John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Luke 7:41 and 42.

Jesus said this to a Pharisee named Simon, “A man loaned money to two people. 500 pieces of silver to one, and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

How would you answer that question? Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” Jesus said, “You have judged correctly.”

He was drawing attention to a woman in the room who had lived a sinful life. She was at the feet of Jesus, wetting his feet with her tears. Jesus said to Simon, “Her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

At the cross, Jesus died to pay the debt for our many sins. That kind of debt relief is both humbling and a cause for celebration.

Luke 7:41 and 42-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Hospitality.

In the Bible, the practice of hospitality flowed out of love for strangers. This was often expressed in providing lodging and food for those who served God in ministry.

Romans 12:13 instructs us to “share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

In practicing hospitality, we get to serve others to meet their practical needs. It may be in the form of helping those in poverty, inviting a visitor at church to share a meal, or reaching out to a new neighbor. We also have the opportunity to support the ministry of God’s servants. The book of Third John says, “We ought to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”

Discover how the word “Hospitality” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Ezekiel 37:5 and 6.

“I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put my breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

The LORD showed Ezekiel a valley of bones and told him that these bones were the people of Israel. If God can raise a nation to life, then He can also bring the spiritually dead to life by the power of His grace.

Ephesians 2:1 says to believers, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins…. Then verse 4 says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.” The Gospel is the miracle of God raising the dead to life.

Ezekiel 37:5 and 6-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Counselor.

Isaiah 9:6 prophesied Jesus to be called “Wonderful Counselor.”

Jesus invites us to follow Him. In His wisdom, He knows how to lead us and where to lead us. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us beside quiet waters and refreshes our soul. He guides us along right paths for his name’s sake.

Jesus gave us clarity for taking the right path when He said, “I am the way.”  In John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus will not lead us astray. He will guide us in the truth, teach us the way of God’s love, and give us eternal life.

Discover how the word “Counselor” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in John 8:11.

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now, and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus was standing in the way between this woman and her accusers. In much the same way, Jesus is the One who defends us from the accusations of our enemy, who wants to destroy us.

He upholds grace and truth simultaneously, because God is love and God is holy. As we follow Jesus, we come into the light of His forgiveness and holiness. His words call us to leave our life of sin. As we heed His call to repentance, Jesus redeems our story and helps us to live a life that glorifies God.

John 8:11-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Thanksgiving.

This is the virtuous quality that we celebrate every year in November, but it is much more than a holiday.

Thanksgiving acknowledges the goodness of God and expresses gratitude in various ways. We might give thanks by praising God with a song, or we might give thanks by sharing with others in need. There is an action in this word that reveals the evidence of a grateful heart to God for His abundant blessings and provision.

Psalm 69:30 says, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”

And Second Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Discover how the word “Thanksgiving” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Malachi 3:10.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

A tithe is considered to be one-tenth of our income. This was one of the ways that the Israelites were instructed to honor God with their wealth. Jesus affirmed the value of tithing in His teachings, but He also warned that there were more important matters to heed. He pointed out the tithing practices of the Pharisees, but then said, “You have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness.”

There are refreshing blessings in being a cheerful, generous giver. But it is also good to remember that there is more to the Christian life than tithing. God wants us to uphold His justice, mercy, and faithfulness in how we live out our faith.

Malachi 3:10-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Future.

This is a time period yet to come. We are not certain about what will happen next year or even tomorrow, but we can live with the confidence that God has a hopeful future in His plans for us. This provides peace for our soul to know that our future is in the Lord’s hands.

He told the Jewish exiles living in Babylon in Jeremiah 29:11-I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

How can we claim this promise for our own lives? The key is found in Jeremiah 29:13, where God says to the same audience, “You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” There is great assurance of hope for our future when we follow the words of Jesus-“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Discover how the word Future can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says from John 4:23.

Jesus said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

The good news of Jesus clarifies His identity as the Son of God, Savior of the world, and worthy of our praise. That is where we find God’s forgiveness. We receive His grace and the gift of eternal life. We are brought into His household of faith. We are set free from the chains of sin. We are filled with hope for the future. We are filled with the fragrance of God’s love. We are moved to a place of joy and worship.

The Gospel gives us a new heart that is focused on exalting and adoring God for who He really is.

John 4:23-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Present.

This word can have multiple meanings, but we are focusing on this word as it applies to the here and now. This present time is an opportunity to seek God with all our heart and to serve Him with all our might.

Our future hope in Christ and faith lessons learned from the past can be used by God to have an influence on us in the present time.

An example of this is the grace of Jesus, which was extended to us from the cross 2,000 years ago. Titus 2:11 and 12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” That is the power of the Gospel to change our lives today.

Discover how the word “Present” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com