John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Matthew 26, verse 64.

Jesus was responding to a statement by the high priest in front of the Sanhedrin, “Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said so. But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest responded by tearing his clothes and saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses?”

That was the charge against Jesus that led to His crucifixion. His claim to be the Messiah was rejected by the religious leaders.

John 1:11 and 12 tells us that Jesus came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Matthew 26:64-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 Treasure.

A treasure is something with value that is often stored away for safe keeping.

Earthly treasures include precious metals, gems, or diamonds. Houses and cars would also be considered treasures. But they can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Heavenly treasures have greater and eternal value. Anything or any quality in the Kingdom of God can be seen as a precious treasure, such as righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 6:19, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Discover how the word “treasure” 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 26:53.

Jesus said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

One of the great wonders of the cross is that while Jesus was nailed to a cross, the nails were not the ultimate force to keep Him there. His love was the driving force to keep Him on the cross. Jesus was saying that if He wanted to call off the mission at any time, He could have called for help and the cavalry would have come to rescue Him. No one took the life of Jesus. He laid it down willingly for us.

Matthew 26:53-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 Cross.

This is the means by which Jesus was crucified for our sins. The cross was considered a form of execution and humiliation. It was a slow and painful way to die.

The Bible tells us that Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

First Corinthians 1:18 tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

By the death of Jesus, we can experience a life of forgiveness and freedom from the gracious hand of God. That is the power of the cross to heal and save.

Discover how the word “Cross” 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 Jonah 4:11.

God said to the prophet Jonah, “Should I not have concern for this great city Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left-and also many animals?”

That is how the book of Jonah ends. We do not have a written record in the Bible of how Jonah would have responded to these words. He was angry because the Lord used Jonah’s message to spare the people of Nineveh from destruction. The city was filled with evil and violence, but after hearing Jonah’s warning, the people turned from their evil ways and God relented from destroying the city.

If God is concerned for those who are on the path of destruction, then it stands to reason that God’s people would have concern too, so that we are motivated to show them a better way.

Jonah 4:11-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 Hope.

In the Bible, hope is based on faith in Jesus and is built on confidence in God’s promises.

With hope, we live with eager expectation of what God is going to do in the future for us. Hope enables us to persevere through hardships. David lived with hope, and expressed his hope in the Lord when he said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”

Romans 8:23 tells us that those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

According to Matthew 21:9, this is what the crowd shouted as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

Hosanna is a term that means “Save.” It was an expression of praise, celebrating Jesus as the source of salvation.

The Old Testament expressed a plea for salvation. Psalm 118:25 says, “LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”  Later, Jesus would enter Jerusalem, coming in peace while riding on a donkey, and presenting Himself as Israel’s king.

Hosanna speaks the compelling truth that through Jesus, our plea for salvation turns into an expression of praise when we welcome Him as our King, Savior, and friend.

Discover how the word “Hosanna” 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 John 12:32.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

The Apostle John explained why Jesus said this-to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Jesus would take a humiliating form of execution such as the cross to redeem people lost in sin, to draw us to Himself, and bring glory to His name. That is the wisdom of the cross to provide forgiveness and salvation to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

First Corinthians 1:18 says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

John 12:32-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in First Corinthians 11, verses 24 to 26.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Whenever we eat this bread or drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

First Corinthians 11:24 to 26-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 Worth.

The meaning of worth is having a particular value.

This word is used in the Bible to describe our value to God and His value to us.

In Luke 12:7, Jesus said, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

God created us and proved His love for us. He sent a worthy Savior to redeem us by the shedding of His blood on the cross. That was the price that Jesus paid for our sins, and His payment was a worthy sacrifice.

In Philippians 3:8, the Apostle Paul pointed out the great value of being in relationship with Jesus, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com