John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Thessalonians 5:10.

Speaking of Jesus, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”

The light of the Gospel gives us the promise of God’s presence.

His presence is our source of help today and our bright hope for the future.

His presence comforts us in our broken world and is the guiding influence of our lives. David wrote in Psalm 139, “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

In the new heaven and new earth, Revelation 21:3 tells us that “God’s dwelling place is among the people and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to delight in God’s presence in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is compassion.

Recently, our family of listeners participated in a Compassion event to help kids in Kenya and in other parts of the world. Kenya has experienced some disasters in recent years that have led to malnourishment among many children.

But you responded to the need. 124 listeners became sponsors with Compassion International. Now, many children will face a brighter future because of the support of their new sponsors.

Isaiah 58:10 says, “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.”

Compassion is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is boldness for Christ.

To be bold for Christ is to be willing to speak up for Him and stand for Him even when it may not be popular.

The secret to having a bold faith is to have hope in Christ. The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 3:12, “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” This hope enables us to think more about God’s glory than our security.

Jesus stood for us at the cross. He paid the price of His blood for our redemption. Because Jesus died for us, we can live boldly for Him. We might be rejected or ridiculed for our faith, but we will be commended by God for going public with our faith in Jesus.

Consider the example of Paul’s testimony in Acts 28:31, “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ-with all boldness and without hindrance!”

Boldness for Christ is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First John 1:5 to 7.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

The light of the Gospel reveals the life of fellowship and forgiveness that we have in Christ.

Walking in the light is the way of following Jesus with humility. As we walk with Him, we step into the light of His grace, freedom and forgiveness. Our sins are no longer counted against us. We enjoy a fulfilling friendship with God and with His followers. James 2:23 says that Abraham believed God and it was a credit to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the life of forgiveness and fellowship that Jesus offers us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 34:5.

“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

The light of the Gospel reveals the radiant life that we can have in Christ. How do we become radiant? By looking to Jesus, and keeping the focus of our faith on Him.

Ephesians 5:27 tells us that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

The grace of God moves us to become light in the world as witnesses for the Gospel. We become exporters of good news, hope, faith, and love in our words and actions. We become ambassadors for Christ that encourage people to be at peace with God through faith in Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the radiant life that Jesus offers us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to wait on the Lord.

This is not a passive exercise, but rather a combination of planting seeds, growing in faith, and being patient.

James 5:7 encourages us to look to the example of the farmer.

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

God will rescue His people from this broken world someday, but until then, He has us here right now to plant seeds of faith and shine His light to a world that needs Jesus. As we wait for the Lord to return someday, we are also called to serve the Lord diligently today.

Waiting on the Lord is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 10:10.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

The light of the Gospel reveals the abundant life that we can have in Christ.

When we say yes to the invitation of Jesus to follow Him, it’s like walking through an open door to God’s abounding grace. His love for us enriches our lives with overflowing hope and joy. His name is the theme of our praise. His peace enriches us with godly contentment. His forgiveness refreshes our soul with freedom and healing.

David loved God and wrote in Psalm 23:5 and 6 “My cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rest in the Lord.

When evangelist Billy Graham was asked if he had any regrets in reflection of his life and ministry, he responded by saying he wished he would have spent more time with family, spoken less, and studied more. He would have spent more time in prayer, telling the Lord how much he loved Him. Billy Graham lived a productive life, but looking back, he saw great value in resting in the Lord.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Resting in the Lord is a refreshing experience. It is a time of reliance on His great love for us. It is a fulfilling time of telling God how much we love Him and desire to honor Him with the moments of our lives. Our strength is renewed when we pause and take time to reflect on God’s grace and wisdom.

Resting in the Lord is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The light of the Gospel reveals the eternal life that we can have in Christ.

God’s love for us put His redemptive mission into motion. He sent Jesus into the world to be the sacrifice for our sins. Because He paid the price for our sin on the cross, we are set free from the death penalty through faith in His name.  Jesus is the most precious gift from God’s gracious hand. He is worthy of our praise every single day.

Forever is a long time. Heaven awaits the gathering of the saints around the throne for a joyful time of worship and celebration. God has made a way for us to be there, and His name is Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the eternal life that Jesus offers us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to follow Jesus.

Jesus invited some fishermen to follow Him in Matthew 4:19. He said to Simon Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Jesus.

There is a Chinese proverb that says “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We don’t know how many miles Peter and Andrew traveled with Jesus, but that first step out of the boat was the beginning of a journey that led them to Jesus, and they would never be the same after that. Their influence for Christ would bring many more people into the family of God.

Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Following Jesus is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com