JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Romans 4:25.

Speaking of Jesus, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

To be justified in God’s sight is to be declared “not guilty.” Yet, the Bible tells us we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. So, how then can those who are guilty be declared innocent in God’s eyes?

The answer is the Gospel, which is the light that reveals our hope by the death and resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, He took the weight of our sins on Himself and paid the penalty for what we deserved. He went there in our place. Trusting in His provision of grace is what makes us righteous in God’s eyes.

Abraham was a man of faith and was given the credit of righteousness. That is what happens to us who believe in God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

This Light Reflection inspires us to believe in the good news about Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Revelation 22:21.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

These are the final words that we see in the Bible. This is a picture of eternity, when the people of God are united with the Lord forever in a place of peace and rest. Grace is how we are saved, and grace is how we are sustained forever. God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Billy Graham has said, “I have read the last page of the Bible. It is going to turn out all right.” This is good to remember in the midst of a difficult day or when it seems that our world is crumbling apart. Our troubles today are not the end of our story if our ultimate hope for salvation is found in Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to live with the hope of heaven in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Peter 3:18.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Our conversion to Christ marks the beginning of our faith journey where we follow Jesus step by step with a heart that trusts in Him.

God’s will for our lives is to grow in our relationship with Jesus and know Him on a deeper level. This happens when we spend time with Him in prayer and take His words to heart from the Bible.

A closer walk with Jesus will more clearly define our mission. We will be in tune with His voice and moved by His love for us.

Colossians 2:6 says, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Ephesians 2:8 and 9.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace reflects the outpouring of a generous God toward us.

God’s grace is the gift that is a life-saver for us. We cannot earn this grace on human merit. We cannot buy this grace with all of our money. But we can receive this grace through faith in the name of Jesus. He came to save us from our sins. That mission was accomplished at the cross and empty grave.

John 1:11 says about Jesus, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to receive God’s grace as the most valuable gift we could ever have in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Romans 6:23.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The journey of faith leads us to eternal life where we will be with the Lord forever in the new heavens and the new earth someday.

One time, C.S. Lewis arrived at a conference where the question was raised, “What makes Christianity different from all the other religions of the world?”

He responded without hesitation, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Eternal life is a gift that we receive, not a paycheck that we earn, nor is it a product that we purchase.  Jesus paid the price for our pardon with His blood at the cross. That is why we all need Jesus.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to receive the gift of God’s grace in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Titus 2:11 to 13.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

The grace of God not only saves us from our sins, but is also an incentive for holy living.  In gratitude for what Jesus did for us at the cross, we desire to live for Him with whole-hearted devotion as we anticipate the day when we see Him face to face. His love is the treasure of our heart that draws us closer to Jesus day-by-day.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to live under the influence of God’s grace in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is grace.

We can be useful instruments of God’s redemptive plan as His grace flows through us in our relationships. Here is how:

Grace can flow through us in a friendly greeting. The Bible is filled with greetings extending the grace and peace of God to someone else.

Grace can flow through our generous spirit. Second Corinthians 8:7 challenges us to excel in the grace of giving.

Grace also flows through acts of service. First Peter 4:10 instructs us to use whatever gift we have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

God also works through our gracious conversation to be voices that reconcile people to God and build meaningful relationships.

Grace is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Gift.”

A gift is a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.

Some gifts are priceless, such as the grace of God. We cannot put a monetary value on grace. It is the gift that saves our soul and lasts forever.

Ephesians 2:8 says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

We cannot buy God’s grace with money or earn God’s grace by good works, but we can receive it as a gift, and enjoy a relationship with God that lasts forever. Revelation 22:21 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” That is how the Bible ends, and how things will be in the picture of eternity.

Find encouragement in the gift of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Secure.

The most secure place to be is in the grace of God. That is where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. Our guilt is removed. Forgiveness is our reality, Jesus is our firm foundation, and His love is our source of confidence. Heaven is our destiny. With our focus on Jesus, faith becomes stronger than fear.

Psalm 112:6 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.”

No matter what happens today, God is still on the throne, and His grace sustains us through times of trial and triumph. Our true security is ultimately found in Jesus Christ.

Find encouragement in the security of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Grace.

To be in God’s grace is to have God’s favor. For those who have sinned against God, we don’t deserve God’s grace, but out of God’s abundant goodness and love for us, He gives His grace to bless us.

Grace is a gift to be received, not a paycheck to be earned. The life-saving impact of grace is highlighted for us in Ephesians 2:8. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

And Romans 3:22 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith.”

That is what the death and resurrection of Jesus was all about-to offer the gift of grace to sinners like us, so that we might be redeemed, restored, and reconciled to Him.

Find encouragement in receiving the gift of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to look for the evidence of God in a life of integrity.

One of the evidences of God’s existence is found in a person whose life is changed by His grace.

David prayed in Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

A person who says this kind of prayer and means it from the heart is under the influence of the Holy Spirit. David was a man after God’s own heart. He desired a relationship with God and pursued His will.

According to Ezekiel 36:6, this is how the LORD works to change someone’s heart and spiritual direction: The LORD says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Take the daily challenge to look for the evidence of God in the changed lives of God’s people on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com