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

The use of pleasant words may involve the spreading of good news, words of encouragement, good manners, and/or a vision of hope.

Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.”

Pleasant words cultivate an atmosphere where effective learning and spiritual growth can take place. That is because respect is in the room. A person will be much more willing to learn from someone who respects them than someone who does not.

Pleasant words are key elements for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 27:54.

This is what happened when Jesus died on a cross.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

The circumstances in which Jesus died were extraordinary. Darkness covered the land in the middle of the day. An earthquake shook the ground. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Then, there was the way in which Jesus died, praying for the forgiveness of His persecutors.

The cross was a moment of darkness and injustice, but it was also a moment when the light of God’s love broke through the darkness in a powerful way. Jesus came to break the darkness of our hearts with His grace and truth.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God to save us from sin in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is building up our neighbors.

Our neighbor does not have to be confined to the person who lives beside us. A neighbor can be someone who works beside us, or worships at church beside us. A neighbor can be anyone we encounter in a given day.

Romans 15:2 says, “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”

This can happen through a word of encouragement, or a service that meets a particular need. It might mean offering a listening ear when they have something to share with us. Or it might involve giving a gift that would be meaningful for them. Relationships are much healthier when we approach someone with the attitude of “what can I do for you?” rather than, “what can I get from you?”

Building Up our Neighbors for their good is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Luke 22:31.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Satan has declared war on the human race, but God loves the human race and has provided a way for us to overcome through Jesus.

Notice the words of encouragement that Jesus has for Simon. I am praying for you that your faith may not fail. After you deny me three times, you will turn back to where you belong, and when you do, build up others who are in the faith.

Hebrews 7:25 says about Jesus, “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to find encouragement in the intercession of Jesus on our behalf in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Remembering the Least of These.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:40-The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The Gospel is a great message of life-changing grace. God reached down to help us in our helpless and sinful condition. When the Gospel takes hold in our heart, we are moved by God’s compassion to pass His love to others who are in vulnerable and difficult places.

Those who lack food, water, and clothing. Those who are sick or in prison. Those who are strangers, and need a friend. How we treat people in these places is how we treat Jesus.

Remembering the Least of These is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Exodus 4:29 to 31.

“Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”

For many years, the Israelites worked under the bondage of slavery in Egypt. But when Moses encountered God at the burning bush, he learned that God had a plan in place to deliver the Israelites, and to work through Moses and Aaron to accomplish that plan.

We might wonder where God is in our suffering and pain. But as He expressed His concern for the Israelites in Egypt, so He sees our pain and cares for us. As we are mindful of His concern for us, we are motivated to worship Him and to find hope in His grace. He will be our source of strength in times of weakness.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to be encouraged by God’s concern for us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is being a spiritual mentor for someone.

Second Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

This is the verse that motivated Dawson Trotman to become a mentor for someone else. Eventually, a whole movement grew out of his influence as a mentor. We know that movement today as the Navigators, which is seeing lives changed by God’s word around the world through one-on-one mentorship.

Being a mentor means investing in someone else’s life with our time, energy, and experience. It involves personal conversations that allow for spiritual growth to happen. When we serve as a mentor for someone else, we are an instrument of God’s grace to encourage them to be true to the Lord and to be a fruitful witness for Jesus.

Being a Spiritual Mentor for someone is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2eHTtfNi9sYucQ1kzazK72?si=Ug-VWBNET1SbF3csMvPyXQ

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

When appealing for financial support for Christians in need, the Apostle Paul said to the church in Corinth.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Paul was not telling them to send a certain amount of money. He was giving them the liberty to give lavishly. There is something that enriches our heart when we give with a cheerful attitude. It is not the obligation that we have to give, but the opportunity that we get to give. Giving out of a sense of delight in the Lord is a sustainable way to excel in the grace of giving.

Cheerful Giving is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com