JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 6:8.

Isaiah responded to an invitation from the LORD, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Making ourselves available to God is the key first step to being a light for His kingdom.

Isaiah became a prophet who pointed people to Jesus. His prophecies contained significant details about Jesus. Those prophecies included His birth, death and resurrection.

One vivid example was Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

In this prophecy, Isaiah drew attention to Jesus, shining the hope of peace and healing for us through His sacrifice on the cross.

This Light Reflection inspires us to make ourselves available to God as an instrument of His grace 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 share food with others.

Sometimes, God uses very ordinary things in our world as an opportunity to share His love.

One of them is food. It was made for our nutrition and enjoyment. When we share a meal with someone or give food to them, we are building bridges of friendship and communication.

Jesus used food in His ministry. He used food as a bridge to share the Gospel with tax collectors and sinners at Matthew’s house. Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding banquet. His followers put their faith in Him when they saw what He did.  And who can forget the feeding of the 5,000? It started through a boy’s simple offering of five loaves and two fish. Jesus multiplied that offering into a feast. How might God work through our simple offerings of food to provide for others?

First Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Sharing food with others 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 John 5:46 and 47

Jesus told His critics, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

The words of Moses shed light on the identify of Jesus as the coming Messiah. He wrote about Jesus in Deuteronomy 18:15, when he said, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

In Acts chapter 3, Peter applied this statement to Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us by the words of Moses to listen to the voice of Jesus 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 Meditation on God’s Word.

Studying the Bible has great value for our faith. The truth of Scripture has a refreshing impact on our soul much like raindrops on dry ground.

That is what we find in Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”

Meditating on God’s Word is not a quick process. It is compared to a cow chewing its cud.  We slow down, take time to enjoy the experience, and find nourishment for our soul as we taste and see that the Lord is good.

Meditation on God’s Word is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in the world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 5, verses 39 to 40.

Jesus said to His critics, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

Is it possible to read the Bible and miss the message? Evidently, the religious leaders in the days of Jesus were very familiar with the Scriptures of the Old Testament, but rejected Jesus as their Messiah. When we see the influence of Jesus in the Bible from the books of Genesis to Revelation, His good news of redemption comes into view.

The Bible is a lamp for spiritual transformation if we believe and obey the message that leads us to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.

This Light Reflection inspires us to see the influence of Jesus as we study the Scriptures 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 feed the fire of faith.

The beginning of our relationship with God brings refreshment to our souls.  Over time, there are some disciplines that can help us keep that passion for the Lord so that we overflow with enthusiasm.

One of those disciplines is to read God’s Word daily. This is an opportunity to meet God and listen to His voice speaking into our day.

Another discipline is prayer. This is an opportunity to tell God what is on our heart. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

A third discipline is connections with believers. The church can serve as a support system to encourage our faith to grow.

A fourth discipline is to find a meaningful place of service that meets the needs of others. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Feeding the fire of our faith 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 John 5:36.

Jesus said, “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish-the very works that I am doing-testify that the Father has sent me.”

The ministry of Jesus stood as a light, demonstrating miracles that brought hope, healing and freedom for people. They also confirmed His identity as the Messiah. In John 10:25, Jesus said “The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me.”

His redemptive mission was ultimately accomplished for us at the cross and the empty grave. Our faith in Jesus depends on His extraordinary love for us and His miraculous power over death.

This Light Reflection inspires us to examine the works of Jesus and stand in awe of His miraculous love 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 clarify our concerns about the actions of others.

Sometimes, a brother or sister in Christ may do something that appears compromising. But after clarification, we might learn that their heart is in the right place after all. In the 1970s and 80s, there were many concerns in the church over the motives of those in the Jesus music movement. But over time, the good fruit of what they were doing for God’s Kingdom became apparent.

Clarification was needed in Joshua chapter 22. Some tribes of the Israelites set up an altar on their territories, and the rest of the Israelites perceived their actions to be rebellious against the LORD. They were ready to go to war with that assumption.

But when they sent messengers to learn why they did this, they found that their assumptions were wrong. The reason why the altar was built was NOT to rebel against God, but as a witness to the nation that they will worship the LORD at His sanctuary. Threats of war were replaced by praise for God when they learned the truth of what happened.

Clarifying our Concerns 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 John 5:35.

Jesus said that John the Baptist was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

Each believer has a lamp to shine through the witness of our lives. John’s light drew people to repentance from their sins and prepared the way for the Lord.

When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

John knew his mission. When it was time for the ministry of Jesus to shine, John was glad to see that day arrive. As more and more people were going to Jesus, John said, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to take joy in leading people to Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com