JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is turning burdens into blessings.
One example of this is Nehemiah, who heard the report from Jerusalem, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Nehemiah responded to this news with weeping. Then he prayed and fasted before God. After that, he took action by building a wall in Jerusalem. It was finished in just 52 days. His story is found in the book of Nehemiah in the Bible.
Sometimes, God puts burdens in our heart, which stir us to action when we see someone in trouble. An orphan or widow in distress, a marriage that is falling apart, the homeless, the sick, or a family who suffered loss from a storm. We can take those burdens to God and ask for opportunities to reach out with the love of Jesus.
Turning our burdens into blessings is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a blessing.
In the Bible, blessings were often passed along from one generation to another. A blessing is a prayer or proclamation expressing desire for God’s goodness and favor to rest on a particular person.
In Numbers 6:22, the LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
And then the LORD said, “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
There is no greater blessing than to experience the grace and peace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the blessing we can pray and proclaim for our loved ones.
The proclamation of a blessing is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Blessing.”
One definition of this word is “God’s favor.”
If we look at the life of Abraham, we see that one of the reasons that God blesses us is to make us a blessing. If we are blessed with material wealth, He wants us to be generous. If we are blessed with a job, He wants us to bless others with faithful service.
In Genesis 12:2, the LORD said to Abraham, “I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
The ultimate blessing that comes from God is His forgiveness. Without forgiveness of sins, there would be no hope for us to be restored to God. Forgiveness is a gift of God’s grace that becomes our reality when we put our faith in Jesus Christ to forgive us.
Romans 4:7 says, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
Find encouragement in the blessings that come from God in the Year of Endurance.
It’s week 3 in our Season of Thanksgiving, Sunday mornings on WJTL. This morning’s theme is “Counting our Blessings and Blessing the Lord”! The lineup is below, including Psalms in song and hymns like “Come Thou Fount” and “Blessed Assurance”. Plus, “10,000 Reasons” from Matt Redman, “Counting Every Blessing” by Rend Collective, Chris Tomlin’s “Satisfied”, and the new version of Doxology in song by Hillsong Worship.
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Song Title
Artist
Album
Year
6AM
Count Them All
JJ Weeks Band
As Long As We Can Breathe
2017
Thank You Lord
Paul Baloche
A Greater Song
2006
Psalm 63
The Corner Room
Psalm Songs, Vol. 2
2018
Blessed Savior, Fount of Grace
Darlene Zschech
Blessed Assurance: The New Hymns of Fanny Crosby
2015
Jesus Messiah
Chris Tomlin
Hello Love
2008
Worthy of Your Name (feat. Sean Curran of Bellarive)
Passion
Worthy Of Your Name
2017
Faithful
Covenant Worship
Standing
2012
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) (feat. Passion)
Matt Redman
Passion: White Flag
2012
Doxology
Stars Go Dim
Stars Go Dim
2017
Blessed Is the One (Psalm 32)
Sovereign Grace Music
Psalms
2008
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord
Heather Land
Pouring It Out for You
2011
Bless The Lord
Laura Story
Great God Who Saves
2009
Wonderful Things
Highlands Worship
Vol 1: Wonderful Things – EP
2018
We Give You Thanks
All Sons & Daughters
All Sons & Daughters
2014
7AM
Blessed Assurance (feat. Jeremy Riddle)
Worship Circle
Worship Circle Hymns
2019
I Will Bless Your Name (feat. Jenn Johnson)
Brian Johnson
We Believe
2006
Draw Near (feat. Kristian Stanfill)
Passion
Passion: Even So Come
2015
Oh Blessed (feat. Anthony Skinner)
Stu Garrard
Beatitudes
2017
Light of Your Face
Misty Edwards
Relentless
2007
When The Stars Burn Down (Blessing and Honor)
Phillips, Craig & Dean
Breathe In
2012
A Grateful People/Bless the Lord
Watermark
A Grateful People
2006
Bless the Lord
Jared Anderson
iWorship Now/Next
2013
Blessed Be Your Name
Matt Redman
Where Angels Fear To Tread
2002
Come Thou Fount (feat. Charlie Hall)
Worship Circle
Worship Circle Hymns
2019
Psalm 134 (Bless the Lord)
Robbie Seay Band
Psalms LP
2015
8AM
Bless His Name
Jeremy Riddle
The Now And Not Yet
2009
Bless Your Name
Brian and Jenn Johnson
We Believe
2006
Bless Your Name
Eddie Kirkland
North Point Live: Awake
2009
Yes I Will
Vertical Worship
Bright Faith Bold Future
2018
Bless The Lord (feat. Rita Springer)
Jeff Deyo
Light
2003
Psalm 1
The Corner Room
Psalm Songs, Vol. 1
2015
Blessed Redeemer
Leigh Nash
Hymns And Sacred Songs
2011
I Will Wait
David Leonard
The Wait
2019
Covered (feat. London Gatch)
Mack Brock
Covered – EP
2019
Hundred Miles (feat. Crowder) [Live]
Passion
Follow You Anywhere (Live)
2019
Counting Every Blessing
Rend Collective
Good News
2018
Satisfied
Chris Tomlin
Nobody Loves Me Like You – EP
2018
Glory
Phil Wickham
The Ascension
2014
God Youre So Good (feat. Kristian Stanfill and Melodie Malone)