JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember the deeds of the LORD.

In Psalm 77, Asaph was in a place of distress. In his time of trouble, he turned to God and said to himself in verse 11, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

When he did this, he started to see that God was greater than his troubles. He said, “Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?” His decision to remember God’s deeds became a turning point in Psalm 77.

We have even more history in our rearview mirror to see God’s miracles at work. Jesus died and rose again from the dead to show the world the miracle of His unfailing love.

Take the daily challenge to remember the mighty deeds of the LORD on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember those in poverty.

In Galatians 2:10, the Apostle Paul acknowledged that different church leaders were called to different mission fields.

But there was one group of people that all the leaders agreed to remember-those in poverty.

Not everyone has the same amount of resources to relieve people from poverty, but we can do something. Mother Teresa said “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

Moses said in Deuteronomy 15:11 “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”

Take the daily challenge to remember those in poverty and respond with a generous heart on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Ebenezer.”

This word shows up in First Samuel 7:12, when the prophet Samuel set up a stone and named it “Ebenezer” saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

This stone was set up to remind the Israelites of God’s faithfulness to them. Sometimes, they would be unfaithful to Him, and He would discipline them. But the purpose of the discipline was not to destroy the Israelites. Rather, His purpose was to turn their hearts back to Him.

Ebenezer means “Stone of Help.”  There are reference points that remind us that God has come to help His people.  Those places are at the cross and empty grave. Jesus is the evidence of God’s faithfulness, and we can count on Him to save us from our sins.

Find encouragement in the reference points of history that point to God as our source of help in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to use technology with discernment and moderation.

Today, it is possible to develop an addiction to our cell phones.

Chip Ingram says that “technology is a wonderful thing, but its excess and overuse is negatively transforming God’s people to embrace the values of the world…..The Utopia it promises is a myth. Its value is great only when used with wisdom and restraint.”

Here are three Bible verses that are relevant for exercising self-control in our use of technology.

From First Corinthians 6:12, “I will not be mastered by anything.”

From Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

And from Ephesians 4:15, “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Take the daily challenge to use technology with discernment and moderation on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember the empty grave.

Second Timothy 2:8 tells us to “remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” Paul the Apostle noted, “This is my gospel.”  Jesus is our source of good news too when we belong to Him through faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the reason for our victory over sin, death, and the pressures of this world.

Jesus told His followers the night before He died, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Even though we face temptation, turbulence, and the trials of life, we have much reason for optimism.  Jesus is alive today. We do not worship a dead Christ, but the risen Christ. Because of that, we have a living hope that outshines the brilliance of the sunlight and endures forever.

Take the daily challenge to remember the empty grave and the reason for our hope on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember why Jesus died for us.

Here are three Bible verses that give us compelling reasons.

From Second Corinthians 5:15, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” That’s godly purpose.

From First Thessalonians 5:10, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”  That’s a forever relationship between God and His people.

And First John 4:9, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” That’s power to live out the good news.

The common thread is that Jesus died so that we might live. His grace moves us to live with godly purpose, in meaningful relationship, and with the strength to press on in the faith.

Take the daily challenge to remember why Jesus died to give us life on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember Jesus’ prayer in the Garden just before He was arrested.

Jesus understood the gravity of the moment.  Hope for the human race depended on the mission of Jesus. That time was approaching for Him to be handed over to the Gentiles for crucifixion. He was in great anguish.

In Luke 22:42, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

The next day, Jesus hung on a cross. This request is a powerful reminder that Jesus was God’s Plan A, and there was no Plan B.

Jesus yielded to His Father’s will, even though it was the way of suffering. His example moves us to be humble before God and submit ourselves to His plan whatever the cost.

Take the daily challenge to remember Jesus’ prayer in the Garden and yield to God’s will on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Hosanna.

This is what the crowd was shouting in Matthew chapter 21 when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven.”

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.

Find encouragement in the shouts of Hosanna in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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