JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Romans 15:4.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”

The words of the Bible have the power to provide us with hope and encouragement as we learn about Jesus.

The Bible is where we learn about His salvation for all who call on the name of the Lord. The Bible is where we learn about God’s love for us, and the demonstration of His love at the cross and empty grave.  The Bible is where we learn about the truth that sets us free. The Bible is also where we learn about heaven, and the eternal promises that God has planned for those who love Him.

The hope of God’s Word reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Psalm 25, verses 4 and 5.

David prayed, “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

In this Psalm, David acknowledged, “Good and upright is the LORD.”

He knows how to steer us in the right direction. He guides us in the way of truth and grace. He leads us in life-giving ways that cause our faith, relationships, and our labor in the Lord to thrive. God is our fountain of wisdom and confides His plan to those who revere His name. So, as we open our ears and our heart to God’s voice, He will be faithful to lead the way.

The guidance of God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places is Acts chapter 16 when Paul and Silas were in prison for their faith.

Verse 25 reveals what happened about midnight. As Paul and Silas were worshipping God, there was a violent earthquake. The foundations of the prison were shaken. The prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. When the jailer woke up and saw what happened, he was about to kill himself, but Paul and Silas intervened by assuring him that none of the prisoners had escaped.

The jailer asked them, “What must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.”

The jailer came to be filled with joy because he had come to believe in God–he and his whole household.

This Light Reflection inspires us to hold out the word of life for those who need hope in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is living with the hope of heaven.

Having the hope of heaven in our heart will remind us that there is more to life than this world. This hope will purify our faith and give us a greater sense of urgency to share the Gospel with unbelievers.

Colossians 3:1 says, “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

C.S. Lewis once said, “If you read history, you will find that Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.”

Living with the Hope of Heaven is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to tell someone about Jesus.

In a world where people are seeking to be loved and accepted, there is no one who can do that like Jesus. He is the reason for our hope. This day is an opportunity to share the refreshing news of God’s unfailing love.

We can tell others how He meets our deepest needs by His grace. We can point them to the reality of the cross and the empty grave, and share what His death and resurrection mean for our lives-specifically, forgiveness and eternal life.

Simon Peter came to Christ after his brother Andrew said to him, “We have found the Messiah (that is, the Christ).”  John 1:42 says, “And he brought him to Jesus.”

Telling someone about Jesus is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119:81.

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, ‘When will you comfort me?’”

In the Old Testament, there was a yearning for a Redeemer to come and rescue the soul from the penalty of sin. This was something that the law was powerless to do. This statement of hope expresses longing for the fulfillment of God’s promise of comfort. Jesus fulfills the longing of our heart for salvation.

Jesus said to those resisting Him in John 5:39, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

The light of God’s Word brings us hope in the presence of Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to search God’s Word for the hope that is found in Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Philippians 1:21.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Life on this earth is temporary. Our bodies are not made to last, but while we live in them, we can live for a purpose that leaves a legacy of faith.

The Apostle Paul loved Jesus and lived for the glory of His name. As a result, Paul lived with purpose and hope.

There is much fulfillment when we live according to God’s design for our lives. If we live, that means fruitful labor for us. If we die, that means that we are in the comfort of God’s presence forever. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find our purpose and hope in Christ in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our future to God.

God holds the future in His hands. He knows the end from the beginning, and moves throughout history to bring glory to His name. He knows our future too. In Jeremiah 29:11, He declared, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

God’s plans for our lives are hopeful when we seek Him with all of our heart. They include living out God’s purposes while we live on the earth, a life-changing relationship with Him, and the glories of heaven beyond our last breath. His presence is the key to a bright future.

Psalm 37:37 says, “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.”

Offering our future to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is boldness for Christ.

To be bold for Christ is to be willing to speak up for Him and stand for Him even when it may not be popular.

The secret to having a bold faith is to have hope in Christ. The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 3:12, “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” This hope enables us to think more about God’s glory than our security.

Jesus stood for us at the cross. He paid the price of His blood for our redemption. Because Jesus died for us, we can live boldly for Him. We might be rejected or ridiculed for our faith, but we will be commended by God for going public with our faith in Jesus.

Consider the example of Paul’s testimony in Acts 28:31, “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ-with all boldness and without hindrance!”

Boldness for Christ is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is hope in the Lord.

Hope is often connected with looking forward to something in the future. The Apostle Paul asked the question, “Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Our hope for the future is connected with believing in the promises of God. We believe, based on the death and resurrection of Jesus, that God is faithful to His Word and loving toward His people. His promises of blessing are guarantees of a secure future in His grace. Because of our hope for tomorrow, we can have a thriving faith in the Lord today.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Hope in the Lord is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Romans 15:4.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.

Bible history is a light to help us learn from the successes and failures of those who have gone before us.

First Corinthians 10 recalls moral failures of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness in the days of Moses. Verse 6 says, “These things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”

On the positive side, James 5:10 says, “As an example in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to find hope and encouragement in the lessons of Bible history in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com