JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Revelation 3:20.

Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

One of the visuals of meaningful and intimate friendship is two people sitting down together at the dinner table enjoying a meal.

This is the vision that Jesus has for His church-to be in fellowship with Him, following Him faithfully, and enjoying His presence.

Jesus was standing at the door of a church that was self-sufficient. They did not sense their need for Jesus, and were shutting Him out. In those moments when our self-sufficiency keeps us from experiencing the peace of God, we can remember this picture of Jesus knocking on the door of our heart, waiting for us to respond to His voice.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to open our heart to the joy of knowing Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to seek counsel for difficult decisions.

Sometimes, God works through the wise counsel of others to guide our decisions in a successful direction.

Proverbs 15:22 says that “plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

It is important for us to know who to consult. For financial advice, we would go to someone who has experience as a financial counselor.

For spiritual direction, we would seek someone who has experience walking with the Lord, who cares about us, and is willing to listen.

Good advice is often available by the input of people who know us and understand our situation.

Seeking Counsel for Difficult Decisions is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Jeremiah 33:2 and 3.

“This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it-the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

It’s amazing to think that the Creator of the Universe invites us into a personal relationship.

God is in heaven, but He is also close enough to hear the prayer of the contrite heart. He is close to the broken-hearted. His grace is with those who are humble. Psalm 25:14 says, “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”

God’s Wisdom reveals the mystery of His love and the nature of His kingdom. His Gospel reveals the good news of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to have an ongoing conversation with God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is freedom.

Second Corinthians 3:17 says “Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The Spirit of God is about life and freedom. Where there are elements of coercion, intimidation, or manipulation in relationships, the Spirit of the Lord is not the influence behind them.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to express their love for God with the personalities that God has given them.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to worship God openly, using a variety of songs that glorify His holy name.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to share with each other what they are learning and how God is moving in their lives.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, people are free to serve others with their God-given abilities.

Freedom is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Revelation 17:14.

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

The end of the age in the book of Revelation reveals a world that has rebelled against the authority of God and declared war against Him.

But their effort to fight against God will fail. Jesus is the victor. His kingdom is coming and will prevail over every force that opposes Him.

The Gospel reveals how we can enjoy peace with God and be among His faithful followers.

Romans 5:1 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is how we are reconciled with God to enjoy His favor.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be on the Lord’s side in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to follow Jesus rather than the crowd.

Exodus 23:2 instructs us with these words, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”

Peer pressure can lead us into trouble if the crowd is bent on doing what is wrong. William Penn once said, “Right is right even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it.” While it can be so easy to follow the crowd, Jesus has another message for us, “Follow me.”

As we do this consistently, day-by-day, step-by-step, His grace and truth will be the influence that guides our pathway forward to a fruitful faith. The disciples are an example of this: They spent time with Jesus. Then, after they were taught and trained, they preached the Gospel and persuaded many in the crowd to put their faith in Jesus.

Following Jesus rather than the crowd is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Ephesians 2:8 and 9.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace reflects the outpouring of a generous God toward us.

God’s grace is the gift that is a life-saver for us. We cannot earn this grace on human merit. We cannot buy this grace with all of our money. But we can receive this grace through faith in the name of Jesus. He came to save us from our sins. That mission was accomplished at the cross and empty grave.

John 1:11 says about Jesus, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to receive God’s grace as the most valuable gift we could ever have in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to build healthy friendships.

One of the strong friendships that can be found in the Bible is between Jonathan and David.

First Samuel 18:3 says that Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

This language is similar to the second greatest commandment in the Bible taught by Jesus-to love our neighbor as ourselves. This kind of attitude enables us to be a loyal friend. We can put ourselves in someone else’s situation and discern how to offer helpful support for them.

Proverbs 17:17 says that a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Building Healthy Friendships is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Loving our Enemies.

This is what Jesus taught. This is also how He lived.

As the crowd was shouting “Crucify Him!”, Jesus was loving the world, and praying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

Loving our enemies is a supernatural love that reflects the way of Jesus to an unbelieving world. It’s the kind of love that has the power to turn enemies into friends.

Loving our Enemies is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com