JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rest in the Lord.

When evangelist Billy Graham was asked if he had any regrets in reflection of his life and ministry, he responded by saying he wished he would have spent more time with family, spoken less, and studied more. He would have spent more time in prayer, telling the Lord how much he loved Him. Billy Graham lived a productive life, but looking back, he saw great value in resting in the Lord.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Resting in the Lord is a refreshing experience. It is a time of reliance on His great love for us. It is a fulfilling time of telling God how much we love Him and desire to honor Him with the moments of our lives. Our strength is renewed when we pause and take time to reflect on God’s grace and wisdom.

Resting in the Lord 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 Verse is Revelation 22:21.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

These are the final words that we see in the Bible. This is a picture of eternity, when the people of God are united with the Lord forever in a place of peace and rest. Grace is how we are saved, and grace is how we are sustained forever. God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Billy Graham has said, “I have read the last page of the Bible. It is going to turn out all right.” This is good to remember in the midst of a difficult day or when it seems that our world is crumbling apart. Our troubles today are not the end of our story if our ultimate hope for salvation is found in Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live with the hope of heaven in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Psalm 37, verses 4 to 6.

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust in him, and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

The starting place for standing for righteous causes is a relationship with God where we delight in Him. He then plants holy desires in our heart that become righteous causes.

For Billy Graham, that cause was preaching the Gospel.

For Mother Teresa, that cause was helping the poor.

For George Mueller, that cause was helping orphans in their distress.

For Chuck Colson, that cause was reaching out to prisoners and their families with the love of Jesus.

What will your righteous cause be? Let God be the One to move you and guide you. Commit that cause to God.

Walking with delight in the Lord is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com