JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Job 13:15.

Job said about the LORD, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

Job persevered in faith through suffering. He understood some things about life and the Lord that can help us to endure the trials of life.

First, Job understood that life on earth was temporary, and that his life was in God’s hands. He said in Job 1:21 in a moment of worship, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.”

Second, Job understood that life on earth and his blessings were gifts from above. He said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Third, Job knew His Redeemer was his source of hope. He said in Job 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand on the earth.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to endure the trials of life with our hope in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to be a welcoming influence.

This is what Jesus did with the crowds that came to see Him. Luke 9:11 says that as the crowds followed Jesus, He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Jesus came to the world to engage us in conversation and to teach us about the kingdom of God.

His example shows us the value of rolling out the welcome mat to invite others into meaningful conversation. We will learn a lot in those conversations and have opportunity to be an influence for Christ as we share the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect.

Near the end of his life, Paul the Apostle lived in a rented house. Acts 28:30 says that for two whole years, he “welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance, he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Being a Welcoming Influence is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to be a voice of faith in times of fear.

By bringing the influence of Jesus into our relationships, we can be there for someone who is overcome by fear. We can give hope to those who are discouraged. We can be a friend to the lonely.

Isaiah 35:3 says, “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas spoke words of encouragement to a trembling jailer who was desperately seeking life. He asked them, “What must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” That is what this man did, and he was filled with joy because he came to believe in God. Faith replaced fear. Life overcame death.

Being a voice of faith in times of fear is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are James 4:7 and 8a.

Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Temptation might show up in unexpected and surprising ways. That is why it is important for us to be ready and to stay on guard with the armor of God. Those spiritual weapons include faith, righteousness, and the word of God, which help us take our stand against the devil.

The more we know about ourselves and Jesus, the greater our awareness that we need Him. We need His forgiveness for past failures, and we need His grace for future victory. First Corinthians 10:12 says, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

Humility keeps us from becoming overconfident, and motivates us to draw closer to God for the strength to say “No” to temptation.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to resist the devil and draw near to God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 37:4.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Delighting in the LORD will shape the desires of our heart. When He takes first priority in our lives, righteousness becomes the yearning of our heart.

Our God-given purpose starts with a relationship with Jesus. He will be the treasure that we seek. He will be the Savior that we celebrate. He will be the Lord that we worship in spirit and in truth.

He will be our source of satisfaction and supreme joy.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to delight in the LORD in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is being a godly role model.

Sometimes, people hear that phrase, and dismiss the idea that they could ever be one. A role model is not perfect. The only perfect role model is Jesus Himself.

A role model can be defined as someone who is seen by others as an example to be imitated. Paul the Apostle served as a role model when he said in First Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

Godly role models serve as an inspiration to motivate others to be more like Jesus. God can work through our conduct, our attitudes, our words, and our faith, to be a godly influence in our world. This happens in our lives as we look to the example of Jesus and follow Him.

Being a Godly Role Model is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Anger Management.

The goal of anger management is to control our temper and prevent destructive things from happening in our relationships.

The Bible has a lot to say about managing anger in a way that honors God. James 1:19 and 20 says that everyone should be slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

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.”

There are proper times to get angry such as when God’s laws are violated or when someone is hurt by injustice. But it is important to be guided by God rather than controlled by anger. Then, we will be equipped to manage our anger in constructive ways.

Anger Management is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Luke 10:38 and 39.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

There is a time for doing the will of God. But first, we need to hear the word of God in order to know the will of God.

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus with open ears and a receptive heart. Listening to Jesus is an important way to express our love for Jesus. Then, live out His words. That’s another way to express our love for Jesus. He told His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Flowing out of our time spent with Jesus comes greater clarity and courage to do His will.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to listen to the words of Jesus and live them out in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com