JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the heart of David to get right with God.

This happened in Psalm 51, after he was confronted about unconfessed sin in his life.

David humbled himself before God and confessed his sin to Him. In doing so, David had to face his character flaws and be honest about his sinful nature. It is not an easy thing to go there, but it is the path to a purified heart.

David said in verse 3, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”  He sought God’s forgiveness by saying “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”

He sought to change course when he said, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51 is a good prayer for anyone who is seeking to get life back on track with God.

Focusing on God’s mercy to forgive sin gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.   

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Exodus 3:14.

God said to Moses at the burning bush, “I am who I am.” That is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

Basically, Moses was being called to go back to Egypt and deliver the Israelites out of slavery. Moses questioned whether anyone would trust him or if he was up to the task. Have you ever felt inadequate for something you believe God is calling you to do?  Moses was returning to the Israelites under God’s authority, and when questioned, he was to say that his mission was God-directed.

God was revealing His name to Moses. One of the implications of God’s name is that He is self-sufficient. He needs no help from us, but we are utterly dependent on Him. So, in and of ourselves, we are not adequate for our assignments, but with God’s help, we have what we need to do God’s will. He will supply sufficient grace.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of significance in His plan of redemption in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the heart of David to put his hope in God.

With hope, we have the confidence that God is at work in our lives, fulfilling some kind of purpose in us, whether we are aware of it or not.  

David lived with hope. He said in Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him.”  

One way he expressed this hope was when he was hiding from a jealous king. He also looked after his parents during this dangerous time. So, 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?”  That is a statement of faith and hope. David believed that God would intervene on his behalf in the course of time.  

When we follow God, we may not know all of His plans for us, but we believe that He has a meaningful purpose for our lives, a blessed future, and love that stands the test of time.

Focusing on hope in Jesus Christ gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Matthew 5:3.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is pronouncing a blessing on those who recognize our need for God’s grace. We have come to a place where we understand that we are spiritually bankrupt because of our sin, and there is no way for us to pay back the debt on our own. We need the payment that Christ paid for our salvation when He shed His blood on a cross.

Poverty in spirit is a humble place to be. That is where God meets us in His graciousness. James 4:6 says, “He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to the place of humility that is blessed by God in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on David’s heart to obey God.

At the end of your life, when all has been said and done, how would you want God to remember you?  

David was a man in the Bible who lived an extraordinary life. He went from serving his father as a shepherd to serving his king as a warrior and musician. He then became a nomad, hiding in caves from a jealous king until he became king over Israel, as a shepherd over God’s people.  

How did God remember David? In Acts 13:22, God said, “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

David did not always do everything right, but he was focused on God and delighted to be in relationship with Him.  Our love for God will move us to obey God’s will and live for His glory.

Focusing on loving and obeying God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Here are some of the highlights from the Retro-Countdown 33 years ago.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First Corinthians 15:58.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Because Jesus lives, we can serve God with meaningful purpose and eternal impact. All over the world, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing. When we belong to Jesus, we get to be part of this movement of God to share this good news with the world.

Where might God be calling you to serve? He is able to make us instruments of grace to bring about lasting fruit for God’s glory.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of service with meaningful purpose in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK –

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 1:17.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed-a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.”

The book of Romans makes it very clear that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That puts us in debt to God. We owe Him more than we can offer Him.  Our good deeds are not enough to earn credit. Our tithes and offerings are not enough to buy credit. But God’s grace has been revealed through Jesus and is a gift by which we can receive the credit of righteousness, which clears our debt of sin.

Romans 3:22 says that this righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. That is how we can truly live in the light of God’s love.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of forgiveness, faithfulness, and righteousness in the Year of Vision.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com