JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is a Christlike attitude.
An attitude is a way of thinking or feeling about someone else or something. As it applies to the Christian life, the influence of Jesus is effective for giving us a new attitude.
Ephesians 4:23 says that you were taught to be made new in the attitude of your minds and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
When the grace of God is moving in our lives, our attitude becomes more and more aligned with Jesus Himself. His love for us was expressed in service and sacrifice. He entered our world and noticed our greatest need for forgiveness. Then, He provided a remedy.
This kind of attitude enables us to reach out with God’s love and help people in their time of need.
A Christlike Attitude 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 of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the attitude of Jesus.
According to Philippians 2:5, our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!”
What we see in the attitude of Jesus is a humble servant who was willing to empty himself of His glory in heaven to display His love sacrificially for us on the earth. He did it by laying down His life for us to experience an extremely painful form of death.
Having the attitude of Christ will move us in the direction of humble obedience to the call of God on our lives.
The attitude of Jesus is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Philippians 2:6 tells us that “being in very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!”
Jesus deserved the crown of glory. Instead, He wore the crown of thorns.
Jesus was worthy of being lifted up to a throne of honor. Instead, He suffered the cross of shame.
Jesus was worthy of being served as a distinguished leader. Instead, He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
There is an important reason to examine the attitude of Christ. Philippians 2:5 says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
The attitude of Jesus is a lesson of faith worth remembering.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Jonah is a fascinating book of the Bible recalling the journey of Jonah to Nineveh to preach God’s word and declare His warning of impending calamity.
In a significant development, the city responds favorably to Jonah’s message and the city is spared destruction.
Jonah became displeased. He became angry, and vented his anger to the LORD. He said, “Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
Sometimes, even the prophets needed an attitude adjustment. There was a time when Elijah was fearful and wanted to die. There was a time when Jeremiah was timid to become one of God’s prophets. The LORD had to remind him not to underestimate what God could do with His help. Jonah needed an attitude adjustment too.
The LORD shared His heart of concern for people with Jonah. He said, “Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”
The LORD’s word with Jonah challenges us to share God’s concern for souls, and is a lesson of faith worth remembering.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
