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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 19, verse 8.

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

There is spiritual vision for the person who knows the word and will of God. We need Jesus for salvation, and we need His Word for guidance to live out His plan for our lives.

Our attitude toward God’s Word will have a great impact on whether we receive or reject the content.

The writer of Psalm 119 demonstrated an attitude toward God’s Word that opened his mind to its counsel. He said in Psalm 119, verse 111, “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”

And in verse 14, he said, “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to view God’s Word as a valuable treasure that brings us joy and understanding 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 mourning.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called His followers to have an influence in this world for the Gospel. He called His followers “salt” and “light.” It is not a coincidence that these references followed the Beatitudes.

One of those Beatitudes is found in Matthew 5:4.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Jesus was referring to a kind of mourning that is spurred by an immoral climate around us or the sin that dwells within us. Brokenness leads us to weeping, and weeping leads us to repentance. Repentance leads us to joy and refreshment in the presence of the Lord. James 4:9 says, “Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.”

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Mourning is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Romans 10:17.

Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

The Bible is a light that guides our way, leading us to faith in Jesus. God’s Word has value for revealing Jesus as the light of the world who gives salvation to all who believe in Him.

An example of this is the Gospel of John. Near the end of this book of the Bible, John said this: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

The book of John is one of many books in the Bible that encourages us to believe in Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to place our faith in Jesus to save us from our sins 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 poverty in spirit.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called His followers to have an influence in this world for the Gospel. He called His followers “salt” and “light.” It is not a coincidence that these references followed the Beatitudes.

One of those Beatitudes is found in Matthew 5:3.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

To be poor in spirit is to be aware of our bankruptcy before God. Because of our sinfulness, there is no way for us to measure up to God’s righteousness. We need His grace to be made right with God. And so, in our desperate condition, we turn to Jesus for the forgiveness we need to be reconciled to God.

God raises the humble person to have a platform for the Gospel.

Poverty in Spirit 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 a Renewed Mind.

In the Christian faith, a renewed mind happens when we fix our thoughts on Jesus. In response to His mercy, we want to please Him, honor His name, and do His will. We say “no” to the system of the world, and “yes” to the plan of God for our lives.

Romans 12:1 and 2 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

A Renewed Mind focused on 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 119, verse 105.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

You can imagine how challenging it would be to walk in the woods when it is dark. There are many potential hazards along the way, including the possibility of getting lost.

But with a flashlight, there is light to help us to see more clearly, so that we can avoid stumbling blocks and give us a sense of direction. That is what the word of God does for us spiritually. He gives us direction for the journey. He warns us of influences which can hinder our progress. He brightens our outlook with a ray of hope, by pointing us to Jesus.

The LORD says in Jeremiah 6:16-Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”  God’s Word can help us find the good way that leads to rest for our souls.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be guided by God’s word in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 50, verse 4.

The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is by hearing His words. That is where we find encouragement for our faith. The Bible is reliable for training us to live out God’s purposes for our lives.

Before the disciples would become witnesses to the world and leaders in the early church, they would learn to follow Jesus. They learned from the very best.

This Light Reflection inspires us to listen for God’s Word as we rise to start each new day 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 gracious conversation.

Jesus has a plan for His followers to be an influence in this world for the Gospel. The Gospel means “good news.” So, followers of Jesus should be recognized as people who belong to God and overflow with good news.

Colossians 4:5 encourages us to look for opportunities to share the good news of God’s love with others, both in conduct and in conversation. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Gracious Conversation 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 5:3.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is through prayer. This will train us to invite God into our activities the rest of the day. David was a man after God’s own heart who sought the Lord in the morning. He poured out his requests before God daily. God invites us also to meet Him at the throne of grace in our time of need.

First Peter 5:7 says, “cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to lay down our requests before God as we rise to start each new day in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com