John Shirk

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

This is the process of working together toward the same end. A common purpose brings people together to serve shoulder to shoulder, side by side.

This is what we see happening in Nehemiah chapter 3. The wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt as the Israelites worked on the section where they were assigned. Nehemiah 4:6 says, “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” That required a spirit of cooperation under the leadership of Nehemiah.

Families, churches, and any other organizations that function well have a spirit of cooperation among its members. Ephesians 4:16 shows how cooperation strengthens the church community. Jesus is the uniting force for the body of Christ. From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uV3gAWy2U2JuXBmtf5mMB?si=ede5868ee5044408

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is 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 was a demonstration of miracles that 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 accomplished for us at the cross and the empty grave, when He died and rose again three days later.

This faith-building verse inspires us to trust Jesus as our Savior, based on His miraculous love for us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 138:8.

David wrote, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.”

The good News of Jesus fills our lives with purpose.

God has uniquely created us to be in relationship with Him and to grow in His grace so that we might reflect His glory. God can take our ambitions and abilities and then open doors for us to serve Him in productive ways. He took David’s background as a shepherd boy and prepared him to become the king of Israel. God also has an important purpose for us.

Ephesians 2:10 says to followers of Jesus, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to go on mission with God and and live out His purpose for us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OcYzqki7Cpm85JIFeT2Bl?si=981cec30bcf94a4f

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Ephesians 5:1.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

The good news of Jesus fills our lives with love for God and for all kinds of people.

God’s love enables us to walk in love so that we can enjoy a meaningful relationship with Him and with those people that God brings into our lives. This is how we know that God’s love is having an impact on our lives-when we share His love with others simply because we care about them, and we know that God loves them too.

Hebrews 13:6 reminds us, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

This faith-building verse inspires us to walk in the way of God’s love in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

In Matthew 14:13, Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Jesus was seeking a quiet place to retreat for a period of time. It is quite likely that He was seeking some private moments in prayer. Jesus often went to lonely places to pray.

In this case, however, a large crowd found him, and came to him with their sickness and brokenness. These are the conditions that touch the heart of God because He is compassionate. This is how we can make the world a better place for others-when compassion moves us to action. There is healing and vibrant ministry that takes place when we reach out to others with the love of God.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are First John 1:2 to 4.

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

One of the compelling evidences of the Christian faith is the witness of those disciples who walked and talked with Jesus. Before Jesus died on a cross, Peter denied Jesus. Before seeing the nail scars, Thomas doubted Jesus. The Disciples deserted Jesus at the sight of His arrest. But after they were witnesses of His resurrection, they went forward in faith with a fresh new boldness to proclaim the good news of God’s love. As they shared the Gospel, the church grew in size and spread throughout the world.

These faith-building verses inspire us to be bold and credible witnesses for Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1DnMZRVEswufNxSAuvseKe?si=7c430c3df7e74963

March

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 19:7 and 8.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

God’s Word is a precious gift to us. Some people have described the Bible as God’s love letter to the world. The wisdom of His words teaches us and guides us in the path of God’s will. The encouragement of His words reveals to us that our lives matter to God, and that He dearly loves us. The plan of salvation is revealed in the good news of His Word, which directs us to faith in Jesus Christ. That is where we find forgiveness, true love, certain hope, and eternal life.

These faith-building verses inspire us to spend quality time with God by reading His Word in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com