John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Morning.

The beginning of a new day represents how we can have a fresh start with the Lord. The failures of the past are behind us. The opportunities of the day are before us. And we can invite God to be with us each step of the way.

Lamentations 3:22 says, “Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

And in Psalm 90, verse 14, Moses prayed, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Starting each day with reminders of God’s love can set the tone for a brighter perspective throughout the day.

Find encouragement with the sunrise of every morning in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to trust in the LORD completely.

There is a comfort in knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving and powerful God. That does not mean we have immunity from trials and tragedies, but it does mean that the LORD is with us through those times of turbulence. He is a firm foundation for our faith when the storms of life rage at our doorstep. His grace is a calming presence, and His truth is a guiding presence to help us.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Take the daily challenge to trust the LORD completely and experience His perfect peace on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to put our ultimate hope in the Lord.

Strength comes to our faith when Jesus is the focus of our hope.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Hope is needed in uncertain times, and keeps us moving forward, upward, and outward in the way we express our faith.

Hope moves us forward, because we have incentive to get up each day. We anticipate the opportunities that God has for us for that day.

Hope moves us upward in prayer and worship, because we believe that God is responsive to the prayers of His people and inhabits the praises of His people.

And hope moves us outward to share with others the hope that we have in Christ.

Take the daily challenge to put our ultimate hope in the Lord and find strength for the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lgOs8tcmcQ2ulFLNpszgd?si=63edc70efd654912

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to rely on God’s love.

First John 4:16 says, “we know and rely on the love God has for us.”

To rely on God’s love is to lean on Him with all our weight. We trust His grace to be sufficient for us and to save us from our sins.

What are some reasons that we have to rely on God’s love? Here are a few ways that His love is described in the Bible. In First John chapter 3, God’s love is described as great.Jesus implied His love was the greatest, and that it would find ultimate expression at the cross when He laid down His life for us.  Psalm 136 describes God’s love as enduring forever. It never ends. And Psalm 86 describes God’s love as abounding. It overflows from His heart into the world.

Look into the ways that God’s love is described in the Bible and find encouragement by the nature of His love.

Take the daily challenge to fully rely on God’s love on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember God’s Promises.

This focus point helps to build our faith in the Lord as we reflect on fulfilled prophecies and the fulfillment of His love for us. In the days of Moses, the LORD promised that He would rescue the Israelites from the hand of the Egyptians and bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Many years passed before this promise became reality, but when it did, the writer of Joshua 21:45 noted, “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

This is an example of God’s faithfulness to His people. Second Corinthians 1:20 says, “No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”  The cross and empty grave were also fulfilled promises of God, which demonstrated His love for us.

Take the Daily Challenge to remember God’s Promises on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to rejoice in the Lord.

It was Nehemiah who said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Having joy does not mean that we are always happy about our circumstances. But the joy of the Lord does lead us to a place of serving God with a willing heart and worshipping God with a grateful heart.

First Chronicles 16:10 says, “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

The salvation of God gives us a glad heart. His promise of a new life, abundant life, and eternal life in Christ brings joy to our soul. We are encouraged by God’s faithful love for us, and rejoice in His goodness, greatness, and graciousness toward us.

Take the Daily Challenge to rejoice in the Lord with a heart of worship on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0kcaAQR0mMQkcKy5nXr4nw?si=685c744c1c7f4429

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to take up the shield of faith.

This is found in Ephesians 6:16. The Bible tells us that this piece of God’s armor enables us to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

This means that there are times when Satan will attack us. It could be with accusations to condemn us, or it could be with temptations to deceive us.

The shield of faith protects us from these attacks. When Satan launches the flaming arrow of despair, the shield of faith defends us with hope. When Satan launches the flaming arrow of hatred, the shield of faith defends us with the love of Christ. When Satan launches the flaming arrow of worthlessness, the shield of faith defends us with the truth that we are valuable to God. Faith is effective for putting out the destructive fires of the evil one.

Take the daily challenge to stand firm by taking up the shield of faith on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to be ready to share the Good news of Jesus Christ wherever we go.

Wherever Christ’s followers are serving as His ambassadors, Jesus is represented in that place.

Ephesians 6:14 motivates us to stand firm in the faith with ready feet. The New Living Translation says, “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”

The good news that we have to share with others is the forgiveness and eternal life that is given us through faith in Jesus Christ. God’s love moves us to share the testimony of Jesus so that others may turn to Christ and be saved from their sins.

Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.”

Take the daily challenge to stand firm with ready feet to share God’s good news on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com