John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to grow in God’s Word.

When Jesus taught a parable in Luke chapter 8, He spoke of seeds scattered on four different kinds of soil. There were three different soils where the seed did not produce a crop. They represent people who either don’t embrace God’s word, or are distracted from God’s word to pursue something else, like wealth or pleasure.

But there was one type of soil that did produce a thriving crop.  That soil represents the person with a noble and good heart, who hears the word, retains it, and by persevering, they produce a crop.

This is a description of someone whose heart is receptive to God’s Word, believes Gods Word, obeys God’s Word, and continues in God’s Word. By God’s grace, this is how we can live out a productive Christian life and stand tall as a witness for Christ.

Take the daily challenge to grow in God’s Word on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in the will of God.

These are the words of Hebrews 10:35 and 36-“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

God has promised rewards to His followers for faithful service. This promise reflects the heart of God to bless His people in the picture of eternity. Those promised rewards also give us incentive to serve the Lord faithfully today. He is watching our actions and knows our motives.

At the end of our lives on earth, the most reassuring words we can hear from the voice of God is “Well done, good and faithful servant.” So, as Galatians 6:9 instructs us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Take the daily challenge to persevere in the will of God 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 committed to prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Every day is an opportunity to approach God in prayer with the confidence that He hears us, He loves us, and responds to the prayers of His people.

When someone comes to our mind, that is a good time to pray for them. God may be bringing a particular person to our mind so that we lift up their needs to the throne of grace. There are additional ways that we can be a supportive friend, but prayer is a good starting place.

Take the daily challenge to be committed to prayer on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in helping people.

God is watching us. He sees everything we do and knows everything about us. He is also able to remember every single thing we do with pure motives. One of the ways that we demonstrate love for God is by serving His people.

Hebrews 6:10 says “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

God saw their faithful service in the past, but He also noted their ongoing work of being helpful. And we can draw the conclusion that the writer is urging us to continue in the good work that God began in us. Remember the smile of God on you as you express His love  generously to people in need.

Take the daily challenge to persevere in helping people on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Through the frustrations and heartaches of life, we have a hope that helps us to press on in the faith, resting on the promises of God.

In Romans 8:22, the Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship-the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

This world will have good seasons and difficult seasons-joy, conflict, and pain. But God is planning a much better place in the future for those who follow Jesus by faith. His promises keep hope alive in our hearts, and keep us motivated to serve Him faithfully today.

Take the daily challenge to persevere in hope on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in love.

God’s will for our lives is to express our faith in love. He wants us to have thriving relationships.

In First Thessalonians 4:10, the Apostle Paul commended that church for loving God’s family throughout Macedonia, and then said, “Yet, we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.”

When it comes to sharing God’s love with others, there is always room for us to grow.

First Corinthians 13:6 tells us that love always perseveres.

It shows in the form of showing compassion to one another, forgiving one another, being kind to one another, offering encouragement to one another, and serving one another. There are many opportunities to demonstrate God’s love every day.

Take the daily challenge to persevere in love on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Here are some highlights on the Friday Time Capsule from the Countdown May 30, 1988.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cy9GnyZSuRQbKssgQ7mef?si=fc1287e8c6184b28

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to use music as an instrument of worship.

Music is a gift from God and is a meaningful way to express our love for Him.

Throughout history, God’s people have lifted up their voices together in praise to God. Music can be a picture of how God desires for His people to live in unity with each other. We don’t all play the same instruments, nor do we all sing the same parts, but as we harmonize with the body of Christ, we lift up a beautiful song that glorifies God.

Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Take the daily challenge to use music as an instrument of worship on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

To be in God’s grace is to have God’s favor. For those who have sinned against God, we don’t deserve God’s grace, but out of God’s abundant goodness and love for us, He gives His grace to bless us.

Grace is a gift to be received, not a paycheck to be earned. The life-saving impact of grace is highlighted for us in Ephesians 2:8. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

And Romans 3:22 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith.”

That is what the death and resurrection of Jesus was all about-to offer the gift of grace to sinners like us, so that we might be redeemed, restored, and reconciled to Him.

Find encouragement in receiving the gift of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to store up heavenly treasures.

That is what Jesus instructed us to do in Matthew chapter 6. He said in Verse 19, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

While the treasures of earth last only for a little while, heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. They are out of the reach of bandits. They will not fade out, wear out, or rust out. They are precious trophies for faithful service to God.

First Timothy 6:17 and 18 highlights how we can invest in heavenly treasure. Put our hope in God rather than in our wealth. Do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share.

Take the Daily Challenge to store up heavenly treasure on the Journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com