JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Celebrating New Life.

Life is miraculous. Each baby should be welcomed into the world as a precious person who is loved by God.

The same is true whenever someone turns to Christ and is born again in His grace. In Luke 15, Jesus told several stories to critics who complained that He was welcoming sinners and eating with them.

One of those stories was about a woman who had ten silver coins, and lost one. She swept the house and searched carefully until she found it. She was filled with joy and called her friends to share her joy in finding it. In the same way, Jesus said, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

New life is miraculous. Each new child of God is welcomed into the family of God and is saved by God.

Celebrating new life is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:13.

Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

This is a prayer for victory over sin and temptation. Our battles in this area are spiritual in nature. Ephesians 6 mentions that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

In our battle against sin, prayer is a powerful weapon to help us overcome evil, because God’s strength is greater than the powers of our enemies.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek God’s help to deliver us from evil in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a commitment to doing what is good.

Good deeds will not save us, but those who are saved by God’s grace are instructed to do good deeds.

Titus chapter 3 talks about the value of good deeds in several places.

In verse 8, Paul instructed Titus to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Verse 14 says, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”

As we let our light shine for Jesus with good deeds, many people will be blessed and be moved to glorify our Father in heaven.

A commitment to good deeds is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:12.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

There is healing in confession, but confession requires humility. There is also healing in extending forgiveness to others. That too, requires humility. Forgiveness is a gift to receive, and an expression of grace toward others.

Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek God’s forgiveness when we have wronged Him and to forgive others when they have wronged us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Eye Contact.

Giving someone eye contact is a sign that you are actively listening and giving them your full attention. Much of our communication is non-verbal, and eye contact is a significant form of non-verbal communication.

It might be tempting to check a text from a friend while we are in the midst of a conversation, and it might be necessary to do that in some situations. But checking that text might also disrupt the conversation right in front of us. So, think about the importance of eye contact in conversation to show the other person that we value their friendship.

In Acts chapter 3, a beggar asked Peter and John for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

What he received that day was a gift more valuable than money could buy. He was healed, and used his strength to praise God.

Eye Contact is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:10.

Jesus taught us to pray:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

When we pray, “Your kingdom come”, we are inviting God’s presence to fill our lives and flow through our lives with Kingdom impact. Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

There is also a future reality to God’s Kingdom when Jesus will reign as king. His reign will be built on kindness, justice, and righteousness, and the result will be a lasting peace that stops the weapons of warfare. This is a day that will bless God’s people with great abundance.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Face-to-Face Communication.

Texting, Emails, and Written Letters all have a vital place in communication. But they do not measure up to the value of face-to-face communication.

In Second John, verse 12, we see the yearning of the writer to see the face of the person receiving this letter.

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”

Wherever possible, let’s seek out face-to-face connections with those we love and cherish those moments of focused and meaningful interaction.

Face-To-Face Communication is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is providing help according to our ability.

When we see the needs of people in this world, we can easily feel overwhelmed. We would love to help people caught up in famine or traumatized from a hurricane. But we know that we don’t have the resources to meet all of these vast needs.

However, we can make a difference by doing something, especially as we serve with others and give what we can to help people in their place of need.

In Acts 11, there was a severe famine over the entire Roman world. Verse 29 says, “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” The early church leaders set an example for being sensitive to those in need and doing what they could to help.

Providing help according to our ability is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:9.

Jesus taught us how to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

What an amazing opportunity for us to have access to God in prayer as His children.

This access is gained through faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Ephesians 3:12 and 13 says, “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Because God cares for us, we can approach Him with boldness and reverence. This is a good starting place for honoring His name with a heart of worship.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to acknowledge God as holy and our Heavenly Father in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com