John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – From First Corinthians 1, verses 22 to 24.

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Here we learn that our racial background is not a hindrance to the Gospel. God’s love extends to all the people of the world. Jews and Gentiles are invited to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. However, unbelief is a barrier that keeps people separated from God.

The Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand, and at the same time, contains mysteries that perplex the scholar. It brings comfort to those who are disturbed, and disturbs those who insist on being comfortable.  The message of the cross is foolishness and weakness to the unbeliever, but to those who believe the Gospel, it is the wisdom and power of God.

Through Jesus, we have a testimony of God’s grace to provide for a forgiven past, a present help, and a future hope.

Belief in the Gospel is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From John 1:14.

Speaking of Jesus, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The life of Jesus was measured in the fullness of grace and truth, which overflows into the hearts of His followers. There are key questions that we can ask ourselves to discern to what degree Jesus is influencing our lives by His grace and truth.

Do I seek forgiveness or vengeance when someone has wronged me?

Do I hunger for God’s Word as a person’s stomach hungers for food?

Does the love of Jesus for me make a difference in how I treat other people?

Am I committed to live by the principles of the Bible and promote them as truth?

Have I received the free gift of grace that Jesus offered at the cross and empty grave?

Am I willing to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to be guided by His counsel?

Our honest answers to these questions will reveal to what extent we are impacted by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

A life aligned with God’s grace and truth is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Philippians 2:14 and 15.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like the stars of the universe.”

The Hebrews in Moses’ day learned by experience that complaining gets you nowhere fast. They did not show proper gratitude for God’s blessings, and displayed the tendency to grumble against Him. This slowed down their progress, and these tendencies to complain or argue also undermine the witness of the Christian.

Billy Graham once said, “We are the sermons the world is heeding.” Some people, who don’t step inside a church or listen to sermons from pastors, are studying the lives of professing Christians. The displays of actions and attitudes are having an impact on unbelievers, for better or worse, depending on whether or not our lives are lining up with the Bible. In the absence of complaining or arguing, the Christian witness is purified to shine brighter for Jesus with a godly attitude.

Along with the absence of complaining or arguing, the display of gratitude and love are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Matthew 7, verses 1 and 2.

These are the words of Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Sometimes, this verse is misused to suggest that we should not discern behavior and character. Jesus wants us to use discernment in what we see and what we choose to embrace or reject. If we were not to use judgment in these areas, He would not have said, “Watch out for false prophets.” But He did, and He told us we could recognize them by their fruit.

What Jesus is addressing here is self-righteous evaluation, where we inspect the faults of others without choosing to see our own faults.   Another dangerous kind of judgment is to write someone off as hopeless. God has converted many people who would have been considered lost causes. A third dangerous kind of judgment is judging someone’s motives for their actions. We do not know the heart of others as God does.

If we know someone who is living as though there is no God, we can keep praying for them, keep the door open for them to change their mind about God, and keep treating them as though God does exist and cares about their soul and eternal destiny.

Love and humility are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

JOHN SHIRK – From Acts 4:20.

Words from Peter and John, who said, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

These early church leaders were under pressure to not speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. The authorities were attempting to clamp down on their expression of faith. Peter and John knew what Jesus had told them to do. They knew that if they kept silent, they would not be keeping the word of the Lord.

When we are placed in a position where we are urged to violate principles of the Bible, courage is needed. Peter and John had it. So did the other disciples of Christ. Daniel withstood pressure to compromise his prayer life. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo stood tall in the face of pressure to bow down to a false god.

The LORD honors those who honor Him. He brings encouragement through various statements in the Bible, such as Isaiah 41:10, which says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Courage is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Deuteronomy 3:22.

Moses commanded Joshua, concerning opposing kingdoms, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”

Before uttering these words, Moses reminded Joshua of how the LORD had helped the Israelites to defeat two kings. He used past victories to encourage Joshua that more victories were coming.

For Joshua to move forward, he needed to have faith in God. That is what keeps us moving forward in the face of adversity too.

Faith gives us courage to overcome fear.

Faith keeps us moving forward in God’s plan for our lives.

Faith relies on God in the midst of our battles.

Today, our struggle may not be with an opposing army, but we are engaged in spiritual battles day after day. That is why the words of Moses to Joshua are relevant for us as well. “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Ephesians 6:10 urges us to “be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power.” This will happen as we use the full armor of God in the midst of our spiritual battles.

Courageous faith is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – from Isaiah 35, verse 10.

“The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

This happens when the glory of God is revealed, and people’s limitations are lifted. The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The mute will speak. The land also will bloom with thriving vegetation. God will save His people.  Tears of pain will be replaced by songs of joy. The Lord is able to do this, and will act in the future to make this happen for those who have been redeemed by Christ.

Until that day comes, we can offer words of encouragement to those with fearful hearts that God is still on the throne. He has not forgotten His people or His promises. He will be back, and when He returns, He will defeat His foes, and establish a new world for His followers.

Confidence in God’s promises is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Galatians 6:9 and 10.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

There are a number of factors that might cause us to become weary in doing good:

Working long hours.

A feeling that our best efforts are not making a difference.

Discouragement from criticisms of others.

Having a complaining spirit.

The Apostle Paul is saying to us that there is purpose to our activity, and the good that we do for the glory of God is making a difference whether we see it or not. If we keep on doing the things God is calling us to do, we will eventually reap the blessings that come with faithful service. The Bible challenges us to go beyond our own interests to consider the interests and needs of others, and then enter their world with a helping hand.

Faithful service is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Jeremiah 7, verse 3.

“This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel says: ‘Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.’”

This was a message to people who gathered to worship at the temple.

They felt that there was some kind of protective hedge around them. Since they were God’s chosen people, nothing bad would happen to them. However, they were more vulnerable than they thought. Their hearts were in need of revival. Reforms were needed in their society. God was not only telling the people that they needed to reform, but He was also getting specific with where the reforms were needed. He said, “If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place.”

Sometimes when we cruise along through our daily schedule, it’s easy to start taking God’s blessings for granted, whether they be  relationships, or the things God has provided for us. Taking God’s blessings for granted paves the way for squandered opportunities. But if we can remember to be thankful to God for His blessings, we will be in a much better place to take care of what God has given us.

Actions that express respect for people and reverence for God are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Second Corinthians 4:16.

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What is it that motivated Paul to keep going? He was motivated by the love of Christ to bring glory to God through changed lives by the Gospel. That word, “therefore” is a connector to the previous statement made by Paul. In that previous statement, he said, “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to face obstacles, and at the same time, looked for the opportunities that God was giving him to preach the Gospel. He said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” So, the application for us is to keep our focus on Jesus. Let His grace be the spark that energizes our faith. Let His glory be the purpose for our activity. Let the evidence of changed lives be a moment of celebration that offers praise to God for the good things He has done.

Perseverance through hardship is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com