John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – from Genesis 32:10.

As Jacob was feeling tension about facing his brother Esau, he prayed, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”

This prayer is offered to God with earnestness and humility. Jacob expressed gratitude to God for His kindness and faithfulness. He acknowledged his need for God’s help, and reminded God of His promises.

Matthew Henry once said, “the prayers and supplications that Christ offered up were jointed with strong cries and tears, herein setting us an example not only to pray, but to be fervent.” Whether we are in a crisis or facing what seems like an ordinary day, God invites us to seek Him in prayer with our petitions and thanksgiving.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Revelation 22:20.

He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Jesus specifically said that we would not know the specific day or hour of His return.  The implication of His promise to return is to be ready. Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Jesus will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Remembering His promise to return will challenge us to get our hearts right with God.  The way for sin to be removed as an obstacle to salvation is to call on the name of Jesus for salvation, to confess our sins, and plead for His forgiveness. He will not despise a contrite heart.

There are other ways that the promise of Christ’s return will benefit our lives once we are made right with God. Our faith will be purified. We will be greatly encouraged by the reality that God’s grace will overcome the troubles of this world. We will also be motivated to share the Gospel with others, so that they might be ready to meet the Lord with a faithful heart.

Anticipation of Christ’s return is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Proverbs 14:21.

“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”

The effective grace of God on our lives teaches us to view other people as having value to God, just as we recognize that we are valuable to God. This translates into living out the second greatest command in all of Scripture according to Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” To despise our neighbor is to go against that command.

Another way in which God’s grace teaches us to live is to be generous toward the needy. Such expressions of generosity include helping to feed the poor, or looking after orphans and widows in their distress, which may include foster care, adoption, or checking in on an elderly neighbor who lives alone.  If someone is grieving the loss of a loved one, it may be fitting for us to spend time with them and mourn with them.  There are needs all around us-tangible needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs. With a sensitive heart toward God, He will teach us to be sensitive to those in a time of need.

Love for our neighbor and Kindness to the needy are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Colossians 3:16.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

The Apostle Paul was urging followers of Jesus to soak in God’s Word like a sponge. There are various ways that the word of Christ can take root in our lives. We can hear God’s Word at the local church in venues like Sunday School, Small group Bible Study or a sermon from the pastor. We can also wake up in the morning and make Bible reading a priority before we go to school or work. Or if we are more attentive at night, to read the Bible before we go to bed.

Christian music is another way to hear the word of Christ in a meaningful way. Songs have a way of helping us to remember certain Scriptures as they are set to rhythm. So, God also provides music as a teaching tool to help us internalize the word of God. Sometimes, hearing or sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness highlights how God’s Word is living and active in the hearts of believers.

Filling our mind and heart with the word of Christ is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Proverbs 15:4.

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

While a deceitful tongue distorts reality, a healing tongue brings the reality of Jesus into a specific situation.

A deceitful tongue perverts justice and slanders innocent people. A healing tongue stands up for justice and seeks to protect innocent lives, especially those who have no voice.

A deceitful tongue pollutes the environment with dirty talk. A healing tongue is a breath of fresh air.

A deceitful tongue tears down and ruins people’s lives. A healing tongue builds up wounded hearts.

There is much damage and repair in people’s hearts by the words of other people.

Through the influence of Christ, we can use words of faith, hope, and love today. We can refuse to gossip. We can refuse to manipulate others with our words. We can honor the words of Colossians 4:6, which says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” In this way, we will spread the flavor of Christ.

The use of healing words is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Psalm 63, verse 3.

David said to God, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”

This is an expression of someone who is thinking constantly of God’s love and embracing His love as a dear treasure. This is someone who has an ongoing relationship with God.  David is not in pursuit of religious duty. He is responding to divine love that keeps him alive. One reason that God’s love is more valuable than life is because our bodies will fail us someday. God’s love never fails, and will endure the test of time long after we have gone to the grave.

In light of God’s precious love, how can we honor Him with our lips?

There are various ways. We can sing a worship song to Him. The Lord delights in a joyful noise from our heart, even if we have trouble staying on key. We can tell others the good news of God’s love, so that they might hear and believe the Gospel. We can also use words of kindness, encouragement, and honesty to reflect the attitude of Christ. In these ways, the name of Jesus is honored with our lips. Let’s allow God’s love to be the influence of our words.

Words that honor God from a devoted heart are vitals signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Acts 8, verses 1 and 4.

Following the stoning of Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr of the early church, “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria……

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

Jesus said that the Gospel would start in Jerusalem, and then spread to Judea and Samaria. Here in Acts 8, we learn that He actually worked through persecution to spread the word beyond Jerusalem.

There was freedom of movement for the early disciples to go from place and place and an unwavering commitment to Christ that would not be moved. Those were the ingredients that led to the spread of the Gospel.

While persecution is painful, it also a powerful witness of someone who is so convinced of the testimony of Christ, and so dedicated to Him, that the purity of their witness shines through the sacrifices they make for Him.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Psalm 33, verse 12.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”

That is the focus Scripture of the National Day of Prayer, designed to mobilize us to pray for our nation, and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in our culture.

First Peter 3 urges us to set apart Christ as Lord. When this becomes a reality in our lives, He becomes our living hope.

Included in the focus for today is this prayer, which God is hearing from the hearts of many Christians today:  “We come before you once more, seeking your forgiveness and mercy. You, our God, are our only hope. Hear our prayer, and for Your honor’s sake, shine your face upon this nation.  Give our leaders the desire to seek Your wisdom and the courage to follow Your guidance….and watch over the men and women of our armed forces as they sacrifice for the cause of freedom. We give You thanks for all You have done for us, and we pray earnestly that you will help us become, once again, a nation whose God is the Lord. In the name of Your Son and our Savior, we pray this prayer. Amen.”  On this National Day of Prayer, we are reminded that prayer with faith and a thankful heart is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Deuteronomy 10:17.

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”

Here we learn that God is on the throne. He reigns with power. He is just. He is true.

Moses was telling the Israelites about God’s character to motivate them to repentance. He was urging them to cut away their resistance to God’s ways and stop being so stubborn. He was teaching them to know God and to revere His name. If we want to follow His ways, we need to take time to get to know the LORD for who He really is. Clear thinking of God’s character serves to shape our character to be more like Jesus. What we learn about God in this case teaches us not to accept bribes or show partiality.

As we spend time in God’s Word this week, let’s allow His influence and example to be the guiding force for our actions.

Knowledge of God with a reverent heart is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Matthew 22:38.

After Jesus was questioned about the greatest commandment in the Bible, Jesus responded by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Then, He gave a bonus for us to obey. The second greatest commandment in the law is found in verse 38.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is consistent with the Golden Rule, which was also taught by Jesus. He said, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”  These simple commands prompt us to treat others with respect, dignity, and consideration.

As we have been blessed by God’s love, He motivates us to be mindful of others, and to translate genuine concern into action. It would be an oxymoron to love God and NOT care about people. There are many practical ways to help people. But the important thing about loving people in the name of Jesus is that people who benefit from our expressions notice the power of God’s love working through us, and recognize His care for them.

Love for our neighbor as ourselves is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com