JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Matthew 7:24 and 25.

Jesus wrapped up the Sermon on the Mount by saying this: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

The word of God is foundational to a strong faith. The Sermon on the Mount is recorded for us in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. That is a great place to start for learning about God’s plan for our lives. That is where we learn about the attitudes that God is seeking for our hearts. That is where Jesus teaches us how to pray. That is where we learn about relating with others in the way of love.

As we put those words from Jesus into practice, our witness for Jesus will have a thriving influence in the world, and our faith will be firmly rooted in the word of God.

The foundation of God’s Word reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Isaiah 33:5 and 6.

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high-he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

The riches of God’s grace come to the believer in abundant supply. This wealth is not on the same level as material wealth, which is here today and gone tomorrow. The treasures of God’s kingdom are built to last forever.

This treasure is accessible to us when we respond to God’s grace with faith and holy reverence for the Lord. Jesus is the sure foundation for our faith. He is described as the chief cornerstone of God’s household.

That means, we can rely on His love for us, trust in His promises, and depend on His grace to be our most precious treasure.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to lean on Jesus as the foundation of our lives in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Foundation.

A strong foundation is necessary for any building to stand the test of time. We also build our lives on a certain foundation of beliefs or ideas. The Bible points us to the one sure foundation that is dependable for our faith.

In Isaiah 28:16, the Sovereign LORD says, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

Later, in the New Testament book of First Peter, this statement was applied to Jesus, and says, “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” We can rely on Jesus Christ to be the sure foundation for our times. All other ground, in the spiritual sense, is sinking sand.

Find encouragement in building our lives on the grace and truth of Jesus for our firm foundation in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Matthew 7:24 and 25.

Jesus wrapped up the Sermon On the Mount by saying, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

The words of Jesus are so dependable that we can build our life on them. He gives us a firm foundation that provides stability for our lives when the storms of life test our strength.

Jesus said we would have times of trouble in this world. He did not hide that fact from us. At the same time, He also assured us of His presence to be with us, and His grace to help us in our times of need.

There is another side of the story that Jesus also brings to our attention. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who build his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  In both cases, it was the storm that revealed the strength of the foundation.

Hearing Jesus’ words and putting them into practice is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com