John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Face-to-Face Communication.

Texting, Emails, and Written Letters all have a vital place in communication. But they do not measure up to the value of face-to-face communication.

In Second John, verse 12, we see the yearning of the writer to see the face of the person receiving this letter.

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”

Wherever possible, let’s seek out face-to-face connections with those we love and cherish those moments of focused and meaningful interaction.

Face-To-Face Communication is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/492PztKjYTHVuicy7CKQto?si=d72fdcde1c81457a

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is providing help according to our ability.

When we see the needs of people in this world, we can easily feel overwhelmed. We would love to help people caught up in famine or traumatized from a hurricane. But we know that we don’t have the resources to meet all of these vast needs.

However, we can make a difference by doing something, especially as we serve with others and give what we can to help people in their place of need.

In Acts 11, there was a severe famine over the entire Roman world. Verse 29 says, “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” The early church leaders set an example for being sensitive to those in need and doing what they could to help.

Providing help according to our ability is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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