JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is providing help according to our ability.
When we see the needs of people in this world, we can easily feel overwhelmed. We would love to help people caught up in famine or traumatized from a hurricane. But we know that we don’t have the resources to meet all of these vast needs.
However, we can make a difference by doing something, especially as we serve with others and give what we can to help people in their place of need.
In Acts 11, there was a severe famine over the entire Roman world. Verse 29 says, “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” The early church leaders set an example for being sensitive to those in need and doing what they could to help.
Providing help according to our ability is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Helpfulness.
This is a friendly disposition to serve others who need some kind of assistance.
If a person is recovering from surgery, they might not be able to do some of the regular household chores that they did before the surgery.
Being helpful in that situation might mean bringing a meal for that household or doing some work around the house for them until they recover.
The starting place for being helpful is a compassionate heart that perceives human need and follows up with a willing heart to serve. By doing so, we offer to carry someone’s burdens with them.
Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
Helpfulness is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in helping people.
God is watching us. He sees everything we do and knows everything about us. He is also able to remember every single thing we do with pure motives. One of the ways that we demonstrate love for God is by serving His people.
Hebrews 6:10 says “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
God saw their faithful service in the past, but He also noted their ongoing work of being helpful. And we can draw the conclusion that the writer is urging us to continue in the good work that God began in us. Remember the smile of God on you as you express His love generously to people in need.
Take the daily challenge to persevere in helping people on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from First Thessalonians 5:14.
“We urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
These instructions remind us to meet people at their point of need. To do this, we need sensitivity and wisdom in the way we relate with people. Some people are in a stage of life where they need a thoughtful challenge to motivate them to put their faith into action. Others have put their faith into action, and have endured hardship for their faithfulness to God. Knowing someone’s story gives us insight into how we can come alongside that person to be a helpful friend.
There is one quality that everyone needs-patience. That is because we are all in process. We are wise to give people time and opportunity to grow into the person that God is calling them to be.
Wisdom and Sensitivity are vital relationship-building principles to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the meaning of “Ebenezer.”
We often hear that word during the Christmas season related to the Charles Dicken’s novel, “Ebenezer Scrooge.”
However, Ebenezer is also found in the Bible in the book of First Samuel. In their distress, the Israelites gathered together to fast and confess their sins to God. When Israel’s enemies, the Philistines, heard that they were gathered together, they set out to attack them. The Israelites pleaded for Samuel to cry out to God on their behalf.
The LORD heard Samuel’s petition and thundered against the Philistines and routed them before the Israelites.
That is when Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the LORD helped us.” Through life’s storms, challenges, and conflicts, Ebenezer is a term that helps us to remember where our source of help comes from. According to Psalm 121, “my help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
God’s help in times of distress is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
