JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Thessalonians 5:10.
Speaking of Jesus, “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”
The light of the Gospel gives us the promise of God’s presence.
His presence is our source of help today and our bright hope for the future.
His presence comforts us in our broken world and is the guiding influence of our lives. David wrote in Psalm 139, “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
In the new heaven and new earth, Revelation 21:3 tells us that “God’s dwelling place is among the people and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
This Light Reflection inspires us to delight in God’s presence in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Second Timothy 1:9 and 10.
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
The Gospel is good news to point out the life that is found in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead three days later were the defining moments in history that shine the message of hope for us today.
Jesus came to give us a new life. He came to give us abundant life. He came to give us eternal life. And He came to give us a holy life.
This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate God’s amazing grace in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is First John 2:28.
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears, we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
The promise of Christ’s return is meant to motivate our faith in a number of ways.
First, the promise of Christ’s return motivates us to be holy. First John 3:3 says that all who have this hope in Christ purify themselves.
Second, the promise of Christ to come back motivates us to share the Gospel with others. We want others to be saved. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “in light of His appearing….preach the word.”
A third motivation is hope. Titus 2:13 talks about the appearing of Jesus Christ as the blessed hope. For those who love Jesus, the coming of Christ is not the end of the world, but the beginning of the full experience of joy in the presence of the Lord.
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk with Jesus with godly integrity in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is sharing how God is at work among us.
In Acts 14:27, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch where they had been commissioned for their missionary service.
On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
These kinds of reports encourage others with updates on how God is moving in the world today. Lives are being changed. People are coming to faith. The Gospel is advancing into new territory.
By sharing how we have seen God at work, we can be voices that motivate and mobilize the church into vibrant ministry.
Sharing how God is at work among us is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Southern Gospel Concert featuring Brian Free and Assurance! September 24th, 6PM. Bridge of Hope Church, 309 West Franklin St., Womelsdorf 19567. $15 adults, Children 4-12, $10. Love Offering will be received. Call 484-651-0108.
Free admission and Free Parking for this 3rd annual Gospel Music Concert and Festival held on Friday evening through Saturday evening featuring 6 bands, a volleyball tournament, spikeball tournament, foodtrucks and more. Held at a private residence on Welch Mountain, GAP, PA, it benefits For One Life and promises to be a great festival.
What: AUDITIONS for the York County Gospel Choir
Who: Men, Women, All Instrumentalist, All who love God and want to sing Gospel Music
Where: Church of the Open Door, 8 Carlise Ct, West York, Pa
When: Monday, June, 13 & Monday, June 20, 6:30 pm.
Additional Info: To audition you must have Christian song in your heart that you love to sing. If you are coming from York, Rt. 74 going North, turn left on Brougher Lane. Go one block turn right onto long church driveway to the Big White Cross. Enter in door right there. If coming from Dover, going south, turn right on Brougher Lane. Go one block turn right onto long church driveway. You will see Big White Cross. Enter in door right there.
Contact: Cheryl 717-659-7288
What: AUDITIONS for the York County Gospel Choir
Who: Men, Women, All Instrumentalist, All who love God and want to sing Gospel Music
Where: Church of the Open Door, 8 Carlise Ct, West York, Pa
When: Monday, June, 13 & Monday, June 20, 6:30 pm.
Additional Info: To audition you must have Christian song in your heart that you love to sing. If you are coming from York, Rt. 74 going North, turn left on Brougher Lane. Go one block turn right onto long church driveway to the Big White Cross. Enter in door right there. If coming from Dover, going south, turn right on Brougher Lane. Go one block turn right onto long church driveway. You will see Big White Cross. Enter in door right there.
Contact: Cheryl 717-659-7288
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is First Peter 2:9.
But you are a chosen people-a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
When God transforms our heart to trust in Jesus, we live with the assurance that we belong to Him. He has given us a testimony of praise that reveals God’s mercy that was shown to us.
The goodness of His grace is the reason for our testimony. That is why He deserves the credit for the good ways that we are changed by the Gospel. The writer of Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”
This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to declare praise for God for His mercy and acceptance in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to proclaim the Gospel boldly.
We have a life-giving message to share with the world.
The disciples declared this message about Jesus 2,000 years ago. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
How could these men be so bold about their faith? We gain insight from Acts 4:13, where the rulers and elders of the people saw the courage of Peter and John and took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Spend time alone with Jesus is the key to learning from Him and gaining confidence to share the reason for our hope. In Ephesians 6, The Apostle Paul asked the church to pray that he would declare the Gospel fearlessly, as he should.
Take the Daily Challenge to proclaim the Gospel boldly on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
September 15th, 2021
john
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Fruit.
Most of us have a favorite fruit that is pleasing to our tastebuds, whether they are oranges, apples, or strawberries.
There are different kinds of character qualities that make our faith more fruitful, such as love, joy, and peace. These qualities are found in the fruit of the Spirit.
When we live by God’s Spirit, He builds godly character qualities on our foundation of faith. This is what enables us to be an effective witness to the world of God’s saving grace. Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Through the faithful witness of believers, the words of Colossians 1:6 are still true today. “The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the world.”
Find encouragement in the fruitfulness of walking in step with God’s Spirit in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
