JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Luke 2, verses 10 and 11.

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

What an extraordinary moment for the shepherds. At first they were terrified when the angel appeared to them. But notice the first words spoken by the angel. “Do not be afraid.” Whenever the angels appear to someone in the events surrounding the birth of Christ, they are quick to mention that the person has no reason to fear. This was not a dreadful occasion. This was a moment for joy and celebration. The arrival of Jesus to the world was good news for the world, and when we receive His gift of grace, Jesus becomes good news for our soul.

Through Jesus, we are set free from fear to experience the great joy of embracing God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 8:29.

Jesus said, “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

Jesus knew two things about Himself that His skeptics did not know about Him. Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going. Jesus pointed that out to the Pharisees, and then said, “But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.”

Jesus came from the Father in heaven. He was planning to go to the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. He and the Father made plans for His death even before the creation of the world. Jesus pleased the will of the Father by staying true to the mission. Then, after He rose from the dead, He ascended to heaven. That is where He is today.

The words of Jesus inspire us to acknowledge His heavenly origin, holy purpose, and victorious destiny in the Year of Redemption. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Philippians 2:5.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Being in very nature God, Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

The mindset of Jesus was not pride, but humility.

His mindset was to obey the will of His Father, and to die as a sacrifice for our sins. This is the way of Jesus, which transforms our attitude from having selfish tendencies to look for service opportunities. This holiday season, think about how to reach out to someone in need with the mindset of a servant. Then, go do it.

Through Jesus, we are set free to pursue the attitude of Christ in the way we handle relationships.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Isaiah 9:6.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus was born 2,000 years ago as God’s gift to the world. Those who follow Him know Him in these various ways.

As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus leads us in the path of God’s wisdom.

As our Mighty God, Jesus is our source of strength and is worthy of our worship.

As our Everlasting Father, Jesus is our faithful provider forever.

As our Prince of Peace, Jesus is our Mediator with God the Father. He bridges the gap to give us peace with God. 

Through Jesus, we are set free to receive the gift of God’s grace and enjoy His presence forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 95, verses 1 to 3.

“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.”

One of the ways that worship music is valuable to our lives is that we have opportunity to express our gratitude to God for who He is and His gift of salvation. The writer of this Psalm acknowledged that God is great and is King above all gods. There is no rival to His throne. This Thanksgiving season is a good opportunity to listen for those songs that reflect God’s greatness, and then sing along with all of our heart.

Through Jesus, we are set free to celebrate God as the rock of our salvation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 106, verse 1.

“Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

This description about God shows up in the Bible at least nine times, and is always connected with giving thanks or praise to God.

Out of God’s goodness, God provides us with good and perfect gifts. His enduring love does not have an expiration date. That means that His love for His people will never wear out or fade or become irrelevant. God is good. God is love. That is His nature in the realm of eternity, and because of His attributes, His followers have reasons to give thanks forever.

Through Jesus, we are set free to give thanks to the LORD for His goodness and enduring love.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Romans 6, verses 17 and 18.

“Thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

Changed lives are occasions for thanksgiving. When we see someone give their allegiance to Christ and new patterns emerging in their lives as a result, that is a reason to thank God. That is also an opportunity to encourage them to remain faithful to Jesus. 

These verses also challenge us to remain consistent in obeying Jesus every day. Then, our behavior will line up with our beliefs. That’s called integrity, which God uses as an influence for the Gospel in the world today.

Through Jesus, we are set free from patterns of sinful behavior to enjoy the opportunities of serving God.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found 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 as He sees fit. Jesus wants us to love all people, including our enemies. But in this particular statement, Jesus is specifically encouraging us to look out for the needs of His faithful servants and followers.

The words of Jesus inspire us to welcome members of God’s family with hospitality and kindness in the Year of Redemption.   

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 9:50.

One of Jesus’ disciples, John, said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

Jesus answered, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Jesus recognized that the person driving out demons had pure motives. He was not less important, nor were his deeds any less significant because he was outside of Jesus’ close circle of disciples. This became a teachable moment for John, and it becomes a teachable moment for us too. Our lives matter to God. He takes great delight in our faith and in our service for Him. The same is true for the person next to us who seeks to honor the Lord with their lives. Treat them as members of the same team, not as opponents. Seek to bless them, and not to hinder them.

The words of Jesus inspire us to celebrate the victories of other believers and to encourage them in the Year of Redemption.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 14:30 and 31.

Jesus said to His disciples the night before He was crucified, “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”

The cross is the place where this statement was revealed in a compelling way. Satan wanted Jesus to die. We know that because he entered in Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus over to death. And it was God’s will for Jesus to die as a ransom for many. Satan’s motivation was the destruction of humanity. God’s motivation was the salvation of humanity. By Jesus being willing to go to the cross, He did exactly what His Father sent Him to do. By rising from the dead, He proved that Satan had no hold on Him.

The words of Jesus inspire us to be amazed at what God has done through the cross and empty grave in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com