John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 5:3.

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

To be poor in spirit is to recognize that we are spiritually bankrupt without the grace of Jesus Christ. It is a humble place to be. It is the blessed place to be. Poverty in spirit opens the way for us to be rich in faith, because we believe in the sufficiency of His grace to provide forgiveness for our sin. We recognize our need for Jesus to save us.

The blessing of God’s Heavenly kingdom is given to those who are poor in spirit. This inheritance will not perish, spoil, or fade. It is our real and lasting hope.

Matthew 5:3-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 Go.

This is a call to put our faith into action. This word is an opportunity to mobilize our devotion to Jesus.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”

Jesus wants us to share His good news with the world and be engaged in spiritual conversations. We don’t have to be skilled at public speaking or preaching a sermon. But we can be effective witnesses by living a life of Christian integrity and being ready to share the reason for our hope in Christ.

Discover how the word “Go” 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 Habakkuk 2:4b.

“The righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”

Righteousness is not attained based on our good deeds outweighing our bad deeds. It is rather given to us when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

Righteousness by faith-this becomes the theme of the Gospel in the writings of the New Testament. Romans 10:9 explains how this righteous faith is proclaimed, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.

Habakkuk 2:4b-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 Gratitude.

This is a proper response to the blessings of God on our lives. Expressing gratitude to God is a form of praise. We are glorifying God in the midst of thanking Him.

An attitude of gratitude can refresh our own spirit and have a contagious effect on others in a positive way. The theme of our songs will be filled with praise.

Our songs can light up a room and magnify God when we express them with heart-felt gratitude.  Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Discover how the word “Gratitude” 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 6:27.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Living out the Gospel in the way of Jesus goes against the grain of human understanding. The way of the world is to love those who love us back and to do good to those who treat us well. That is how ordinary love is expressed. But extraordinary love seeks to bless those who curse us, and pray for those who do not treat us respectfully.

You might say this is humanly impossible, but with God’s grace having an impact on our heart, this becomes a powerful expression of God’s love flowing through us.

Jesus went on to say that if we love our enemies and do good to them, then our reward will be great.

Luke 6:27-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 Small.

The prophet Zechariah asked the question in Zechariah 4:10, “Who dares despise the day of small things?”

Evidently, God is able to provide big blessings with small offerings. Jesus blessed the widow who put two very small copper coins into the offering plate. He fed over 5,000 people with the offering of five small barley loaves and two small fish. And mighty breakthroughs are possible when we have faith as small as a mustard seed.

So, if we feel like we have a small amount to offer God, remember what a mighty God is able to do with our time, talents, and resources.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Starting small is a good starting place for doing great things for God.

Discover how the word “Small” 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 Ezekiel 39, verse 28a.

“Then they will know that I am the LORD.” This was said in the context of the people of Israel gathering in their land from among the nations. The LORD says He will pour out His Spirit on the people of Israel.

When God moves in miraculous and redemptive ways, it is always for a reason. That reason is to draw attention to His greatness. By seeing God’s great power, wisdom and mercy, we are drawn to worship Him with a humble heart.

The empty grave is the most vivid and compelling reason for believing the Gospel. When Thomas saw the nail marks in the hands of Jesus, he stopped doubting the resurrection and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Watching God’s work in the world helps us to see Him with eyes of faith and to believe in Him with a heart of faith.

Ezekiel 39, verse 28a-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 One.

One definition of One is “Being in agreement or union.”

Just before going to the cross, Jesus had a conversation with His Heavenly Father. He was praying for His followers in this way in John 17:21.

“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Genuine believers may have different opinions on different topics, but we have in common our faith in Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. He is our Faithful Friend who gave His life for us. We share a common love together, inspired by His grace to express God’s love as a shining light. The prayer of Jesus reflects God’s will for the church to be unified under His leadership.

Discover how the word “One” 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 17:20 and 21.

After praying for His disciples, Jesus then prayed for believers in future generations with this request: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Unity in the body of Christ is possible through a relationship with God. This involves being moved by His love to live for His glory. This involves a humble spirit that is teachable to grow in the teachings of the Bible. This involves renouncing gossip, slander, and condescending attitudes.   This involves upholding grace and truth. As we are aligned with Jesus, we are better prepared to share God’s love in a way that builds unity in the Church. This is a testimony to people everywhere that God was moved by love for us to send Jesus into the world.

John 17:20 and 21-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 Honesty.

Truthfulness is the foundation of honest words and expressions.

Proverbs 12:17 brings this word of wisdom to light: “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.”

To be a credible witness of the Gospel, we need to be honest with each other about who God is and how God is working in our lives. We all have room for growth, and it is okay to admit that we don’t have it all together.

Proverbs 24:26 tells us that “an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” That means that honesty is key to building stronger, healthier, more intimate relationships. The New Testament teaches that as we speak the truth in love, we will grow in every way more and more like Christ. Strong relationships are built from the seeds of honesty.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com