JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our activities to God.
God made us with a purpose to glorify Him with whatever we do. As we follow Jesus, His plan becomes the priority of our lives. We come to a place of surrender by saying to the Lord, “Have your way in my life. I am your servant.” Then, follow God’s plan with a faithful heart.
Mary said something like that and God established her as the mother of Jesus, and blessed throughout all generations.
David said something like that, and God established him to be the king over Israel. and a man after His own heart. God testified about David, “He will do everything I want him to do.” That can be true of us.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Offering our activities to God 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 Acts 13:22.
“After removing Saul, God made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”
This was David’s pattern. His name is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11. He was a man who trusted God, exalted God, and wanted to be near God in relationship.
There were times when David disobeyed God, but when this was brought to his attention, he always confessed and repented. This is what a man or woman after God’s own heart will do. It will be our heart’s desire to follow Jesus and to honor His worthy name through our conversation and conduct. But when we miss the mark, we will be prompted to turn to Jesus and appeal for His forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive the confessing and contrite heart.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to seek after God’s own heart in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on David’s heart to obey God.
At the end of your life, when all has been said and done, how would you want God to remember you?
David was a man in the Bible who lived an extraordinary life. He went from serving his father as a shepherd to serving his king as a warrior and musician. He then became a nomad, hiding in caves from a jealous king until he became king over Israel, as a shepherd over God’s people.
How did God remember David? In Acts 13:22, God said, “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
David did not always do everything right, but he was focused on God and delighted to be in relationship with Him. Our love for God will move us to obey God’s will and live for His glory.
Focusing on loving and obeying God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the search for meaningful worship.
In Psalm 27:4, David wrote, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
The temple was known as a place for worship. That is what gave David great delight-dwelling in the house of God and seeing Him in His glory. Churches today are known as houses of worship, but we don’t have to go to church to worship God. We can honor Him right where we are, because the body of the believer is identified as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Focusing on God’s glory and grace gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Psalm 40, verse 8.
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
David, the writer of this Psalm, was NOT motivated to follow God’s law out of obligation. He WAS motivated by love.
Some of his comments earlier show the celebration of his heart when thinking about God’s goodness.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.”
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”
“ Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you.”
Remembering with gratitude God’s goodness, greatness, and love for us will inspire us to follow after God’s own heart.
Walking with the desire to do God’s will is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Psalm 23:6.
“Surely, your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
David wrote this Psalm. As David walked with God, he was absolutely sure that he would be surrounded by the goodness and the love of God. His heart’s desire was to glorify God and to praise Him in worship. He said in Psalm 27:4, “This is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.”
In our daily pursuit of God’s glory, we come to notice God’s goodness and love pursuing us, each and every day of our lives.
Having the assurance of God’s goodness and love following us is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the eyes of the Lord.
According to Second Chronicles 16:9, “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Let’s suppose for a moment that we are all children. The eyes of our parents or guardians on us may encourage us or disturb us, depending on the situation.
If they come to see us in a sports or musical performance, we might give our best effort because of their support. We are greatly encouraged by their attendance, which brings out the best in us.
On the other hand, we might not be inclined to welcome their focus on us if we are putting our hands into the forbidden cookie jar. The lawless one tries to hide their activity from the police officer.
Likewise, there are different reactions among people regarding God’s watchfulness over our activity. David, a man after God’s own heart, was in awe that God’s eyes would notice him. He said, “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways.” Then he said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.” That’s because David was fully committed to the Lord.
The eyes of the Lord on us are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
