JOHN SHIRK – These are the songs that we enjoyed together on Friday’s Lunch Break on the air. Here’s the playlist in case you missed it or want to listen again.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 20:35.
The Apostle Paul spoke to other church leaders, and as he was saying good-bye to them, he said, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The way of Christ is to help those who cannot help themselves. That is the impact of grace on our lives. When we receive God’s grace for the precious gift that it is, we become more sensitive to the plight of those who cannot help themselves. The Apostle Paul carried out his ministry with concern for those in poverty. He sought financial assistance from the church to help those with physical needs. As they worked together, they made a difference for the glory of God.
The way of Christ is the way of love and generous giving. Proverbs 11:25 says that a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of generosity and refreshment in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Genesis 2:7.
Then the LORD formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
God’s breath has been life-giving to the human race. He made the earth to be populated, and started with Adam and Eve.
God’s breath is also life-giving for us spiritually. God made heaven to be populated, and has provided the way for us to join Him through Jesus Christ. The Bible is where we hear the message of His saving grace. His word plants the seed of faith in our hearts.
Second Timothy 3:16 says that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of new life in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on God as our Potter.
Some people are very skilled at arts and crafts where they can make a project with their hands.
God is skilled with His hands to make us and mold us into the likeness of Jesus. He does not force His hand on us, but shapes the willing heart into masterpieces for His useful purposes.
Isaiah 64:8 says, “You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Today, we can ask God to work in our hearts and make us useful instruments for His glory. And then, watch His hand move in our lives as we align our ambitions to His purposes.
Focusing on God as our Potter gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Here are the songs that we enjoyed together on Friday’s Lunch Break. How many of these songs are familiar to you? Enjoy these songs from a past Countdown 18 years ago. The first song was number 12 and the last song on this Playlist was number 1.
JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 20/20 Insights give us a glimpse into our identity when we are in Christ.
In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on our identity as God’s possession.
In First Peter 2:9, we learn, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is inviting us to belong to Him. He is calling us away from the darkness of selfish ambitions and idolatry into the light of worshiping Him. He gives us a testimony of a transformed life. Once, we were not a people of God, but now we are the people of God Once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. There are tremendous blessings connected with knowing Christ and walking in His ways.
Focusing on our identity as God’s possession gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 20/20 Insights give us a glimpse into our identity when we are in Christ.
In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on our identity as God’s friend.
In John 15:15, Jesus told His disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He invites us into a meaningful friendship. In this friendship, Jesus laid down His life for us, proving Himself to be a faithful friend. He confides in us the Father’s plan of redemption. He reveals to us God’s will for living a life that pleases Him. He shows us the mission field of the world and sends us to various places to share the good news of God’s love. He promises to be with us as we go. That’s faithful friendship. The disciples were followers and friends of Jesus. We have that opportunity today.
Focusing on our identity as God’s friend gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First Timothy 4:16.
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
This verse stresses the importance of what we believe and how we live. Both matter in terms of how they have an impact on our lives and on those watching us.
A good starting place for believing in sound doctrine is to study the life of Jesus. Examine how He lived, what He taught, and what He did to make redemption possible for us. He loves us and invites us to follow Him. He seeks a relationship with us that will change our lives and save us from our sins. As we put our full faith in His gift of grace to save us, Jesus will make us instruments of His grace for others as we live out the Gospel.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of integrity and influence 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 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.
