John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word this is what the Lord says in John 17:3.

Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Jesus was talking about having a relationship with God. The ambition of the Apostle Paul radically changed after encountering Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, he said, “I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.”

Our first step into eternal life begins when we say yes to the invitation of Jesus to follow Him. We receive His grace as a gift. We trust Him to forgive us and save us from our sins. He leads us by His grace, truth and words of life found in the Bible. As He leads, we learn to walk with Him daily with a faithful heart that loves Him with all of our being.

John 17:3-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Rest.

This is a state of relaxation and refreshment. Without rest, we would burn out physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Thankfully, God has provided a place of rest for our souls, and that place is in a relationship with Jesus. We are at peace with God through faith in His name to save us.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us to draw near to Him: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”

In the presence of Jesus, there is refreshment and peace.

Discover how the word “Rest” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Luke 15, verse 32.

“We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

In the story of the Prodigal Son, the Father had a feast to celebrate his son’s return. But the other son was angry about such a lavish occasion.

He refused to go in. That is when the Father pleaded with him to join the celebration.

The lost matter to God. He celebrates anyone who recognizes their need for His grace and comes to Jesus for forgiveness. The heart of the Father extends mercy and expresses joy when someone experiences new life in Christ. He wants His people to share in the celebration whenever a lost soul finds their place in God’s family.

Luke 15:32-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Devoted.

This word relates to loyalty and commitment. When we are devoted to a group, we apply our time and energy to supporting that group. We contribute to their strength and unity. We are willing to serve and make sacrifices for the well-being of others.

The Good News of Jesus is worthy of our devotion. Jesus started the church, which is a group of imperfect people, and dearly loved by God. When we are devoted to the Gospel and God’s people, we are committed to a worthy cause.

Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This was what it was like at the birth of the early church. Acts 2:42 records that believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” These kinds of commitments enable us to support each other in our loyalty to Jesus.

Discover how the word “Devoted” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Matthew 10, verses 41 and 42.

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

God sees even the smallest tasks that we do with pure motives and will reward us at the proper time. In this statement, Jesus is specifically encouraging us to look out for the needs of His faithful servants and followers. Show hospitality, give generously, and serve with humility.

Matthew 10, verses 41 and 42-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Mindful.

To be mindful is to be aware and attentive to something or someone. When the focus of our thoughts turn to God, this is one of the ways we can love God with all of our mind.

Meditating on God’s Word, prayer, and remembering God’s attributes and accomplishments are all ways that we can be mindful in a way that honors the Lord.

In Psalm 26:3, David wrote, “I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”

Hebrews 3:1 urges us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. His name is the answer to our search for faithfulness and unfailing love. So we can set our mind on Him and find encouragement in His grace.

Discover how the word “Mindful” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Leviticus 19:11.

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”

These commands are repeated in the New Testament in Ephesians chapter 4. God’s will for our lives is to speak the truth in love. This means using honest words to build up people with encouragement rather than to tear them down.

God’s plan for our lives is also to be generous with people. This means using our hands to give away something that belongs to us rather than to take away something that belongs to them.

According to Romans 13:9, the commandments of God are summed up in this one command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That phrase is originally found in Leviticus chapter 19.

Leviticus 19:11-that’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Close.

One definition of close is to be very near to someone. When someone says they are close to someone, it signifies a relationship that is harmonious and peaceful. Lines of communication are open. There is comfort, affection, and trust found in a close relationship.

God’s heart is close to His followers. Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd. He cares for His flock. Isaiah 40, verse 11 says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

We can find fulfillment in a close relationship with God by paying close attention to His voice and responding to His grace. Through the Bible, the cross, and the empty grave, His message consistently speaks of His love for us as He invites us to taste and see that He is good.

Discover how the word “Close” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Revelation 3:19.

“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”

God works through discipline to build wholly devoted disciples of Jesus. Hebrews 12:10 says, “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Discipline does not seem pleasant when we are enduring hardship, but it brings out fruitful results if we are teachable through the process. So, when we are enduring a difficult trial, it is good to be sensitive to God’s voice. What is He saying to me through this experience? How does He want me to grow?

Revelation 3:19-That’s today’s God Quote for us to embrace for Life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word from God’s Word is Sufficient.

The meaning of sufficient is “enough, adequate.”

In the Bible, God’s grace is described as sufficient. When the Apostle Paul suffered a thorn in his flesh, Jesus said to him in Second Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God works through the circumstances of our lives, even the painful circumstances, to show us the sufficiency of His grace.

The thorns in our lives have value to keep us or make us humble so that we realize that our competence to do anything productive depends on the grace of God. The lesson of faith that Paul learned from his thorn was this: “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

Discover how the word “Sufficient” can have an impact on your life in the Year of God’s Word.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com