JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Confession.
This is an acknowledgement to God that we have sinned against Him and need His forgiveness. God does not despise a truly contrite heart. God sees all and knows everything about us, our good deeds and bad deeds, our pure motives and impure motives. He is not eager to condemn us, but patiently waits for us to turn to His grace.
First John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
After David confessed sin to God in Psalm 51, he said, “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” Confession brings our sin into the light of God’s grace and breaks the power of darkness over us. Then we will be in a better place to help others.
Confession 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 32:1 and 2.
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”
In this Psalm, David acknowledged the draining effect that unconfessed sin was having on his body and emotions. God’s hand was heavy on him. God was applying pressure on David, not to destroy him, but to set him free from the sin that was plaguing him.
Verse 5 reveals the turning point for David. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
If we confess our sins to the Lord, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to purify us.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to bring our dark deeds into the light of God’s forgiveness in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is confession.
James 5:16 instructs us to “confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
In confession, we admit the wrongs that we have committed. In confession to God, we agree with Him about our sinful actions and seek His forgiveness.
Sometimes, it is necessary to go to a person we have wronged and to ask their forgiveness. At other times, we may seek the support of another believer to help us overcome a perpetual sin. Confession opens the way for addictions to be broken and strained relationships to be healed.
Confession is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Forgiveness.
The Bible tells us that we all fall short of the glory of God. We miss the mark of God’s perfect standard whenever we disobey Him.
But through Jesus Christ, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. Acts 10:43 says about Jesus, “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Jesus came to take the punishment of our sins upon Himself. That was the purpose of the cross. When we cling to the message of the cross as our only hope, God no longer holds our sins against us.
The Gospel is calling us to agree with God that we need a Savior, and Jesus is His name. First John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Find encouragement in God’s forgiveness in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His power to forgive.
First John 1:8 and 9 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession is simply agreeing with God that we are sinners in need of His grace. There are no secrets that we can keep from God. He knows everything about us already, so nothing we tell Him about ourselves will surprise Him. Jesus is ready to offer us mercy when we approach Him with humility and honesty. Confession is how we bring the darkness into the light, and remove the barriers that keep us from experiencing the joy of God’s spiritual blessings.
First John 2:1 says, “If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
A daily connection with Christ gives us a place to turn for complete forgiveness and purification.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on Jesus as our source of eternal life.
Romans 10:9 says that “if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
It seems fitting to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in the spring season, because spring marks a turning point from death to new life. The message of the Gospel celebrates the fact that Jesus cannot be found in the grave, because His body was raised to life. Because of Jesus’ triumph over death, we have a living hope. His resurrection is a joyful celebration of life following death.
His resurrection has special meaning for the person who takes the Gospel to heart. Our celebration of life is not confined just to the here-and-now, but extends beyond the grave into the picture of eternity. Jesus is Lord. He came to save us from our sins. He has risen from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who make this claim their personal confession.
Trusting in Jesus as our source of eternal life is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
