JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Timothy 4, verses 1 to 2.

The Apostle Paul was mentoring Timothy to become a thriving leader in the early church. Before his life ended on earth, he gave these final instructions:

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge” Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.”

The Gospel is the word that has the power to transform lives and bring people into God’s kingdom of light. This world is in need of good news, and through the testimony of Jesus, good news is available. Acts 13:38 says, “Through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to proclaim this good news wherever we go 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 learning to discern the messages we hear.

There are many voices that speak into our lives in a given day. But how can we discern between truth and error? Not all voices lead us in the same direction.

Perhaps we can learn a framework for discernment by observing the example of the Berean Jews in Acts 17:11.

They were described as people with noble character, for they received Paul’s message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

This group of people was eager to grow in their walk with God. Discernment helped them to stay on track with God so that their beliefs and way of life would be consistent with the attitude of Jesus.

According to verse 12, as a result, many of them believed.

Learning to Discern 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 Romans 14:17 and 18.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

This passage encourages us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ through disagreements on disputable matters-those gray areas where the guidelines are not so clear. In this chapter, Paul the Apostle was talking about dietary matters. Some believers had restrictions Others took more liberties. Those differences were not supposed to disrupt unity.

The Kingdom priorities of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit can help believers remain unified through disagreements.

This is possible as we look to Christ daily, Seek His wisdom, embrace grace, live with humility, and show respect for others.

This Light Reflection inspires us to serve Jesus with righteousness, peace and joy 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 live with an undivided heart.

King Solomon had much wisdom, but he had many wives who led him to places of compromise. Toward the end of his life, his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his father had been. This is how unholy alliances can weaken our loyalty to God.

Solomon’s father David prayed for a fully devoted heart to God in Psalm 86:11. “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

An undivided heart will free us to praise God joyfully and guide our activities into places that glorify His name. This kind of loyalty can begin with a single prayer.

An undivided heart is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 21:23 and 24.

The Apostle John was describing the new Jerusalem which will shine with the glory of God.

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.”

Many people wonder what heaven is like. The book of Revelation describes heaven as a beautiful place. Nighttime does not exist in the New Jerusalem. Jesus is the source of light for this coming Kingdom. The great street of the city is of gold as pure as transparent glass. The city sparkles with brilliance like a precious jewel. And those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be there.

This Light Reflection inspires us to live with the hope of heaven through faith in Jesus 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 gentleness and kindness.

Just as God’s grace is the compelling force to draw us to Jesus, grace is needed in our conversations with unbelievers. Heated exchanges are rarely going produce a fruitful outcome, and may cause more harm than good.

Second Timothy 2:23 is advice from one church leader to another: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

Gentleness and kindness 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 Matthew 13:43.

Jesus said, “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let him hear.”

Jesus was explaining what would happen at the end of the age. There will be weeds that are pulled up and burned in the fire. The Son of Man will send out his angels and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

Having the righteousness of Christ is key to a bright future in God’s Kingdom. This is how we can be clothed with His righteousness. Romans 1:17 says, “the righteous will live by faith.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to trust in Jesus and live for His glory 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 put God’s Word into practice.

According to Jesus, this is the way of wisdom. God’s Word provides a firm foundation for our lives. After preaching the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Those who shine brightly for the Gospel live out the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus is the One who said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”

Putting God’s Word into practice is a vital step to a Radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to build our lives on God’s grace and truth.

Jesus came to the earth from the Father full of grace and truth. So, if grace and truth are going to be foundational in our lives, Jesus is going to be the central focus.

In Matthew 7:24, Jesus taught that everyone who hears His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The truth of Jesus’ teachings gives us a strong foundation for our faith and clear, moral direction for our decisions.

His grace has the power to set us free from the guilt of our sin. Romans 3:23 acknowledges that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. The shedding of Christ’s blood at the cross paved the way for us to find forgiveness in His grace.

Building our lives on God’s grace and truth is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com