JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the freedom of serving in a spirit of love.
Along with freedoms come responsibility for the actions that we take. The opportunity to use our freedom for good or evil is found in Galatians 5:13 to 15-“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
This is a good word for us today. We can use our freedoms and opportunities for selfish gain or we can use our freedoms and opportunities to represent Jesus. Selfish ambition leads to prideful actions that tear people apart. Love leads to humble service that inspires faith, hope, and love in the lives of others.
Focusing on the freedom of serving others gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Today we reflect on—and celebrate–our liberty in Christ. It’s a Freedom & Fire(works) themed playlist!
Happy Independence Day—we are free indeed!
Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
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Song Title
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Artist
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Year
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Album
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6:00 a.m.
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Calling On Fire
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Bellarive
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2014
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Before There Was
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Like a Fire (feat. Steffany Gretzinger)
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Sean Feucht
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2016
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The Things We Did at First
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All-Consuming Fire (Live)
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Leeland
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2014
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Christ Be All Around Me – Live
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You Are The Fire
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Michael W. Smith
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2014
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Sovereign
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Chainbreaker
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Charlie Hall
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2008
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The Bright Sadness
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Set a Fire (Live)
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Jesus Culture
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2012
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Live from New York (with Martin Smith) [Live]
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Fires
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Matt Redman
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2011
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10,000 Reasons
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Obsession
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Delirious?
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2001
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Deeper – The D:finitive Worship Experience
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Free
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Jeremy Camp
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2013
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Reckless
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We Are Free
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Aaron Shust
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2012
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This Is What We Believe
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Set Free (feat. Matt Redman)
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Chris Tomlin
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2011
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Passion: Here For You
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Forgiven
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Crowder
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2017
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American Prodigal
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7:00 a.m.
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Break Every Chain
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Jesus Culture & Kristene Di Marco
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2011
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Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago
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King of My Heart
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John Mark & Sarah McMillan
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2015
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You Are the Avalanche – EP
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Love Like Fire
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Hillsong Worship
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2010
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A Beautiful Exchange
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It Was For Freedom
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New Life Worship
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2011
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You Hold It All
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All Consuming Fire (Live)
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Chris McClarney
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2015
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Everything and Nothing Less (Live)
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Catch the Wind (feat. Melissa Helser)
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Bethel Music
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2017
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Starlight (Live)
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I Am Set Free
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All Sons & Daughters
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2012
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Season One
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Refiners Fire
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Brian Doerksen
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2011
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Songs 4 Worship Ultimate
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Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
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Chris Tomlin
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2007
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Music Inspired By The Motion Picture Amazing Grace
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This Is Living (feat. Lecrae)
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Hillsong Young & Free
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2015
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This Is Living
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No Longer Slaves
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Bethel Music
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2015
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We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition]
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We Are The Free
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Matt Redman
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2011
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10,000 Reasons
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8:00 a.m.
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Freedom Reigns (feat. Kim Walker-Smith)
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Jesus Culture
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2010
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Come Away
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Chains
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Bellarive
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2014
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Before There Was
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Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)
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Crowder
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2014
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Neon Steeple
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No Chains On Me
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Chris Tomlin
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2010
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And If Our God Is For Us
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Freedom Song
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Christy Nockels
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2015
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Let It Be Jesus
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Burning Ones
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Jesus Culture
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2011
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Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago
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Break Free
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Hillsong United
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2006
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All Of The Above
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Burn Like A Star
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Rend Collective
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2014
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The Art of Celebration
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Burning In My Soul
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Brett Younker
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2013
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Passion: Let The Future Begin
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Freedom (feat. William Matthews)
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Bethel Live
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2012
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For The Sake Of The World
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I Am Free
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Jared Anderson
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2007
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51 Must Have Modern Worship Hits
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Sweetness Of Freedom
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Citizens
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2014
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Citizens
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God Ablaze
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Charlie Hall
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2010
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The Rising
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9:00 a.m.
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Christ Has Set Me Free
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Rend Collective
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2012
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Homemade Worship By Handmade People
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Consuming Fire
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Tim Hughes
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2009
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Happy Day
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Fire Never Sleeps (with Martin Smith)
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Jesus Culture
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2012
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Live from New York (with Martin Smith) [Live]
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Set Me Ablaze (feat. Katie Torwalt)
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Jesus Culture
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2016
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Let It Echo (Live)
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America (feat. Matt Redman)
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Chris Tomlin
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2000
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Passion: One Day Live
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Praise Like Fireworks
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Rend Collective Experiment
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2013
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Campfire
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JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the key to real and authentic freedom?”
Over the Fourth of July, America celebrates Independence Day with fireworks. Political liberties such as free speech, religious expression, freedom of assembly, and the freedom of the press are all granted in the U.S. Constitution. These are some of the liberties that we enjoy today, which many other nations do not experience.
As precious as these liberties are, they are not the keys to real and authentic freedom. Jesus offers us the key in John 8:36. He said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus was referring to Himself. He is full of grace and truth. One of His purposes for coming to the world was to set the captives free. In verse 31, He says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
While political freedoms can be taken away, no one can steal away our spiritual liberty. The truth of Jesus’ words and His gospel of grace are keys to real and authentic freedom in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines our restoration to God through His blood.
When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. God was providing a way for us to enter into relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19 says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings….”
The sacrifice of Jesus for us means that we have access to His throne of grace. We can pray to Him with a believing heart and have confidence that He loves us and hears the cries from our heart.
A daily connection with Christ enables us to draw near to God the Father and to live with confidence in Him.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on freedom in Christ.
Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
There are reasons to cherish our political freedoms to vote, to speak out, and to publicly express our worship for God.
However, the greatest form of freedom is the kind that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Here are some of the ways that Jesus sets us free.
In Christ we are set free to love people as He loves us. Galatians 5:13 talks about using our freedom to serve one another in love.
In Christ, we are set free from the penalty of our sin through God’s forgiveness. Romans 8:1 says “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
In Christ, we are set free to know the truth of God’s will and do it. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Following God is our pathway to real and lasting freedom.
Freedom in Christ is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the freedom and healing of the righteous.
In Malachi, chapter 4, we find a description of a day that is coming when the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. In Verse 2, the LORD says, “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.”
The reference to healing in this passage indicates that God’s people will experience wounds in this life. Some of those wounds surface in the form of physical pain. Others may take the form of emotional scars. Other wounds may result from persecution because of our faith in the Lord. On the day of the LORD, there will be healing for those who live with reverence for His name. The scars will be removed. There will be nothing fearful to give us nightmares. Painful memories will no longer make us sad.
The reference to freedom in this passage indicates that the righteous will experience liberty to worship God without interference. No one will be able to censor our testimony, or our expressions of love for God. Our faith will be unchained. It will be like a refreshing day of spring after a paralyzing, snow-covered winter.
The freedom and healing for the righteous on the day of the LORD is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
