John Shirk

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

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 Genesis 1:3.

God said, “Let there be light”. And there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from darkness.

God is the creator of light. He spoke light into existence by the power of His Word and saw that it was good. He is the same God who said, “Let there be you.” He created each one of us with a purpose to know Him and glorify His name. That purpose becomes more clearly defined as we step out of the darkness and walk in the light of His grace and truth.

This Light Reflection inspires us to remember God as our Creator 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 Abiding in Jesus.

Fruitful service flows out of a vibrant relationship with Jesus-trusting Him, loving Him, worshipping Him, and following His lead with the direction of our lives.

In the New King James Version, Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.”

Abiding in Jesus is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in the world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 1:23.

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means, “God with us.)

God’s love is seen in the birth of Jesus. Recognizing that God is for us and with us will make a huge difference in how we approach life.

We can live with courage, just like Joshua, who heard these words from the LORD before entering the Promised Land, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

We can also live with godly contentment. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

And we can live with confidence in God’s love for us. I John 4:16 says that we know and rely on the love God has for us.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to approach life with the awareness that God loves us in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Delighting in the LORD.

This is foundational to a sustainable, productive journey of faith.

When we delight in the Lord, we are moved by God’s love to do God’s will, and make a difference for God’s Kingdom.

When we delight in the Lord, we will be motivated to reach out to others with God’s love and share His good news.

After the shepherds visited Jesus at the manger, their hearts were moved to tell others about Jesus, and all who heard their words were amazed.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Delighting in the Lord is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ByG2xeuFgOov2kGdSYtSs?si=f96c1720ab3c4df1