John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:31.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

In Joshua, chapter 2, she told the spies, “I know that the LORD has given you this land.” “the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” She appealed for kindness to her family. Her family was spared when the walls of Jericho fell.

Rahab’s faith is identified as the reason why she was spared from death. Her faith in the Lord was also a turning point for her to leave the old way of life behind. She married a man named Salmon. They had a son. Their names are identified in the genealogy of Jesus.

When we trust Jesus to save us, our past does not define us. Our faith in Him does.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to come alive to God for a new life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Asking Someone How they are.

Then wait, listen, and follow up with more questions if they are open to conversation. This is one simple way to enter into someone else’s world and to show interest.

This is one of the steps that Joseph took toward reconciliation with his estranged brothers in the book of Genesis. They sought his help during a famine in Egypt, but did not recognize him. Joseph on the other hand, did recognize his brothers, so he had them over for lunch.

According to Genesis 43:27, when they arrived, Joseph asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?” They replied, “Your servant, our father, is still alive and well.”

Sometimes, in the course of our questions to someone, we might learn that we share common interests. That certainly was the case when Joseph asked his brothers about the condition of their father.

“Asking Someone how they are” is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:29.

“By faith, the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.”

The Egyptians were pursuing the Israelites to return them to slavery, but God set them free. The Red Sea was their breakthrough moment once and for all.

Exodus 14:29 records that the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians.

Sin is like a harsh slave master that seeks to control us with addictions, false beliefs, and selfish pride.  God’s grace is the way forward to set us free. We can trust Jesus to lead the way.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk in the path that leads to freedom in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Sometimes, when an organization or a church experiences growth, there is a need to make adjustments to meet needs in a more effective way. Such was the case in the early church when the number of disciples was increasing.

According to Acts 6:1, the Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So, the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”

Out of this decision came the ministry of deacons in the church. It was a decision that led to more growth. More people were serving. More needs were being met, on a physical and spiritual level.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:28.

Referring to Moses, “By faith, he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.”

In the book of Exodus, it was the blood of the Passover lamb applied to the doorframes that protected the firstborn of Israel from death.  This is a foreshadow to the spiritual reality of Christ. First Corinthians 5:7 says that “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”

Our redemption depends on what Jesus did for us at the cross. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no forgiveness. By faith, we are protected by the application of Christ’s blood to cover our sins. Forgiveness is found in God’s grace demonstrated through the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to trust 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 seeking the redemption of others, not their condemnation.

In John chapter 8, when the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, they told Him that Moses commanded them to stone such women. What did Jesus say? Jesus told the crowd, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” After disarming the Pharisees, He then turned to the woman and said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus was the only perfect person in the crowd that day, but chose not to thrown any stones. He sought this woman’s redemption, not her condemnation, and that is how we can be an instrument of God’s grace today.

Seeking redemption of others rather than condemnation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 11:24 to 26.

“By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharoah’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

The Bible acknowledges the pleasure of sin for a season, but it is only temporary. The treasures of God’s grace have much more value than the treasures of this world. Gold may shine, but the brilliance of God’s glory shines brighter. Fame may cause our star to shine for a season, but Jesus shines as the Bright Morning Star forever.

Moses understood the value of being identified with Christ.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to know the greater value of following Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is helping people in need.

Helping people does not always mean a hand-out. Sometimes, it means a hand-up, helping someone to their feet who is in a state of distress.

The Good Samaritan did that for a man who was beaten after a robbery. Victims of crime often need to go through a healing process. The compassionate outreach from a believer shows the love of Jesus for that person.

James 1:27 talks about the importance of looking after orphans and widows in their distress.

This can happen in practical ways for orphans through mentorship, foster parenting or adoption. This can happen for widows through care-giving, visitation, and checking in on them.

Helping people in need is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:23.

By faith, the parents of Moses hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

There was a law in Egypt forbidding Hebrew baby boys to live at the time when Moses was born. But the parents of Moses were guided by their faith to protect his life. In the book of Acts, Stephen recalled that for three months, Moses was cared for by his own family.

Faith seeks to preserve life in the midst of a culture that promotes death. Faith also sees God’s extraordinary plan in the life of each precious child. That is what the parents of Moses did in preserving the life of their son. Their faith overcame any fear of the king’s unjust law so that Moses could live to lead God’s people out of slavery in Egypt.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to uphold the precious value of human life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com