John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Tenacity is the refusal to let go of God and the determination to hold on to everything that is helpful in building our relationship with God.

One example of tenaciousness in the Bible was when Ruth clung to her mother-in-law Naomi despite Naomi’s instructions to leave her.

Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

This type of tenacity led to Ruth being grafted into the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her story became part of His story.

What does it take for us to be aligned with God’s purposes?  A tenacious faith in Jesus is one quality that will keep us on track for the long haul. First Thessalonians 5:21 says, “hold on to the good; avoid every kind of evil.”

Tenacity is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Relevant words are timely words that fit a given setting or situation.

Proverbs 15:23 tells us that a man finds joy in giving an apt reply-and how good is a timely word.

Proverbs 25:11 speaks of the value of using relevant words.  “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

One way in which Christians remain relevant in today’s culture is by applying the timeless truths of the Scripture to the topics of today, using language that is understood by ordinary people. While the times change, God’s truth remains the same, and is useful for shaping our character to be more like Jesus. With relevance in mind, we consider how we might use the right words at the right moment to help someone in need.

Relevance is a quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – To have a caring heart is to attach importance to someone. Care for others spurs us to action, where we offer time and attention to someone who needs a helping hand.

One example of this kind of outreach is foster care, where a child is placed in the care of a family until a more permanent arrangement is made for the child.

Another kind of care is pastoral care, compared to a shepherd tending the flock.  Peter was instructed by the Lord Jesus, “Take care of my sheep.”  Church leaders and pastors can have a huge impact in helping God’s people by caring for their needs.

One of the reasons that we can be confident to cast all our anxiety on God is because He cares for us. When other people sense that we truly care about them with the compassion of Jesus, their hearts are sometimes ready to respond to this extraordinary love.  When it comes to being a witness for Jesus, people won’t generally care how much we know until they know how much we care.

Care is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – There are two definitions of  motivation worth noting:

The first definition is “reason for behaving in a particular way.”  This goes to the heart of why we do what we do, which God cares about.

The Bible tells us that our motives are weighed by the Lord.

The second definition is the desire or willingness to do something.

Jesus is the One who brings both definitions together in our lives. When He captures our heart, He becomes our desire in life and our reason for our activities.  He can give us a clear conscience and full assurance of His grace when our faith is in Him.  He gives us a reason for living beyond ourselves.  And while that road may be difficult and filled with grief, we will never be without hope.  Because we have the peace of God to comfort us, and the love of God to motivate us until our time on this earth is completed.

The Apostle Paul described his motivating influence in Philippians 1:21.  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Motivation is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Wisdom makes use of knowledge and experience to make good decisions.

The Magi, commonly known as the Wise Men, made a good decision when they responded to the star to move toward Jesus. When they arrived, they worshipped Him.

Wisdom has a starting place.  Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

A relationship with God based on reverence for Christ is an indication that we are receptive to God’s Word and committed to doing God’s will.  The way of wisdom is demonstrated in other godly character qualities.  James 3:17 says, “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” That is the recipe for wisdom that bears good fruit in God’s Kingdom.

Wisdom is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – To be persuaded is to hold a strong belief that something is true-to be convinced.

If we fail to stand for something that is true, then we run the risk of falling for anything. There are plenty of pitfalls in this world that can bring us down.

But the Lord is able to lift us up and take us beyond the vanity of material and temporary treasures.  He offers us something that we can believe in.  His grace.

This grace came through the saving work of Jesus Christ at the cross and empty tomb.  His death and resurrection makes it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and to experience a new life that leads to eternal life with Jesus.  That is a message we can believe in. That is a message of real and lasting hope.

Romans, chapter 4 talks about Abraham as a man of faith. One of the characteristics of his faith is that he was “fully persuaded” that God had power to do what He had promised.

Persuasion is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Rest is a period of relaxation and refreshment.  A place of rest is often a peaceful place, where we can find relief from the stresses of our workday.

One of the Ten Commandments is “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.”

God set the pattern for us by creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh day. There is something healthy about taking time out of our week to rest.  It helps to avoid burn out; thereby, making our work more productive when we are working.  It also can be a time of reflection and worship of God.  When we rest in the Lord, the refreshment is not just physical, but also spiritual.

Ultimately, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Sabbath-rest. He said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Rest is a quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Valor is strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness.  A person with valor exercises personal bravery.

Fear, doubt, worry, and discouragement are among the enemies that threaten to shake our faith in the Lord Jesus. However, with the focus of our faith fixed on Jesus, our courage is refreshed to go forward into our struggles, and confront them with His grace and truth.

First Corinthians 16:13 and 14 is a call to valor:  “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”

Valor is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – To be helpful is to put our skills and resources to practical use to provide assistance for someone in need.

If someone we know is sick and unable to drive, we can do some simple errands for them.

If someone is getting ready to move, we can offer our hands to help them move furniture and other household items.

If someone wants to learn a skill that we have, we can take some time to mentor them.

These are just some ways that we can be helpful to others nearby.

Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  God sees when we help others because of the love of Jesus impacting our hearts. Not only does He see, He also remembers and gives rewards.

Helpfulness is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Wholeheartedness is a quality of being completely and sincerely devoted. When it comes to the Christian life, there is unreserved enthusiasm in the life of the wholehearted believer.

The Apostle Paul said with unreserved enthusiasm, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” Jesus told us that the greatest commandment of all is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all  your soul, and with all your mind.” Wholehearted devotion grows out of a sense that God loves us honestly and completely. We recognize that we would be desperately hopeless without the influence of His love.  And so, with a responsive heart, we pledge our allegiance to God, trusting Him to guide us in His ways. We willingly become full-time servants of the Gospel so that the name of Jesus might be lifted up in our lives. This is what God is seeking.

Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Wholeheartedness is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com