John Shirk

Here are some highlights from the Retro-Countdown in early December 2013 at WJTL.

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Deuteronomy 32:4.

Moses said about the LORD, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

That is a remarkable statement about God. He has never made a mistake. He has never done anything that requires an apology. We may not always understand His ways, but we can trust God to be morally perfect and faithful. In Psalm 145:17, we learn that He is also loving toward all he has made. That includes each one of us.

He was not obligated to create us, but He chose to create us because it pleased Him to give us life. And when we sinned against Him, He pursued us again with His love by sending Jesus to the earth to save us from our sins. Now, because of Jesus, we can draw near to Him by faith and live in relationship with Him forever.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of confidence in His faithfulness and justice in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Good News Focus is on Matthew 7:7.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Jesus is NOT saying that we will get everything on our Christmas wish list. But He IS saying that if we want to have a relationship with the living God and be part of His family, that opportunity is ours for the asking.

The door of heaven can be opened through faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. He is the key to our salvation. He is the way to a fulfilling and meaningful relationship with God. He is the source of grace that we need to enjoy His presence for today and forever.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of grace and peace in relationship with God in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Second Timothy 3, verses 14 and 15.

“As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Bible study is an important part of growing in our understanding of who God is. Much like giving of our tithes, it is not meant to be a begrudging duty, but a joyful delight. It can be one of the highlights of our day, to open God’s word and read about His salvation plan through Jesus Christ. This is where we learn of God’s love to the world in need of a Savior. And through Jesus, He provided the solution for the sinful human condition.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of trusting His grace to save us from our sins in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the heart of David to get right with God.

This happened in Psalm 51, after he was confronted about unconfessed sin in his life.

David humbled himself before God and confessed his sin to Him. In doing so, David had to face his character flaws and be honest about his sinful nature. It is not an easy thing to go there, but it is the path to a purified heart.

David said in verse 3, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”  He sought God’s forgiveness by saying “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”

He sought to change course when he said, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51 is a good prayer for anyone who is seeking to get life back on track with God.

Focusing on God’s mercy to forgive sin gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.   

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Exodus 3:14.

God said to Moses at the burning bush, “I am who I am.” That is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

Basically, Moses was being called to go back to Egypt and deliver the Israelites out of slavery. Moses questioned whether anyone would trust him or if he was up to the task. Have you ever felt inadequate for something you believe God is calling you to do?  Moses was returning to the Israelites under God’s authority, and when questioned, he was to say that his mission was God-directed.

God was revealing His name to Moses. One of the implications of God’s name is that He is self-sufficient. He needs no help from us, but we are utterly dependent on Him. So, in and of ourselves, we are not adequate for our assignments, but with God’s help, we have what we need to do God’s will. He will supply sufficient grace.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of significance in His plan of redemption in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the heart of David to put his hope in God.

With hope, we have the confidence that God is at work in our lives, fulfilling some kind of purpose in us, whether we are aware of it or not.  

David lived with hope. He said in Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him.”  

One way he expressed this hope was when he was hiding from a jealous king. He also looked after his parents during this dangerous time. So, he said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”  That is a statement of faith and hope. David believed that God would intervene on his behalf in the course of time.  

When we follow God, we may not know all of His plans for us, but we believe that He has a meaningful purpose for our lives, a blessed future, and love that stands the test of time.

Focusing on hope in Jesus Christ gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Matthew 5:3.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is pronouncing a blessing on those who recognize our need for God’s grace. We have come to a place where we understand that we are spiritually bankrupt because of our sin, and there is no way for us to pay back the debt on our own. We need the payment that Christ paid for our salvation when He shed His blood on a cross.

Poverty in spirit is a humble place to be. That is where God meets us in His graciousness. James 4:6 says, “He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to the place of humility that is blessed by God in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com