John Shirk

John Shirk – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First Timothy 6:6.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Materialism is not just a spiritual battle in our culture today. It was a struggle in the early church too. Paul the Apostle pointed out that “some people, eager for money, wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Then he turned to Timothy and said, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

It will be much harder to say “No” to something that is bad for us unless we say “Yes” to something that is good for us. The pursuit of godliness helps us to overcome an unhealthy attachment for material things. We will learn to find our ultimate joy in knowing Jesus and developing the qualities of His character.

Through Jesus, we are set free from materialism to enjoy godly contentment.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 1:18.

Jesus said to the Apostle John,  “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

The resurrection of Jesus means that His followers live by faith in a Risen Savior, NOT a dead Christ.

His resurrection means that we can live in relationship with Him today. His word is living and active to guide us in the truth of God’s plan. He is alive and available to hear our prayers.

His resurrection also means that our faith overflows with hope, because Jesus has released His followers from the power of death and hell.

The words of Jesus inspire us to celebrate the miracle of the resurrection in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Romans 6:13.

“Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”

By putting our lives in the hands of God, we will become like a useful instrument that expresses praise for God and faith in God. In light of what Jesus did for us at the cross, we can respond to His grace with a grateful heart and offer ourselves to God for His holy purposes. If the church is like an orchestra, then Jesus is the conductor, and each follower has a part to play in God’s musical masterpiece. So, let’s keep our focus on Jesus and take our cues from Him.

Through Jesus, we are set free to offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 24:44.

Jesus said to His disciples after He rose from the dead, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Jesus would have had a lot of material available to explain how He was the Messiah to the disciples. There are hundreds of prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament, which is one of the reasons that the Old Testament is so significant for followers of Jesus.

Micah and Isaiah predicted Jesus’ birth. 

Isaiah and David predicted Jesus’ death on a cross. 

And the resurrection of Jesus was mentioned in the Psalms. 

The words of Jesus inspire us to believe in Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Luke 9:16 and 17.

One of Jesus’ miracles involved the feeding of the five thousand from a small amount of food. Good things can happen when we offer to Jesus something that seems small and insignificant to us.

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”

Notice, that Jesus included the disciples in the distribution of the food. In much the same way today, Jesus has abundant grace to pour out on people in need, and works through His followers to reach them.

Through Jesus, we are set free to serve others in ways that meet their needs.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Philippians 4:8 and 9.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-thing about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Sometimes, we can be disturbed by our thought patterns. Fear and anxiety paralyze us from moving forward in God’s will. Self-righteousness keeps us from loving people. Complaining thought patterns keep us from the joy of thanksgiving. But if we fix our thoughts on Jesus, a new way of thinking will emerge that focuses on the virtuous qualities of the Bible.

Through Jesus, we are set free to focus our thoughts on Jesus and experience His peace.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 19:30.

From the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

This was not an admission of defeat. It was a statement declaring that His mission was successfully accomplished. The Scripture foretelling the death of Jesus was fulfilled. The price has been paid for our redemption. 

The crucifixion of Jesus is the most vivid example of how God can overcome evil with good. His death was not wasted. His death was the pathway to the resurrection and our lifeline to true and lasting freedom.

The words of Jesus inspire us to embrace the message of the cross as the power of God in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 3:16.

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This is one of the most familiar Bible verses in the Bible. Billy Graham has said that this verse is the Gospel in a nutshell. 

It is a fitting verse for various occasions. At Christmas, this verse shows how Jesus is God’s precious gift to the world.

On Valentine’s Day, this verse can be used to focus on Jesus as the highest expression of God’s love.

And on Good Friday, this verse can be used to emphasize the sacrifice that Jesus made for us when He went to the cross.

This verse can also be used to invite others to receive the gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus.

The words of Jesus inspire us to trust in His grace for eternal life in the Year of Redemption. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 21:16.

After
Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, children were shouting in the temple courts,
“Hosanna to the Son of David.”  The
religious leaders were annoyed, and asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children
are saying?”

Hosanna
is a term that means “Save.” It can be a plea for salvation or an expression of
thanks for salvation. The religious leaders were troubled by the way these
children were acknowledging Jesus as a Messianic figure.

But Jesus did not water down their lyrics. He replied to the religious leaders, “Yes, have you never read, ‘from the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?’”

Jesus
was referring to a passage in Psalm 8, acknowledging the praise of these children
in the temple courts as a fulfillment of these words.

The words of Jesus inspire us to praise Him with words like “Hosanna” in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 14:27.

Jesus
told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.”

The
peace of God is a wonderful treasure and is available for those who trust in
Jesus completely. Just before Jesus died, He was talking about peace that was
better than anything this world could give.

With
faith in Jesus, we are able to rest in God’s grace. We don’t have  to prove our worth to Him. He has proved His
love for us.

With
faith in Jesus, we have a secure relationship that is built on sure promises of
blessing.

With
faith in Jesus, we have a Savior, who does not count our sins against us. We
are forgiven and reconciled to God through Jesus.

The words of Jesus inspire us to embrace the peace that Jesus offers us in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com