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

To follow Jesus is to go where He leads us. Whenever Jesus extended an invitation for someone to become His disciple, He would say, “Follow me.”

That is the priority of the person who puts their faith in Jesus. We learn to follow Him. He comes to us with the offer of salvation, freedom, and hope. His teachings offer us wisdom that puts our lives on a sure foundation that will stand the test of time. He comes to us with His loving arms of grace to forgive our sins and lead us in the path of His righteousness.

In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Discover how the word “Follow” 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 5:24.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

God took something considered shameful in the eyes of the world to take away the shame of those who would believe in Jesus. He used the cross. Jesus is the only way for us to cross over from death to life. He is the bridge to salvation. He is the hope for humanity. We can put our full weight on Him, relying on His love to remove our guilt and fill our lives with His grace. According to Romans 8:1, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The words of Jesus inspire us to listen to Him and believe the Gospel.

John 5:24-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 Believe.

In the Bible, this word is key for our salvation. To believe in Jesus goes beyond acknowledging that He exists. James 2:19 says that even the demons believe that there is one God and they shudder. Clearly, they are not on God’s side and shudder for a reason.

Romans 10:9 gives us clarity for what it means to believe in the Gospel. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Saving faith believes in the identity of Jesus as the Bible reveals Him and His accomplishments at the cross and empty grave. Saving faith trusts in His grace to forgive us and save us from our sins.

Discover how the word “Believe” 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 4:34.

Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

This is what fulfilled Jesus-to know that He was in the center of His Father’s will. And what was His calling?  Philippians 2:7 tells us he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…..He humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross.

The cross of Jesus was the means to save us from our sins, and Jesus submitted to that plan for the sake of our redemption.

Jesus shows us by His example where our purpose in life will find the most fulfillment-in the center of God’s will.

John 4:34-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 Reconcile.

To reconcile is to restore a relationship to a place of harmony after having a dispute. In the Christian experience, Jesus is the peacemaker who brings us back into fellowship with God.

 Colossians 1:21 says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-if you continue in your faith, established and firm.”

That’s the power of Jesus to set us free from guilt and to present us as faultless in the eyes of God. Where there is forgiveness and genuine faith, there is reconciliation between God and His new creation.

Discover how the word “Reconcile” 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 Isaiah 57:15.

“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

God is in heaven, but He is not confined by space. He is also near the person who is humbled by their sins and failures. In their brokenness, they turn to God for forgiveness and desire to walk in the light of His grace and truth. Prideful thinking keeps God at a distance, forming a pattern of trusting ourselves more than trusting in God.

Humility invites God to come near to help us and to save us from our sins. God is right at home in the heart of the person who loves Him and recognizes their need for Jesus every single day.

Isaiah 57:15-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 Cling.

This refers to holding tightly to something or someone. It is a vivid word to illustrate someone holding on with all their might.

In the Bible, there is a beautiful scene in the book of Ruth, where Ruth is clinging to her mother-in-law. Naomi was trying to convince Ruth to go back to her people in Moab, but Ruth determined to go with Naomi to Bethlehem. Ruth stood by Naomi’s side. She clung and did not let go.

It is a beautiful scene whenever anyone clings to the Lord. Wherever He goes, we are willing to follow. David used this word to describe his relationship with God. In Psalm 63:8, he wrote, “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”

Discover how the word “Cling” 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 Hosea 10:12.

“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”

True prophets spoke for God, who inspired words like these.

This message is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who is our source of righteousness. Planting the seeds of righteousness means that our hearts are receptive to the word of God, the love of God, and the Son of God. To break up the unplowed ground means surrendering areas of our lives that we have not yet yielded to the Lord.  His unfailing love will fill our hearts with joy, peace, and security for our soul. He will also move us to share His love with others. We love because God loved us first.

Hosea 10:12-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 Think.

This is the exercise of our mind to ponder certain opinions, beliefs, and ideas. What we think about can greatly affect our decisions, attitudes, and emotions.

Philippians 4:8 is a great verse to focus our thoughts in a good direction. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Verse 9 points out what happens when our thoughts go there. The God of peace will be with us. We will face problems in the world that need to be addressed, but as we make our thought life obedient to Christ, we will have the framework for seeking solutions to the problems we face.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com