JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:1 says that “when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.” The famous sermon taught by Jesus was delivered from a mountainside in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

In that sermon, Jesus gave us a vision of the blessed life with the beatitudes. He taught us how to follow Him from the heart, not just with outward religious practices. He taught us about extraordinary love that extends to our enemies. He taught the golden rule so that we might do to others what we would have them do to us.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a vision of how to pray.    He taught us about priorities so that we might store up treasures in heaven rather than treasures on earth. His words give us direction, wisdom, and encouragement for living a life that honors God.

Focusing on the teachings from the Sermon on the Mount gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Elijah’s challenge on Mount Carmel.

It happened in First Kings 18. He challenged the people of Israel to stop wavering between two opinions. He said, “If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” Mount Carmel was the place where the people were challenged to get off the fence of indecision.  

The people said nothing at first, until Elijah offered a sacrifice to his God and 450 prophets of Baal offered a sacrifice to their god. Whoever answered by fire would be recognized as God.

The prophets of Baal went first and prayed to their god, but no one answered. When it was Elijah’s turn, the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice in answer to his prayer. When the people saw this, they fell and cried, “The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!”

Focusing on God’s worthiness to be followed gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the mountaintop view of God’s radiant glory.

Have you ever been to the top of a tall mountain and looked down at the land below? You can see for miles in the distance and get a “big picture view” of God’s creation.

In Revelation 21:10, the Apostle John was carried in the Spirit to a mountain that he described as great and high. He saw something even more beautiful.

An angel showed him the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. He said, “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” The city did not need the sun or the moon to shine on it because the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” 

This is the view of a new heaven and a new earth, and is the future destiny for those who belong to Jesus by faith today.

Focusing on the brilliance of God’s glorious home gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.    

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is a spiritual weapon that fights against our anxious thoughts. Prayer gives us access to the throne of heaven. When we communicate with God, we have the opportunity to tell Him the cares of our hearts. God invites us to place our burdens on Him. He can handle our concerns and replace the anxious thoughts that weigh on our mind with His peace.

Billy Graham once said, “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, “O God, forgive me”, or “help me.”

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of prayer and peace with God in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First John 3:16.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

The most compelling evidence revealing God’s love for us is the cross. Whenever we wonder if God’s love is real, we can turn to the cross as the reference point of history to remind us that God’s love is a present reality. First John 4:8 tells us that God is love. That’s present tense, and it is true of Him today.

In light of the fact that God loves us, how ought we to live? Let God’s love overflow into our relationships, especially with those who belong to the family of God. Love with kindness. Love with patience. Love with the heart of a servant. Be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of someone else’s blessing. These are the kinds of ways that Jesus loves us, and these are some of the ways that we can treat someone as valuable to God.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of genuine love for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 3, verses 22 to 24.

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

This is the miracle of amazing grace-even though we have missed the target of God’s will, God has provided a way for us to be made right with Him. The guilt of our sin is removed by faith in Jesus to forgive us and save us. His grace is at the foundation for our lives. There is nothing we can do to earn it. He freely gives it to all who will receive Him as Savior and Lord. His blood shed at the cross was the sufficient payment for our sins. Now we can be set free from the control and penalty of our sin and live in the liberty of Christ.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of righteousness and redemption in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – These are the songs that we enjoyed together on Friday’s Lunch Break on the air. Here’s the playlist in case you missed it or want to listen again.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 20:35.

The Apostle Paul spoke to other church leaders, and as he was saying good-bye to them, he said, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The way of Christ is to help those who cannot help themselves. That is the impact of grace on our lives. When we receive God’s grace for the precious gift that it is, we become more sensitive to the plight of those who cannot help themselves. The Apostle Paul carried out his ministry with concern for those in poverty. He sought financial assistance from the church to help those with physical needs. As they worked together, they made a difference for the glory of God.

The way of Christ is the way of love and generous giving. Proverbs 11:25 says that a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”   

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of generosity and refreshment in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Genesis 2:7.

Then the LORD formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

God’s breath has been life-giving to the human race. He made the earth to be populated, and started with Adam and Eve.

God’s breath is also life-giving for us spiritually. God made heaven to be populated, and has provided the way for us to join Him through Jesus Christ. The Bible is where we hear the message of His saving grace. His word plants the seed of faith in our hearts.

Second Timothy 3:16 says that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of new life in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on God as our Potter.

Some people are very skilled at arts and crafts where they can make a project with their hands. 

God is skilled with His hands to make us and mold us into the likeness of Jesus. He does not force His hand on us, but shapes the willing heart into masterpieces for His useful purposes.

Isaiah 64:8 says, “You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Today, we can ask God to work in our hearts and make us useful instruments for His glory. And then, watch His hand move in our lives as we align our ambitions to His purposes.

Focusing on God as our Potter gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com