JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Eye Contact.

Giving someone eye contact is a sign that you are actively listening and giving them your full attention. Much of our communication is non-verbal, and eye contact is a significant form of non-verbal communication.

It might be tempting to check a text from a friend while we are in the midst of a conversation, and it might be necessary to do that in some situations. But checking that text might also disrupt the conversation right in front of us. So, think about the importance of eye contact in conversation to show the other person that we value their friendship.

In Acts chapter 3, a beggar asked Peter and John for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

What he received that day was a gift more valuable than money could buy. He was healed, and used his strength to praise God.

Eye Contact is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:10.

Jesus taught us to pray:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

When we pray, “Your kingdom come”, we are inviting God’s presence to fill our lives and flow through our lives with Kingdom impact. Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

There is also a future reality to God’s Kingdom when Jesus will reign as king. His reign will be built on kindness, justice, and righteousness, and the result will be a lasting peace that stops the weapons of warfare. This is a day that will bless God’s people with great abundance.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Face-to-Face Communication.

Texting, Emails, and Written Letters all have a vital place in communication. But they do not measure up to the value of face-to-face communication.

In Second John, verse 12, we see the yearning of the writer to see the face of the person receiving this letter.

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”

Wherever possible, let’s seek out face-to-face connections with those we love and cherish those moments of focused and meaningful interaction.

Face-To-Face Communication 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 providing help according to our ability.

When we see the needs of people in this world, we can easily feel overwhelmed. We would love to help people caught up in famine or traumatized from a hurricane. But we know that we don’t have the resources to meet all of these vast needs.

However, we can make a difference by doing something, especially as we serve with others and give what we can to help people in their place of need.

In Acts 11, there was a severe famine over the entire Roman world. Verse 29 says, “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” The early church leaders set an example for being sensitive to those in need and doing what they could to help.

Providing help according to our ability is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:9.

Jesus taught us how to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

What an amazing opportunity for us to have access to God in prayer as His children.

This access is gained through faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Ephesians 3:12 and 13 says, “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Because God cares for us, we can approach Him with boldness and reverence. This is a good starting place for honoring His name with a heart of worship.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to acknowledge God as holy and our Heavenly Father in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:6.

Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Jesus was contrasting the kind of prayer that God desires with the kinds of prayers that were on display from the hypocrites, who loved to pray in public to be seen by others. It is interesting to note that the word “hypocrite” comes from a Greek word that means “actor” or “stage player.”  The hypocrite plays the right part, but only for the purpose of good appearances.

Prayer is not intended to be a stage production. It is a personal encounter with the living God. In the quiet moments of our day, we have the opportunity to meet with God with words of confession, words of gratitude, words of petition, and words of praise.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to get alone with God and pray in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Showing Appreciation for the Pastor.October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

There are several ways we can show support for those who serve in church leadership.

The first way is to thank them.  We can tell them what we appreciate about them and specific ways we have been blessed by their ministry.

A second way is to pray for them. First Timothy 2:1 urges us to pray for those in authority positions.

A third way is to learn from their example. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

A fourth way is to cooperate with them.  Hebrews 13:17 urges us to obey our leaders and submit to their authority. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden.

Showing Appreciation for our Pastor 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 the voice of Reconciliation.

This is the voice that encourages peace between parties that live in hostility to each other.

The ultimate peacemaking mission is to promote peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  Peace with God is the way forward for us to experience peace with others and peace within. God’s love for us is a sure foundation that calms our fears and gives us hope. His love compels us to share the Gospel in a spirit of love.

In Second Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul said, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

Being a voice of Reconciliation is a Key Element for Thriving Relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com