John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Encouragement toward Godly Integrity.

This was one of great accomplishments of Barnabas in the early church. His name meant, “Son of Encouragement” and he certainly lived up to the meaning of his name.

In Acts 11:22, Barnabas went to a place called Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God among the people, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

His words of encouragement inspired deeper devotion to Christ among existing believers and more conversions to Christ. Through his godly example and ministry of encouragement, a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Encouragement toward Godly Integrity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5wScgZpDG4hFHqPn25IGqZ?si=cf5b2ab632524cd8

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

This is a friendly disposition to serve others who need some kind of assistance.

If a person is recovering from surgery, they might not be able to do some of the regular household chores that they did before the surgery.

Being helpful in that situation might mean bringing a meal for that household or doing some work around the house for them until they recover.

The starting place for being helpful is a compassionate heart that perceives human need and follows up with a willing heart to serve. By doing so, we offer to carry someone’s burdens with them.

Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Helpfulness is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Genesis 15:6.

From the New Living Translation: Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Righteousness before God is the result of our faith in the LORD. Romans 4:23 points out something very exciting for us by Abraham’s faith.

“When God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to get right with God by trusting in Jesus to save us from our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

The way of wisdom leads to character qualities that build better relationships.

Wisdom can be defined as “the ability to discern what is true, right, or lasting.”

James 3:13 asks the question, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Verse 17 in that same chapter says, “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Wisdom is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5XLd7cacWzoSPmp2kwywov?si=2a5ffd36091847ca

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 16:33.

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He prepared His disciples for what was to come. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

Jesus is the great overcomer who helps us to overcome the world.

Jesus overcame temptation. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus would resist by using the word of God. He showed us how we can overcome temptation with God’s Word.

Jesus overcame evil with good. At the cross, Jesus responded to the hatred that was poured out on Him by pouring out His love for us. His blood was shed at the cross for our redemption.

Jesus also overcame the grave, breaking the power of death, and freeing us from being paralyzed by the fear of death.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be encouraged by the victory found in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IsezIWfXSaMZ73YbcdppH?si=eda24820dfe647a0

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Romans 10:9 and 10.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Billy Graham has said that “the most important events in human history were the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” These are the events that give us ultimate hope in a loving God. He cared so much for us that He was willing to send Jesus to the world. Jesus did not come to us when we were at our best. He loved us while we were at our worst. The cross was a cruel way to die, and yet, hanging from that cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

His death and resurrection means that we can live in the victory of His saving grace.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us set apart Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5hlVINr8My9aHeVmZK3Rit?si=31d78b4b1f7840ee