John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:9.

Jesus taught us how to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

What an amazing opportunity for us to have access to God in prayer as His children.

This access is gained through faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Ephesians 3:12 and 13 says, “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Because God cares for us, we can approach Him with boldness and reverence. This is a good starting place for honoring His name with a heart of worship.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to acknowledge God as holy and our Heavenly Father in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 6:6.

Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Jesus was contrasting the kind of prayer that God desires with the kinds of prayers that were on display from the hypocrites, who loved to pray in public to be seen by others. It is interesting to note that the word “hypocrite” comes from a Greek word that means “actor” or “stage player.”  The hypocrite plays the right part, but only for the purpose of good appearances.

Prayer is not intended to be a stage production. It is a personal encounter with the living God. In the quiet moments of our day, we have the opportunity to meet with God with words of confession, words of gratitude, words of petition, and words of praise.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to get alone with God and pray in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Showing Appreciation for the Pastor.October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

There are several ways we can show support for those who serve in church leadership.

The first way is to thank them.  We can tell them what we appreciate about them and specific ways we have been blessed by their ministry.

A second way is to pray for them. First Timothy 2:1 urges us to pray for those in authority positions.

A third way is to learn from their example. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

A fourth way is to cooperate with them.  Hebrews 13:17 urges us to obey our leaders and submit to their authority. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden.

Showing Appreciation for our Pastor is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is the voice of Reconciliation.

This is the voice that encourages peace between parties that live in hostility to each other.

The ultimate peacemaking mission is to promote peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  Peace with God is the way forward for us to experience peace with others and peace within. God’s love for us is a sure foundation that calms our fears and gives us hope. His love compels us to share the Gospel in a spirit of love.

In Second Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul said, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

Being a voice of Reconciliation is a Key Element for Thriving Relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is First John 2:28.

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears, we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

The promise of Christ’s return is meant to motivate our faith in a number of ways.

First, the promise of Christ’s return motivates us to be holy. First John 3:3 says that all who have this hope in Christ purify themselves.

Second, the promise of Christ to come back motivates us to share the Gospel with others. We want others to be saved. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “in light of His appearing….preach the word.”

A third motivation is hope. Titus 2:13 talks about the appearing of Jesus Christ as the blessed hope. For those who love Jesus, the coming of Christ is not the end of the world, but the beginning of the full experience of joy in the presence of the Lord.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk with Jesus with godly integrity in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2kh2qYwUVcnHRCksSwINZa?si=e047fcad0a40446e

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 23:6.

With the LORD as my Shepherd, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

As we follow Jesus as our Good Shepherd, His goodness and love follow us every single day, step-by-step, moment-by-moment.  That’s because we have the presence and peace of God surrounding us. His grace blesses us today and saves us for eternity. We were made to worship God, and His dwelling place will be filled with the redeemed who love Him and have been saved by His grace.

In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to experience the joy of following and worshipping Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

It is one thing to speak words of good intentions, but quite another to back up those words with action.

James 2:15 and 16 says, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed”, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

The Gospel calls us to compassionate action where there is opportunity to help someone. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

When we tell the truth consistently with one another, we build trust in our relationships.

One of the reasons that we can trust the Lord is because His words are trustworthy and true. His example inspires us to be truthful with our words and actions.

Ephesians 4:25 tells us to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Churches and families have opportunity to grow together in healthy ways when we are honest with each other with a spirit of love.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 23:5.

With the LORD as my Shepherd, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

David, who wrote Psalm 23, certainly knew what it was like to have enemies. He also knew the experience of God’s provision and protection. There was a calling on his life to be king of Israel. We have a purpose too. It might not be a royal destiny here on earth, but it is a noble plan, because it is orchestrated by God.

In God’s plan, there is spiritual blessing in the form of forgiveness, acceptance into God’s family, joy, peace, hope and love. Jesus talked about this kind of abundant life when He described Himself as the Good Shepherd.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to enjoy the overflowing blessings of following Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com