John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – When the man and woman was created in the garden of Eden, the LORD blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number.  Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

The LORD has called humans to take care of His creation.  We are meant to be wise managers of the environment that we live in.  In a recent Probe feature, Patrick Zukerin noted in an article that “we are not to exploit the earth, nor are we to worship the earth.” We have been entrusted with the responsibility of exercising care and guardianship over what God has created.

He noted sound ecological principles like recycling, using cleaner energy sources, and the conservation of energy.  That is not the only place where God wants us to fight against pollution.  He also wants us to guard our heart and keep it clean.  The most effective way for this to happen is to call on the name of Jesus for forgiveness of past sins, and a willing heart to live a pure life today. The righteousness of Christ is able to purify a polluted heart and restore our fallen nature to God.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – If we follow Jesus with an upright heart, our influence will most likely extend well beyond our living years.

Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This message is directed toward those who were engaged in partnership in the gospel, working with the Apostle Paul to share the good news of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

Notice that the good work that is begun in us will be carried to completion not at the end of our lives, but when Christ returns in glory. The writings of Christian authors influence people for Christ beyond their lives. The songs of Christian artists influence people for Christ beyond their lives.  The recordings and quotes of faithful pastors will influence people for Christ beyond their lives. And the influence of faithful parents often live on through their children and children’s children.  These are some of the ways that God works redemptively through our testimony even after our physical death.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – There are few people in the Bible without character flaws.  While Daniel was not perfect, we don’t know his character flaws because the Bible does not speak of any.

Perhaps the reason for this is that he was so faithfully focused on God.  It was his practice to pray to God three times a day. When he prayed, he gave thanks to God.  He was a grateful person.  Gratitude to God goes a long way in building godly character.

Daniel chapter 6 talks about Daniel as a person of “exceptional qualities.”  He was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.  He lived with integrity and fulfilled his responsibilities.  The king gave Daniel a significant position of influence.  His witness for God stood out in an empire of much impurity and idolatry.  His example teaches us that godly character prepares us for doing God’s will.

First Peter 1:13 says, “Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – First John 4:18 teaches us that “there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

What we believe about God’s love affects whether or not we will live in faith or in fear.  The Bible describes His love as unfailing.  The Bible also describes His love as forever.  What is so amazing about God’s love is that He meets us at our greatest point of need.  Our sin deserves His wrath. However, through faith in Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and the Lord of our lives, His grace covers our sins, and gives us hope for the future instead of dread. 

Jesus is God’s expression of unfailing, eternal love.  Now, we don’t have to live in fear anymore.  Instead, we can live with confidence that our lives are in His hands of grace, and His hands are loving, firm, and secure for our soul. We can live with the hope of eternal life, and share with others the reason for our hope while we still have time.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the course of a given day with our busy schedules, we might find ourselves face to face with a person in desperate need.  Such a situation leaves us with a decision on whether to stop and take care of this person or move along with our busy schedules. The story of the Good Samaritan, taught by Jesus is a good example of being in tune with someone in a desperate situation.

A man was beaten by robbers and left half dead on the road to Jericho.  Two religious leaders walked by.  They saw him in his place of distress, but kept walking by.  They probably had some very important meetings to attend and responsibilities to fulfill.  After all, they were on the go.  So was a Samaritan man, who had enough compassion for the man to stop what he was doing to address the man’s immediate needs.  He was an instrument of healing for the wounded man.  This is the type of thing that can happen when we take time to listen to a hurting friend, or visit the sick in the hospital, or help to sponsor a child in another country who lacks basic necessities.  Our compassion is activated to make a difference when we think beyond us and enter the world of another person.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.
Can you remember any situations recently when you had an opportunity to be a Good Samaritan for someone in need, or when someone was a Good Samaritan to you?

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Jesus gave this command to His disciples in John 13:34:  “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

There is a well-known song containing the chorus, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”  How do people perceive us?  Do they see the evidence of the love of Christ in us?  The way of love reflects either what Jesus taught about love or the ways He demonstrated love.

The way of love can be described by some simple phrases that we use, not just in words, but also in the attitude behind the words.

Please. (That’s courtesy and respect)

Thank you. (That’s gratitude)

I’m sorry.  (That’s humble confession)

I love you. (That’s expression of love for our loved ones)

I’m praying for you.  (That’s interceding for our loved ones)

When the disciples of Jesus love one another, the world will observe and take notice that we belong to Jesus.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Worry is a form of fear, robbing the body of energy, filling the mind with uneasy thoughts.  Worry can cause sleepless nights.  Sometimes, worry prevents a person from moving forward to face the challenges of a given day. In the statement that Jesus made about worry, the word “therefore” connects to a previous statement that Jesus made.

He said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

With God’s Kingdom as the focus of our priority, faith prevents worry from paralyzing our lives.  Charles Spurgeon has said, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”  Prayer with a trusting heart is one way of dealing with the tendency to worry. First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In 2 Corinthians 2:14, the Christian life is compared to a victory parade, with God leading the march.

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.”

Followers of Jesus are guided by God to spread the aroma of Christ wherever we go.  Not everyone will respond to it in the same way.
For those who are sensitive to God, the aroma of Christ will be an attractive smell that draws them to the Gospel.  The example of the fully devoted Christian turns out to be the life they have been yearning for.  This scene of the parade challenges us to let God lead our pathway, and to reflect the character of Jesus along the way with the people we meet.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-There is a redemptive purpose to the words that God places in our heart.  Isaiah 55:10 compares it to a weather scenario:

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

In the Bible, we hear God speaking.  His words nourish our soul like rain nourishes the soil.  That is where we learn about our need to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord. Through God’s Word, we are encouraged by His love, guided by His will, and warned of dangers by His wisdom.

By heeding God’s Word and applying it to our lives, we have the grace and truth hidden in our hearts to live a productive life that glorifies God.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

In the Golden Rule, Jesus challenges us to treat others in the way we would want to be treated.  So, if we don’t know how to handle a delicate situation like comforting a friend in their time of sadness, we can try to imagine what it would be like if we were in their shoes.  Maybe we never faced anything similar to their experience.  We don’t have to pretend that we know what they are going through.  We can simply come up alongside of them and listen to them, and make ourselves available to spend time with them. 

People also have a tendency to want their friends nearby in times of celebrations.  Maybe that is why we have graduation parties, and invite people to our weddings.  By being there, we also express care and support for our friends.  In both cases, through our tears of sadness and our smiles of celebration, we go beyond ourselves to enter the world of our friends.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com