalm 27:14, David said, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

Waiting on God is not a passive process, but is active in prayer, seeking Divine counsel, worship, and trusting God in the midst of our struggles. These were the patterns of David in times of distress.

Discover how the word “Wait” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 14:6.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

By telling us who He is, Jesus was saying that He was the bridge to a relationship with God the Father. He was also saying there is no other way to get there.

The Apostles who heard Jesus say that got the message and preached it in the book of Acts. Peter said in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

When we call on His name to save us from our sins, we can be assured that He will be true to His word. He is mighty to save.

John 14:6-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Story.

A story is an account of past events in someone’s life.

God can use our story for life-changing impact.

That was the case with Peter in Acts 11:4. Gentiles came to Jesus through his ministry. When he was criticized for associating with them, Peter started from the beginning and told his critics the whole story of how the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the Gentiles.

Those who heard Peter’s story had no further objections and praised God for what He did through Peter’s ministry. Likewise, God can use our redemption stories to move others to praise the Lord.

Discover how the word “Story” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 10:14 and 15.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

By telling us who He is, Jesus was pointing out His tender love for His people. He laid down His life for us so that we could follow Him and enjoy a relationship with Him forever. That includes today.

Isaiah 40:11 tells us that “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.” As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is qualified to forgive our sins and to embrace us with His compassion.

John 10:14 and 15-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com