https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02Dbs06aEfZ5gKW6aqim48?si=62f1b38c0f2643db

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 113:3.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Each day is an opportunity for us to glorify God. In the morning, we can prepare for a productive day by clothing ourselves with the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We can have a conversation with God with Bible reading and prayer.

In the midst of our day, we can serve God faithfully and shine His light by sharing His love with others.

At the end of our day, we can reflect on what God did through us, remember His goodness, and praise Him for His guiding hand.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be a daily instrument of praise from morning to night in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to be teachable.

David was a man after God’s own heart. One of the characteristics that made him this way was his tendency to be teachable.

He humbly recognized his need for God’s wisdom to guide his life.

And so, he wrote in Psalm 25:4 and 5-Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

What we believe about God makes a difference in our willingness to be taught by the Lord. We can go His way by seeking out His will earnestly, reading His Word consistently, and acting on what we learn faithfully.

Being teachable to God’s ways is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 84:11.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

God is the source of light for anyone whose walk is blameless. As a sun, God provides for us, He gives us the light of understanding and direction to follow His will. As a shield, God protects us. He keeps our soul secure in His grace. Nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. He delights in pouring out His good and perfect gifts on those who walk with Him in fellowship. The joy of being in God’s presence is emphasized in this Psalm.  This leads us to worship time and time again.

Psalm 84:12 says, “LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to look to the LORD as our sun and shield in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rely on God’s love for us.

First John 4:16 says, “We know and rely on the love God has for us.” This kind of reliance involves a confidence that God’s love is dependable and serves as a strong foundation for our lives.

In the summer of 1859, Charles Blondin became the first person to walk on a tightrope between Canada and the United States over the Niagra Falls. Huge crowds would gather to see him pushing a wheelbarrow over the falls. On one occasion, he asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow? The crowd affirmed “Yes.” Any takers?  His question challenged their claims of confidence.

When it comes to Jesus, we can rely on His love to carry us on this journey of faith to a heavenly destiny, where we will enjoy a relationship with God forever. He won’t let us down. He will take us to the other side.

Relying on God’s love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 27:1.

The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?

The light of God’s favor on David made a difference in his life. In the presence of dangerous circumstances, he was able to go forward with confidence and courage in the LORD rather than shrink back in fear.

The LORD’s salvation is a comfort for the person who follows Jesus. He is our source of security. His grace has a firm grip on us. We can live with the confidence that He is able to protect us from the schemes of our spiritual enemies. Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus. If God is for us, who can be against us?

This Light Reflection inspires us to keep our focus on Jesus as the stronghold of our lives in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Steps to a Radiant Faith are repentance and baptism.

This was the message that Peter shared with the crowd on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.

He centered his message on Jesus, explained His death and resurrection, and spoke of His identity as Lord and Messiah.

This generated the question from the crowd, “What shall we do?”

That is when Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

This is the message for anyone who is longing for a fresh start in God’s grace. Freedom and forgiveness are offered for anyone who changes the course of their lives to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

About 3,000 people embraced that message during Pentecost and were added to the church.

Repentance and Baptism are Vital Steps to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Light Reflection is from First Corinthians 1:30.

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

When Jesus steps into our lives, He brings the influence of His grace and truth to redirect our path in a new direction.

His Light overcomes our darkness. His Clarity overcomes our confusion. His Wisdom overcomes our folly.

The wisdom of Jesus leads us into paths that are righteous, holy, and redemptive. James 3:17 tells us that the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to fully embrace Jesus and live out His wisdom in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to honor God with our wealth.

That’s the word from Proverbs 3:9. Whenever the subject of money and giving comes up in Christian circles, there is a lot of emphasis on tithing. This is the practice of giving 10 percent of our income to the Lord. Jesus confirmed the value of tithing in His earthly ministry, but also said there were more important matters to focus on like justice, mercy and faithfulness.

The New Testament teaches us to be cheerful givers. This means, giving generously with a glad and willing heart.

First Timothy 6:18 tells us how to honor God with the wealth that He provides for us. “Do good, be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share.” This is how we can store for ourselves treasures in heaven.

Honoring God with our wealth is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08gfXlSjkuiDuEt16Yfxtz?si=645654387f494d2a