John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Todays’ Faith-Building Verses are Philippians 3, verses 13 and 14.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

In the Winter Olympics, you will not see a skier looking back as they race down the slope. Looking back would cause them to lose their focus on where they are going and lose their forward momentum.

The Apostle Paul gives us direction for our focus by his example. He did not want to look back on his journey with regrets or with a sense of retreat. He was focused on moving forward with Jesus, step by step. He was on a journey. He had not yet arrived, but he was making good progress.

These faith-building verses inspire us to keep moving forward with our eyes on the prize in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

First Corinthians 13 is often cited as the love chapter in the Bible. It gives an in-depth description on the nature of love-what it is, and what it is not. The chapter begins by talking about its importance for the Christian faith.

Verse 1 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

For all of the ways we can exercise our faith in service and sacrifice, love is the purest motivation and highest expression. Christ died on a cross. His love held Him there, and His love is reliable to save us, transform us, and draw us to a personal relationship with Him.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are First Peter 1:18 and 19.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life….., but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Some of the best athletes in the world are competing for the gold in Beijing. However, there are treasures even more valuable to embrace.

Gold or silver medals are awards, showing the achievements of athletes, but the blood of Jesus shed at the cross reveals His accomplishment to pay the price for our sins.

According to Ephesians 1:7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

These faith-building verses highlight the value of Christ’s blood to be worth more than gold in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are First Peter 1, verses 6 and 7.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith (of greater worth than gold)…..may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

The Bible talks about certain treasures in our relationship with God that are worth more than gold. One of those treasures is genuine faith.

When trials come into our lives, those are opportunities for our faith to be refined. God works through the circumstances of our lives to speak to us about our need for His grace. He may also speak to us of getting rid of certain practices or attitudes that are unholy.

A genuine faith will shine with godly integrity and reflect God’s glory.

These faith-building verses highlight the precious value of genuine faith to be worth more than gold in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is the pursuit of Peace.

Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

God’s Word acknowledges that there are times when it might not be possible to be at peace with someone, but we can take steps toward peace as far as it depends on us. What steps can we take?

One thing we can do is consider whether we have contributed to the relationship strain by our own attitude or actions. If so, we can take steps to make things right. This might mean making a sincere apology or offering restitution for those we have wronged.

Another thing we can do is pray for that person and do good things for them. Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. He also instructed us to do good to those who hate us.

The pursuit of Peace is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Ephesians 2, verses 4 and 5.

“Because of his great love, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.”

The mercy of God is rich, abundant, and life-changing. For that, we can be thankful. Where would we be without mercy? Ephesians 2:3 says we were by nature deserving of wrath as a result of our disobedience to God. But in His great love for us, God awakens us from our spiritual slumber to see our need for His forgiveness.

We can be glad that God’s mercy spares us from getting what we deserve. According to the Bible, the wages of sin is death. But Romans 6:23 also says, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That’s the difference between God’s wrath and mercy in the picture of eternity, and that is a reason to praise Him for His plan of salvation.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to receive God’s mercy and come alive to Christ in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Restraint from Gossip.

The practice of gossip often involves revealing secrets about others that makes them look bad. The intent of a gossiper is generally to build up themselves while tearing others down. This is destructive.

The book of Proverbs shows us how that is the case:

Proverbs 20:19 tells us that “a gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much.” This suggests that if we hear gossip, the wise decision is to move away as fast as we can and avoid participation.

Proverbs 16:28 tells us that “a gossip separates close friends.”

Proverbs 26:20 gives us incentive to avoid gossip. “Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” These verses of wisdom from Proverbs challenge us to think seriously of the words we say about other people.

Restraint from Gossip is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 18:1 and 2.

“I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

This is a window into the heart of David who loved God in a real and personal way. We might often think of prayer as a time to ask God for help. That is certainly a noble prayer. But there is more to prayer than making petitions. Prayer is also an opportunity to tell God that we love Him and to tell Him what He means to us.

David was a man after God’s own heart, who sought Him in times of need, trusted God in times of uncertainty, and praised Him in times of victory.

These faith-building verses inspire us to tell God how much we love Him and what He means to us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com