JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First John 3:16.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

The most compelling evidence revealing God’s love for us is the cross. Whenever we wonder if God’s love is real, we can turn to the cross as the reference point of history to remind us that God’s love is a present reality. First John 4:8 tells us that God is love. That’s present tense, and it is true of Him today.

In light of the fact that God loves us, how ought we to live? Let God’s love overflow into our relationships, especially with those who belong to the family of God. Love with kindness. Love with patience. Love with the heart of a servant. Be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of someone else’s blessing. These are the kinds of ways that Jesus loves us, and these are some of the ways that we can treat someone as valuable to God.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of genuine love for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 3, verses 22 to 24.

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for 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.”

This is the miracle of amazing grace-even though we have missed the target of God’s will, God has provided a way for us to be made right with Him. The guilt of our sin is removed by faith in Jesus to forgive us and save us. His grace is at the foundation for our lives. There is nothing we can do to earn it. He freely gives it to all who will receive Him as Savior and Lord. His blood shed at the cross was the sufficient payment for our sins. Now we can be set free from the control and penalty of our sin and live in the liberty of Christ.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of righteousness and redemption in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – These are the songs that we enjoyed together on Friday’s Lunch Break on the air. Here’s the playlist in case you missed it or want to listen again.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 20:35.

The Apostle Paul spoke to other church leaders, and as he was saying good-bye to them, he said, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The way of Christ is to help those who cannot help themselves. That is the impact of grace on our lives. When we receive God’s grace for the precious gift that it is, we become more sensitive to the plight of those who cannot help themselves. The Apostle Paul carried out his ministry with concern for those in poverty. He sought financial assistance from the church to help those with physical needs. As they worked together, they made a difference for the glory of God.

The way of Christ is the way of love and generous giving. Proverbs 11:25 says that a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”   

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of generosity and refreshment in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Genesis 2:7.

Then the LORD formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

God’s breath has been life-giving to the human race. He made the earth to be populated, and started with Adam and Eve.

God’s breath is also life-giving for us spiritually. God made heaven to be populated, and has provided the way for us to join Him through Jesus Christ. The Bible is where we hear the message of His saving grace. His word plants the seed of faith in our hearts.

Second Timothy 3:16 says that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of new life 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 as our Potter.

Some people are very skilled at arts and crafts where they can make a project with their hands. 

God is skilled with His hands to make us and mold us into the likeness of Jesus. He does not force His hand on us, but shapes the willing heart into masterpieces for His useful purposes.

Isaiah 64:8 says, “You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Today, we can ask God to work in our hearts and make us useful instruments for His glory. And then, watch His hand move in our lives as we align our ambitions to His purposes.

Focusing on God as our Potter gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Here are the songs that we enjoyed together on Friday’s Lunch Break. How many of these songs are familiar to you? Enjoy these songs from a past Countdown 18 years ago. The first song was number 12 and the last song on this Playlist was number 1.

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 20/20 Insights give us a glimpse into our identity when we are in Christ.

In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on our identity as God’s possession.

In First Peter 2:9, we learn, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is inviting us to belong to Him. He is calling us away from the darkness of selfish ambitions and idolatry into the light of worshiping Him. He gives us a testimony of a transformed life. Once, we were not a people of God, but now we are the people of God Once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. There are tremendous blessings connected with knowing Christ and walking in His ways.

Focusing on our identity as God’s possession gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 20/20 Insights give us a glimpse into our identity when we are in Christ.

In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on our identity as God’s friend.

In John 15:15, Jesus told His disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He invites us into a meaningful friendship. In this friendship, Jesus laid down His life for us, proving Himself to be a faithful friend. He confides in us the Father’s plan of redemption. He reveals to us God’s will for living a life that pleases Him. He shows us the mission field of the world and sends us to various places to share the good news of God’s love. He promises to be with us as we go. That’s faithful friendship. The disciples were followers and friends of Jesus. We have that opportunity today.

Focusing on our identity as God’s friend gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First Timothy 4:16.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

This verse stresses the importance of what we believe and how we live. Both matter in terms of how they have an impact on our lives and on those watching us.

A good starting place for believing in sound doctrine is to study the life of Jesus. Examine how He lived, what He taught, and what He did to make redemption possible for us. He loves us and invites us to follow Him.  He seeks a relationship with us that will change our lives and save us from our sins. As we put our full faith in His gift of grace to save us, Jesus will make us instruments of His grace for others as we live out the Gospel.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of integrity and influence in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com