JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is holding to the words of life.

By clinging to the words of life, we will be in a better place to promote a culture of life.

Philippians 2:14 to 16 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”

One thing we learn here is that a grumbling or argumentative spirit is not consistent with holding on to the word of life. These attitudes drain people around us. But the Gospel is life-giving.

This good news moves us to speak words of hope, encouragement, and truth. There is a word of life that shines brightly in times of darkness, and His name is Jesus.

Holding firmly to the word of life is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Micah 6:8.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

These are God’s requirements for our lives that reflect His goodness.

To Act Justly is to stand up for what is right in God’s eyes. His call of justice includes defending the oppressed, taking up the cause of the fatherless and pleading the case of the widow.

To love Mercy means that we show mercy in the form of compassion and forgiveness.

To walk humbly with God is reliance on His grace to save us from our sins. We live with profound gratitude for His unfailing love and abundant goodness demonstrated through Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 25:8 and 9.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

God leads us in the way of His goodness by the counsel of His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is where we learn how sinners can be turned into saints. That is where we learn about the riches of God’s grace.  The Bible also tells us about God’s character, God’s Kingdom, God’s will, and God’s blessings. The Bible gives us good direction for living life God’s way rather than our own.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to be teachable to the counsel of God’s Word in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Worshipping together.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 that “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

His presence is a powerful force to unify believers in the midst of our worship. This kind of worship is sometimes called corporate worship, where the saints of God assemble together for the purpose of glorifying God.

These settings provide opportunity for believers to encourage each other in the faith, and motivate each other toward love and good deeds.  It is also an opportunity for praise-filled music.

Psalm 149:1 says, “Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.”

Worshipping together is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Timothy 1:7.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

This is how God’s Spirit works in our lives to make us bold witnesses for Jesus.

God’s Spirit gives us the power to testify of God’s saving grace in a life-changing way.

God’s Spirit gives us the power of love to share with the world.

God’s Spirit gives us the power to exercise self-discipline that says “yes” to God and “no” to temptation.

God’s Spirit helps us to live out the Christian life as a testimony of grace. In light of the Spirit that God gave us, Paul said to Timothy, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live with confidence under the influence of God’s Spirit in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Serving the Lord side by side.

A deeper connection with other people sometimes happens when we work together. A youth group may draw closer together after serving together on a mission trip. Or a family might grow closer by volunteering together at a homeless shelter or nursing home. These kinds of services train us to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. We can see God working through our acts of service and share the joy with those who serve with us.

There is a prophecy in Zephaniah 3:9, revealing that the LORD will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

And Ephesians 4:16 talks about the body of Christ growing and building itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Serving the Lord side by side is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Revelation 22:21.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

These are the final words that we see in the Bible. This is a picture of eternity, when the people of God are united with the Lord forever in a place of peace and rest. Grace is how we are saved, and grace is how we are sustained forever. God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Billy Graham has said, “I have read the last page of the Bible. It is going to turn out all right.” This is good to remember in the midst of a difficult day or when it seems that our world is crumbling apart. Our troubles today are not the end of our story if our ultimate hope for salvation is found in Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live with the hope of heaven in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is turning burdens into blessings.

One example of this is Nehemiah, who heard the report from Jerusalem, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Nehemiah responded to this news with weeping. Then he prayed and fasted before God. After that, he took action by building a wall in Jerusalem. It was finished in just 52 days. His story is found in the book of Nehemiah in the Bible.

Sometimes, God puts burdens in our heart, which stir us to action when we see someone in trouble. An orphan or widow in distress, a marriage that is falling apart, the homeless, the sick, or a family who suffered loss from a storm. We can take those burdens to God and ask for opportunities to reach out with the love of Jesus.

Turning our burdens into blessings is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Supporting Vibrant Ministry.

Jesus had a support system during His earthly ministry. It’s found in Luke chapter 8 as Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

The Twelve were with him, and also some women, who were helping to support them out of their own means. Mark 15:41 adds that these women followed Jesus and cared for the needs of Jesus.

There are various ways to support churches and ministries who spread the Gospel with integrity and enthusiasm: Prayer, Words of Encouragement, Financial Assistance, Volunteering and Hospitality.

In Philippians 4:16, the Apostle Paul told the church, “You sent me aid more than once when I was in need….I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied.” This is how ministries can be refreshed by the support of God’s people.

Supporting Vibrant Ministry is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com