JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Godly Training in God’s Word.

One of the resources that God has provided for our spiritual growth is the Bible.

Second Timothy 3:16 says that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Filling up on God’s Word prepares us to do God’s will, not just because of what we learn in the Bible, but also, how the content changes us by the transforming love of Jesus. We learn to love Jesus and grow in His grace. God’s will becomes the desire of our heart.

Godly Training in God’s Word is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 19:7 and 8.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

God’s Word is a precious gift to us. Some people have described the Bible as God’s love letter to the world. The wisdom of His words teaches us and guides us in the path of God’s will. The encouragement of His words reveals to us that our lives matter to God, and that He dearly loves us. The plan of salvation is revealed in the good news of His Word, which directs us to faith in Jesus Christ. That is where we find forgiveness, true love, certain hope, and eternal life.

These faith-building verses inspire us to spend quality time with God by reading His Word in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to grow in God’s Word.

When Jesus taught a parable in Luke chapter 8, He spoke of seeds scattered on four different kinds of soil. There were three different soils where the seed did not produce a crop. They represent people who either don’t embrace God’s word, or are distracted from God’s word to pursue something else, like wealth or pleasure.

But there was one type of soil that did produce a thriving crop.  That soil represents the person with a noble and good heart, who hears the word, retains it, and by persevering, they produce a crop.

This is a description of someone whose heart is receptive to God’s Word, believes Gods Word, obeys God’s Word, and continues in God’s Word. By God’s grace, this is how we can live out a productive Christian life and stand tall as a witness for Christ.

Take the daily challenge to grow in God’s Word on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to look for the evidence of God in the value of His Word.

The Bible is a unique book, inspired by God, and written by different authors in different time periods. His wisdom in those words offers greater value than the riches of the world.

David wrote in Psalm 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Verse 10 adds, “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold.”

If we take the message of the Bible to heart, it will be good news for our soul that leads us to follow Jesus. He will be our source of joy.

Take the daily challenge to look for the evidence of God in the wisdom of His Word on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

John@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Exodus 13:21.

Speaking of the Israelites on the way to the Promised Land.

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”

Just as God provided for the Israelites so that they could continue on their journey, so God provides us with the means for moving forward in our faith. He gives us His Word in the Bible. He sent Jesus to provide forgiveness that covers our sins. He sends the Holy Spirit to guide us in the truth that sets us free from the slavery of sin.

We are on a journey in life. We can make good progress by walking in the guidance of His Word, and by the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the provision of God to live a godly life.

Second Peter 1:3 says that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him, who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Life is a spiritual battlefield. There are sinister forces that work against our soul, seeking to destroy us and separate us from God’s love. But God has resources too, to help us overcome those forces that wage war against our soul. Three of those resources are the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the Church.

The Holy Spirit fills us with love and hope. He reminds us of Jesus’ words, and guides us in the truth.

The Bible is the word of God, encouraging us with the message of grace and making known His will for our lives.

The church gives us a support structure in the Christian life and a place of belonging in His family of believers.

God’s provision for us to live a godly life is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How can I recognize when God is speaking to me?”

Exodus 33:11 records that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

Does God speak audibly to His servants today? While this form of communication is possible, this is not the most common way that God speaks to His followers today. We have something that the Old Testament prophets and servants did not have. We have access to the inspired word of God in the Bible. That is an important resource where we can turn to hear from God.

God does also guide us through the opportunities of our circumstances. He will sometimes place burdens on our heart so that we are motivated to take a stand for the Lord and against injustice. God may speak to us through the counsel of a friend. God has given people dreams and visions to bring them to faith in Christ or to start ministries that touch people’s lives. What a pastor says on a Sunday morning might be a timely word for us.

If we hear a message that directly contradicts what God reveals in the Bible, we can be confident that the message is not from God. Psalm 25:14 says, “The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance.”

Knowing Jesus, learning to trust Him, and growing in our understanding of the Bible are important pursuits for being able to recognize the voice of God in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Tune in to WJTL for lots of Stocking Stuffer Giveaways, December 08 – 16, 2012!  We’ve got lots of little prizes that’ll result in big smiles!  DJs will let you know when it’s time to call in to win.  So, leave your radio programmed to WJTL and keep us on speed dial: 717-392-3690!

Here’s what we’re giving away:

-Family Museum & Planetarium Passes to North Museum of Natural History & Science in Lancaster

-Hot Air Balloon Ride tickets from the United States Hot Air Balloon Team

-Tubing or Lift & Rental tickets from Ski Roundtop

–Zip Line Canopy Tours from Refreshing Mountain Camp

–“God Stories Volume 8” devotional with Turkey Hill Sunbrew Iced Tea vouchers

–“The Heart Of Christmas” (Starring Matthew West) on DVD

-Christmas CDs from Francesca Battistelli, Gotee Records, Jadon Lavik, Phil Wickham, 33 Miles, Matt Goss and Jaci Velasquez!

–Zondervan NASB Classic Reference Bible in Berry Creme leather

–Standard Publishing Rainbow Study Bible in Brown leather

-$10 Sweet Frog gift certificates (valid at York and Lancaster locations)

-Free Chicken Sandwiches at Chick-Fil-A (Lincoln Highway East location)

HERB SUERETH —

Here’s this week’s Real News of Inspiration from The Christian Post’s Katherine T Phan.

Have you heard any good news lately about CEOs of multi-billion dollar companies?  Steve Green is the CEO of Hobby Lobby which is the largest privately owned arts and crafts retailer in the world.  When he is not busy running Hobby Lobby, Green spends much of his free time and finances to promote the study and reading of the bible.  Green owns over 40,000 bibles and biblical artifacts.  He is motivated by his love of the word and wants people to come to read and know the God of the bible.  His ultimate goal is to create a non sectarian bible museum in Washington DC.