JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 1, verses 14 through 16.

John had an encounter with Jesus before he wrote the book of Revelation.  This is part of the description of what he saw.

“The hair on his head was white as wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

John responded by falling at his feet. The hand of Jesus was on him.  The voice of Jesus spoke to him: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One.”

An encounter with Jesus will lead us to faith, reverence, and worship. We will understand that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves, but we will be truly grateful that we are loved by Him. Our faithful service will lead to the glory of His name and will flow out of a relationship with Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find love and purpose in the Presence of Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 6, verses 1 to 3.

Isaiah said, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were **seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah had a vivid view of God’s glory and it was a defining moment in his life. He would be called one of God’s prophets.

When we encounter the living God, we may be overwhelmed with amazement, and overcome by emotion. Like Isaiah, we may be grieved by our own sin in the presence of a holy God. But God’s mercy is also there to pardon our sin and prepare us for ministry. In the light of God’s glory, our faith is purified and our mission is clarified.

This Light Reflection inspires us to marvel at the brilliance of God’s glory in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 148, verses 1, 3, and 5.

“Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights above….Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars…Let them praise the name of the LORD, for at his command they were created.”

God’s creation is designed to reflect His glory. As we do what God created us to do, we find delight in fulfilling our purpose of magnifying Him.

Psalm 95 calls us to bow down in worship and kneel before the LORD our Maker, for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

This Light Reflection inspires us to join with God’s creation to praise the LORD in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Corinthians 5:15.

Speaking of Jesus, “He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

We were made for a purpose that is greater than ourselves. We were made for worship-to lift up the name of Jesus and to live for His glory. That is when life has meaning and when our faith has vibrant expression.

The death and resurrection of Jesus has brought our purpose to life.   In response to God’s precious gift provided for us, we want to honor Him with a life of grateful love and devotion.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live for Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to stay connected with Jesus every single day.

The importance of relying on Jesus for each step of faith is highlighted in John 15:5. Jesus said to His followers, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

One of the ways that we remain connected to Jesus is through prayer. Relationships thrive through open communication. Prayer is how we can have a conversation with God.

Another way to have a conversation with God is to read the Bible. That is where God’s Word communicates to us and tells us how to live a life that pleases Him. When we follow through on God’s plan for our lives, there is fruit that brings glory to God.  Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Take the daily challenge to stay connected with Jesus every single day, every step of the way on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the mountaintop view of God’s radiant glory.

Have you ever been to the top of a tall mountain and looked down at the land below? You can see for miles in the distance and get a “big picture view” of God’s creation.

In Revelation 21:10, the Apostle John was carried in the Spirit to a mountain that he described as great and high. He saw something even more beautiful.

An angel showed him the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. He said, “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” The city did not need the sun or the moon to shine on it because the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” 

This is the view of a new heaven and a new earth, and is the future destiny for those who belong to Jesus by faith today.

Focusing on the brilliance of God’s glorious home 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 beauty of a flower and the brilliance of God’s glory.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:28, “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Flowers have their season when they burst forth in brilliant color and decorate our world with breathtaking beauty.  But they don’t last forever. Eventually, their beauty fades. That is one of the ways we are similar to a flower. We have a moment on earth that God has given to shine. Our most brilliant moments occur when we are fulfilling our God-given purpose to reflect His glory. This moment is our opportunity. This is our season to shine by sharing His grace, and standing for His truth.

Focusing on God’s glory gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 17:24.

Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

Jesus was faithful to His mission from start to finish. The book of Hebrews tells us that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame.

The yearning of Jesus’ heart was to be with His followers in a place of glory. It was by Jesus going to the cross that we have the opportunity to go to heaven and to see Jesus in His joy someday.

The words of Jesus inspire us to walk with Jesus and seek His glory in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “When Jesus went to the cross, what was the joy that was set before Him?”

Hebrews 12:2 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Just before Jesus died, we see many quotes, where Jesus is looking past His suffering to the glory that would follow. He said to His disciples, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice.”

Perhaps the most insightful statement revealing the joy that was set before Him came when He prayed to the Father just before His death. Jesus prayed in John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

The cross was the only way this holy desire could become reality. By way of the cross, we have a pathway to heavenly citizenship, whereby we can be in His presence and enjoy His glory forever.

By faith, the joy that was set before Jesus becomes our greatest hope in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com