JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to Express Gratitude.

Saying “Thank you” to someone expresses gratitude and shows our appreciation for someone’s influence in our lives.

It is interesting to note how Paul the Apostle expresses thanks.

He said in Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.”

He told Philemon in verse 4, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”

There is a pattern by which Paul expresses thanks to God for particular churches or individuals. And then he specifically identifies the reason for his gratefulness.

Expressing gratitude is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Psalm 9:1 and 2.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

The wonderful deeds of the LORD can have a strong impact on our lives in the following ways.

They lead us to faith. When we ponder His love for us at the cross, His power of life over death at the empty grave, and His life-changing grace, our trust and confidence in Him grows stronger.

The deeds of the LORD also lead us to gratitude. We recognize that by His grace and mercy, we don’t get what we deserve by our sins. Instead, He has made a way for us to be forgiven and redeemed.

The deeds of the LORD also lead us to praise. He puts a song of joy in our hearts to express our love for Him.

These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to places of faith, gratitude, and praise in the Year of Relationship.

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 give to God with a cheerful heart.

Second Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver.

The Gospel motivates us to give out of delight rather than mere duty.  That’s because God gave His very best to us when He sent Jesus to the world. Jesus went to the cross and offered His grace willingly, not  begrudgingly.

God’s love for us moves our heart to places of gratitude, praise, and giving to others in need.

Second Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” That’s how cheerful giving can bless others and lead us to a place of blessing.

Take the daily challenge to walk as a cheerful giver 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 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

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Psalm 69:30.

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.”

Throughout the Bible, music is used as an instrument of praise for God. Moses sang a song after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea safely on dry ground.

After the LORD delivered David from his enemies, David sang to the LORD, “I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations.”

Paul and Silas sang hymns to God while they were in prison just before an earthquake shook them to freedom.

Glorifying God with music 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 John 14:6.

Jesus told His disciples, “I am the life.”

He is the source of life. He spoke of two dimensions of life when He held out the offer of life to us-eternal life and abundant life.

In John 6:40, He said, “My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

In John 10:10, He said, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus offers the kind of life that abounds in peace, in love, in grace, in joy, in hope, in gratitude, and in good deeds. Receiving Jesus as Lord is the key to these abounding treasures.

Faith walks toward God, using the bridge that He has provided to cross over from death to life.

Walking in the life that Jesus has for us is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

This week in my devotions, I read from the “Jolt Of Joy” plan on the YouVersion Bible App.  It’s based on the writing of Carol McLeod at www.JustJoyMinistries.com

There were a few sentences that really stuck out to me and inspired today’s lineup with a concentration on the connection of thanksgiving and joy.

“It is important to understand the relationship between joy and thanksgiving . If you are a thankful person, joy cannot be so very far away.  If you are a joyful person, I can guarantee that you count your blessings loudly and daily.  Thanksgiving is the password that opens the door of His presence to His people.  And, when you enter into His presence, you know that you will find there: JOY!”

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com