JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 132:17 and 18.

“Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”

This passage looks forward to the reign of the Messiah. When Jesus arrived, Zechariah the priest prophesied, “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”

Jesus came as God’s anointed One to bear the cross. On that day, He wore a crown of thorns. But His Second Coming will reveal Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will wear a radiant crown that reflects His majesty and holiness. He will sit on David’s throne forever and no one will take away His crown. God’s faithful people will be there to join the celebration and will sing for joy.

This Light Reflection inspires us to set apart Christ as Lord and live in the joy of His glorious reign in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to follow through with good intentions.

In Second Corinthians 8:10, the Apostle Paul noted the intentions of the Corinthian church to excel in the grace of giving. They had expressed their desire to do so. Then, he encouraged them with the follow-thru.

He said, “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it.”

When we follow through with our good intentions to bless others, we have opportunity to share God’s love with them, to give what they are lacking, and help them to thrive where they are planted.

Following Through with Good Intentions is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 1:18.

This was the prayer of the Apostle Paul for this church, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which God has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

A relationship with Jesus is the key to understanding the hope that we have in the kingdom of God. As we follow Jesus step-by-step, day-by-day, we will get to know Him better. We will see Him more clearly, and learn just how blessed we are to have access to His words of wisdom and the riches of heaven.

This Light Reflection inspires us to live in the awareness of God’s blessings and promises in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to take refuge in the Lord.

Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Throughout the Bible, we can see references to God as the protector and provider of our soul.

Proverbs 18:10 describes God as a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.

According to Hebrews 6:19, we have an anchor for our soul, firm and secure, because of our hope in Jesus.

And Jesus described Himself as “the good shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep.”

In God’s grace, we find the goodness of God and a secure place for our soul.

Taking Refuge in the LORD is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Zu7uqJgH3MH05yU6Hwcap?si=dbdd15ec85fd4b04

Fri

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 12:46.

Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

We are walking in spiritual darkness until we step into the light of God’s grace, and the way to cross over from darkness to light is to put our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

To believe in Jesus as Lord is to embrace Him for who He is. He is the Son of God, the Anointed One, the Lamb of God, sent from heaven to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. That was the meaning of His death on a cross.

To believe in Jesus as Savior, is to embrace what He is able to do for us. Because Jesus was obedient to His mission, He is able to completely forgive our sins and lead us to a faith that glows with His love. We can trust Him to do this for us.

This Light Reflection inspires us to believe in Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

We have a good reason to give thanks to the Lord. Psalm 136 tells us that He is good. His love endures forever.

This Psalm points to other reasons that we have to give thanks to God. He does great wonders. He is our Creator. He is our Provider. He guides us with His mighty hand and outstretched arm.

There is an interesting structure to this Psalm. There are 26 verses in Psalm 136, and in each verse, we see the phrase, “His love endures forever.” This is the reality that brings stability and security to our faith. This is a truth that we can celebrate every day in every season of life, because every day we wake up, God is there with His love reaching out to us.

Giving Thanks to the Lord is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Hebrews 3:12 and 13.

“See to it brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Without meaningful relationships, we are capable of drifting from where God wants us to be.

One of the ways we can look out for each other is to stay connected in relationships. The writer of Hebrews would later talk about the importance of committed relationships when he said, “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing.” This commitment provides opportunities for encouragement.

Barnabas was a leader in the early church known for his encouragement. His ministry was vibrant. Acts 11:24 says, “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to encourage others to be faithful to God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to be honest about our weaknesses.

This is the starting place toward character growth and spiritual maturity.

The Apostle Paul came to understand the value of facing his weaknesses when he had a thorn in the flesh. The reason that the Lord allowed this thorn was to keep him from becoming conceited.

He said in Second Corinthians 12:8, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses.”

This is how our weaknesses can turn into strength-when we learn that God’s grace is sufficient for our needs. This will keep us humble. It is not by might or by power that the work of the Lord gets done. Rather, it happens by His Spirit, living in us, working through us, and producing fruit for the Gospel. Then, we will be in a place to give Him the glory that He deserves.

Being honest about our weaknesses is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com