John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 5:6.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

There is much joy and satisfaction in the righteousness of Jesus. An appetite for righteousness ultimately leads us to a trusting relationship with Jesus. It leads to holiness and godliness, which has great value for eternity. Jesus invites us to come to Him, walk with Him, and to know Him as Savior and Lord. As we follow Jesus with a faithful heart, we will have the opportunity to taste and see that He is good.

Matthew 5:6-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 Perceive.

This word is linked with wisdom and understanding.

With perception, we develop the ability to discern truth from error. We have the capacity to live with insight of the spiritual realities of God’s Kingdom. We need God’s wisdom to dig beneath the surface and perceive the heart of a spiritual matter.

The perception of God toward us is perfect. The person who knows God in a relationship is comforted by the awareness that God is keenly aware of all the details in our lives. In Psalm 139:1 to 3, David wrote these words:

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

Discover how the word “Perceive” 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 Matthew 5:5.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

One definition of meekness is strength through restraint. This is a quality of having humility toward God and gentleness toward people. Jesus taught us to be meek, and He demonstrated this quality at the cross. He had 72,000 angels at his disposal to defend Him, but He did not call for intervention. Instead, He went to the cross to demonstrate His mercy toward us. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross. If we live out Ephesians 4:2, we will be honoring the word of the Lord to be meek. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

The promised future blessing for the meek is that they will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

Matthew 5:5-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 Grow.

One definition of grow is to make progress to maturity.

God expresses this kind of growth as a priority for our lives. He works in the life of a believer to build godly character and share more of His love. It happens in our trials. It happens in our fellowship with other believers. It happens when we feed on God’s Word and live it out in practical ways. It happens when we focus on Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith.

When believers grow, that is a cause for thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul wrote in Second Thessalonians 1:3, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing”

Discover how the word “Grow” 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 Matthew 5:4.

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

This refers to sorrow over our sin-the kind of sorrow that moves us to repent. Second Corinthians 7:10 tells us that godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.

Honesty before God is the first step to dealing with our sinful actions so that it no longer has a stronghold over us. This is called Confession. When we come to God with our true confessions, we do not have to fear condemnation. We will find forgiveness, resulting in peace with God and the desire to go forward in obedience to God. We will have the assurance of His love and favor.

The comfort of God’s grace rests on those who mourn with a contrite heart.

Matthew 5:4-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 Learn.

To learn is to gain knowledge or a skill by way of study or experience.

One of the key qualities that enables us to learn about God’s Kingdom is being teachable. With this mindset, we understand that we have room for growth in our understanding of who God is and how He wants us to live.

Another key quality to learning is faith. This is the foundation that gives us a craving for more of God’s Word, more of God’s love, and more of God’s righteousness.

Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.”

Discover how the word “Learn” 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 Matthew 5:3.

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

To be poor in spirit is to recognize that we are spiritually bankrupt without the grace of Jesus Christ. It is a humble place to be. It is the blessed place to be. Poverty in spirit opens the way for us to be rich in faith, because we believe in the sufficiency of His grace to provide forgiveness for our sin. We recognize our need for Jesus to save us.

The blessing of God’s Heavenly kingdom is given to those who are poor in spirit. This inheritance will not perish, spoil, or fade. It is our real and lasting hope.

Matthew 5:3-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 Go.

This is a call to put our faith into action. This word is an opportunity to mobilize our devotion to Jesus.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”

Jesus wants us to share His good news with the world and be engaged in spiritual conversations. We don’t have to be skilled at public speaking or preaching a sermon. But we can be effective witnesses by living a life of Christian integrity and being ready to share the reason for our hope in Christ.

Discover how the word “Go” 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 Habakkuk 2:4b.

“The righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”

Righteousness is not attained based on our good deeds outweighing our bad deeds. It is rather given to us when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

Righteousness by faith-this becomes the theme of the Gospel in the writings of the New Testament. Romans 10:9 explains how this righteous faith is proclaimed, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.

Habakkuk 2:4b-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 Gratitude.

This is a proper response to the blessings of God on our lives. Expressing gratitude to God is a form of praise. We are glorifying God in the midst of thanking Him.

An attitude of gratitude can refresh our own spirit and have a contagious effect on others in a positive way. The theme of our songs will be filled with praise.

Our songs can light up a room and magnify God when we express them with heart-felt gratitude.  Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com