John Shirk

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

According to Jesus, this is how we let our light shine. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:14 to 16, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

So, what can we do today to shine our light for Jesus? Look for opportunities, let love be the motivation, and watch how God works through those simple steps of obedience to encourage someone with the reality that they are loved by God.

A good deed for God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in the world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 8:12.

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

C.S. Lewis once said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

Faith in the Lord Jesus opens our eyes to the realities of life and the quality of life that God intended us to have. Though we live in a fallen world with brokenness and sin, we live with the awareness that Jesus came to give us a life that abounds in grace and leads to a heavenly future.

Jesus is our source of light that we need for moral direction, hope, and eternal life.

This Light Reflection inspires us to follow 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 Living for the glory of God.

If this is the focus as we wake up in the morning, we will be ready in our heart and mind to honor God in the activities of our day, whether they include work, recreation, or meeting someone at a local restaurant.

Every activity blessed by God is an opportunity for us to bless His name.  The Christian faith is not meant to be confined to a worship service on a Sunday morning. It involves our total being 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Today, we can look for ways to lift up the name of Jesus through the witness of our lives.

First Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Living for the glory of God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in the world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

It is when we look to God for strength and courage that our fears are relieved. This is the pattern that we find in the Psalms.

One vivid example is found in Psalm 34, verses 4 and 5. David wrote, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  Looking to the Lord is the way to overcome fear and shame. That is where we find a love that never fails.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 31:16 and 17a.

This is a prayer from the heart of David: “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you.”

David certainly had his enemies. They were strong and intimidating. But in his time of need David turned to the LORD for His favor. We have that same opportunity in our times of crisis. The whole world could be against us, and yet, we could still live with hope if we knew that God is with us.

To have God’s face shining on us is to have God’s favor-to be in a secure relationship that reflects God’s glory with a radiant faith.

This Light Reflection inspires us to humbly seek God’s favor in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.

In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Courage.

Peter demonstrated courage when he walked on water toward Jesus.

In Matthew 14:25, Jesus was walking on the water in the midst of a storm when His disciples saw him and cried out in fear.  Jesus said, Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.

Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus invited Peter to come. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus.”

It is important to note that Peter did not venture out on his own. He went at the invitation of Jesus. Faith responds to the invitation of God’s Word to move closer to Jesus. Courage is needed when that next step is difficult.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.

Today’s Light Reflection is from John 11, verses 9 and 10.

Jesus said, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

A walk with Jesus is a walk in the light. Darkness hinders progress. We are vulnerable to various forms of stumbling blocks when we try to go forward in the darkness without Him. But daylight gives us greater opportunity for seeing where we are going, so that we can avoid stumbling blocks on our journey. God’s Word and God’s love are significant influences to light our way.

This Light Reflection inspires us to follow Jesus wherever He leads us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2F6OMDy1TMxe3rmkrHqDFB?si=f7ec1744c4c945b2

JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.

Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 50, verse 10.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.

Light gives us a perspective that enables us to see more clearly. Daily, we need wisdom for the decisions we make and the direction we go. That is where God’s counsel is a vital voice to help us walk in the light.

This Light Reflection inspires us to trust God for wise counsel in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.

In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is being a doer of God’s Word.

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.”

Being a Doer of God’s Word is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com