JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to follow Jesus.

Jesus invited some fishermen to follow Him in Matthew 4:19. He said to Simon Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Jesus.

There is a Chinese proverb that says “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We don’t know how many miles Peter and Andrew traveled with Jesus, but that first step out of the boat was the beginning of a journey that led them to Jesus, and they would never be the same after that. Their influence for Christ would bring many more people into the family of God.

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

Following Jesus 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/7vrMoPcIZrZoxNTP8hwDSl?si=09d3a9ed81464fca

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Romans 6:4.

Speaking of Jesus, “we were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The light of the Gospel reveals the new life that we can have in Christ. We become new creations. The old has gone. A new way of life has begun, built on faith in Christ, and expressing itself in love.  We become united with Christ in His death and resurrection.

We die to sin and come alive to Jesus. Instead of living for selfish desires, we live to glorify God. This new life gives us a new focus, new priorities, and new identity as a child of God. We are refreshed in the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness and His unfailing love.

Romans 6:8 tells us that if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the new life of being united with 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 Remove Idols.

An idol is anything that takes priority over God in our lives. An idol that stands in the way of our worship is a hindrance to our view of the living God, who made us. Removing that idol opens the way for us to replace false worship with true worship.

In Ezekiel’s day, the LORD said to the people of Israel, “Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices.”

In Acts 19:18, we see how revival can sweep across a city when people confess their sins and remove their idols. In Ephesus, the name of Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly….In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Removing idols from our lives 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 Second Timothy 1:9 and 10.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

The Gospel is good news to point out the life that is found in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead three days later were the defining moments in history that shine the message of hope for us today.

Jesus came to give us a new life. He came to give us abundant life. He came to give us eternal life. And He came to give us a holy life.

This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate God’s amazing grace 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 serving the Lord.

Following Jesus leads us to a fulfilling relationship with God and productive service in God’s Kingdom.

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.”

God sees the acts of service that we perform with pure motives. He does not forget our work and the love that we show Him as we help people in their times of need.

First Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Serving the Lord 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/3FWDcp0g5ElzvDqLZvcCX4?si=cc3b3c43ad02474c

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 9:2.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

This is a prophecy concerning Jesus who would come hundreds of years later to break the darkness of sin with His light of grace and truth.

He did not come for people who were lovable and perfect. He came for people who needed a Savior, and by His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, He fulfilled God’s plan of redemption.

Jesus is the great light that we need to find our way out of spiritual darkness. Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to step out of the darkness and 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 the exercise of spiritual gifts.

When God’s people serve with love and with their spiritual gifts, the church has a significant light to shine in the local community.

The Bible teaches us that different members of the church have different gifts. Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

This is a picture of the body of Christ serving freely by the grace of God for the glory of God.

Exercising our Spiritual Gifts is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com