John Shirk

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

The Apostle Paul gave this instruction in Philippians 4:4, and then emphasized it by repeating it.

In the Old Testament, Nehemiah talked about the joy of the Lord being our strength.

Joy is the experience of knowing God’s love. Having the joy of the Lord moves us to celebrate God’s amazing grace and to enjoy our relationship with Him.  We will be moved to places of praising God with our lips and worshipping Him with our hearts. There will be a song in our heart, and Jesus will be the theme of our music. His salvation will be our great delight. Our service for Him will be an honor and privilege.

Psalm 40:16 says, “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

Rejoicing 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 – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to praise God for His awesome wonders.

In the days of Moses, the Israelites saw miracles from God’s hand. Yet, they struggled with idolatry, immorality, and lack of faith.

God remained faithful to His Word on their journey. Just before they entered the Promised Land, Moses urged the Israelites to get ready for the land and get right with God.

In Deuteronomy 10:21, Moses told the people, “He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”

This is a good reminder for our faith also. Remember God’s great and awesome wonders-the cross, the empty grave, and the evidence of God’s love in the nail-scars of Jesus. This is one of God’s purposes for our lives-to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Praising God for His awesome wonders 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 3:40.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.”

The writer of Lamentations recognized the need for a course correction. His nation had drifted far from the LORD and was suffering the consequences of their rebellion.

C.S. Lewis once said, “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is most progressive.”

Examining our ways and testing them involves humility. It is an honest probe of the heart to examine personal motives. It is a search of the Scriptures to examine the truth of God’s Word. And it is a view of Jesus that sees His nail-scarred hands ready to embrace us with forgiveness.

This Light Reflection inspires us to examine our ways and go forward 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 saying “Yes” to God’s call.

That’s what Isaiah did in Isaiah chapter 6. After God worked in his heart and humbled him, God then had an assignment for the prophet.

“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Isaiah said in verse 6, “Here am I! Send me!” That’s the reflection of a heart that is willing to be one of God’s ambassadors.

God is looking for people who will answer His call to share good news in our neighborhoods and around the world. He is looking for volunteers who are faithful to that mission. That first step begins when we say “yes” to God, and participate as His servants and witnesses.

Saying “Yes” to God’s call 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 1:14.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Bible says that the knowledge of God’s glory was displayed in the face of Christ. He came as the light of the world, so that those who walk in darkness might be set free from sin and be reconciled to God.

The grace and truth of Jesus was clearly evident in His encounter with a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The religious leaders were ready to stone her to death, but Jesus disarmed them by saying, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And as her accusers gradually went away, Jesus told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to find forgiveness and freedom in God’s grace and truth in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Corinthians 4:6.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Jesus came to earth as the radiance of God’s glory. He is the exact representation of His being. Jesus told His disciples that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father. If we want to experience God’s glory, we can open our heart to Christ. Make room for Him in the core of our being, so that His light might be the reason for our hope and the guiding force of our lives.

Jesus is the key that opens the door to a restored relationship with God the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to experience God’s glory by looking to Jesus 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 eagerly desire spiritual gifts.

This word of instruction is found in First Corinthians 14:1. That is the same place where we are taught to follow the way of love.

Love brings light to our service in God’s Kingdom. People receive care and support, needs are met, and spiritual growth happens when we carry out service opportunities with a heart of love.

First Corinthians 14:12 says, “Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”

God has equipped each of us with a personality and with skills to become a light for the Gospel.  As we serve God, there will be opportunities to develop those gifts in ways that build up the body of Christ and glorify God.

Eagerly Desiring Spiritual Gifts 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 Hebrews 12:28.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Our ultimate security is not found in the things of this world. That is because a time is coming when the things of this world will be shaken. They will not endure that moment when God shakes the earth and the heavens.

His Kingdom, however, cannot be shaken. That is where we find a refuge for our soul. That is where we experience the peace and joy of knowing Jesus-when we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be thankful to God for the bright future He has prepared for those who love Him 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 the way of love.

That is the word of instruction to us in First Corinthians 14:1. The way of true love is the way of Jesus, and is necessary for representing Jesus in the church and in our communities.

According to First Corinthians 13:4 to 7, this is the way of love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Following the way of love 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 remembering God’s benefits.

This is what Psalm 103, verse 2 tells us to do. “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Some of those benefits are listed in this Psalm. He forgives all our sins. His healing of all our diseases. He redeems us from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion. He satisfies our desires with good things.

When you think of God’s benefits in your life, what comes to your mind?

Consistently remembering God’s benefits has a way of filling our heart with gratitude. With each expression of thanks that we offer to God, we are praising Him for His goodness and kindness.

Remembering God’s benefits is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com