John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to praise the Lord every day.

This was the commitment of David, expressed in Psalm 145, verse 2. “Every day, I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.”

Not only is God worthy of our praise for today, but He is also worthy of our praise forever.

In this Psalm, David identifies the praiseworthy qualities of God. These qualities remind us why God is most worthy of our praise.

Here are a few of them: verse 6 talks about God’s awesome works and great deeds.

Verse 7 talks about His abundant goodness.

Verse 8 tells us that the LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love.

Our worship for God is meaningful when we acknowledge His awesome greatness, abundant goodness, and amazing grace.

Take the daily challenge to praise the LORD today and every day on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

One definition of Overcome is to defeat an opponent and prevail.

When Jesus died on a cross, it may not have appeared to most people that Jesus was prevailing, but three days later, He rose from the grave and overcame death.

When we face crisis situations or the pressures of daily life, we can be encouraged by the accomplishments of Jesus when He walked on the earth.

In John 16:33, Jesus said to His followers, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Because Jesus lives, we can live with the confidence that He is able to lead us to a place of life and ultimate victory. First John 5:5 asks the question, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Find encouragement in the grace of the Lord Jesus to help us overcome the pressures of the world in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Ambassador.”

This is a diplomat in a foreign land, representing their leader on a mission of peace.

Isn’t that a true description of the Christian in a spiritual sense? This world is not our home. We are serving the King of Kings in a foreign land, representing Jesus on a peacemaking mission. That is a high calling, and a privilege to serve in such a way.

The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

To be a faithful ambassador, we need to make sure that we are at peace with God. Stay connected to Him. Walk in His love and truth. Establish relationships with neighbors, co-workers, and peers at school. Reach out to them with God’s love and be ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.

Find encouragement in the opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to learn loyalty from the example of Ruth.

She was a widow, along with her sister-in-law Orpah, and her mother-in-law Naomi. Together, they set out for Bethlehem from Moab.

But Naomi urged them to go back to the homes of their mothers. Orpah kissed Naomi good-bye, but Ruth clung to her, saying, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried.”

Ruth was committed to Naomi and her God for the rest of her life.  This decision was the beginning of a journey that would bring Ruth into the genealogy of Jesus. That is what happens spiritually when we put our faith in Jesus with a loyal heart. We are included in God’s family of believers.

You can read about the loyalty of Ruth in the book of Ruth from the Bible.

Take the daily challenge to learn loyalty from the example of Ruth on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s word of Encouragement is “Gospel.”

This word is associated with the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

When we receive the grace of God as a gift, we are embracing good news for our soul.

The Apostle Paul was moved by the Gospel to preach it. He said in Romans 1:16 and 17, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed-a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.”

That is good news that brings us hope, and will affect how we see the world today.

Find encouragement in the Gospel to live it out and share it with others in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5atex4RAmuwZIv0IIalZFQ?si=feea650c495545cf

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

A psalm is a song or poem used in worship. When you ask people their favorite book of the Bible, it is not uncommon for people to say “the Psalms.” Today, we may speak many of the Psalms to each other, but these writings were actually meant to be used as worship songs.

Today, many artists continue to record songs based on the Psalms, and many listeners are greatly encouraged by their content.

Ephesians 5:18 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.”

Find encouragement in the words of the Psalms to lead you to a place of worship in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com