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

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus honors the quality of humility, and directs our attention to a child as a visual example. Sometimes, children can learn from adults, and sometimes adults can learn from children.

Humility makes children teachable while they grow. Humility also moves them to a place of trust and dependence on their parent or guardian. Humility builds better relationships. These are some of the ways that child-like humility can help us to grow in our faith.

First Peter 5:5 teaches us to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Having the Humility of a Child 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 Ezekiel 1:28.

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

As Ezekiel was receiving his calling into ministry, he had an encounter with the living God. He responded with reverence, awe, and humility. In the presence of God, we are often moved by the holiness of God and the mercy of God at the same time. We are likely to be convicted of our own sinfulness, but at the same time, encouraged by the grace of God to give us a place of belonging to His family and service in His church.

Greater understanding comes to the worshipper of God. We see Jesus more clearly, we see ourselves more clearly, and we see our purpose in Christ more clearly when we surrender to God.

This Light Reflection inspires us to worship God in humility when He calls us to service in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Luke 18:9 to 14.

Jesus told this story to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

Jesus said, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to confess our need for God’s mercy in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Daniel 4:34.

These are the words of an influential leader who was brought to a place of humility after a season of insanity.

King Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven. His sanity was restored, and he said, “Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.”

Before he was driven to insanity, King Nebuchadnezzar was focusing on his own kingdom and taking pride in it. After he was restored, he praised and exalted the king of heaven. Those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Humbling experiences are opportunities to fall down on our knees to acknowledge the worthiness of our King in heaven.

This Light Reflection inspires us to acknowledge the goodness and greatness of God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is choosing places of humility.

In Luke 14:8, Jesus taught a parable to show the value of seeking humility rather than honor for ourselves.

Jesus said that when someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited…..When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Philippians 2:3 instructs us with these words, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Choosing places of humility is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 3:30.

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah with his preaching of repentance and Baptizing ministry.

The day came when Jesus was drawing followers. John heard what people were saying, “that man you testified about-look, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him.”

This was welcome news. John’s faith spoke in his humility. This was his reply: “He must become greater; I must become less.”

That’s a great statement of faith for anyone who is wanting to see Jesus magnified. Draw attention to His worthiness rather than our own. That is what John did when he said about Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to magnify Jesus with a humble heart in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

This quality is kind and patient toward people who have room for growth. Love is the motivational factor that inspires us to be gentle.

This quality is also found in the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23, and is often associated in the Bible with humility.

Jesus described Himself as gentle and humble as He was inviting us to come into relationship with Him. He is approachable.

A gentle person finds a way to stay calm in the midst of tension. They treat others with the respect and dignity of being made in the image of God.

In Titus 3:2, we are reminded to “slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Second Chronicles 7:14.

The LORD says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This verse was specifically focusing on the nation of Israel. God would respond to the earnest prayers of His people to bring an end to droughts and plagues in their land. This verse also has relevance for believers today.

Just as humility, prayer, and repentance were the pathways to healing for the Israelites, so we can experience God’s forgiveness today by trusting in the One gift that God has provided for our redemption. That gift is Jesus. He came to offer us forgiveness and a place of belonging in His family through faith in His name.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to humility, prayer, and repentance to follow 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 clothe ourselves with humility.

In First Peter 5 we see that this call of humility is specific toward how we respect church leaders and how church leaders serve those under their care.

Verse 3 is a message to church leaders: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care-watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

Verse 5 has a message for those under church authority: “You who are younger, submit to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble.”

These are the expressions of humility that build a healthy church.

Take the daily challenge to be clothed with humility on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue love.

This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy how to be an effective witness for the Gospel.

Pursuing love was one of those instructions. God’s love is the compelling influence to guide us in the way of love. Through Jesus, God demonstrated the kind of love that He has for us, and wants us to extend to others. It’s the kind of love that is patient and kind, serves others with humility and is willing to make personal sacrifices for others. Let’s look for ways to let God’s love flow through us.

First John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”  And First John 4:11 says, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Take the daily challenge to pursue love in our way of life on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to submit to God’s authority.

Before we are willing to do that, it is quite likely that we need to be convinced that God is good and that His love is real.

The truth is that God’s goodness and love were revealed at the cross where Jesus died for our sin. Then, His resurrection power came to life 3 days later. Today, His redemption plan invites us to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. This step requires humility, an awareness that we need God’s forgiveness.

James 4:6 tells us that ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.’

As we respect God’s authority and rely on His grace, He will be faithful to save us and lift us up at the proper time.

Take the daily challenge to submit to God’s authority and find grace for the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com