John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the Lord says in Second Corinthians 12:9.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This was how Jesus responded after Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be taken from him. He learned a valuable lesson that day. Paul’s afflictions and limitations were not barriers to his witness for the Gospel. If anything, they served to strengthen his faith. When people see our lives and are reminded of Jesus, that is when we are shining brightly for the Gospel. It may involve personal hardships to shape our character and draw us closer to Jesus.

Paul responded to the words of Jesus in this way, saying, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Paul was seeing a bigger picture beyond personal comfort.

Second Corinthians 12:9-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 Feast.

This is a delicious meal often tied in with joy, thanksgiving, and celebration.

When the Prodigal Son came home, the father was overjoyed and said, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So, they began to celebrate.

Holidays and special occasions are opportunities to bring friends and food together to celebrate the goodness of God.

The LORD Almighty is planning a feast for His people in the future. Isaiah 25:6 tells us that “the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-the best of meats and the finest of wines.” He will do this in a time of celebration, when he wipes away the tears from all faces.

Discover how the word “Feast” 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 Isaiah 48:17.

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

He was telling the nation of Israel that if they had paid attention to His commands, their peace would have been like a river, their well-being like the waves of the sea.

God gives us guidance in His Word. We can trust the words of the Bible to lead us toward faith in Jesus, the path of peace and freedom, and in the way of love. We need wisdom for life. The teachings of Jesus are reliable for taking us in a good and godly direction. Our responsibility is to pay attention with a willing heart.

Isaiah 48:17-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 Boast.

Boasting can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the reason for our boasting and who gets the credit. In the book of Genesis, the tower of Babel was an attempt to make a name great for humanity, but God thwarted those efforts. In reality, God gives us the strength and abilities that we have for any accomplishment.

The kind of boasting that pleases the Lord is the kind that seeks to make Him famous across the land.  His gospel is the good news that lifts us up and gives us a voice to declare His goodness and grace. He is worthy of praise for anything good that flows out of our lives.

First Corinthians 1:30 tells us that Jesus has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Discover how the word “Boast” 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 7:48.

“Your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus said this to a woman who lived a sinful life. But she was turning to Jesus in humility and with love for Him.

This short statement shows the power of grace. Jesus has the authority to forgive sins, because of His identity as the Son of God and by the shedding of His blood on the cross. Whoever believes in Him will not die in their sin, but will have the gift of eternal life.

That was the experience of this woman who came to Jesus in the brokenness of her sin. She was forgiven and cleansed.  Jesus said to her, “your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:48-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 Time.

The writer of Ecclesiastes notes that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die.

In between our birth and death is the dash that represents our time on the earth. We are not here by accident, but by God’s providence.

Queen Esther learned this lesson of faith when she heard about a serious threat to the existence of the Jews. Her relative **Mordechai pleaded for her help, saying in Esther 4:14, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther was at the right place in God’s appointed time to save her people from disaster.

God also has a significant purpose for our time on the earth-to walk by faith, follow Jesus, and shine His light to the world.

Discover how the word “Time” 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 Genesis 1:3.

“Let there be light.”

This is the first God Quote in the Bible. After making this proclamation, there was light, and God saw that the light was good.

This quote is significant in a number of ways, showing us that God is able to accomplish what He declares. This means we can trust that God will do what He says. His promises are reliable.

This quote also shows us that God is the creator of light. He makes each day brighter with the light that He provides for our world.

Finally, this quote is a foreshadow to Jesus, who made the claim, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Genesis 1:3-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 Faith.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Even though we do not see Jesus, we can have confidence that His death on a cross was sufficient payment for our sins, and that His resurrection from the dead really did happen. Jesus is alive and well today. He is Lord and Savior of all who live by faith in His name. We can trust in His love to forgive our sins and lead us to eternal life in His glorious presence.

Hebrews 11:6 highlights the importance of faith to the Christian life: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

There are many examples of faith found in Hebrews chapter 11.

Discover how the word “Faith” 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 John 4:13 and 14.

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jesus made this statement to a Samaritan woman who came to Jacob’s well. He was pointing out the difference between physical nourishment and spiritual nourishment. We get thirsty for water, and it satisfies for a moment, but where can we go for unfailing love that never ends?

Jesus answers that question right here. He is offering grace, forgiveness, and eternal life as a gift. This gift extends to us today. This day is an opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good.

John 4:13 and 14-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 Friend.

Friendship is a precious gift through the experiences of life. Thomas Fuller was quoted as saying, “Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs.” Have you found that to be true in your experience?

A true-blue friend is not someone who is there only in the fun times and abandons us in the dark times. Fair weather friends do that.

Proverbs 17:17 points out the consistency of a good friend. “A friend loves at all times.”  This Proverb describes Jesus, who was willing to give His life for those He would call friends. He is the ultimate friend we could possibly have.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com