JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 8:12.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He can accomplish on our behalf.

As morning light broke through to chase away the darkness of the night, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Just as physical light has a way of breaking the darkness, the light of grace and truth is able to break the darkness of our sin. Just before Jesus said this, a woman was caught in adultery. A crowd was ready to stone her to death. But Jesus disarmed these religious men by saying, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  He let her go free by saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”  This is how grace and truth can set us free.

This Light Reflection inspires us to come out of the darkness of sinful patterns and follow Jesus 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 serving beyond expectation.

When Abraham’s servant was seeking a wife for his son Isaac, he prayed, “Lord, make me successful today.”

Abraham’s servant was at a well, and requested that if he asks a young woman for a drink, let her be the one for Isaac if she says, “Drink, and I will water your camels too.”

Genesis 24:15 says that Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder before he had finished praying. He asked her for a drink and she gave him a drink. Then, she offered a drink for his camels.

When someone serves beyond the request, they express joy in their service. There is a generous attitude in going the extra mile for someone, and it is contagious for building better relationships, including marriages. It is also effective in representing the servant heart of Jesus.

Serving Beyond Expectation 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 11:25.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He is able to accomplish on our behalf.

Just as Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the grave, He said to Martha, the sister of Lazarus,

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

How would you answer that question? Martha responded by saying, “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

The raising of Lazarus from the grave would confirm this statement made by Jesus. Those who die in Christ will live again and enjoy fellowship with God forever in a place where death is no more.

This Light Reflection inspires us to believe in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life 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 invite someone to church.

One simple question can bring an unchurched friend through our church doors. “Will you go to church with me?” There are various reasons that someone might step into church for the first time, but the most common way they get there is because someone invited them.

It’s good to think about our circle of friends and who might be open to such an invitation. Ultimately, it’s not about getting people to church, but getting them to have the opportunity to respond to the voice of the Savior, who says, “Follow me.”

In Psalm 122, verse 1, David said, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’”

Inviting Someone to Church 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 10:14.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He is able to accomplish on our behalf.

In John 10:14 and 15, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

This statement refers to the intimate relationship that He has with His followers. His love for His people is sincere and tender. He was willing to lay down His life for us at the cross. Isaiah 40:11 tells us that “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to stay close to the heart of Jesus and follow His voice 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 find our identity in Christ.

That is what Tim Tebow did. He shares at Christian Headlines dot com that when he was a younger athlete, he was striving for wins and agonizing over losses. When games become our identity, we ride the roller coaster of all the highs and lows.

He goes on to say that when God’s grace shapes our identity, we get the firm foundation of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us on the cross. We aren’t defined by our scars. We are defined by His.

Those are the words of Tim Tebow. These are the words of First John 3:1- “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.”

Finding our identity in Christ 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 15:5.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He is able to accomplish on our behalf.

As Jesus was walking with His disciples in a garden, He said to them in John 15:5:

“I am the vine: you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Here we see that a productive faith flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus. How can we stay connected with Jesus every day?

One way is through prayer. Ongoing communication builds thriving relationships. Prayer is how we have a conversation with God. Another way is by reading the Bible, which is God’s inspired word given to us. That is where God shows us how to live a life that pleases Him.

This Light Reflection inspires us to remain in Jesus and bear much fruit 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 put God first.

Making God first priority in our lives is the right thing to do because He is worthy of our ultimate allegiance. In the first of the 10 Commandments, the LORD says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Anything that becomes more important to us than God is an idol.

According to First Corinthians 15:3, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is a matter of first importance. Jesus instructed us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The first and greatest Commandment in the whole law is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

When we put God first, our priorities become aligned with God’s priorities. Our focus turns to the treasures of His kingdom.  Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Putting God first is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This morning’s Praise & Worship Playlist is packed with anthems from Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Thrive Worship, Chris Tomlin, Brooke Ligertwood, Red Rocks Worship and more! We’re focusing on Bible verses from the Psalms, Ephesians and Isaiah.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 6:35.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He is able to accomplish on our behalf.

After Jesus miraculously turned a boy’s lunch into a feast for 5,000 people, He made this statement about Himself:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Jesus was pointing to the spiritual reality that His grace is sufficient to satisfy our soul. Blaise Pascal once said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to find fulfillment in knowing Jesus 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 the humility of a child.

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus honors the quality of humility, and directs our attention to a child as a visual example. Sometimes, children can learn from adults, and sometimes adults can learn from children.

Humility makes children teachable while they grow. Humility also moves them to a place of trust and dependence on their parent or guardian. Humility builds better relationships. These are some of the ways that child-like humility can help us to grow in our faith.

First Peter 5:5 teaches us to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Having the Humility of a Child is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com