JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the eyes of the Lord.

Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Where God sees faithfulness in us, He notices and encourages us with His love. Satan also does a scan around the world with his eyes, but with very different motives. The devil is our enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. He is looking for the worst in us, while God is looking to bring out the best in us. And so, the devil will tempt us and accuse us, while God will seek us in order to encourage us, so that we might walk with Him in the refreshment of His grace.

Focusing on the encouragement of God’s love gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on racial equality.

The love of God breaks down racial barriers. Peter was a Jewish leader in the early church who learned this lesson of faith when he went to the house of a Gentile named Cornelius.  

He made this statement in Acts 10:34, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”

No one race of people is superior or inferior to another race. God will welcome into His presence faithful believers from all races. Revelation 7:9 views the picture of heaven with a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.

Focusing on God’s love for all races of people gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the motivation of a godly example.

In Philippians 3:17, the Apostle Paul said, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters. And just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

If you think of someone who is a godly example in your life, you are probably thinking of someone with exceptional character qualities. They love Jesus and it shows in the way they live their lives and treat other people. They are grateful to God and serve others with an attitude of humility.  Observe how people like that live out their faith. They will motivate us to be faithful to God. As a mentor to others, Paul encouraged others to follow him as he followed Christ. 

Focusing on godly examples gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 6:23.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s grace is a gift extended to sinners. Instead of despair, we can live with hope, because God has remembered our desperate situation in our sinful condition, and provided a remedy through Jesus Christ.  

Just as employees earn wages by their work in the positive sense, so in the negative sense, we deserve death because of the sins we have committed. But when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, God no longer holds our sins against us for judgment. He sets us free from condemnation and releases us from guilt. God’s grace is the ultimate gift to save us from our sins.

Jesus is our source of good news, leading us to live with hope on the road that leads to heaven in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on God’s faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22 says, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”

In the morning, some people see a sunrise. In his view of the sunrise, the writer of Lamentations saw more. He saw hope in the Lord. He was reminded of the faithfulness of God.

Focusing on God’s faithfulness gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian faith.

John Shirk

John @wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2020 is the Year of Vision at WJTL. Listen for our daily devotional features to provide greater clarity for the journey of faith. One devotional series will be the 20/20 Insight of the Day, which is intended to sharpen our spiritual vision. The other devotional series will turn our focus to a Bible verse, highlighting the good news of Jesus Christ.

In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Jesus. 

Hebrews 12, verses 2 and 3 remind us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

To fix our eyes on Jesus means that we focus our faith on Him. Jesus is our ultimate example and source of inspiration. His example sets a pattern for our lives. His inspiration motivates us to press on in the faith. He endured opposition from sinners. As we consider what Jesus went through for us, we are inspired to endure in the faith for Him.

Focusing on Jesus gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Luke 2, verses 10 and 11.

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

What an extraordinary moment for the shepherds. At first they were terrified when the angel appeared to them. But notice the first words spoken by the angel. “Do not be afraid.” Whenever the angels appear to someone in the events surrounding the birth of Christ, they are quick to mention that the person has no reason to fear. This was not a dreadful occasion. This was a moment for joy and celebration. The arrival of Jesus to the world was good news for the world, and when we receive His gift of grace, Jesus becomes good news for our soul.

Through Jesus, we are set free from fear to experience the great joy of embracing God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 8:29.

Jesus said, “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

Jesus knew two things about Himself that His skeptics did not know about Him. Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going. Jesus pointed that out to the Pharisees, and then said, “But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.”

Jesus came from the Father in heaven. He was planning to go to the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. He and the Father made plans for His death even before the creation of the world. Jesus pleased the will of the Father by staying true to the mission. Then, after He rose from the dead, He ascended to heaven. That is where He is today.

The words of Jesus inspire us to acknowledge His heavenly origin, holy purpose, and victorious destiny in the Year of Redemption. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Philippians 2:5.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Being in very nature God, Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

The mindset of Jesus was not pride, but humility.

His mindset was to obey the will of His Father, and to die as a sacrifice for our sins. This is the way of Jesus, which transforms our attitude from having selfish tendencies to look for service opportunities. This holiday season, think about how to reach out to someone in need with the mindset of a servant. Then, go do it.

Through Jesus, we are set free to pursue the attitude of Christ in the way we handle relationships.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Isaiah 9:6.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus was born 2,000 years ago as God’s gift to the world. Those who follow Him know Him in these various ways.

As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus leads us in the path of God’s wisdom.

As our Mighty God, Jesus is our source of strength and is worthy of our worship.

As our Everlasting Father, Jesus is our faithful provider forever.

As our Prince of Peace, Jesus is our Mediator with God the Father. He bridges the gap to give us peace with God. 

Through Jesus, we are set free to receive the gift of God’s grace and enjoy His presence forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com