JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to delight in God’s Word.
Psalm 119 is considered the longest chapter of the Bible. It is filled with references to God’s Word in almost every one of the 176 verses.
In verses 127 and 128, the writer says, “Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.”
Our attitude toward God’s Word has a strong impact on the direction of our lives. If God’s Word is a treasure to our heart that outweighs the value of gold, then we are going to heed God’s Word carefully to live it out. God’s Word has value for guiding us in the pathway that leads to a thriving faith and true freedom.
Jesus said that if we hold to the teachings of Jesus, we are really His disciples. Then we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free.
Delighting in God’s Word is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Jeremiah 15:16.
The Prophet Jeremiah said to the LORD, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.”
Our attitude toward someone will greatly affect how we receive their words. If we are skeptical, we will respond with resistance. If we respect them, we will be receptive to what they have to say.
Jeremiah loved the Lord, and received His words with great joy and delight. This is how God’s Word can affect our day today as we open the Bible to the words of life. They can guide us to a better understanding of who Jesus is so that we might be better prepared to follow Him with a faithful heart. They offer hope and encouragement for our faith. They remind us of a God who loved us so much that He sent Jesus into the world to save us from our sins.
This Light Reflection inspires us to take great joy and delight in God’s Word in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 1:1 to 3
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”
Worship is a way of life that includes meditation on God’s Word. This is vital for a thriving faith. A.W. Tozer has said that “the importance of reading the Bible is not reading, but fellowship with the Author.” When we read from the Bible, we are seeing the inspired words of God through His trusted messengers. As we give God our attention, His words will be our delight, and His counsel will guide our steps to a fruitful place. Never underestimate the power of God to transform lives through His Word.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to meditate on God’s Words and to delight in them in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Delight.”
To take delight in something or someone is to find enjoyment and satisfaction in the source of our delight.
Psalm 37:4 instructs us to “take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This passage is encouraging us to enjoy time with the LORD. Find satisfaction in His grace, because His grace is sufficient for our needs. Find joy in worshipping Him because He is worthy of our praise and delight.
As we delight in the LORD, He will rearrange our desires to His purposes. The words of the Bible will be meaningful in building our relationship with God. We will find joy in the journey of following Jesus and being in relationship with Him. We will take delight in God’s work among us, leading to changed lives for His glory.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Find encouragement in the opportunity to delight in the Lord in the Year of Endurance.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to give to God with a cheerful heart.
Second Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver.
The Gospel motivates us to give out of delight rather than mere duty. That’s because God gave His very best to us when He sent Jesus to the world. Jesus went to the cross and offered His grace willingly, not begrudgingly.
God’s love for us moves our heart to places of gratitude, praise, and giving to others in need.
Second Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” That’s how cheerful giving can bless others and lead us to a place of blessing.
Take the daily challenge to walk as a cheerful giver on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Challenge motivates us to step toward the counsel of the Lord.
This starts with an attitude of a teachable spirit to the ways of God.
Psalm 1 starts with a word of blessing to anyone who delights in God’s Word. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.
Take the daily challenge to delight in the counsel of God’s Word and find spiritual growth on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye On Integrity is based on Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”
We hear many different voices in a given day. The ones who influence us are the ones we believe. If we walk with the wise, we will grow wise. This Psalm is speaking to us about the productive blessing of delighting in God’s Word.
Meditation is the process by which the words of God leap off the pages of the Bible and find a place in our heart. If we feed on God’s Word today and consider it as a precious treasure, it will teach us the way of wisdom and lead us to a thriving faith in the Lord.
Walking in the delight of God’s Word 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 Zephaniah 3:17.
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Here we see a picture of God’s people purified in His grace. If there is one thing that can bring comfort to our day, it’s music. It is an art form that can help us experience peace in a turbulent world. And here, God is using music to express His delight in those who belong to Him. He has won victories on their behalf and He has won their heart. There is a great celebration ahead for those who celebrate Jesus.
The enjoyment of Heavenly music is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
