John Shirk

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

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EUplrj69GCXI6B4A3O2XA?si=f85ac96696fa4a6a

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

We can be useful instruments of God’s redemptive plan as His grace flows through us in our relationships. Here is how:

Grace can flow through us in a friendly greeting. The Bible is filled with greetings extending the grace and peace of God to someone else.

Grace can flow through our generous spirit. Second Corinthians 8:7 challenges us to excel in the grace of giving.

Grace also flows through acts of service. First Peter 4:10 instructs us to use whatever gift we have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

God also works through our gracious conversation to be voices that reconcile people to God and build meaningful relationships.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

James 5:16 instructs us to “confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

In confession, we admit the wrongs that we have committed. In confession to God, we agree with Him about our sinful actions and seek His forgiveness.

Sometimes, it is necessary to go to a person we have wronged and to ask their forgiveness. At other times, we may seek the support of another believer to help us overcome a perpetual sin. Confession opens the way for addictions to be broken and strained relationships to be healed.

Confession 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 5, verses 3 through 5.

From the New Living Translation: “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”

The real champion is Jesus, who overcame the world by His perfect obedience to the will of God. He resisted the temptations of the devil by the power of God’s Word. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins by the power of His blood.  Then, He gave us the hope of eternal life by the power of His resurrection.

His Presence in our lives gives us the power to overcome the world. Out of the overflow of life’s most important relationship, we are moved to obey God’s commands. We are set free from the power of darkness, and live in the light of grace and truth.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust and obey God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

In the Bible, fellowship refers to meaningful connections that lead to spiritual growth among followers of Jesus.

In this type of relationship, we have opportunity to walk with other brothers and sisters in Christ to share how the Lord is working in our lives. We can encourage each other to grow more mature in the grace of God. Jesus is at the center of true and meaningful fellowship that unites God’s people in love and purpose.

A relationship with God opens the door for these kinds of relationships to develop. First John 1:3 says, “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.”  First John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 10:41.

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.”

Whenever we give support to a servant of God, we are participating in their ministry. In God’s eyes, we also share in their reward.  Jesus told His disciples, “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

There are various ways we can support missionaries, pastors, and evangelists-with notes of encouragement, hospitality, financial support, and prayer.

This faith-building verse inspires us to look for ways to bless God’s servants with acceptance and encouragement in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com