John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 13:5 and 6.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.”

This Psalm was written in a time of deep struggle and questions of faith. The first few verses begin with questions that we might have already asked God in some of our circumstances.

“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?”

Through our honest questions and struggles, we can find hope in the unfailing love of God for us who has provided His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. He has been good to us. That is our hopeful reality in a world broken by sin, sickness, and sorrow.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to trust in God’s unfailing love through the hard questions of life in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Kings 6, verse 16.

Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an opposing army who came to take them captive. The servant went out early in the morning to see the horses and chariots around them. He asked Elisha, “What shall we do?”

The prophet answered, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Elisha’s servant saw their adversaries, but Elisha could see the bigger picture. He saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha and his servant defending them.

With eyes of faith, we see the spiritual reality of God’s grace helping us in our daily battles. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to see the power of God’s grace to help us in our time of need in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to make things right with someone we have wronged.

Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

God cares about our relationships. He wants them to be full of love, peace, and joy. That is why Jesus is calling us to remove any barriers that keep us from experiencing fulfilling relationships. He calls us to seek reconciliation. This is possible when we go to the person we have wronged, confess what we have done, and seek forgiveness. These steps open the door for strained relationships to be restored.

Making things right with someone we have wronged 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 Affirmation.

When affirming someone, we are observing a positive trait in someone that we believe to be true, and motivating them to keep going and keep growing in that trait.

We find affirmations in various Bible passages.

One of them is Hebrews 6:10, which says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

And Third John, verse 5 says, “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.”

Affirmation is an effective way to bring out the best qualities in the people we love.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Mark 9:23.

Jesus said to a desperate father, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Every loving parent wants to see their sons and daughters living in blessing and freedom. This father, who came to Jesus, was desperate for his son who was possessed by a destructive spirit.

The father said to Jesus, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus then uttered these words, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.”

The father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus then commanded the spirit to come out of the boy.

The more our faith in God grows, the more we realize that nothing is too hard for Him to accomplish. He is the Creator of this world, the Savior of our souls, and the healer of troubled hearts.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to believe in God’s power to break the strongholds of darkness in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is spiritual training for our children.

People of different backgrounds and beliefs understand that the best way to influence the next generation is to have an influence on our children today. That is also relevant for the church today.

According to Child Evangelism Fellowship, most people are likely to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior between the ages of 4 and 14. That provides a real window of opportunity for parents to have an influence on their children for the Gospel.

Deuteronomy 6:6 points out that we can provide spiritual training for our children as we do life with them. Moses told the Israelites, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Providing spiritual training for our children is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Isaiah 40:31.

“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.”

Someone once said, “I believe in the sun even if it isn’t shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent.”

Hope is a powerful word that energizes us to keep pressing on in the faith through trials and testing. A cloudy day may hinder us from seeing the sun, but we still see the light of the sun, and we can feel the warmth of the sun.

There will be times in life when we might wonder, “Where is God in all of this?”  But with hope in the Lord, we trust that we are not alone. God is still with us, He is for us, and He is working out His good purposes in the circumstances of our lives.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to put our hope in the Lord in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Corinthians 5:7.

For we live by faith, not by sight.

We may not see the big picture of God’s orchestrated plan for our lives, but by faith, we have the assurance that He has a plan for us to follow Him and to glorify Him. Trusting Jesus will make a difference in our lives in a number of ways.

Trusting Jesus will give us confidence for moving forward. When the Apostle Paul noted that he lived by faith and not by sight, he also said, “we are always confident.” That’s because he knew that God was with him, and His presence was Paul’s source of strength.

Trusting Jesus will also give us peace. Through the turmoil and uncertainties of each day, it makes a difference to know that the love of Jesus is able to sustain us. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live by faith, not by sight in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

The use of pleasant words may involve the spreading of good news, words of encouragement, good manners, and/or a vision of hope.

Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.”

Pleasant words cultivate an atmosphere where effective learning and spiritual growth can take place. That is because respect is in the room. A person will be much more willing to learn from someone who respects them than someone who does not.

Pleasant words are key elements for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com