John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Hebrews 3:12 says, “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Satan will use discouragement to try to convince us to give up on God.  We might be tempted to conclude about certain disappointments, “What’s the use of even trying anymore?”  It’s a question that can sideline us from doing what God wants us to do.

Christians are called by God to look after each other-to be aware of doubt, fear, or rebellion taking hold in a person’s life where faith once stood firm.  God can use our encouragement as a preventative measure to keep sin from taking root, or as a healing agent for someone’s deep wounds. Encouragement also promotes a more tender and hopeful atmosphere, urging others to “press ahead in faith” when someone might be tempted to “give up.” Barnabas is the textbook example of Encouragement in the Bible.  In Acts 11, he saw the evidence of God’s grace in Antioch, and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

If you have ever been perplexed by God in the midst of obeying His calling, you are in good company.  There was a time when Moses was frustrated.  Moses and the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land. It was time to have a talk with God.

This is how that conversation went in Exodus 33. Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’  If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.  Remember that this nation is your people.” 

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us from here.”  Moses did not just want God’s directions.  He wanted His Presence. He did not just want to march at the order of the commanding officer.  He wanted to walk with his Best Friend.  This is a good request for us to incorporate into our prayer life.  His Presence will be the spark that energizes us to move forward in God’s plan.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

JOHN SHIRK – How would you describe God? Just about everyone who believes in Him has something to say on that question. Having a clear understanding of God helps to clarify His purpose for our lives. Here are some descriptions of God in the Bible:

God is the God of gods and Lord of Lords.  God is greater than all other gods.  God is merciful and forgiving. God is righteous. God is truthful. God is faithful. God is just. God is light. God is love. God is holy.

These are the ways that God leads us to spiritual growth: He leads us to become worshipers of Him when we recognize His supreme greatness. He also teaches us His ways, meaning that we learn to become more merciful and forgiving, and truthful and faithful and loving.  If we want to get to know the heart of God, we can examine more closely the life of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” And Jesus Himself said in John 14:31, “I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”

With our eyes fixed on Jesus, He trains us to grow in godly character and more accurately reflect the attitude of Christ to the world. 

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Then, he tells the parable of a rich man who spent his energy building his own empire. He built bigger barns to store his grain and goods, because he ran out of room. He was looking for the easy life. After he reached his goal the man envisioned himself saying, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.”

But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.”  Jesus summed it up by saying, “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”  This parable reminds us that we cannot take worldly treasures with us, but we can send our heavenly treasures ahead of us. This happens when we are generous toward God, and honor Him with our wealth. First Timothy 6:18 urges wealthy believers to “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Samuel confronted King Saul with these words in First Samuel 15:22. “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

The voice of the LORD had told Saul to destroy everything that belongs to the Amalekites.  But Saul and his army spared the best of the sheep and cattle.  He tried to justify his actions by telling Samuel that he had in mind to sacrifice them to the LORD.  That is the context of Samuel’s words, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” 

Today, Christians don’t follow the sacrificial system of the Old Testament because Jesus fulfilled the law by becoming our sacrifice once and for all.  Yet, we can still apply this verse into our lives through the various ceremonies and practices of the church.  Baptism and communion would be empty rituals without an obedient heart to God.  However, when love motivates us to obey the Lord, baptism and communion reflect a transformed heart that seeks to know Jesus.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – It was about midnight.  Paul and Silas were awake, praying and singing hymns to God.  Other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake.  The foundations of the prison were shaken, and the chains of the prisoners were let loose.

It is not likely today that our prayers or songs of worship will cause an earthquake.  However, don’t be surprised if spiritual strongholds lose their grip on us.  Bitterness, despair, worry, just to name a few.

For Paul and Silas, their freedom led to an opportunity to witness to a desperate jailer who feared for his life.  That jailer came to believe in the Lord Jesus, and he was saved.  You can read about this story in Acts 16.  Let it motivate you to praise God, and use open doors to tell others about Jesus.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Before Jesus died on a cross, He had a conversation with His disciples.  This conversation happens in John 14 to 16 of the Bible. Jesus is preparing His disciples for the journey ahead.  He was about to leave them physically, but would not abandon them spiritually.  He would provide for them in a number of ways.  One of those ways would be to send the Holy Spirit to guide them in the truth and empower their witness for Jesus.

With the road of suffering ahead, He also spoke words of encouragement to them so that they would not despair at the sight of the cross. In John 16:22, Jesus said, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

The resurrection of Jesus is a mountain peak moment of the Gospel.  It means Jesus is alive, and we can believe in Him.  It means that Jesus is near, and we can belong to Him. It means that Jesus is victorious, and we can live with Him forever.  His unending love gives us a reason to celebrate new life.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Dr. Alvin Vander Griend talks about two powerful forces at work in the world.  Sin and prayer.  He says, “Not only does sin hinder prayer; prayer hinders sin. The two are always opposed. The more careless we are about sin, the less we will pray.  The more we pray, the less careless we will be about sin. Which one is moving you?”

Jesus invites us to bring our sins into the light through confession.  This does not mean we necessarily have to share all our sins with everyone we know.  But there are proper occasions to confess our sins to others.  Perhaps we have wronged someone and want to make it right, or we seek support from another Christian to help us stay true to our commitment to follow Christ.  By dealing with our sins openly and honestly, the power of sin loses its grip over us, and the barriers to prayer are removed.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In Matthew 18, Jesus called a little child to stand among the disciples.  In verse 5, He said, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

One organization that has been an advocate for children for more than 55 years is Compassion International.  Their motto is “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”  Through child sponsorship, more than one million children in 25 countries are benefiting from their outreach.  Child sponsors have an opportunity not just to help meet a child’s physical needs, but also to develop a meaningful relationship with the child through writing letters.

Compassion believes that when children see themselves as Jesus sees them, they will flourish, grow and develop in all areas of their lives. These are some ways that a Child Sponsor can touch the life of a child in Jesus’ name-by helping them to see themselves as Jesus sees them and by giving them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty.  During 26 hours of Compassion you can be an instrument of God’s grace in the life of a child.  38 dollars a month makes such a huge difference for someone in poverty.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – There is a simple phrase in Second Thessalonians 3:13, which challenges us to keep doing those things that God wants us to be doing.  That phrase is this:  “Never tire of doing what is right.”

Paul the Apostle was addressing a church, where some people had too much time on their hands.  They were unfocused and undisciplined.  They were shirking their responsibilities, and as a result, ended up meddling into other people’s lives.  This is opposite from what Paul taught the church.  His instructions were “to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands.”  That was the daily life that would win the respect of outsiders. But there was a group in the Thessalonian church with the reputation of being busybodies rather than busy. Paul told them to settle down and earn their food.

Paul encourages us to use our time wisely. Develop a healthy work ethic. If there is opportunity, we are instructed to provide for our family. Take some time to rest, but don’t become lazy. Look for opportunities to do good for others.  If we do this for the sake of the Lord, we will reap the spiritual benefits. Never tire of doing what is right.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com