John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Matthew 20:17-19.

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life.”

When Jesus talked like this, the disciples were clearly taken out of their comfort zones. His words caused them to be confused, to grieve, or even to rebuke Jesus for talking like that. But Jesus knew what He was talking about, and His predictions happened exactly according to plan.

Although the cross is a painful part of Jesus’ journey, it was necessary for God’s plan to save us from our sins. His resurrection was also necessary for our ultimate victory over death.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust in God’s salvation plan in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zFpxlO8969kEPAeOPNEOM?si=9248bcb1049c4f4c

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 20:29.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

After Jesus rose from the dead, Thomas was still skeptical that the resurrection really happened. But Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed him the nail-scarred hands.

At that moment, the doubting in Thomas’s mind and heart turned into worship. He saw the evidence that Jesus was alive, and also the evidence that Jesus loved him. There were scars to prove it.  Thomas stopped doubting and believed.

Jesus not only blessed Thomas for his belief, but also pronounced a blessing on those in today’s generation who believe that Jesus rose from the dead and trust in His love for us.

This faith-building verse inspires us to believe that Jesus lives and that He loves us to the extreme in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Corinthians 5:15.

Speaking of Jesus, “He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

We were made for a purpose that is greater than ourselves. We were made for worship-to lift up the name of Jesus and to live for His glory. That is when life has meaning and when our faith has vibrant expression.

The death and resurrection of Jesus has brought our purpose to life.   In response to God’s precious gift provided for us, we want to honor Him with a life of grateful love and devotion.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live for Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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