JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Letting go of past hurts.

Painful memories can be hard to overcome. But the mercy of God toward us enables us to pass along mercy to others.

In Genesis 45:5, Joseph took this step to reconcile with his estranged brothers, who did great harm to him years earlier.

His brothers unknowingly came to him for food relief during a famine. When Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, they were terrified. But Joseph said to them, “Come close to me. I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Joseph’s relationship with God kept his heart tender to his brothers, enabling him to overcome evil with good.

Letting go of past hurts is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith Building Verse is Acts 13:22.

“After removing Saul, God made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

This was David’s pattern. His name is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11. He was a man who trusted God, exalted God, and wanted to be near God in relationship.

There were times when David disobeyed God, but when this was brought to his attention, he always confessed and repented. This is what a man or woman after God’s own heart will do. It will be our heart’s desire to follow Jesus and to honor His worthy name through our conversation and conduct. But when we miss the mark, we will be prompted to turn to Jesus and appeal for His forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive the confessing and contrite heart.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek after God’s own heart in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a Dinner Invitation.

This is often an expression of hospitality. Joseph invited his estranged brothers for dinner when they sought his help in Egypt during a famine.

They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. According to Genesis 43:16, when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.”

This was one step that Joseph took toward reconciliation with his brothers. A dinner invitation can help with reconciling strained relationships today. Or it can be a place of building healthy relationships, or getting to know someone better. Food can provide an atmosphere for open conversation.

A Dinner Invitation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:30.

“By faith, the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.”

This marked the fulfillment of God’s Word for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. It happened after Joshua’s army marched around the city for seven days. The priests would blow their trumpets, the army would give a loud shout, and the wall of the city would collapse.

The LORD said to Joshua in Joshua 6:2, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands.”

Faith manifests itself in various ways. In this case, we see faith accompanied by the courage to step forward in God’s timing.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be strong and courageous to follow God’s Word in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:31.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

In Joshua, chapter 2, she told the spies, “I know that the LORD has given you this land.” “the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” She appealed for kindness to her family. Her family was spared when the walls of Jericho fell.

Rahab’s faith is identified as the reason why she was spared from death. Her faith in the Lord was also a turning point for her to leave the old way of life behind. She married a man named Salmon. They had a son. Their names are identified in the genealogy of Jesus.

When we trust Jesus to save us, our past does not define us. Our faith in Him does.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to come alive to God for a new life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Asking Someone How they are.

Then wait, listen, and follow up with more questions if they are open to conversation. This is one simple way to enter into someone else’s world and to show interest.

This is one of the steps that Joseph took toward reconciliation with his estranged brothers in the book of Genesis. They sought his help during a famine in Egypt, but did not recognize him. Joseph on the other hand, did recognize his brothers, so he had them over for lunch.

According to Genesis 43:27, when they arrived, Joseph asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?” They replied, “Your servant, our father, is still alive and well.”

Sometimes, in the course of our questions to someone, we might learn that we share common interests. That certainly was the case when Joseph asked his brothers about the condition of their father.

“Asking Someone how they are” is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:29.

“By faith, the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.”

The Egyptians were pursuing the Israelites to return them to slavery, but God set them free. The Red Sea was their breakthrough moment once and for all.

Exodus 14:29 records that the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians.

Sin is like a harsh slave master that seeks to control us with addictions, false beliefs, and selfish pride.  God’s grace is the way forward to set us free. We can trust Jesus to lead the way.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk in the path that leads to freedom in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Delegation.

Sometimes, when an organization or a church experiences growth, there is a need to make adjustments to meet needs in a more effective way. Such was the case in the early church when the number of disciples was increasing.

According to Acts 6:1, the Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture complained that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So, the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”

Out of this decision came the ministry of deacons in the church. It was a decision that led to more growth. More people were serving. More needs were being met, on a physical and spiritual level.

Delegation is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:28.

Referring to Moses, “By faith, he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.”

In the book of Exodus, it was the blood of the Passover lamb applied to the doorframes that protected the firstborn of Israel from death.  This is a foreshadow to the spiritual reality of Christ. First Corinthians 5:7 says that “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”

Our redemption depends on what Jesus did for us at the cross. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no forgiveness. By faith, we are protected by the application of Christ’s blood to cover our sins. Forgiveness is found in God’s grace demonstrated through the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to trust Jesus to save us from our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com