JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Neighbor.

Jesus made it clear that the second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

On one occasion, an expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” That is when Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan was on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho when he noticed a man who had been attacked and beaten by robbers.

He was moved by compassion to go to him at his moment of need, bandage his wounds, and provide lodging for him. A neighbor can be anyone who is next to us or someone who crosses our path in a given day. Jesus shared this story to illustrate the actions of this Samaritan to be a good neighbor who showed mercy. Then He told the expert in the law, “Go and do likewise.”

Discover how the word “Neighbor” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 15:13.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Jesus expressed His love for His friends, and proved it by His actions. Jesus went to the greatest degree of love for us so that we might experience God’s forgiveness and freedom. He paid the ultimate price by the shedding of His blood. Philippians 2:8 says, “Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!”

By our disobedience, we waged war against God. But by God’s love for us, Jesus came to turn us back to Him as faithful followers and friends. His grace is the agent of change that we need to experience peace with God.

John 15:13-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Wait.

The Bible instructs us to wait on the Lord. This is a patient and confident trust in God’s timing and in His love for us.

We don’t always know when He will open doors of opportunity for us, or when He will move us to another stage of service, but with faith and hope in God, we can rely on Him to break through in our situation when the time is right.

In Psalm 27:14, David said, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

Waiting on God is not a passive process, but is active in prayer, seeking Divine counsel, worship, and trusting God in the midst of our struggles. These were the patterns of David in times of distress.

Discover how the word “Wait” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 14:6.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

By telling us who He is, Jesus was saying that He was the bridge to a relationship with God the Father. He was also saying there is no other way to get there.

The Apostles who heard Jesus say that got the message and preached it in the book of Acts. Peter said in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

When we call on His name to save us from our sins, we can be assured that He will be true to His word. He is mighty to save.

John 14:6-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Story.

A story is an account of past events in someone’s life.

God can use our story for life-changing impact.

That was the case with Peter in Acts 11:4. Gentiles came to Jesus through his ministry. When he was criticized for associating with them, Peter started from the beginning and told his critics the whole story of how the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the Gentiles.

Those who heard Peter’s story had no further objections and praised God for what He did through Peter’s ministry. Likewise, God can use our redemption stories to move others to praise the Lord.

Discover how the word “Story” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 10:14 and 15.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

By telling us who He is, Jesus was pointing out His tender love for His people. He laid down His life for us so that we could follow Him and enjoy a relationship with Him forever. That includes today.

Isaiah 40:11 tells us that “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.” As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is qualified to forgive our sins and to embrace us with His compassion.

John 10:14 and 15-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Kindness.

To be kind is to show tender concern for someone else. According to the Bible, it’s an expression of love and a quality found in the fruit of the Spirit. When we walk in step with God, we embrace kindness as a way of life.

Kindness is a persuasive quality that God demonstrates to turn our lives to Him. Romans 2:4 tells us that God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.

This is a life-changer, leading us to a new attitude, and a new way of relating with people. Ephesians 4:31 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as in Christ God forgave you.”

Discover how the word “Kindness” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in John 8:12.

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

By telling us who He is, Jesus was claiming to be our source of life.

Jesus came to give us a new life that is set free from bondage to sin and is focused on living for the glory of God.

Jesus came to give us an abundant life that overflows with the blessing of His peace, joy, love, and hope.

Jesus came to give us eternal life that lasts forever and is protected by His grace.

This is what it means to walk in the light of life that Jesus offers us.

John 8:12-that’s Today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Heritage.

A heritage is something passed along from one generation to another as a legacy.

It could be a property, or reputation, or tradition. These are some of the legacies we leave behind after we breathe our final breath.

God has passed along the heritage of His Word to bring joy to our heart. This happens when we receive it by faith, follow His commands, and trust in His promises. In the Gospel, we have an inheritance that outweighs the treasures of this world and lasts forever.

Psalm 119, verse 111 says, “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”

Discover how the word “Heritage” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in John 15:5.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

By telling us who He is, Jesus was emphasizing our dependence on Him for fruitful labor. Jesus is our source of strength, and the key to accessing His strength is to stay connected to Him in relationship. In those quiet moments with Him in prayer and Bible study, Jesus meets us there. He speaks to us in His word and guides us in His truth. He refreshes us in His grace, and prepares us for a significant purpose.

Without Jesus, we would be helpless to do anything. But with Jesus, we have all that we need to be a fruitful witness for the Gospel.

John 15:5-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com