JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to bear lasting fruit.

This happens when we remain in Jesus and draw our strength from His grace.

Jesus told His followers in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Wherever we go, whatever we do, whoever we reach; being a fruitful witness for Jesus flows out of a faithful relationship with Jesus. We are willing to follow wherever He leads us. We are willing to serve whatever He calls us to do. We are willing to love whoever He brings into our lives.

Jesus appointed His followers to go and bear fruit that will last. That can be our enduring legacy of faith as we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Bearing Lasting Fruit is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Titus 1:3.

The Apostle Paul spoke of the hope of eternal life being brought to light through the preaching entrusted to him by the command of God our Savior.

At the time of Paul’s conversion. Jesus explained what his mission would be in Acts 26:18: “I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Preaching is a light to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ where people can receive the gift of God’s grace-forgiveness and a future place in heaven with God.

Not everyone is necessarily gifted in the practice of preaching, but if we follow Jesus, we have a message to share with the world. It can be said in a back-and-forth conversation, or with hands and feet that are willing to serve others.

This Light Reflection inspires us to share the hope of eternal life with those who need 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 follow God wholeheartedly.

That is what Caleb did. Joshua 14:14 records that Hebron belonged to Caleb because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.

We might not inherit land with full devotion to God, but we will have the favor of God shining on us to know the peace of God, the joy of the Lord, and a confident hope of all that God is going to do in us and through us.

What can God do with a life fully devoted to Him? He is able to do far more than we could ever imagine.

Following God wholeheartedly 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 2:10.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We were made to shine God’s love with good deeds. Whether we are adopting a child who needs a family, sharing a meal with someone recovering from surgery, or visiting the elderly in a retirement home, there are good deeds that we can do to make this world a brighter place for someone else. Let love be the motivation for generous deeds.

Titus 3:14 says, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good in order than they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to do good works with the opportunities that God gives us 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 think about Jesus.

Our thoughts often focus on what and who we love the most. When we fall in love with someone, it is common for us to be thinking about that person when we are not with them, and to give our devoted attention to them when we are with them.

Thinking about Jesus keeps our priorities focused on God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Our affections and love for Him will grow as we know Him more deeply. Thinking about Jesus will also shove out impure thoughts and motives that corrupt the mind and heart.

Hebrews 3:1 urges us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus. The more we reflect on His glory, His teachings, and His love, the more we will be transformed into His likeness and reflect His character to a watching world.

Thinking about Jesus 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 Psalm 66, verses 16 and 17.

Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.

A testimony of faith is a light that shows others how God can change a heart. Our spiritual breakthrough moments can be used of God to stir others to praise God with a fully devoted faith.

This was the case with the Apostle Paul, who persecuted Christians before coming to faith. He said in Galatians 1:22, “I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.”

That’s how God can use a testimony to move people deeply.

This Light Reflection inspires us to share our testimony of faith with others who are willing to hear 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 praise the Lord.

The call to praise the Lord is woven through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. There are many reasons to give praise to God. Psalm 150 tells us to praise Him for His acts of power and surpassing greatness. We can praise God for who He is, and what He has done, and what He will do, because there is more to come. In the early church, when people saw the believers praising God, many of them were converted to Christ and were saved.

Psalm 33, verses 1 to 5 says, “Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true, he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”

Praising 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 Ephesians 5:25 to 27.

Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

The relationship between a husband and wife will flourish under the influence of Jesus, who brings out the best in His followers by His love. As God’s love moves us to holiness, we reflect God’s graciousness and truth by the words we say and how we live. Love makes a difference in our relationships, whether we are married or not. Jesus shows the way for us to live a life of love that shines brightly, and reflects His glory.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be made holy by the love of Jesus and wholly love others 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 quick to listen.

Taking time to listen often reflects an open heart to the speaker.

James 1:19 is an important verse for followers of Jesus. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes says there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Good listening builds trust and open communication.

When someone is confiding in us, we can respond with a caring heart by offering a listening ear. It is a significant way of giving someone our attention and showing our concern. By listening, we can better understand a situation. By asking questions and giving opportunity for a response, we can experience the joy of learning from each other.

God listens to our prayers. That is one way He demonstrates His love for us.

Being quick to listen is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com