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

The motive behind hospitality is love for strangers. There was a time when your friends today were strangers. Someone needed to break the ice and reach out with some gesture of kindness. Hospitality is one effective practice of turning strangers into friends. The practice of hospitality not only builds relationships, but also meets needs.

In the days of the early church, God’s servants would travel from place to place and need a place to stay for the night. They would find it in the hospitality of believers in the Lord who opened their home to them.

Third John verse 7 says, “It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”

Romans 12:13 instructs us to “share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Hospitality is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is hospitality to God’s servants.

In Second Kings 4:8, there is a story about a well-to-do woman who urged Elisha to stay for a meal. Whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

Elisha was receptive to their hospitality and expressed his gratitude for their efforts to provide him with a place to stay.

In Matthew 10:41, Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.”

Hospitality to God’s Servants 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 Supporting Vibrant Ministry.

Jesus had a support system during His earthly ministry. It’s found in Luke chapter 8 as Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

The Twelve were with him, and also some women, who were helping to support them out of their own means. Mark 15:41 adds that these women followed Jesus and cared for the needs of Jesus.

There are various ways to support churches and ministries who spread the Gospel with integrity and enthusiasm: Prayer, Words of Encouragement, Financial Assistance, Volunteering and Hospitality.

In Philippians 4:16, the Apostle Paul told the church, “You sent me aid more than once when I was in need….I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied.” This is how ministries can be refreshed by the support of God’s people.

Supporting Vibrant Ministry is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Matthew 10, verses 41 and 42.

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

God sees even the smallest tasks that we do with pure motives and will reward us as He sees fit. Jesus wants us to love all people, including our enemies. But in this particular statement, Jesus is specifically encouraging us to look out for the needs of His faithful servants and followers.

The words of Jesus inspire us to welcome members of God’s family with hospitality and kindness in the Year of Redemption.   

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Gaius.

He was one of the few people that the Apostle Paul personally baptized. After he was converted to Christ, it appears that he excelled in the area of hospitality.

In Romans 16:23, Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.”

Gaius not only made room for Paul to stay at his house, he served in such a way that Paul thoroughly enjoyed being there.

The faithfulness of Gaius to show hospitality to the early church inspires us to offer hospitality with a cheerful attitude and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com