John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the significance of the Mount of Olives.

This was the place where Jesus told His disciples of future events that would happen prior to His coming.

Some of those events were the appearances of deceivers, wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. He also said that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end would come.

The place where He spoke of the future is significant. Zechariah 14:4 tells us that when He comes again, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. On that day, there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. He will be king over the whole earth.

The Mount of Olives reminds us that while we live in a broken world, the future is in God’s hands. The future is a vision of victory for God’s coming Kingdom and for those who follow Jesus by faith.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Calvary where Jesus died on a cross. 

According to the New King James version of the Bible, in Luke 23:32, there were also two other criminals led with Jesus to be put to death. “And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.”

Calvary was the place of Christ’s death and the place of our redemption. Calvary reminds us that God has provided the lamb who was a worthy sacrifice for our sins. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrated his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Focusing on the price that Jesus paid for our redemption gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

John@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.

In Exodus 31:18, the LORD gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant law. They were tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. Mount Sinai represents the law of God for His people.

On these tablets were written the Ten Commandments. God’s laws were revealing God’s moral standards. None of us have lived up to all the commands all the time. That is why we need grace.  The law reminds us that we have fallen short of God’s glory and need a Savior. We don’t earn God’s love by obeying His laws, but are motivated to obey them because we know that He loves us. At the foundation of following God’s laws is love-love for God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Following God’s laws is not meant to be a reason for pride in ourselves. It is an opportunity to express our love for God. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Focusing on the law of love gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on what happened at the Mountain of Transfiguration.

In Luke chapter 9, Jesus took a few of His disciples with him to a mountain where he would pray. As Jesus prayed, the appearance of His face changed, His clothing became as bright as a flash of lightning. Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor and talked with Jesus. Then, came a voice from a cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Peter was a witness. This is what he said about Jesus in Second Peter 1:17, “He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” This testimony affirms the Father’s approval of Jesus and the worthiness of Jesus to receive our attention and devotion.

Focusing on the Heavenly Father’s approval of Jesus gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the mountainside where Jesus prayed.

It happened in Luke chapter 6, verse 12: “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.”

A mountainside is sometimes a place of isolation where we can have undistracted, quality time with God. Jesus prayed the night before making some important appointments. When we have significant decisions to make, we have the opportunity to approach God in prayer and to seek His direction.  Prayer invites God’s wisdom for our decisions.

Focusing on quiet time with God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

These are the songs that we enjoyed hearing together on the Friday Time Capsule from 10 years ago.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:1 says that “when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.” The famous sermon taught by Jesus was delivered from a mountainside in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

In that sermon, Jesus gave us a vision of the blessed life with the beatitudes. He taught us how to follow Him from the heart, not just with outward religious practices. He taught us about extraordinary love that extends to our enemies. He taught the golden rule so that we might do to others what we would have them do to us.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a vision of how to pray.    He taught us about priorities so that we might store up treasures in heaven rather than treasures on earth. His words give us direction, wisdom, and encouragement for living a life that honors God.

Focusing on the teachings from the Sermon on the Mount gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Elijah’s challenge on Mount Carmel.

It happened in First Kings 18. He challenged the people of Israel to stop wavering between two opinions. He said, “If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” Mount Carmel was the place where the people were challenged to get off the fence of indecision.  

The people said nothing at first, until Elijah offered a sacrifice to his God and 450 prophets of Baal offered a sacrifice to their god. Whoever answered by fire would be recognized as God.

The prophets of Baal went first and prayed to their god, but no one answered. When it was Elijah’s turn, the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice in answer to his prayer. When the people saw this, they fell and cried, “The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!”

Focusing on God’s worthiness to be followed gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the mountaintop view of God’s radiant glory.

Have you ever been to the top of a tall mountain and looked down at the land below? You can see for miles in the distance and get a “big picture view” of God’s creation.

In Revelation 21:10, the Apostle John was carried in the Spirit to a mountain that he described as great and high. He saw something even more beautiful.

An angel showed him the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. He said, “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” The city did not need the sun or the moon to shine on it because the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” 

This is the view of a new heaven and a new earth, and is the future destiny for those who belong to Jesus by faith today.

Focusing on the brilliance of God’s glorious home gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.    

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is a spiritual weapon that fights against our anxious thoughts. Prayer gives us access to the throne of heaven. When we communicate with God, we have the opportunity to tell Him the cares of our hearts. God invites us to place our burdens on Him. He can handle our concerns and replace the anxious thoughts that weigh on our mind with His peace.

Billy Graham once said, “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, “O God, forgive me”, or “help me.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com