John Shirk

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

If we have been blessed with material possessions and notice that someone else in need, that is an opportunity to be a modern-day Good Samaritan.

Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

In the early church, Acts 2:44 records that all the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

This is one of the ways that the witness of the early church served as a shining light for the Gospel. The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Sharing with others 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 hope in the Lord.

Hope is often connected with looking forward to something in the future. The Apostle Paul asked the question, “Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Our hope for the future is connected with believing in the promises of God. We believe, based on the death and resurrection of Jesus, that God is faithful to His Word and loving toward His people. His promises of blessing are guarantees of a secure future in His grace. Because of our hope for tomorrow, we can have a thriving faith in the Lord today.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Hope 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 – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 6:14.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”

The belt of truth is part of the armor of light that is given to us to fight the good fight of faith. When a Roman soldier wore a belt, he was wearing a piece of armor that held his other weapons. So, by wearing the belt, he was ready for battle.

Some people might view the truth of the Bible as confining, but when we apply that truth to our lives, the opposite actually happens. Jesus said that the truth will set us free.

Wearing the belt of truth protects us from the lies of the enemy that could lead us astray. When we are surrounded by truth, we are able to better discern what is God’s best plan for our lives, and follow that plan.

This Light Reflection inspires us to stand firm in the faith with the belt of truth in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

This is an acknowledgement to God that we have sinned against Him and need His forgiveness. God does not despise a truly contrite heart.  God sees all and knows everything about us, our good deeds and bad deeds, our pure motives and impure motives. He is not eager to condemn us, but patiently waits for us to turn to His grace.

First John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

After David confessed sin to God in Psalm 51, he said, “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” Confession brings our sin into the light of God’s grace and breaks the power of darkness over us. Then we will be in a better place to help others.

Confession 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 First Thessalonians 5, verses 5 to 8.

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

Here we see how faith, love, and hope are part of the armor of light. Those qualities of the Christian life help us to be alert to the voice of God and in tune with the heart of God. They protect us from temptations and spiritual attacks from the forces of darkness.

Wearing the armor of light is a good way to move forward in our relationship with God and fight the good fight of faith.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be vigilant in our walk 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 Consideration.

According to James 3:17, wisdom from above is considerate. This kind of wisdom sensitizes us to think about how our words and actions might affect others, for better or worse. When this is the case, we will be motivated to demonstrate gentleness, respect, and graciousness in a way that represents Christ.

Jesus was teaching us this quality with the Golden Rule. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

How do we want to be treated by others? Go and do likewise.

Consideration 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 Romans 13:11.

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

As we get ready for a new day, we go through the process of deciding what to wear for that day. We might dress to impress or we might dress for comfort. Spiritual preparation for the upcoming day is also important. There will be opportunities and challenges ahead. There will be temptations and trials. Spending time with God in His word and in prayer prepares us for the decisions that we will make in a given day.

Romans 13:14 encourages us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

This Light Reflection inspires us to put on the armor of light as we prepare for 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 loving our enemies.

This is a call to extraordinary love. Jesus said that even sinners will do good to those who are good to them. But to do good for those who hate us? That takes love from above. Jesus did that for us when He died on the cross.

Jesus said in Luke 6:35, “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Another way we can love our enemies is to bless them and pray for them. That is what Jesus told us to do in Luke 6:28.

The way of the world is to fight against our enemies or avoid them altogether. But the way of Jesus is to love our enemies in the hope that they might be won over as friends of God.

Loving our Enemies 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 Daniel 12:2 and 3.

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

The stars in the universe have been created by God and declare His glory.

Those stars can be a source of motivation for us to be witnesses for Jesus to a world that is experiencing spiritual darkness. We were made to shine and reflect His goodness and glory. As we do, we become a voice of hope to point people to the light of God’s love through faith in Jesus Christ.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be an influence for righteousness in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com