John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is hospitality to God’s servants.

In Second Kings 4:8, there is a story about a well-to-do woman who urged Elisha to stay for a meal. Whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

Elisha was receptive to their hospitality and expressed his gratitude for their efforts to provide him with a place to stay.

In Matthew 10:41, Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.”

Hospitality to God’s Servants is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Isaiah 12:4.

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.”

After Jesus rose from the dead, He commissioned His disciples to spread the word about Jesus and the good news of His saving grace. That commission continues in the testimony of believers today.

God has a purpose for our lives-to know Him and make Him known. As we learn from the teachings of Jesus, we get to know Him. As we learn to know Jesus, we learn to love Him. As we learn to love Jesus, we learn to praise Him. And as we praise Him, we bring glory to His name, and stir others to praise Him with their heart.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to declare the praises of God for His great deeds and enduring love in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is James 1:17.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Some people have seen God as a cosmic kill joy who wants to ruin our fun and make us miserable. But that is not the view of the Bible. The truth is that God is generous, and gives abundant blessings, both good and perfect, for us to enjoy. If we look around, we can see God’s good blessings in the special people He has placed in our lives, in the food that He provides for us, and in the beauty of His creation.

God also has provided us with perfect gifts that we really need for redemption and godly living. Those gifts are Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and grace.  Receiving these gifts is how we can move forward in life with peace, joy, and love in our hearts.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be grateful for the good and perfect gifts that come from God’s hand in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is being a Volunteer.

A volunteer freely gives of their time, talents, and energy to contribute to a worthy cause.

Through volunteer efforts, we can help people in times of need, spread love and goodwill, and represent Jesus, who freely gave Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

In gratitude, we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to serve God with a willing heart.

Isaiah did that. In Isaiah 6:8, he heard the voice of the LORD say, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!” He did not know exactly what assignment was coming, but he would learn that mission and follow through faithfully.

Being a volunteer is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Luke 17:15 and 16.

After Jesus healed ten men of leprosy, one of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him-and he was a Samaritan.

10 men were healed of leprosy, but only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus. Thanksgiving is an expression of praise to God. It may be expressed as a simple “thank you” or it may be expressed in an offering to God or in a song. It may involve keeping a journal of remembering specific ways that God has blessed our lives.

In the Christian faith, thanksgiving is meant to be more than just a holiday. It is a way of life that notices God’s blessings, and acknowledges His gracious hand with expressions of praise.

These faith-building verses inspire us to thank Jesus for His goodness and graciousness in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Romans 12:16 tells us to live in harmony with one another.

This is a good word for the church today as we seek to build healthy relationships that reflect God’s love.

In an orchestra, instruments play different notes, but harmonize to form a masterpiece as each musician does their part at the direction of the conductor.

God did not make us all alike. We have different gifts and personalities, but as we look to Jesus as our conductor, and contribute with the part we do well, the church works together to form a beautiful song that glorifies God and unifies His people.

Harmony is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 7:26 and 27.

Such a high priest truly meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once and for all when he offered himself.

Here we see that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our imperfect lives. The description of humanity points to our need for a Savior. Romans 3:12 says, “There is no one who does good, not even one.” Jesus is the exception. He lived a sinless life. He came from heaven to earth to reveal the way to be forgiven of our sins and enjoy life with God forever. Then, He laid down His life for us on the cross. He paid the price in full for our redemption.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to look to Jesus as the worthy sacrifice for our sins in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Learning from the example of others.

Take note of the consequences of bad decisions, and the fruitfulness of good decisions. This will help us grow in the way of wisdom, and give us discernment when choosing friends.

In First Corinthians 10, Paul wrote about the experiences of the Israelites in the days of Moses. The people of that time committed idolatry, indulged in revelry, engaged in immorality, and grumbled against God. Verse 6 says, “These things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did”.

A positive view of learning is found in the example of Paul the Apostle. He wrote in Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Learning from the Example of others 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 a Thought Life focused on Jesus.

The foundation for a focused thought life that pleases God is Jesus. Philippians 4:8 says to the family of God, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Jesus fits the description of all these words. When we focus our thoughts on Him, we learn to see others through His eyes of love, concern, and compassion.

This focus will also enable us to appreciate these virtuous qualities in others and to offer them encouragement when we see them displayed.

A Thought Life focused on Jesus is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtlcom