JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to wake up to the voice of grace.

Ephesians 5:14 says, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

The voice of God’s grace is calling us out of a place of spiritual slumber into the light of God’s glory. That is where we can truly shine in this generation with His goodness, righteousness, and truth.

The voice of grace calls us out of apathy into the way of love.

The voice of grace calls us away from the deeds of darkness into the light of God’s pleasing will.

The voice of grace awakens our hearts to seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness as the top priority of our lives. Jesus becomes the focus of our faith and our ultimate treasure. The joy we have from His love overflows into our relationships.

Waking up to the voice of grace is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was in Acts 9:18, when Ananias ministered to a new convert named Saul.

He was in Damascus when the Lord called him to visit Saul who was praying. His assignment was to place hands on him to restore Saul’s sight. Ananias was familiar with the harm Saul had done to God’s people before converting to Christ.

But the Lord reassured Ananias, saying, “Go, this man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”

Ananias took a step of courage. He went to Saul, and placed his hands on him. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After taking food, Saul regained his strength.

This Light Reflection inspires us to support new believers as they follow 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 showing respect for the elderly.

Leviticus 19:32 says, “stand in the presence of the aged; show respect for the elderly and revere your God.”

We can learn so much from the elderly. They can offer us valuable wisdom through the lessons of life that they have learned by experience.

They have stories to share that give us insight into another time period before we were born. Deuteronomy 32:6 says, “consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you; your elders, and they will explain it to you.”

Many elderly people would welcome our visits and offers of a helping hand. If we are blessed to have an elderly person in our family or neighborhood, those are opportunities to check in on them and spend quality time with them.

Showing respect for the elderly is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places is Acts chapter 11, verse 24 when Barnabas made a trip to Antioch. He was sent by the church in Jerusalem to follow up on the news that a great number of people there were believing and turning to the LORD.

When Barnabas arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their heart. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

How might God use our words of encouragement to build the church? He might make us a motivational influence for someone to keep serving God. Or He might make us a persuasive influence for someone to take that first step of faith.

This Light Reflection inspires us to encourage others to live with true devotion to the Lord 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 in awe of God.

Many Bible characters were filled with awe in God’s presence.

When Ezekiel saw the glory of the LORD, he fell facedown.

When Moses saw the glory of the LORD at the burning bush, he hid his face.

When Isaiah saw the glory of the LORD, he said, “Woe is me. I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips.” These prophets and more were raised up by God to serve their nation in productive ways.

To be in awe of God is to recognize that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves. We have reverence for His name, regard for His power, and respect for His authority. We may feel unworthy in His holy presence, but we are not unloved in His amazing grace. Being in awe of God is being in a place of worship.

Habakkuk 3:2 says, “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.”

Being in Awe of God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Our Season of Gratitude continues. This week’s Praise & Worship Playlist is filled with songs celebrating God’s faithfulness! Check out the lineup below.

JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was Acts chapter 8:35, when Philip was led by the Lord to a desert road going to Gaza.

On his way, he met an Ethiopian official who was on his way home from Jerusalem. He was in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. Philip ran up to the chariot and asked the man, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

The Ethiopian official replied, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” So, he invited Philip to sit with him. Philip began with the very passage of Scripture that he was reading and told him the good news about Jesus. Later, Philip baptized this Ethiopian official, who went his way rejoicing.

This Light Reflection inspires us to always be ready to share the good news of Jesus with those who have questions 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 honor God in our workplace.

Work has been part of the human race, even before sin entered the human race. God created Adam and gave him the task of taking care of the Garden of Eden and naming the animals.

Work is an opportunity for a productive day. Through work, we can provide a service that helps other people and provide for our own families. Our faith has a thriving influence when we serve others with a generous attitude. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship. The way forward is to do the will of God with the skills He has provided for us. Then, reach out to customers, clients, and co-workers with the question,  “What can I do for you today?”

Colossians 3:23 says, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Honoring God in our workplace 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/6BY8aADHV58IbT64CVWjbj?si=7ca396c4ba6b4f5e

JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was Acts chapter 4 after Peter and John were released from the interrogation of the religious leaders.

Verse 23 says that they went back to their own people and reported all the chief priests and the elders said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.

In verses 29 and 30, we learn what they prayed for: “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

This Light Reflection inspires us to seek God for a bold faith in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com