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Posts Tagged ‘clean’

Focus on God’s Goodness-Cleansing

February 26th, 2024 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Isaiah 1, verses 16 to 18.

The LORD said to a nation in need of repentance: “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Come now, let us settle the matter. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

The message of the Gospel urges us to turn from our sins and follow Jesus. God reasons with us on the basis of conviction. He points out where we are wrong, shows the right way, and urges us to change direction. The Gospel is also a message of forgiveness. Through Jesus, we are cleansed of sin and have a fresh start in God’s grace.

The cleansing effect of God’s grace reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Isaiah 1:18 Whiter Than Snow

July 5th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 1:18.

The LORD says this to a nation whose sin was great. “Come now, let us settle the matter, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be whiter than snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

God was telling the nation of Israel that even though they had been rebellious, it was not too late for them to change course. They could be made clean. They could experience God’s forgiveness. He said to them in verses 16 and 17-“wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

While we have breath, there is hope for forgiveness and reform by the blood of Jesus.  He went to the cross to purify us from sin and bring us into a right relationship with God.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find freedom from our past in the forgiveness of God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Faith Building Verse-Matthew 8:2

June 14th, 2022 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Matthew 8:2.

Along the way in Jesus’ ministry, He had encounters with people who demonstrated extraordinary faith in various ways.

One of those people was a man afflicted with leprosy.

He “came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’”

First, the man knelt before Jesus in humility. Second, he addressed Jesus as “Lord.” That is who Jesus is to those who follow Him. Third, the man acknowledged the ability of Jesus to heal him of his leprosy.

Jesus responded by saying, “I am willing. Be clean.” Immediately, he was cured of leprosy.

This faith Building Verse inspires us to seek Jesus with humility for the cleansing that we need in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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