John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Philippians 1:21.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Life on this earth is temporary. Our bodies are not made to last, but while we live in them, we can live for a purpose that leaves a legacy of faith.

The Apostle Paul loved Jesus and lived for the glory of His name. As a result, Paul lived with purpose and hope.

There is much fulfillment when we live according to God’s design for our lives. If we live, that means fruitful labor for us. If we die, that means that we are in the comfort of God’s presence forever. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find our purpose and hope in Christ in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our activities to God.

God made us with a purpose to glorify Him with whatever we do. As we follow Jesus, His plan becomes the priority of our lives. We come to a place of surrender by saying to the Lord, “Have your way in my life. I am your servant.”  Then, follow God’s plan with a faithful heart.

Mary said something like that and God established her as the mother of Jesus, and blessed throughout all generations.

David said something like that, and God established him to be the king over Israel. and a man after His own heart. God testified about David, “He will do everything I want him to do.” That can be true of us.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Offering our activities to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our future to God.

God holds the future in His hands. He knows the end from the beginning, and moves throughout history to bring glory to His name. He knows our future too. In Jeremiah 29:11, He declared, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

God’s plans for our lives are hopeful when we seek Him with all of our heart. They include living out God’s purposes while we live on the earth, a life-changing relationship with Him, and the glories of heaven beyond our last breath. His presence is the key to a bright future.

Psalm 37:37 says, “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.”

Offering our future to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Corinthians 1:22 to 25.

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

Jesus did not conform to the expectations of the Jews and Greeks, but He is the fulfillment of what they were seeking. He is the ultimate miracle of love from heaven. He is also the supreme source of wisdom to guide us on our journey of faith.

Of all the philosophies around the world, there is one faith that shines brightly with the blessing of God’s grace. That is the faith that preaches Christ crucified and risen from the dead.

This Light Reflection inspires us to turn to Jesus as our source of strength and wisdom in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Corinthians 1:18.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote these words, lived with the awareness that the death of Jesus was his pathway to salvation. At the cross, Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He willingly laid down His life so that we could be reconciled to God and live with Him forever. Embracing this message changes our values and priorities.

The message of the cross becomes the power source of our lives. That’s where God’s grace shines brightly as our source of salvation, and source of strength to live out the Christian life.

This Light Reflection inspires us to embrace the message of the cross in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our hands to God.

This involves reaching up to God in worship, and reaching out to others with generous giving. Both expressions can be used to honor God. Psalm 134, verse 2 calls us to lift up our hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. This is a visible demonstration that reflects a heart surrendered to God.

As we reach out to others, we can be a useful instrument of God’s grace to meet needs and share the joy of God’s love with our service.

The grace of God is effective for changing the way we use our hands. Ephesians 4:28 says, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Offering our hands to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is offering our songs to God.

The songs that we can offer to God are the ones that He has planted in our hearts.

In Psalm 40, verse 3, David wrote about God, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD put their trust in him.”

We are not all singers or musicians, but through the generations, God has worked through music to tell His story and lead people to a place of worship. So, today, we can take a song to heart with lyrics that celebrate God’s glory and grace.

Offering our songs to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 9:35 to 38.

“Jesus said to a man whom he healed of blindness, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’

The man asked, ‘Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him.’

Jesus said, ‘You have now seen Him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.’

Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and he worshiped him.”

This man was given sight on two levels. He could see Jesus physically, and then he saw Jesus for who He is spiritually. This led him to faith and worship. That is where we are led when we see Jesus for who He is and follow Him with a willing heart.

This Light Reflection inspires us to reflect the joy of the Lord by faith and in our worship in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ijy51s5TS7QrkU54ZSNGe?si=ec60f914e5064b12

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our mind to God.

Part of the greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God with all of our mind. This means fixing our thoughts on Jesus, who is worthy of our praise. Our focus is on what God desires for our lives, and the result of that focus point is life and peace.

There is eternal value in focusing on the good news of what Jesus has done for our salvation.

In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul offered this focus point for our minds-“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 all these descriptions. Verse 9 tells us that the God of peace will be with us.

Offering our mind to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com