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

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ctfc33jOFX2ErcNsBQAnL?si=454569d711194606

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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Isaiah 33:5 and 6.

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high-he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

The riches of God’s grace come to the believer in abundant supply. This wealth is not on the same level as material wealth, which is here today and gone tomorrow. The treasures of God’s kingdom are built to last forever.

This treasure is accessible to us when we respond to God’s grace with faith and holy reverence for the Lord. Jesus is the sure foundation for our faith. He is described as the chief cornerstone of God’s household.

That means, we can rely on His love for us, trust in His promises, and depend on His grace to be our most precious treasure.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to lean on Jesus as the foundation of our lives in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Speaking Life.

In Psalm 35:28, David wrote, “My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.”

We could spend our energy focusing on the problems of this world and who is to blame for them, or we can talk about the solution for this world’s problems.

When we speak of Jesus accurately, we are upholding His righteousness, and pointing people to the ultimate solution.

This world needs the hope of a Savior. John 1:4 says about Jesus, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

Jesus is the source of light and life for all who come to Him by faith. We have the opportunity to share this message today, and to invite others to find hope in a meaningful relationship with Jesus.

Speaking Life 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 making amends for past transgressions.

We cannot undo the past, but there are times that we can go back to someone we have wronged and make it right with confession and restitution.

This is especially true if we have stolen anything or cheated anybody out of money. That is what Zacchaeus offered to do after his encounter with Jesus.

He said to Jesus in Luke 19:8, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” His heart was moved by Jesus to return what he had stolen plus more. The idol of money was removed as the heart of Zacchaeus was moved from greed to generosity.

Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

Making Amends is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Acts 16:31.

The jailer asked Paul and Silas, who had been prisoners under his watch, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.”

Their direct reply to the jailer highlights the significance of faith to the Christian life. They were talking about the kind of faith that trusts Jesus to save us from our sins. He has the power to free us from guilt and give us a new life that is pure and holy in God’s sight. That happens by faith. The jailer was receptive to the words of Paul and Silas and was filled with joy, because he had come to believe in God.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to trust in Jesus to save us from our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com