JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the power of God to save us and be our source of strength.

In Isaiah 30:15, this is what the Sovereign LORD says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength.”

Repentance is a turning point that acknowledges we have been going the wrong way and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and direction to follow His way.

Rest is a reliance on God’s grace to save us. We acknowledge that no amount of good deeds could ever outweigh our bad deeds to make us right with God. We do not have the ability to climb ourselves out of our debt of sin. But because of what Jesus did for us at the cross, we believe that He paid the price of our debt. And so, we depend on Jesus.

Quietness is a place of solitude at God’s throne of grace, convincing us that God is in control.

Trust is a place of confidence in the LORD even in times of trouble.

The power of God to save us and be our source of strength is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Our crew had a blast once again this year at the Cardboard Derby at Roundtop Mountain Resorts.  Teams came out with super creative vessels and even costumes to go along with the theme “Candy Rush”.  Some of the creations were speedy and went the distance, some fell apart before they made it down the hill and others just enjoyed the ride and the fruition of their teamwork.

Thanks to everyone that bundled up and came out to cheer on the teams and all who participated in another fun event.  Thanks also to Roundtop Mountain Resorts for inviting WJTL to be a part of the event.  Here are the results (by Team Name) from the judging and the races:

(video and photos to come soon)

Distance Youth

1st:  Nerds (from Calvary Chapel)

2nd:  Smartie Pants

3rd: One Sweet Ride

4th: Candy Crusher

5th: Nerds f(rom Zion Lutheran)

6th: Big Box of Skittles

Distance Adults

1st: Team Sour Patch

2nd: Mr B Entertainment

3rd: Flaming Marshmellows

4th: Nerds (from York)

5th: Darth Pez

6th: Backwards Piñata

Creativity/Appearance Youth

1st: Battle of the Bulge

2nd: Smartie Pants

3rd; Candy Canes and Bottle Caps

Creativity/Appearance Youth

1st: Candy Rush

2nd: Nerd Dragster

3rd: Darth Pez

Spirit Awards:

Youth:  Tootsie Roll

Adult: Candy Rush

 

 

JOHN SHIRK – During Wednesday’s Lunch Break, I am making available a window of time to air your favorite 5 Christian songs. From 12 to 12:30, I will pick out a Listener’s List of Five Favorites and play them back to back. To submit your entry, list your favorite 5 Christian songs and email them to shirkatwork@wjtl.com.

Include your name, address, song title, and artist. If there is a short, meaningful story as to why a particular song is meaningful to you, feel free to share it. I look forward to hearing from you.

John Shirk

shirkatwork@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on God’s good purpose for His people.

Romans 8:28 tells us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This does not mean that everything that happens to us is good. But God has the power to overcome evil with good. This is proven through the power of the cross, where Jesus died for the sins of many people.

So, through the trials of our lives and through the triumphs, God is weaving everything together for a good purpose, and that purpose is identified in the next verse-Romans 8:29.

“For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.”  That is how we are blessed and God is honored through the circumstances of our lives.

God’s good purpose to transform us to be more like Jesus is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the righteous authority of God.

In Deuteronomy 10:17, Moses told the Israelites, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”

There is a familiar saying that makes the claim that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That would be a likely scenario in a kingdom ruled by flawed character. However, absolute power does not corrupt God, because He is holy and righteous. There is no flaw in Him. His judgments are true and just. His law is perfect. His power is supreme. His promises are dependable. His righteousness is a source of blessing for His people and purifies us from all sin through faith in the name of Jesus.

We need this kind of leader, someone who is great in power and good in virtue. Jesus is that kind of leader-without any moral imperfection and at the same time, merciful to all imperfect people who call on His name for forgiveness. Under His leadership, we have the guidance we need to walk in the ways of the Lord.

The righteous authority of God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the power of prayer and praising God.

Paul and Silas were in prison. They had been stripped and beaten and carefully guarded. Their feet were in stocks.

That is the setting when they do something amazing. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, which shook the foundations of the prison. The prison doors swung wide open, and everybody’s chains came loose.

This incident led to the conversion of the jailer, who believed in the Lord Jesus and was saved.

Paul and Silas could have responded differently. They could have had a pity party. They could have been feeling despair. We might understand why under the circumstances. However, they were praying and praising God, and He opened up more doors for them to be an effective witness for Jesus.

Look for God to open up doors of opportunity as you seek Him with all your heart and praise Him with all your strength.

The power of prayer and praising God are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the blessing of forgiveness.

Psalm 32, verse 1 says, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

This describes the person who has confessed their sins to God and confessed their need for His mercy. They are focused on walking with God with a humble heart. They do not make intentional plans that disregard God’s laws. Rather, they seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Their first love is for God, and that allegiance compels them to live for His glory.

The forgiveness of God offers us freedom from guilt. In the New Testament of the Bible, we learn that this forgiveness is available through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23 and 24 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The blessing of forgiveness is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2014 is the Year of Celebration at WJTL. Listen each day for moments of celebration from God’s Word. We will examine the attributes of God, His mighty deeds in the past, and the hopeful future that He is planning for His people.

Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the establishment of God’s Kingdom.

Psalm 103:19 says, “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.”

Every attempt to dethrone the LORD will fail. The angel Lucifer tried it, and lost his place in heaven as a result.

The firm foundation of God’s throne has several implications for our lives.

1)   His throne is in heaven. His leadership is not just good. It is Divine.

2)   His Kingdom is eternal. We have the promise of a glorious future with Him when our hope is in the security of God’s love, expressed ultimately through Jesus Christ.

3)  Some day, the worshippers of God will gather around the throne of heaven to celebrate the worthiness of Jesus as Lord.

The establishment of God’s Kingdom is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2014 is the Year of Celebration at WJTL. Listen each day for moments of celebration from God’s Word. We will examine the attributes of God, His mighty deeds in the past, and the hopeful future that He is planning for His people.

Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the reliability of God’s promises.

When the Israelites were set free from slavery, God was not just delivering them from despair. He was taking them into the desert so that they might be free to worship Him. He was sending them on a journey that would lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

The Israelites were not always faithful to God on that journey, but He was always faithful to them.  They spent 40 years wandering in the desert, but through the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites eventually took the Promised Land.

Reflecting on God’s faithfulness, Joshua 21:43 says, “So, the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession. Verse 45 says, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” God keeps His promises, which means, not only is He good, but He is also strong. He can do what it takes to fulfill the promise that He keeps.

The reliability of God’s promises is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Jesus would be born as God’s gift to us.

This promise appears in Isaiah 9:6-“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince Of Peace.”

Jesus is the expression of God’s grace. He is not a trophy to earn, but a gift to receive. Over and over in the Bible, we are told that God’s grace is a gift to receive and is necessary for eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8 and 9 says, “It is by grace you have been saved through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.”

And Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This Christmas, there is not a more complete package with greater, long-lasting value than to receive the gift of God’s grace in the person of Jesus Christ.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 

The promise that Jesus would be born as God’s gift to us is a lesson of faith worth remembering.