John Shirk

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Light Reflection-Heavens Declare

john : February 15, 2023 3:25 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 19:1 and 2.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Astronomers estimate that there are 100 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy alone. Each one was created by God and has been named by God. The stars speak of God’s attention to His creation.  The sun that shines brightly in the daytime was also created by God, and speaks of God’s faithfulness. Just as the sun rises every day, so His compassion for us is new every morning.

This Light Reflection inspires us to look up into the sky and marvel at God’s creation in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Loving Spouse and Family

john : February 15, 2023 3:21 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Loving our Spouse and Family.

The family unit is God’s idea. It’s a support structure where faith, love, respect, commitment and cooperation have opportunity to thrive.

Jesus gave the blueprint for God’s design of marriage with these words in Matthew 19:5, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Many years ago, Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song for his wife to reassure her of his commitment to their marriage. That song was “I Will Be Here.”

“I will be here when the laughter turns to crying, through the winning, losing, and trying. We’ll be together, ‘cause I will be here.”

Marriage is designed to reflect the sacred and solid relationship between Jesus and His bride, which is the church.

Loving Our Spouse and Family is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Christlike Attitude

john : February 13, 2023 4:01 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

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

An attitude is a way of thinking or feeling about someone else or something. As it applies to the Christian life, the influence of Jesus is effective for giving us a new attitude.

Ephesians 4:23 says that you were taught to be made new in the attitude of your minds and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

When the grace of God is moving in our lives, our attitude becomes more and more aligned with Jesus Himself. His love for us was expressed in service and sacrifice. He entered our world and noticed our greatest need for forgiveness. Then, He provided a remedy.

This kind of attitude enables us to reach out with God’s love and help people in their time of need.

A Christlike Attitude is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-Acts 9:3 Saul’s Conversion

john : February 13, 2023 3:58 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Acts 9:3.

As Saul neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

This was the reply: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul was on a journey to persecute Christians, but Jesus stopped him in his tracks. The light that flashed from heaven blinded his physical sight for a period of time, but Jesus opened His eyes to the truth of who He is.

He would become an instrument of grace to open the eyes of the Gentiles and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Saul’s change of heart is a reminder of how suddenly and significantly Jesus can turn a life in a different direction.

This Light Reflection inspires us to respond to the voice of Jesus when He calls our name in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Friday Time Capsule-February 11 2008

john : February 10, 2023 1:05 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4zcjS8EK0L4bHJpN56b9wQ?si=b2c2def384674127

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Vital Step to Radiant Faith-Restoration

john : February 8, 2023 3:59 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

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

When we are made aware that someone has gone astray, we have a choice to make. Will we do nothing about it and hope they come to their senses? Will we give up on the person? Or will we seek their restoration?

Galatians 6:1 shows us what to do. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

This moment requires love and humility. Our own hearts are capable of compromise. The goal of reaching out to them is to restore them to a place of unhindered fellowship with God and the body of Christ. This is possible with a gentle spirit that upholds grace and truth.

Restoration is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-Psalm 119:130 Understanding

john : February 8, 2023 3:52 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119, verse 130.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

The Bible is a light that leads us to a greater understanding of Jesus. The eyes of our heart become open to the truth in Scripture and help us to gain insight into the Kingdom of heaven.  The Bible addresses the basic soul-searching questions of life. Where did I come from? Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? What is God’s plan for my life in the future?

These basic questions are clarified in the light of who Jesus is and what He has done for us at the cross and empty grave.

This Light Reflection inspires us to read the Bible for greater understanding of who Jesus is in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-God-Given Purpose

john : February 6, 2023 4:50 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is pursuing our God-given purpose.

In Jeremiah 1:5, the LORD said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah responded by pointing out the ways he was inadequate for the task. He said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

We might raise objections too, but God’s wisdom is greater than ours, and we can trust His wisdom. Eventually, Jeremiah accepted His call.

Our specific calling might not be like Jeremiah’s calling, but our God-given purpose is to follow Jesus and to be a light that reflects His goodness and glory. In the course of time, God will show us His plan and prepare the way for us to shine for Him.

Pursuing our God-given purpose is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-John 17:17 Sanctify Them

john : February 6, 2023 4:46 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 17:17.

Jesus prayed for His disciples this way, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Lies deceive us and take us away from the joy of following Jesus. Truth, however, is like a reliable compass, pointing out God’s standards, and giving us direction in the light of God’s will. The words of Jesus accurately reflect the will of God. If we are guided by the words of truth, we will be sanctified. That means we will be set apart by God for a useful purpose that brings glory to His name. We will grow in God’s grace and in godly character, so that our lives yield the fruitful qualities of love, joy, peace, and patience.

Jesus said in John 18:37, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to be sanctified by the truth of God’s Word in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-Matthew 7:24 and 25 Strong Foundation

john : February 3, 2023 5:48 pm : John Shirk, Staff Pages

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 7:24 and 25.

As Jesus was concluding His sermon on the mount, He said, “Therefore, 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.”

The words that Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount are vitally important for our lives. They are a light to guide our way forward in the wisdom of God. They will put our faith on a firm foundation that is strong enough to withstand the storms of life, so that our faith is not shaken.

Take time to digest the words of Jesus in Matthew chapters 5 to 7, and then, discover the wisdom of putting them into practice.

This Light Reflection inspires us to build a strong foundation on the words of Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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