John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – With initiative, we have the incentive to begin or follow through with a plan.

For the follower of Jesus, initiatives should have their starting place with God’s Word. God speaks, and as we listen, we are moved to take action. It might be something we read in the Bible. It might be through a burden or passion that God is placing in our heart. If that is the case, the initiative that God calls us to do will be consistent with the mission of Jesus to bring about freedom and healing for people in His name.

Initiative is not about what we are able to do for God on our own strength. It’s about God working in us to act according to His good purpose. His love for people stirs us to a mission, so that we become active participants rather than passive bystanders in the way we live life. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In harmony, relationships can be like a song.  Different notes blending together to form a beautiful song. While they are different, the notes are compatible to one another. This is how healthy relationships function:  Two or more individuals, with different personalities and talents that are compatible for relationships to thrive.

Romans 12:16 urges believers in Jesus to “live in harmony with one another.”  If everyone in the church were supposed to be playing the same note, the Bible would have instructed us to live in uniformity, rather than harmony. However, the church is described in First Corinthians 12 as “having many parts, but one body.”  When we blend together in a spirit of cooperation for the purpose of glorifying God, diversity becomes a dynamic force for unity, rather than disunity. The important factor that keeps harmony in place is for each part to stay in tune with Jesus. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Serenity is the state of being calm and peaceful.  Sometimes, serenity might reflect a gentle sunrise over the horizon.  However, serenity might also look like the eye of a hurricane, with calmness in the midst of a raging storm.

Jesus is the one who spoke to a storm and said, “Quiet! Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was completely calm.  Jesus is the source of our serenity.  He can calm our fears and breathe peace into our troubling circumstances.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – To be authentic is to be believable or trustworthy. Another definition of authenticity is the quality of being genuine and not corrupted.

This is the kind of faith that God is calling His people to live out.  The call to authenticity shows up in places like Romans 12:9 which says, “Love must be sincere.”  And First Peter 1:7, which explains that God permits trials in our lives so that our faith might be proved genuine, and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

The perfect example of authenticity is Jesus.   He did not just say that He loved us. He expressed it at the cross, and continues to reach out with His love to invite us to know Him as Lord and Savior. With the focus of our faith on Jesus, His authentic love will become our brilliant influence.  His Word challenges us to walk the talk. First John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – A good melody is a tune that is pleasant to the ears.  One of the key elements in many worship services is music.  That is because God’s people have been given a song in our heart, and that song reflects gratitude to God for His saving grace and His highest glory.

Psalm 40, verse 3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.”

Christian music can be used of God as an instrument of praise to bring glory to the name of Jesus. Songs can also be words of instruction to people, explaining the message of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – One definition of “evaluation” is “an assessment of strengths and weaknesses.”

When taking a look at our own strengths and weaknesses, it takes  honesty and humility to get to the truth of the matter.

Sometimes, we get a better understanding of where we are in our relationship with God by reading the Bible. We can take a look at certain passages that talk about God’s will for our lives.  Then ask ourselves, “Is this true of me?” Or we can go directly to God in prayer for His perspective on our hearts.  This is what David did in Psalm 139.  He prayed in verse 23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

An honest evaluation of ourselves is a productive exercise for spiritual growth, helping us to see through our blind spots that need attention, so that we can better live out the true virtues of the Christian faith.

Honest evaluation of ourselves is a quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Purpose is defined as the reason for which something is done or created.

Speaking of Jesus, Colossians 1:16 tells us that all things were created by him and for him.

We exist for His glory, not our own. If we live to please ourselves, our purpose is too small.  Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life, says, “Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning.”

If God is not at the steering wheel of our decisions, then other influences will seek to drive our engine.  Some examples include materialism, other religious influences, or people’s opinions.

Purpose in God provides hope and direction. Philippians 2:13 addresses believers this way: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

A God-given purpose is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – The definition of quietness is “making little or no noise.”  In the Bible, quietness means something a bit deeper.  It includes making little or no noise, but also means “to be undisturbed-to be at peace.”

In Isaiah 30:15, the LORD says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”

If we have renounced sin and turned to Christ for salvation, we can have the peace that passes understanding.  We can be assured that we belong to Jesus and are included in His family of believers.  Our conscience is clear before God when are compelled by His love to do what is right.

We live in a noisy and disturbed world. We can find rest for our soul by taking time each day to find a quiet place and spend time with God. In Bible study and prayer, life’s most important relationship is cultivated. Our perspective becomes clear on what really matters, and our heart is refreshed as we reflect on His identity and destiny.  Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – A servant is someone who is devoted to following or supporting someone. Humility and service go hand in hand.

According to John Piper, “Humility gets down low and lifts others up. Humility looks to the needs of others and gives time and effort to help with those needs. Jesus took the form of a servant and humbled himself to the point of death.”

Jesus also clothed Himself with service when he used a basin and a towel to wash His disciples’ feet. Afterwards, Jesus taught them, saying, “Now, that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” As we serve others because of our love for Jesus, God is able to use us as cleansing agents of His grace.

Through Jesus’ example and words, Jesus was getting this point across, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

A servant spirit is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Brilliance is defined by extreme brightness or exceptional clarity.

In the book of Revelation, John had a vision of Jesus with His face shining in all its brilliance. Jesus referred to Himself as the light of the world, but He also told His followers, “You are the light of the world.”

Jesus is the big light like the sun that shines brilliantly in the middle of the day. His followers are little lights, like the stars of the universe.

Reflecting the light of Jesus to a world in spiritual darkness is a brilliant idea.  Actually, it’s more than just an idea.  It’s a way of life that receives the warmth of God’s love into our hearts and is compelled to pass it along to other people. God’s love is a powerful influence that sheds light on our need for the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Daniel 12:3 pictures eternity this way for those who shine the light of the Gospel with their words and testimony:  “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com