John Shirk

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

In First Corinthians 11:1, the Apostle Paul said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

As a leader in the early church, Paul understood the importance of setting a good example for others to see. He also understood that in order to be a godly example to others, he needed to follow the example of Christ. That is how we can be a credible witness for Jesus. Live the life that God has called us to live.

Paul said to Timothy on one occasion, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Focusing on the importance of godly integrity gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Here are some of the musical highlights that we enjoyed on today’s edition of the Friday Time Capsule dating back to August 3rd 1992.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the good requirements that God has revealed to us.

In Micah 6:8, the prophet said about the LORD, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

We might tend to think that worship is about going to church, singing songs, hearing a sermon and taking communion. These are opportunities to worship God. However, worship is more than what happens on a Sunday morning. Worship is a way of life that includes acts of justice upholding God’s righteousness, acts of mercy extending God’s compassion, and a walk of humility reflecting God’s character.

Focusing on doing what God requires of us gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Here are the songs that aired over the Lunch Break from late July 2008. The first song on this playlist was number 12 and the last song was number 1.

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

It happened in Genesis 28:12. As he fell asleep, he had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and He had a message for Jacob.

He reaffirmed His promise to Abraham and Isaac for their descendants to be given the land where Jacob was sleeping. Their offspring would be numerous, and all peoples on earth would be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.

The fulfillment of that dream is realized in Jesus, who came from heaven to earth to open the way for us to live in relationship with God forever. This is how we can be blessed by Jacob’s dream. Romans 5:1 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Focusing on our access to heaven through Jesus 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 the vision of Samuel.

When the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel, He came through a vision. First Samuel 3:10 says, “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”. Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

When God calls our name, that is the moment to respond with a receptive heart. When God wants to speak to us, that is the right time to pay attention. Samuel responded to the call of God on his life, and became Israel’s trustworthy prophet. Verse 21 says, “the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”

God is still speaking to His people today. He reveals Himself and His redemptive plan for our lives in the Bible.

Focusing on the Word of God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

John Shirk-Today’s Good News Focus is on Ephesians 6:17.

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

God’s salvation is reliable to protect us from the threats of our enemies in the spiritual realm. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. There is another place in the New Testament that refers to the helmet of salvation. First Thessalonians 5:8 urges us to put on the hope of salvation as a helmet. When we live with the awareness that God protects our soul, we live with a sense of security that our lives are in God’s hands, and that our future is with Him forever.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, serving as a reliable offensive weapon against the forces of darkness in the heavenly realms. Darkness retreats in the presence of light. Satan retreats when we break out God’s Word and live by it.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of light, hope, and salvation in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

It happened in First Kings chapter 3. At Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  If God gave you this opportunity, how would you respond?

Solomon had just ascended to the throne as king of Israel. He said to the LORD, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Bible says that the LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked for discernment. Proverbs 8:11 tells us that wisdom is more precious than rubies. If we lack wisdom, God invites us to ask Him, and He is generous to provide what we lack.

Focusing on God as our source of wisdom gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Here are some of the musical highlights over the Lunch Break on the Friday Time Capsule from July 23, 2001.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Paul’s vision of a man in Macedonia.

It happened in Acts, Chapter 16. Paul and his traveling companions were trying to preach the word in Asia, but the Holy Spirit kept them from entering.  During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.

This marked the advance of the Gospel into Europe. God had used this vision to redirect Paul’s missionary journey. God may close doors to our plans in order to open other doors of opportunity later. That is what he did through Paul’s vision in Acts 16.  

Focusing on God’s agenda for our lives gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com