John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Matthew 5:43 to 45.

Jesus said, “You have heard that is was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

Many people will love those who love them. But to love our enemies is a step beyond ordinary love. We need God’s help for that. Jesus specifically says how we can love our enemies-by praying for them and doing good to them.

Love for enemies is a powerful testimony of God’s love living in us. The Bible tells us that He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That’s the power of love.

Matthew 5:43 to 45-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Salt.

Jesus told His followers in the Sermon on the Mount, “You are the salt of the earth.”

Salt is a seasoning that adds flavoring to our food. Salt is also a preservative.

As we interact with other people, we are called to represent Jesus and be His ambassador as an agent of peace. This is how we can flavor this world with the Gospel-by living according to the teachings of Jesus and sharing His good news.

One way we can represent Jesus is with gracious words: Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Discover how the word “Salt” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Matthew 22:37 and 38.

An expert in the law tested Jesus with this question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.’

God is worthy of our love with every area of our lives-our thought life, our ambitions, our emotions, our decisions, and in our worship. Let love for God be the first priority of our lives and then stand back and be amazed at how He works through us in extraordinary ways to live a life of love.

Matthew 22:37 and 38-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Rejoice.

Philippians is a good book in the Bible that emphasizes this word.

In one place, the Apostle Paul stresses the importance of rejoicing so much that he repeats it in Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

This is possible when we look to Jesus as our trustworthy Savior, Leader, and Friend.

His joy becomes the strength of our heart when we walk in fellowship with Jesus. He encourages us with His love, comforts us with His peace, and saves us by His grace. The death and resurrection of Jesus are reference points in history to direct us to His faithfulness. He is faithful to His people. He is faithful to His promises. These are reasons to celebrate a relationship with God.

Discover how the word “Rejoice” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Leviticus 19:18.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”

Jesus referred to this statement as the second greatest commandment of the Law. The story of the Good Samaritan taught by Jesus is really an explanation of what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

A Samaritan walking along the road to Jericho, set aside his agenda to help someone who was beaten by robbers. He attended to his physical needs and provided lodging for him until he could recover from his injuries. Samaritans were considered outcasts among the Jews in the days of Jesus, but in this story, Jesus made him an example for us to follow. He had compassion for someone in a moment of need.

Leviticus 19:18-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Interest.

This is the state of wanting to know or learn more about something or someone. It’s looking beyond ourselves to enter someone else’s world.

We can do this by asking questions like “How is your day going?” “What are your thoughts about this or that?” or “what did you do this weekend?” And then, listen to what they say. As time goes on, showing interest in someone else’s world builds bridges to deeper connections.

Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Discover how the word “Interest” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Matthew 7:12.

Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

This statement is called “the Golden Rule.” This is a good rule to apply to our relationships on a daily basis.

This is a way of putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. “If I was in their situation, how would I want to be treated? Go and do likewise!” This shapes our mindset to consider how to treat others with respect in a way that addresses their needs. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” This is how we can express the mindset of Jesus in our relationships with one another.

Matthew 7:12-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Listen.

To listen to the words of another person is to give someone your attention and hear what they say.

Listening is the key to learning. Listening is an opportunity for building relationships. Listening is also the bridge to faith in Jesus.

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word about Christ. It matters whose voices we heed.

In Matthew chapter 17, when Jesus was transfigured on a mountain, three of His disciples were witnesses to His brilliant appearance. A voice from a cloud was heard saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

If we listen to the words of Jesus, we will draw closer to Him, learn His ways, and grow wiser in our understanding of His Kingdom.

Discover how the word “Listen” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Luke 13:20.

“What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Jesus often spoke in parables in His earthly ministry. He would use ordinary things to illustrate the nature of God’s Kingdom.

This Parable highlighted how yeast affected the flour in the baking process to make the dough rise.

The influence of the Gospel is working throughout the world to produce change in people’s hearts from the inside out. It can lead to changes in society when a culture fully embraces God’s good news. It can lead to changes individually for the person who receives Jesus. His grace will produce change in our lives and lift us up to reflect God’s glory.

Luke 13:20-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Serve.

When we serve someone, we are reaching out with a labor of love. This is an investment of time and energy that makes a difference for the better. Serving God can be seen as an act of worship, where our labor of love brings glory to His name. When we serve someone with a cheerful heart, we are reflecting the example of Jesus. There is great joy in seeing how someone’s needs are met and how their day can feel brighter through our humble acts of service.

First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

Discover how the word “Serve” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com