JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the joys of heaven.

The Apostle John was given the view of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation chapter 21.

In verses 3 and 4, he says, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This is a description of heaven. This is where followers of Jesus have our ultimate citizenship. What is striking in these two verses is what is present and what is absent in heaven. What is missing is death. There will be no more funerals and no more good-byes among loved ones. Our tears will be dried as sadness is overtaken by gladness of heart. Hospital beds will be missing. Wheelchairs will not be needed. Heaven is a place of life and healing and pure happiness. What makes heaven so special is that Jesus will be present among His followers, who will have the opportunity to adore Him and praise Him for eternity.

The joys of heaven are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the greatness and goodness of God.

We see this in Psalm 95, which begins with the invitation for us to “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.”

This is not a timid worship gathering described here. This is a jubilant celebration using music to convey love for God and to proclaim His distinct place of honor as the great King above all gods.

As we approach God with a thankful heart, we remember how we are blessed by His attributes. He is holy and is making us holy. He is merciful and pardons sin. He is wise beyond measure, and gives us wisdom as we take His Word to heart.

With a thankful heart, we also remember how He has blessed us with His precious gift when He sent Jesus to the world. First John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” In Jesus, we see the evidence of God’s love for us.

The greatness and goodness of God are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the expression of God’s faithfulness.

Jesus is the expression of God’s faithfulness. He came as a gift in fulfillment of God’s promises.

Second Corinthians 1:20 says that “no matter how many promises God made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

When God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “I have plans to give you hope and a future”, those plans are fulfilled through faith in Jesus Christ.

When God says in Isaiah 1:18, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”, those sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ.

When God says in Isaiah 41:10, “I will strengthen you and help you”, that support is available through faith in Jesus Christ.

He is the Good Shepherd, Redeemer, Savior, and Best Friend among all those who follow Jesus as Lord.

The expression of God’s faithfulness in Jesus Christ is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the life changing impact of God’s grace.

After Paul was converted to Christ, there was a noticeable change in his life. Instead of wanting to persecute the church, he wanted to build up the church in the qualities of faith, hope, and love. He had an earnest desire to see Jesus glorified in his life. Through his testimony, that is exactly what happened. He became a devoted follower of Jesus, which was a reason for churches to praise God. Not only did they lose an enemy, but they gained a friend, a true ally who would speak up for the Good News of Jesus Christ, and be influential in leading people to the Lord.

In Galatians 1:22, Paul was talking about his spiritual journey after coming to faith in Christ. He said, “I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’” Then Paul says, “And they praised God, because of me.”

This goes to show that if Paul can be converted to Christ, no soul is hopeless. When someone makes a sweeping life change like this, the body of Christ has the opportunity to surround that person with support and encouragement.

The life-changing impact of God’s grace is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the forward progress of the Christian journey.

In Philippians 3:13 and 14, the Apostle Paul wrote, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Before knowing Christ, Paul was hostile to anyone who identified with Jesus, and sought to destroy the church with his religious zeal. However, the road to Damascus became a defining moment in his life when he would begin the journey of walking with Christ as a faithful follower. If anyone had a reason to feel guilt and regret, Paul was the man. He was there to approve the death of Stephen, the first martyr in the early church.

But Paul’s days were filled with the awareness of God’s grace, and that changed his perspective about the past and the future. He was spending his time moving forward with Christ, not looking back with past regrets or failures. Neither did he look back with fondness to his former way of life. A relationship with Jesus puts us on the path of faith that leads to a greater love, holiness, and eternal life in heaven with Him.

The forward progress of the Christian journey is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on words of blessing.

In Numbers 6:24, the LORD told Moses to tell Aaron and his sons how to bless the Israelites. This has become known as the priestly blessing:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

As we see in the New Testament, First Peter 2:9 talks about followers of Jesus being a royal priesthood. We are ministers of the Gospel. We can be used of God to speak blessing on our families, our churches, and our nation. Ultimately, we are not the source of blessing. God is. That is why our blessing for others comes in the form of a prayer. We pray for the LORD to bless them and to keep them in His love. We pray for the LORD to grant them His favor with grace and peace.

This is something we can do for the well-being of our loved ones daily-by praying God’s blessing on them and looking for ways to bless them through our words and actions.

The words of blessing are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the opportunity of today.

It has been said that today is a gift, so maybe that is why it is called the present. We have been given this moment to seize the opportunities that God has for us.

Second Corinthians 6:2 says that “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” God is giving us this moment to embrace the grace that is offered to us through Jesus Christ. The experience of salvation involves a relationship with God where we know Him personally, forgiveness from God, and eternal life with God in heaven.

Another opportunity that we have today is to follow God’s will. Ephesians 5:15 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Yet another opportunity of today is to celebrate the life that God has given us. This is what Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The opportunities of today are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on news that is too good to contain.

In the book of Second Kings, four men in Samaria had leprosy. A great famine had overtaken their city due to a long siege by a strong army. Instead of staying at the city gate to die, the men decided to go over to the enemy camp to surrender, in the hope that they would live. But when they got there, no one was at the camp. The army had fled their tents, but left behind food, clothing, and money.

The men with leprosy ate and drank and carried off the silver, gold, and clothing and buried them as hidden treasure. Then they came back for more. Eventually, they said to each other, “We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.” They decided to report their findings to the royal palace.

There is a spiritual thirst and hunger in the land today. The Good News of Jesus is what this world needs. Would it be right for beggars who have been blessed by this abundant treasure to keep it for themselves? Telling others this good news is much like a beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. There is no shortage of supply, because God’s love is abundant and eternal.

The Good News of Jesus Christ is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said this was to be our primary focus. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, and material possessions come and go, but the Kingdom of God is coming and will remain forever.

When 9/11 happened in 2001, our sense of security was shaken. 13 years later, the threat remains. We do not know what tomorrow may hold. Jesus never said we would find ultimate security in a strong military force, or in our money, or in the plans we make tomorrow. But we can find security in the strong arms of a loving God.

The kingdom of God is a present reality through followers of Jesus who represent Him. Romans 14:17 says, “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

And the kingdom of God is a future reality that will reveal the glory of Jesus to the whole earth at His coming. Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so, worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Those who seek His Kingdom will find true security for the soul. Jesus will be the central focus of our faith.

Receiving the kingdom of God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com