JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is pursuing our God-given purpose.

In Jeremiah 1:5, the LORD said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah responded by pointing out the ways he was inadequate for the task. He said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

We might raise objections too, but God’s wisdom is greater than ours, and we can trust His wisdom. Eventually, Jeremiah accepted His call.

Our specific calling might not be like Jeremiah’s calling, but our God-given purpose is to follow Jesus and to be a light that reflects His goodness and glory. In the course of time, God will show us His plan and prepare the way for us to shine for Him.

Pursuing our God-given purpose is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the power of God’s mercy to transform our lives.

In Romans 12, verses 1 and 2, we see God’s mercy as the starting place for transformation from the inside out.

“In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Of all the voices that seek our attention, the most important voice is God. He has spoken at the cross. He has spoken at the empty grave, and He has spoken in the Bible. His message speaks to us of mercy as Jesus took the penalty for our sins on the cross. Keeping God’s mercy in view, we are moved to gratitude and worship. We are also better equipped to discern the will of God for our lives.

Focusing on God’s mercy 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 Matthew 26:39.

On the night before Jesus was crucified, He prayed three times in the Garden, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

In the Bible, the number three refers to completeness. So, it is significant here that Jesus committed Himself to doing the will of His Heavenly Father three times. His obedience to the mission was complete.

Jesus was not asking for the mission of redemption to be aborted. He was asking for His cup to be taken from Him if there was another way to achieve redemption. But there was no plan B. So, Jesus went to the cross. This prayer highlights the importance of the cross to the Gospel. To those who are being saved, the message of the cross is the power of God.

The words of Jesus inspire us to entrust ourselves to the will of God in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Mark 1:38.

Jesus was praying in a solitary place early in the morning. Simon and his companions were looking for Jesus. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Sometimes, people have a plan for our schedule, which might not match God’s plan for our schedule. Jesus was in that situation. Simon and his companions had one idea for Jesus that day, but His Heavenly Father had other plans. Jesus was in tune with the Father’s plan, because He had spent time with Him and heard from Him that morning. The prayer time of Jesus highlights a significant way to gain clarity of God’s purposes for us. Spend time with Him in prayer.

The words of Jesus inspire us to start each day having a conversation with God in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Romans 12, verses 1 through 3.

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

What does it look like to offer our bodies as living sacrifices? It starts with a clear view of God’s mercy and responding with a heart of gratitude. We can start this process with a simple prayer that says to God, “Thank You for your mercy. In light of what You have done for me, I offer myself to you. Have your way in my life.”

Clarity of God’s will comes into view in the process of offering ourselves to God for His purposes.

Walking as a living sacrifice to God 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 Proverbs 16:1.

“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.”

This is a significant statement for the person who belongs to God. Yes, we can go ahead and make our plans. God might bless those plans or He might redirect them. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tells us that as we submit ourselves to God and trust in Him, He will direct our steps. And if He redirects us, we have to believe that His plans are wiser than ours. We may not understand why He changes our plans, but we know enough about Him that we trust His plan to be good and productive for bearing spiritual fruit.

A God-directed life is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the key to knowing the will of God?”

We might think that the key to knowing God’s will is more information, but according to Romans 12, verses 1 through 3, the key to knowing God’s will is through transformation, and transformation happens when we offer ourselves to God in a spirit of worship.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Responding to God’s mercy with a grateful heart is the starting place for opening our lives to knowing the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His presence as the central focus of our lives.

In Mark 3:32, Jesus was the center of attention, when his family members came to take charge of him. At that time, they thought that Jesus was out of his mind.

There was a crowd sitting around him, and they told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

Jesus used this opportunity to identify the members of His spiritual family. He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

What was happening there in the physical sense is where His church is blessed in the spiritual sense-We gather together with Jesus as the central focus of our faith, revolving around His agenda for our lives rather than the other way around.

A daily connection with Christ will lead us to a Christ-centered life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on a life directed by God.

One of the questions that graduates face is “what will I do with the rest of my life?” This is a significant question. The answer may depend on another question. “Who will lead us?”

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 are key passages that reveal how our lives can be directed by the wisdom of God’s plan.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” The next verse is also important for having a mindset that is ready to respond to the counsel of God.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

For moral decisions, there is clarity available in the commandments of God.

For career decisions, there is guidance available in the hand of God.

For decisions that build relationships, there is help available in the love of God.

Having our paths directed by God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Mark 1:35.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

As we look at the life of Christ, we see His consistent devotion to the Father. He prayed regularly. Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. Consistent prayer is an opportunity that God has provided for us to pour out the concerns of our heart, praise Him for His attributes, intercede on behalf of others, and confess our sins to Him.

Prayer keeps the communication lines open with God, where we not only speak to Him, but He also speaks to us through the counsel of His Word.  As we commit our lives to Him with a trusting heart, He directs our path.

As Jesus was praying in a solitary place, Simon and his companions went to look for him. When they found him, they exclaimed, “everyone is looking for you.” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else.” He was not driven by man’s agenda, but rather the will of His Father. After spending time with the Father, He was in tune with the Father’s plans for his day ahead.

Consistent prayer in a quiet place is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – from Ephesians 5:16 and 17.

“Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

God has a purpose for our lives. He made us so that we might enjoy fellowship with Him and make Him known to others.

How can we discern where the Lord is leading us? There are various factors that help us to understand God’s will for our lives.

God’s will is consistent with His Word. So, we can be confident that God would not lead us to live in such a way that contradicts the principles found in His Word. As we commit ourselves to God, He increasingly gives us clarity on what to do.

God’s will is also revealed through opportunities. The talents He gives us, along with our passions can become a platform for us to glorify God. Awareness of people’s needs provides opportunities to make a difference for them.  The burdens that He gives us stir us to speak out and take a stand for Biblical virtues. Proverbs 3:6 tells us that as we acknowledge the LORD in all our ways, He will direct our paths. He will clear the way for us to do His will.

Making the most of God’s opportunities is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com