John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Matthew 25:22 and 23.

Jesus
was telling a Parable that revealed how three different people handled the
wealth that their master gave them. The master gave them different amounts.

“The
man with two bags of gold came and said, “Master, you entrusted me with two
bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.”

His
master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
master’s happiness.”

This
servant did not receive as many bags of gold as another servant in the story
who received five bags. Nor did he produce as much as that servant. But
he managed what he was given faithfully. What has God entrusted with us? Those
are opportunities to invest in His Kingdom and to make a difference in this
world for the Gospel.

Through Jesus, we are set free to share in the labor of the Lord, and to share in our Master’s happiness.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Titus 3, verses 3 through 5a.

The
Apostle Paul said, “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and
enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being
hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior
appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because
of his mercy.”

When we
hear testimonies from believers, we hear of the various ways that God can
change a heart. In the case of Paul the Apostle, his transformation was
dynamic. The kindness and love of God changed him from the inside out. Instead
of being foolish without Christ, he became wise in Christ. Instead of being
disobedient to the Gospel, he became obedient to the Gospel. The hatred and
hardness that he once harbored in his heart were replaced by love and
tenderness toward God and His church. Today, followers of Jesus also have a
story to share of transformation.

Through Jesus, we are set free from the strongholds of our past to enjoy God’s love in the present.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 23:25 and 26.

Jesus
said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean
the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and
self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish,
and then the outside also will be clean.”

It may
be surprising to learn that Jesus used some of his harshest words for the
religious leaders of His day. He called them hypocrites because they were
acting a part, but not living the life of someone who truly loved God. Jesus
revealed their desperate condition apart from God and challenged them to
change.

The
Christian life is an experience of transformation from the inside out where we
are growing more and more into the likeness of Jesus. Out of a pure heart, our
motives will be in the right place for honoring God in our actions.

The words of Jesus inspire us to come clean with God and enjoy the freedom of integrity 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 12:21.

Do not
be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The
crucifixion of Jesus is the most vivid way this verse has been lived out. Jesus
was using the hatred of humanity against Him to offer the gifts of forgiveness
and eternal life to those who would put their faith in Him.

God’s
love is the inspiration for us to seek the well-being of our enemies. Romans
12:20 says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him
something to drink.”

The way
of Jesus shows us a better way to respond to hatred than through revenge.  Offer kindness and respect. Serve them and
pray for them. Leave room for God’s wrath rather than taking matters into our
own hands.

Through Jesus, we are set free to overcome evil with good.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 10:11.

Jesus
made the claim,  “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the
shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he
abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters
it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the
sheep.”

One of
the functions of a shepherd is to protect their sheep from predatory animals.
In the spiritual realm, that predatory animal is the devil, who prowls around
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. But Jesus cares personally
for His followers and is able to protect us from the attempts of the devil to
deceive and destroy us. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was necessary for
us to find protection in His grace.

The words of Jesus inspire us to trust Him as our Good Shepherd in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First John 4:16.

“And
so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in
love lives in God and God in them.”

The
reason why we have the capacity to love God and other people is because God
loved us first. If we want to know what the true nature of love is, we can look
to Jesus who demonstrated God’s love for us in this way: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us. The worthy Savior gave His life for unworthy sinners.
He loved us in our worst moments, not just our best.

His
example can help us to love our children in the midst of their temper tantrums,
to offer hospitality to someone who cannot return the favor, and to overcome
hatred with love.

Through Jesus, we are set free to love people as God loves us.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First John 2, verses 1 and 2.

“My
dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody
does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for
the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus
took our sins upon Himself when He went to the cross. That makes a big
difference in the courtyard of God.  The
devil is our accuser. He is quick to pounce on our lawless deeds and pick apart
our flaws and failures before God. But those who trust in Jesus for forgiveness
have a strong defender. He is able to state the case for our innocence on His
merit, not ours. When we trust in Jesus to save us, we become aligned to Him,
and His righteousness is applied to our account before God.

Through Jesus, we are set free from the accusations of the enemy. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 107, verses 1 and 2.

“Give
thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed
of the LORD tell their story-those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

Those who
are redeemed of the LORD have a story to tell of God’s power to free us from
the chains of darkness and bring us into His wonderful light. 

God
continues to work through testimonies today that tell of His amazing grace to
set the captives free.

Through Jesus, we are set free to share our story of God’s transforming love.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 12:49 and 50.

Jesus
said, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father, who sent me
commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to
eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

When
using words, Jesus was following His Heavenly Father’s directions. In this way,
He sent a message to the world from the Father’s heart, and it was a message
that offered eternal life to all who would embrace His message.

There
is a Biblical standard for how we use our words. Ephesians 4:15 instructs us to
“speak the truth in love.” If we have that commitment to the Biblical standard,
we will learn to reflect the heart of God with the words that we say.

The words of Jesus inspire us to trust the words of Jesus and to build our lives on them in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on John 15:13 and 14.

Jesus
told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life
for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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.”

Jesus
demonstrates His genuine friendship with His people in several ways. He died
for us. He paid the ultimate sacrifice to bring us forgiveness and new life in
Him.

He also
confides in His followers what the Kingdom of God is like.   His
teachings help us to better understand what matters to God. As we do life with
Him, He speaks to us in His Word, and hears our prayers with His caring heart.

Through Jesus, we are set free to enjoy His genuine friendship and to experience His unfailing love.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com