JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to step into the light of transformation.

This process starts with a proper view of God’s mercy. His mercy spares us from the punishment that we deserve because of our sin. John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace, observed near the end of his life, “I remember two things clearly, ‘I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.’”

Romans 12:1 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Transformation happens when we respond to God’s mercy with a heart of gratitude and worship, and renew our mind to follow Gods’ will.

Take the daily challenge to walk in the transformation that embraces God’s purposes on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Challenge motivates us to take a step toward meaningful connections with other believers.

One of the ways that God helps us to grow in our walk with Christ is to bring other believers into our lives for encouragement. And we can support others in the faith with our friendship.

Hebrew 10:24 and 25 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The Pandemic has limited larger gatherings over the past year.  However, the principle of connecting with other believers is still relevant, whether that means online connections or meeting in a socially distant setting. We bring out the best in each other through encouragement. That happens through meaningful connections in the body of Christ.

Take the daily challenge to walk in relationship with other believers on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Challenge motivates us to take a step toward hope.

Romans 15:4 tells us that “everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”

The Bible is not designed to be a weapon to condemn us, but rather a tool to help us to fight the good fight of faith.

In reading God’s Word, we will find encouragement from the examples of those who lived before us and walked with the Lord. We will learn the ways of God’s wisdom, which give direction for our lives. We will also see the evidence of God’s love at the cross and empty grave.  The good news of the Bible will give us an eternal perspective that sees life through the eyes of God.

Take the daily challenge to walk in the way of God’s Word toward hope on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Word of Encouragement is Acceptance.

Peter learned about this encouraging word through a vision and spoke about it in Acts 10:34.

He said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” He went on to speak about the forgiveness of sins for everyone who believes in the name of Jesus.

Through Jesus, we are accepted into the family of faith as a child of God. That becomes our source of identity and source of security. We belong to Jesus, and He belongs to us. Acceptance is a key word in the greatest love story ever told.

Find encouragement in the acceptance of God as His dearly loved child in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to take a step toward doing what is good.

The Apostle Paul wrote why this is important in Titus 3:14-Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

God put us here on earth to make a difference. He called us to be a light in the world-to reflect His heart of love for a broken world. One of the ways we shine that light is to do good deeds that glorify God in heaven.

When we see the good deeds of Jesus, we see that He was about proclaiming good news, healing, setting the oppressed free, and demonstrating love through humble service and sacrifice.

Take the daily challenge to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by doing what is good on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Approach.”

One of the definitions of “Approach” is to draw near.

Through Jesus, we have the opportunity to draw near to God and live in relationship with Him. Ephesians 3:12 says, “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” And Hebrews 4:16 invites us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” As we draw near to Him, God promises to draw near to us.

Jesus is the way to the Father. He has a generous supply of grace to offer those who seek Him.  The cross proves His love for us, so we can trust Him confidently with whatever we confide in Him. He is the way to a meaningful relationship with our Heavenly Father forever.

Find encouragement in the opportunity to approach God with our joys, concerns, and confessions in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Challenge motivates us to step toward the counsel of the Lord.

This starts with an attitude of a teachable spirit to the ways of God.

Psalm 1 starts with a word of blessing to anyone who delights in God’s Word. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.

Take the daily challenge to delight in the counsel of God’s Word and find spiritual growth on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com