JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Philippians 2:5.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Being in very nature God, Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
The mindset of Jesus was not pride, but humility.
His mindset was to obey the will of His Father, and to die as a sacrifice for our sins. This is the way of Jesus, which transforms our attitude from having selfish tendencies to look for service opportunities. This holiday season, think about how to reach out to someone in need with the mindset of a servant. Then, go do it.
Through Jesus, we are set free to pursue the attitude of Christ in the way we handle relationships.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on James 3:13.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Humility is a quality that recognizes our need for God’s grace and places value on the people God has brought into our lives. Whatever we do, let it be done with a spirit of humility. Then, people will be blessed and God will get the glory for what we have accomplished.
Walking in the way of humility is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity is the Apostle Paul.
According to Acts 20:19, he told the church leaders at Ephesus, “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
Here was a man who persevered through times of testing and tears in his ministry for the church. He stayed true to his calling and consistently preached the message of the Gospel to the crowds. For Jews and Greeks, his message was the same: Repent. Turn to God. Have faith in the Lord Jesus.
The faithfulness of Paul to the Gospel inspires us to stay true to God and live a life of integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the attitude of Jesus.
According to Philippians 2:5, our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!”
What we see in the attitude of Jesus is a humble servant who was willing to empty himself of His glory in heaven to display His love sacrificially for us on the earth. He did it by laying down His life for us to experience an extremely painful form of death.
Having the attitude of Christ will move us in the direction of humble obedience to the call of God on our lives.
The attitude of Jesus is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How do I get ready each day to honor God with my life?”
We would not think of going to work without putting on clothing that meets the dress code at work. Nor would we think about going out the door without combing our hair, brushing our teeth, and in some cases, putting on makeup or shaving the face. These are some routines in the morning that make our appearance presentable in public.
The Bible talks about a dress code for Christians that can help us get spiritually ready for each new day to bring honor to God.
Colossians 3:12 says, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
By spending quality time with God in His Word and in prayer, we will be reminded that we are made holy by His grace and dearly loved. Then, we will be prepared to clothe ourselves with the qualities of Christ in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Ephesians 4:25.
“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
That word, “therefore” connects with a preceding thought, which talks about putting off the corrupted old self, and putting on the new self, where we are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Jesus trains us to be honest in our relationships. This means that we will be committed to the truth. That does not mean we have to disclose everything about ourselves to everybody. But it does mean that we project ourselves with honesty and humility. We avoid flattery, which deceives others into thinking they are better than they are. We also avoid boasting, which deceives ourselves into thinking we are better than we are. We are also careful not to spread false reports or rumors. Dishonesty undermines credibility, while honesty preserves integrity.
Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life. Under His influence, we put away falsehood and replace it with truth in the way we communicate with those people God has placed in our lives.
Honesty is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from James 4:1.
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
Resolving conflict can be a messy, uncomfortable process. It requires examining where the relationship has gone sour, so that amends can be made and reconciliation might take place.
James is addressing conflict in the church, and is confronting the selfish tendencies of those who quarrel and fight. Addressing problems is not a negative perspective, as long as we are committed to seeking solutions. When we are embroiled in conflicts, we can find insight in the writings of James. We can ask ourselves if our own selfish tendencies are contributing to the conflict. Is pride keeping me from accepting responsibility for my actions? Is there anything that I need to say or do to make amends for the hurt that I have caused?
James discusses the causes of conflict, and then offers solution for getting relationships back on track, and it’s found in James 4:7 and 8.
“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.”
Submitting ourselves to God with humility is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – God’s people are called to live in community. The evidence of that can be found in the “One another” statements of the Bible. This week’s relationship-building principles have been taking a look at some of these “one another” statements to better understand how God wants us to relate with other members of God’s family.
First John 3:11 says, “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”
Love is at the heart of the “one another” commands in the Bible. These specific commands scattered throughout the New Testament include: “Encourage one another, serve one another, forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another, accept one another as Christ accepted you, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, honor one another above yourselves, live in harmony with one another, offer hospitality to one another without grumbling, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, instruct one another. Be kind and compassionate to one another.
These specific “one another” statements are useful to help us examine whether or not we are walking in love as God calls us to love.
Loving God’s family with a godly attitude is a vital relationship-building principles to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
JOHN SHIRK – Philippians 2:6 tells us that “being in very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!”
Jesus deserved the crown of glory. Instead, He wore the crown of thorns.
Jesus was worthy of being lifted up to a throne of honor. Instead, He suffered the cross of shame.
Jesus was worthy of being served as a distinguished leader. Instead, He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
There is an important reason to examine the attitude of Christ. Philippians 2:5 says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
The attitude of Jesus is a lesson of faith worth remembering.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – It happened the night before Jesus was crucified. He grabbed a basin and a towel. He knelt down to serve the disciples by washing their feet.
In this simple act, Jesus taught us that service is an act of humility. Jesus literally lowered Himself to serve the disciples as He washed their feet. If Jesus was willing to do that, then none of His servants are so great that they are above performing acts of service that can help others in practical ways.
Jesus said to His disciples in John 13:14, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
The washing of the disciples’ feet is an example of service taught by Jesus and is a lesson of faith worth remembering.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
