JOHN SHIRK – Pleasing God is more than just action.  Two people, praying in a small group meeting, could be praying for very different reasons.  One might be praying as an expression of worship to God. Another might be praying to sound spiritual in front of other people and gain a good reputation. 

In the book of Genesis, Cain and Abel both offered sacrifices to the Lord, but the Lord was pleased only by Abel’s sacrifice.  Abel offered God his best. Cain offered the left-overs.  Furthermore, God saw the motivation of their hearts.

Good deeds are fruitless in pleasing God unless they spring from a heart of faith that is expressed in love.  Hebrews 11:6 says, “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.” Galatians 5:6 tells us that “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  Faith and love form the foundation of good deeds that please the Lord.  These qualities also serve as the foundation for a productive witness for the Lord while we live on the earth.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

KRISTI LEIGH — Today I interviewed Steven Curtis Chapman; and “interviewed” is kind of a generous way to put it in this case–Steven is so good at being interviewed that all I really had to do is say “hello” and he was on a roll! He’s so personable and shared about his family, the trials, the joys and much more–I give him an A+! Listen to the interview here:

https://wjtl.com/listen/wjtl-casts/

After the interview, I texted my mom to say thanks. What did she have to do with it? A lot, actually. This was my first Steven Curtis Chapman interview and talking with him took me back to the concerts my mom took me to at the Hershey Arena. She got tickets and took me to see DC Talk, Third Day, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman–and she even stood up front with me in front of the big speakers that made both of our ears hurt! Not because she was into that music, but all because she believed that music was having a huge impact in my life. She was investing in me and my future–and I had no idea back then! And now, I often think back to those concerts and how much they meant to me! So, THANKS MOM!

What about you? What good little things did your parents do with you that encouraged you to be who you are today? Comment below.

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – How would you describe the qualities of a good employee?  If you made a list, you might include some of these qualities on your list.

Dependable, honest, someone who accepts responsibility, someone who takes initiative, (looking for ways to serve rather than excuses not to serve), someone who shows respect and smiles to customers and co-workers, a team player who has a cooperative spirit when working with others, someone willing to work and to learn. You might be able to list other qualities as well.

Many of these values are promoted in the Bible.  When we walk with the Lord, He trains us to grow in godly character so that we might be a productive worker, not just in the work we do, but in the way we represent Jesus in the workplace. 

Colossians 3:22 urges us to obey our earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on us and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.  Verse 23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” 

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Psalm 100, verse 4 invites us to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

There are many reasons to praise God in our personal time with Him and in our worship gatherings with other believers.  Among them,

the sacrificial love of Jesus at the cross.

His mercy, which withholds the judgement that we deserve because of our sins.

His faithfulness, which assures the fulfillment of His promises.

His power.  No one can match His strength and overtake His throne.

The gift of salvation, which provides a place in heaven for the person who trusts in Jesus as the forgiver of sins and Lord of their lives. He extends forgiveness for our past, help for our present, and hope for our future. Our hearts overflow with praise for God when we remember the many ways He blesses us with His goodness and enduring love.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – The teachings of Jesus are flipped upside down from many of the values in our world’s system.  Take greatness for example.  What are some qualities of a great person?  The answers will vary depending on who you ask.  Some may define greatness in terms of their sense of humor, or being talented, or being successful in business pursuits.

Some may define greatness in terms of leadership or being intelligent or having a charming personality.

There are many factors people will use to define “greatness.”  Jesus defined greatness by service.  In Mark 9:35, while sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Our culture has a way of equating status with being first in the world.  We use such phrases as “climbing the corporate ladder.”  But Jesus left his royal position in heaven to walk among us.  Philippians 2 explains that Jesus “though being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.”  The path to greatness and honor in God’s kingdom comes through a servant’s heart that follows in the footsteps of Jesus.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

EDDIE DANIELS – A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog about being at Creation 2010 and the different ways artists greeted us. I promised video evidence of who-greets-how and, well, here’s what we came away with:

Eddie Daniels, Video Guy
eddie@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Romans 13:8 reminds us to keep love flowing like a river with these words, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. “

The writer, the Apostle Paul goes on to explain how the specific commandments of the Bible like “Do not commit adultery”, “Do not murder”, “Do not steal”, and “Do not covet”, are actually summed up in the rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Here we see an important quality of love.  Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Love also reaches out with a helping hand.

To live a life of love involves waking up each day to look for ways to bless someone else with the love of God.  When it comes down to love, we never get to the point when we are paid up.  We always have more love to give.  Talking about love, First Thessalonians 4:10 urges us to do so more and more.  So, today is another day to let God’s love grow by letting God’s love flow through us.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Proverbs 6:20 says, “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.”

John Wooden recently passed away at the age of 99.  Many will remember him for his 10 national basketball championships at UCLA.  Many will know him as the greatest basketball coach of all time.  Yet, there was something more important to him than basketball.  He is quoted as having said, “There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior.” 

His character was influenced by his father. According to Dennis Rainey, his father once gave him a card and urged him to live up to what was on the card.  It said, “Four things a man must learn to do if he would make his life more true:

To think without confusion clearly, 

To love his fellow man sincerely,

To act from honest motives purely,

To trust in God and heaven securely.

Parents today can be influential mentors by gaining wisdom from above and passing it along to their sons and daughters.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In Psalm 138:8, David wrote, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.”

We are the works of His hands, and so, David is praying that the Lord of eternity will not let us down.  The first part of the verse affirms confidence in the LORD’s ability to complete what He starts in us.

This verse teaches us to seek God’s favor and to trust in His plan to carry out His purpose in us.  God often uses our desires, abilities, and opportunities to guide us in His will.  Sometimes, our desires can lead us astray.  That is why the first step to living out God’s will is to delight in God’s love.  Once that is established in our lives, He gives us the desires that motivate us to live for the glory of God.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In soccer, the goal of the team is to kick the ball into the other team’s net.  If a soccer team loses sight of this goal, they can anticipate not making any goals.  If we don’t have a goal in life, we are sure to wander about aimlessly.  If our goals are not in alignment with God’s goals, we will miss the mark every time.  But if our aim is God’s goal for us, then we are moving in the right direction in the midst of growing to be like Jesus.

This is what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Paul’s goal was Christ’s goal for him.  This is the kind of attitude that is necessary for doing what God wants us to do.  Get to know His heart and what matters to God.  Then we will see more clearly where He is leading us and He will give us the resources we need to carry out His plan for our lives.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com