John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of God’s Word, this is what the LORD says in Luke 24:46 to 48.

Jesus said to His disciples: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

As Jesus was saying this, He was opening their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He was also informing them of their very important mission, which continues in followers of Jesus today.

This is good news for us to embrace and to share with others. Jesus is alive and well. Through His name, we have forgiveness of sins Everyone who believes in Jesus is set free from every sin.

Luke 24:46 to 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 Fortress.

A good picture of a fortress is a castle. It is a place of protection against large-scale attacks.

In Psalm 59:17, David wrote, “You are my strength, I sing praise to you; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”

There is no safer place for the soul than to be found in the grace of God. His grace is our source of help and serves as a refuge in times of trouble.

His grace offers us peace in times of turmoil. His grace protects us from the lies of the enemy. His grace helps us to say “No” to temptation. His grace saves us from our sin. His grace leads to eternal life. A Mighty Fortress is our God to provide security for our soul.

Discover how the word “Fortress” 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 16:33.

Jesus told His followers on the night before He died, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

Jesus was preparing His disciples for a hard day. Grief and sadness would cast their dark shadows over those who were in His inner circle.

Jesus was also preparing His disciples for the more distant future, when He would no longer be present with them in body. He was alerting them to persecution that they would experience. He was also encouraging them with the promise of the Holy Spirit.

In this world, we will have problems. But we are not left without power. Jesus has overcome the world by His death and resurrection, and because of that reality, we can experience His peace and joy no matter what tomorrow may hold.

John 16:33-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 Curtain.

The curtain served as a veil to separate the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple. No one could enter this room except for the high priest once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people.

When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom.   The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

God was opening the way for us to enter into His presence by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Now, we have access to His saving grace with a new life.

Ephesians 3:12 says, “In Jesus and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Discover how the word “Curtain” 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 Matthew 26, verse 64.

Jesus was responding to a statement by the high priest in front of the Sanhedrin, “Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said so. But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest responded by tearing his clothes and saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses?”

That was the charge against Jesus that led to His crucifixion. His claim to be the Messiah was rejected by the religious leaders.

John 1:11 and 12 tells us that Jesus came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Matthew 26:64-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 Treasure.

A treasure is something with value that is often stored away for safe keeping.

Earthly treasures include precious metals, gems, or diamonds. Houses and cars would also be considered treasures. But they can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Heavenly treasures have greater and eternal value. Anything or any quality in the Kingdom of God can be seen as a precious treasure, such as righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 6:19, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Discover how the word “treasure” 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 Matthew 26:53.

Jesus said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

One of the great wonders of the cross is that while Jesus was nailed to a cross, the nails were not the ultimate force to keep Him there. His love was the driving force to keep Him on the cross. Jesus was saying that if He wanted to call off the mission at any time, He could have called for help and the cavalry would have come to rescue Him. No one took the life of Jesus. He laid it down willingly for us.

Matthew 26:53-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 Cross.

This is the means by which Jesus was crucified for our sins. The cross was considered a form of execution and humiliation. It was a slow and painful way to die.

The Bible tells us that Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

First Corinthians 1:18 tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

By the death of Jesus, we can experience a life of forgiveness and freedom from the gracious hand of God. That is the power of the cross to heal and save.

Discover how the word “Cross” 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 Jonah 4:11.

God said to the prophet Jonah, “Should I not have concern for this great city Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left-and also many animals?”

That is how the book of Jonah ends. We do not have a written record in the Bible of how Jonah would have responded to these words. He was angry because the Lord used Jonah’s message to spare the people of Nineveh from destruction. The city was filled with evil and violence, but after hearing Jonah’s warning, the people turned from their evil ways and God relented from destroying the city.

If God is concerned for those who are on the path of destruction, then it stands to reason that God’s people would have concern too, so that we are motivated to show them a better way.

Jonah 4:11-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 Hope.

In the Bible, hope is based on faith in Jesus and is built on confidence in God’s promises.

With hope, we live with eager expectation of what God is going to do in the future for us. Hope enables us to persevere through hardships. David lived with hope, and expressed his hope in the Lord when he said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”

Romans 8:23 tells us that those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com