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JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to clothe ourselves with humility.
In First Peter 5 we see that this call of humility is specific toward how we respect church leaders and how church leaders serve those under their care.
Verse 3 is a message to church leaders: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care-watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Verse 5 has a message for those under church authority: “You who are younger, submit to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble.”
These are the expressions of humility that build a healthy church.
Take the daily challenge to be clothed with humility on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Hope.
Thomas Fuller was quoted as saying “If it were not for hope, the heart would break.” Hope gives us the courage to press on in the faith through difficult trials, like broken relationships or broken dreams.
Jesus is the source of hope we need to live with real optimism and expectation of better things to come.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the LORD says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Romans 5:2 through 5 reveals the journey to hope. “We boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Find encouragement in the hope of God’s promises and the assurance of His love in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue peace.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing peace was one of those instructions. Jesus offers us peace with God that is not dependent on favorable circumstances. Just before Jesus died on a cross, He told His disciples in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace is a gift from Jesus that equips us to live at peace with God and with others. First Peter 3:11 shows us how we can be intentional about pursuing peace. “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
Take the daily challenge to pursue peace in relationship to God and in our relationships with others on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue love.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing love was one of those instructions. God’s love is the compelling influence to guide us in the way of love. Through Jesus, God demonstrated the kind of love that He has for us, and wants us to extend to others. It’s the kind of love that is patient and kind, serves others with humility and is willing to make personal sacrifices for others. Let’s look for ways to let God’s love flow through us.
First John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” And First John 4:11 says, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Take the daily challenge to pursue love in our way of life on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue faith.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing faith is one of those instructions. This is how we can shine for Jesus today-with a testimony of faith that reflects His goodness and grace.
At the foundation of faith, we are trusting Jesus alone to save us from our sins and lead us in the way of righteousness until we reach our heavenly home. Our faith depends on what Jesus has done for us.
First Corinthians 15:3 says, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” This is the Gospel by which we take our stand and are saved.
Take the daily challenge to follow Jesus and trust Him completely on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Freedom.
Galatians 5:1 tells us that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
To be free in Christ is to be forgiven by His grace and to walk in His truth.
There are two main obstacles to freedom. One obstacle is trespassing God’s laws, where we disobey God and become slaves to sin. The other obstacle is legalism, where we depend on observing God’s laws to save us. The truth is that we cannot save ourselves by doing good deeds, but Jesus can save us from our sins. That is why He came to the world. Trusting Jesus to save us will set us free from the control of those obstacles.
Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Because of Jesus, we are set free to walk in an authentic relationship with God.
Find encouragement in the true and lasting freedom that Jesus provides for His followers in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
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JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue righteousness.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a. young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing righteousness was one of those instructions. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to seek first His kingdom and his righteousness. The pursuit of God’s righteousness is to be top priority for our lives. Jesus also said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.
In our pursuit for righteousness, Jesus is the answer.
Romans 3:22 tells us “this righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” We can trust Jesus to set us free from the guilt of our sin. He will make us right with God, and give us the desire to do what is right in the eyes of God.
Take the daily challenge to pursue righteousness on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue godly character.
In Second Timothy 2:22, the Apostle Paul gave this instruction to a young church leader.
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Whatever we pursue normally flows out of our priorities. That is why it is important to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. That priority will direct us to pursue the qualities of God’s Kingdom.
It is not enough just to avoid doing bad things. Saying no to sin is certainly noble, but there is so much more to the Christian life than saying no to sin. There is also the focus of saying yes to God, and His plan for our lives. That plan will include the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Take the daily challenge to pursue godly character on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com