JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to accept children with God’s love.

Jesus called a little child and had him stand among His disciples. Then He taught in Matthew 18:5, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

Jesus loves children. He demonstrated that in His earthly ministry with His prayers and affection. When the disciples wanted to keep the children away from Jesus, He called the children to come closer.

That is what can happen when we welcome a child in Jesus’ name-whether it’s helping with children’s ministry at church, or by becoming a sponsor for a child in another country to help them with daily necessities. Our loving outreach to them will give them a glimpse of how much Jesus loves them.

Accepting Children with God’s love 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 Exodus 3:7 and 10.

God called Moses to a very important assignment:  He said to Moses, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering…..So now, go. I am sending you to Pharoah to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Moses was in exile, separated from his people. He might have thought that his productive days were behind him. But God was just getting started with Moses. At a burning bush, God would call Moses to go back to His people to deliver them from slavery in Egypt. Moses said, “Here I am.” God identified Himself as “I AM WHO I AM.”

God knows how to get our attention. Like Moses, we may feel unworthy or inadequate to do the work that God calls us to do. But God has a plan for our lives and He is our source of strength to fulfill His will. He will be with us every step of the way as we obey His calling.

This Light Reflection inspires us to “say yes” to the call of God on our lives to do His will 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 fight the good fight of the faith.

This battle does not involve the weapons of the world, but requires the armor of God, which includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith to extinguish the arrows of the evil one. Our battles are against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

In First Timothy 6:11, the Apostle Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight. Then, he showed him how to fight effectively. Step away from the love of money, temptations, foolish and harmful desires. And step toward godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Walking with Jesus enables us to step into the light of victory in our spiritual battles of life.

Fighting the good fight of the faith 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 Revelation 1, verses 14 through 16.

John had an encounter with Jesus before he wrote the book of Revelation.  This is part of the description of what he saw.

“The hair on his head was white as wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

John responded by falling at his feet. The hand of Jesus was on him.  The voice of Jesus spoke to him: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One.”

An encounter with Jesus will lead us to faith, reverence, and worship. We will understand that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves, but we will be truly grateful that we are loved by Him. Our faithful service will lead to the glory of His name and will flow out of a relationship with Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find love and purpose in the Presence of 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 living with the hope of heaven.

Having the hope of heaven in our heart will remind us that there is more to life than this world. This hope will purify our faith and give us a greater sense of urgency to share the Gospel with unbelievers.

Colossians 3:1 says, “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

C.S. Lewis once said, “If you read history, you will find that Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.”

Living with the Hope of Heaven 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 Psalm 89, verses 35 to 37.

The LORD says, “Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness-and I will not lie to David-that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”

Indeed, there is a spiritual heritage coming through David’s line that shines forever. Jesus came through David’s line. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. He is known by His love and faithfulness. God is true to His promises.

The brilliance of His reign is compared to the likeness of the sun. And the establishment of His kingdom is compared to the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.

Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, so, God’s people are called to reflect the light of God’s One and Only Son-Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be a faithful witness for 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 have a healthy support system.

There is wisdom in choosing our friends carefully. Our peers can build up our faith in the Lord or lead us astray, depending on their character.

Proverbs 13:20 instructs us to “walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

A healthy support system will bring out the best qualities in our character, help us to grow wise, and draw closer to Jesus.

Having a Healthy Support System is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to control our temper.

Outbursts of anger often lead to emotional pain, discouragement, division, and regret. Not all anger is sin. Jesus got angry when God’s house was defiled. But how we handle our anger is vitally important in how we represent God’s love and holiness.

Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

James 1:20 says that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” He instructs us to be slow to become angry.

Psalm 4:4 reveals what we can do when anger tempts us to sin. “When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”  In the quietness of that moment, we will have opportunity to do some soul-searching, pray, and invite God’s peace to settle our troubled spirit.

Controlling our temper 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 First Corinthians 4:5.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

We all have an appointment with the Lord someday. This verse gives us a warning about judging someone else’s motives. Don’t be the judge and jury of someone else’s motives. What if we are wrong? What happens if we assume that someone’s motives are impure when they are really pure? It would have a harmful impact on that relationship, and would likely cause discouragement.

Ultimately, God knows the condition of their heart even as He knows the condition of ourheart. Pure motives matter to God, and that is why we are wise to commit our activities to God. He will reward us for the good deeds we have done for His glory.

This Light Reflection inspires us to align our motives to the purposes of God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com