JOHN SHIRK – Here are the songs that we enjoyed together on Friday’s Lunch Break. How many of these songs are familiar to you? Enjoy these songs from a past Countdown 18 years ago. The first song was number 12 and the last song on this Playlist was number 1.

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 20/20 Insights give us a glimpse into our identity when we are in Christ.

In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on our identity as God’s possession.

In First Peter 2:9, we learn, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is inviting us to belong to Him. He is calling us away from the darkness of selfish ambitions and idolatry into the light of worshiping Him. He gives us a testimony of a transformed life. Once, we were not a people of God, but now we are the people of God Once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. There are tremendous blessings connected with knowing Christ and walking in His ways.

Focusing on our identity as God’s possession gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our 20/20 Insights give us a glimpse into our identity when we are in Christ.

In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on our identity as God’s friend.

In John 15:15, Jesus told His disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He invites us into a meaningful friendship. In this friendship, Jesus laid down His life for us, proving Himself to be a faithful friend. He confides in us the Father’s plan of redemption. He reveals to us God’s will for living a life that pleases Him. He shows us the mission field of the world and sends us to various places to share the good news of God’s love. He promises to be with us as we go. That’s faithful friendship. The disciples were followers and friends of Jesus. We have that opportunity today.

Focusing on our identity as God’s friend gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First Timothy 4:16.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

This verse stresses the importance of what we believe and how we live. Both matter in terms of how they have an impact on our lives and on those watching us.

A good starting place for believing in sound doctrine is to study the life of Jesus. Examine how He lived, what He taught, and what He did to make redemption possible for us. He loves us and invites us to follow Him.  He seeks a relationship with us that will change our lives and save us from our sins. As we put our full faith in His gift of grace to save us, Jesus will make us instruments of His grace for others as we live out the Gospel.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

In First Corinthians 11:1, the Apostle Paul said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

As a leader in the early church, Paul understood the importance of setting a good example for others to see. He also understood that in order to be a godly example to others, he needed to follow the example of Christ. That is how we can be a credible witness for Jesus. Live the life that God has called us to live.

Paul said to Timothy on one occasion, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Focusing on the importance of godly integrity gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Here are some of the musical highlights that we enjoyed on today’s edition of the Friday Time Capsule dating back to August 3rd 1992.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the good requirements that God has revealed to us.

In Micah 6:8, the prophet said about the LORD, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

We might tend to think that worship is about going to church, singing songs, hearing a sermon and taking communion. These are opportunities to worship God. However, worship is more than what happens on a Sunday morning. Worship is a way of life that includes acts of justice upholding God’s righteousness, acts of mercy extending God’s compassion, and a walk of humility reflecting God’s character.

Focusing on doing what God requires of us gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Here are the songs that aired over the Lunch Break from late July 2008. The first song on this playlist was number 12 and the last song was number 1.

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

It happened in Genesis 28:12. As he fell asleep, he had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and He had a message for Jacob.

He reaffirmed His promise to Abraham and Isaac for their descendants to be given the land where Jacob was sleeping. Their offspring would be numerous, and all peoples on earth would be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.

The fulfillment of that dream is realized in Jesus, who came from heaven to earth to open the way for us to live in relationship with God forever. This is how we can be blessed by Jacob’s dream. Romans 5:1 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Focusing on our access to heaven through Jesus Christ 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 vision of Samuel.

When the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel, He came through a vision. First Samuel 3:10 says, “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”. Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

When God calls our name, that is the moment to respond with a receptive heart. When God wants to speak to us, that is the right time to pay attention. Samuel responded to the call of God on his life, and became Israel’s trustworthy prophet. Verse 21 says, “the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”

God is still speaking to His people today. He reveals Himself and His redemptive plan for our lives in the Bible.

Focusing on the Word of God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com