John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 50, verse 4.

The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is by hearing His words. That is where we find encouragement for our faith. The Bible is reliable for training us to live out God’s purposes for our lives.

Before the disciples would become witnesses to the world and leaders in the early church, they would learn to follow Jesus. They learned from the very best.

This Light Reflection inspires us to listen for God’s Word as we rise to start each new day 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 gracious conversation.

Jesus has a plan for His followers to be an influence in this world for the Gospel. The Gospel means “good news.” So, followers of Jesus should be recognized as people who belong to God and overflow with good news.

Colossians 4:5 encourages us to look for opportunities to share the good news of God’s love with others, both in conduct and in conversation. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Gracious Conversation 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 Psalm 5:3.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is through prayer. This will train us to invite God into our activities the rest of the day. David was a man after God’s own heart who sought the Lord in the morning. He poured out his requests before God daily. God invites us also to meet Him at the throne of grace in our time of need.

First Peter 5:7 says, “cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to lay down our requests before God as we rise to start each new day in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3vBqFNzV8pnepvrCnZmq2X?si=5d06f2a43083499e

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

To be steadfast is to be resolutely firm and unwavering. As it applies to faith, this is a place of commitment to the Lord that is deeply rooted. Turning back from that commitment is not an option. The good news of God’s salvation is our source of joy through the ups and downs of life’s experiences.

Psalm 112, verse 6 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”

Our world will be shaken by earthquakes, conflicts, and tragedies, but our faith in the Lord will always have a firm place to stand. That is because of the secure conviction that we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken by world events.

Steadfastness 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 Psalm 59:16.

I will sing of your strength. In the morning, I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is through worship music. This will refresh our spirit with songs of joy, gratitude, and celebration. The language of music is uplifting to our faith when the lyrics draw our attention to God’s love for us.

This Light Reflection inspires us to sing of God’s love and strength as we rise to start each new day 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 Diligence.

To be diligent is to show care and consistency in our tasks.

Someone who is diligent can be trusted to do their very best with the assignments that they have been given.

David Jeremiah is quoted as saying that practicing diligence is an excellent way to stand out for Christ at home, in the workplace, and even at church. Today, complete each one of your tasks, however big or small, with diligence.

This was the virtue that Paul the Apostle was commending to a young pastor in First Timothy 4:14. “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through the prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save yourself and your hearers.”

Diligence 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 Lamentations 3:21 to 23.

I call this to mind and therefore, I have hope. Because of the LORD’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is by remembering His great faithfulness. We fail Him whenever we commit sin, but He never fails us, and He is merciful to forgive our failures. Every new sunrise brings a bright ray of hope into our world, because God’s love gives us a fresh start.

This Light Reflection inspires us to trust in God’s faithfulness as we rise to start each new day in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Luke 1:79.

These were the words of the priest Zechariah about the Messiah who was coming into the world:

“To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Peace is a bright light that shines through the darkness of hatred, violence, and revenge.

On the night before Jesus died, He spoke these words to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

To embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord is to embrace the peace of God. His grace teaches us to love, be patient, forgive, and to live with godly contentment.

This Light Reflection inspires us to walk in peace with God 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 Meditation of the Bible.

Spending time in God’s Word has great value for our faith.

That is what we find in Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”

Meditating on the Bible is like chewing our food thoroughly. We slow down, take time to enjoy the experience, and find nourishment for our soul as we take God’s Word to heart.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Meditation of the Bible is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in the world.