John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Hebrews 7:24 and 25.

Speaking of Jesus, “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Intercession is prayer on behalf of another.

If we want to know what Jesus is doing in heaven right now, this Scripture points us to one of His functions. He is interceding for us.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He told Simon Peter that he would deny knowing Jesus three times. Yet, even knowing Peter’s weaknesses, Jesus would not give up on him. He said in Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

In Jesus, we have an advocate to the Father, to intercede on our behalf and to defend us through our weaknesses.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to trust Jesus to intercede for us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Job 13:15.

Job said about the LORD, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

Job persevered in faith through suffering. He understood some things about life and the Lord that can help us to endure the trials of life.

First, Job understood that life on earth was temporary, and that his life was in God’s hands. He said in Job 1:21 in a moment of worship, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.”

Second, Job understood that life on earth and his blessings were gifts from above. He said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Third, Job knew His Redeemer was his source of hope. He said in Job 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand on the earth.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to endure the trials of life with our hope in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to be a welcoming influence.

This is what Jesus did with the crowds that came to see Him. Luke 9:11 says that as the crowds followed Jesus, He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Jesus came to the world to engage us in conversation and to teach us about the kingdom of God.

His example shows us the value of rolling out the welcome mat to invite others into meaningful conversation. We will learn a lot in those conversations and have opportunity to be an influence for Christ as we share the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect.

Near the end of his life, Paul the Apostle lived in a rented house. Acts 28:30 says that for two whole years, he “welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance, he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Being a Welcoming Influence 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 to be a voice of faith in times of fear.

By bringing the influence of Jesus into our relationships, we can be there for someone who is overcome by fear. We can give hope to those who are discouraged. We can be a friend to the lonely.

Isaiah 35:3 says, “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas spoke words of encouragement to a trembling jailer who was desperately seeking life. He asked them, “What must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” That is what this man did, and he was filled with joy because he came to believe in God. Faith replaced fear. Life overcame death.

Being a voice of faith in times of fear is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are James 4:7 and 8a.

Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Temptation might show up in unexpected and surprising ways. That is why it is important for us to be ready and to stay on guard with the armor of God. Those spiritual weapons include faith, righteousness, and the word of God, which help us take our stand against the devil.

The more we know about ourselves and Jesus, the greater our awareness that we need Him. We need His forgiveness for past failures, and we need His grace for future victory. First Corinthians 10:12 says, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

Humility keeps us from becoming overconfident, and motivates us to draw closer to God for the strength to say “No” to temptation.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to resist the devil and draw near to God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Psalm 37:4.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Delighting in the LORD will shape the desires of our heart. When He takes first priority in our lives, righteousness becomes the yearning of our heart.

Our God-given purpose starts with a relationship with Jesus. He will be the treasure that we seek. He will be the Savior that we celebrate. He will be the Lord that we worship in spirit and in truth.

He will be our source of satisfaction and supreme joy.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to delight in the LORD in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com