JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 19:7 and 8.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

God’s Word is a precious gift to us. Some people have described the Bible as God’s love letter to the world. The wisdom of His words teaches us and guides us in the path of God’s will. The encouragement of His words reveals to us that our lives matter to God, and that He dearly loves us. The plan of salvation is revealed in the good news of His Word, which directs us to faith in Jesus Christ. That is where we find forgiveness, true love, certain hope, and eternal life.

These faith-building verses inspire us to spend quality time with God by reading His Word in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to grow in God’s Word.

When Jesus taught a parable in Luke chapter 8, He spoke of seeds scattered on four different kinds of soil. There were three different soils where the seed did not produce a crop. They represent people who either don’t embrace God’s word, or are distracted from God’s word to pursue something else, like wealth or pleasure.

But there was one type of soil that did produce a thriving crop.  That soil represents the person with a noble and good heart, who hears the word, retains it, and by persevering, they produce a crop.

This is a description of someone whose heart is receptive to God’s Word, believes Gods Word, obeys God’s Word, and continues in God’s Word. By God’s grace, this is how we can live out a productive Christian life and stand tall as a witness for Christ.

Take the daily challenge to grow in God’s Word 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 nourishment of spring rains and the word of God.

In Isaiah 55:10, the LORD compares the rain cycle with the nourishment of His Word to feed our soul.

From the New Living Translation, “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Just as the soil needs rain for the crops to grow, so we need God’s Word for our faith to grow. That is one dependable place where we can turn to taste and see that the Lord is good.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Luke 8:15.

Jesus said, “The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

This statement was the end of a parable where Jesus talked about seed being planted on different kinds of soil. It’s a story about a farmer, but it is also a story about God’s Kingdom. The seed in the story is the word of God. Some seed fell on the path, but never became rooted. The devil came and took away the word from the hearts of those who represented the path. Other kinds of soil are more receptive at first, but along the way, influences such as wealth, pleasure, or worry keep certain people from growing in maturity. Still others believe for a while, but fall away in times of testing.

Jesus shows us how we can be the good soil, by being receptive to God’s Word, growing in it, and being fruitful in how we live out God’s word.

Walking in the way 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 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 Moment Of Celebration reflects on God’s guidance.

In Exodus 13:21, we learn how God guided and provided for the Israelites after they were released from slavery in Egypt.

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night was an indication that God was present with the Israelites. God was making a way for them to move forward in His plan. Without the pillar of cloud in the day, the people would have baked in the desert sun. Without the fire by night, the people would have stumbled in the darkness. God has not left His people without tools to go forward in His plan. God’s Word is described as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. God’s Presence serves as our shade to refresh us in the midst of circumstances that drain the soul. Psalm 121, verse 5 says, “The LORD watches over you-the LORD is your shade at your right hand.” With a teachable spirit, we can enjoy the journey of moving forward in God’s plan, under His presence, in light of His Word.

God’s guidance is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

Through the expression and reception of God’s Word, faith is formed in our hearts. Not everyone who hears with their ears will believe with their hearts. However, if our hearts are thirsty for the truth, and craving for righteousness, the words of Jesus are sure to be a satisfying drink for spiritual nourishment.

Isaiah chapter 55 compared the acceptance of God’s Word to the rain cycle, which comes from heaven and does not return without watering the earth. The LORD says in verse 11, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Faith is born and thrives with the influence of God’s Word shaping our heart.

The life-changing impact of God’s Word is a lesson of faith to remember.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – To know whether or not we can trust something or someone, we need to have confidence in whether or not they are true. The words ‘true’ and ‘trustworthy’ go together.

On one occasion, Jesus prayed for His followers, saying, “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.”

When does the Bible make a difference in our lives? When we accept it as truth. That is where we find Jesus crucified for our sins, then risen from the dead, and exalted as Lord.

In First Thessalonians 2:13, Paul wrote a letter to the church saying, “We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”

This is how the Bible can have a life-changing impact on our lives that transforms us into the likeness of Christ-when we humbly accept the words of Scripture as the words of truth. Then, we will have a trustworthy resource for knowing God and knowing what He wants us to do.

The reliability of God’s Word is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – There are several ways we might be tempted to sin-Either through the external forces of the world’s value system and the influence of Satan or through the internal force of the sinful nature.

The source of Jesus’ temptation was not internal, but rather external, because He had no sinful nature. But He was tempted externally by the devil.

It happened in Luke 4. The devil tempted Jesus three times, and each time, Jesus responded with the words, It is written. He resisted the devil by using the Word of God.

That resource is available to us today, and will help us in moments of temptation. The writer of Psalm 119 said to the LORD,  “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Hiding God’s Word in our heart is effective for overcoming temptation and is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Luke 8:21.

Jesus said, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

This statement broadens our view of family. At the time when Jesus said this, someone approached Jesus to tell him that his mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to see him. But they were having trouble getting through because of the crowd.

That is when Jesus widened the definition of His family circle to include anyone who was receptive to God’s Word and applied His truth to their lives. This application includes receiving the good news of salvation found only in Jesus Christ. This family definition includes people of faith for future generations, including ours. Family membership is one of God’s spiritual blessings for the follower of Christ. He enlarges our family to include God’s people who are brothers and sisters in Christ. Our fellowship is meaningful through the blood of Christ.

Putting God’s word into practice is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com