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Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

Focus on God’s Goodness-Victory in Jesus

February 27th, 2024 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in John 16:33.

Jesus told His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

These were some of the last words that Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest. Jesus was preparing His followers for His death, resurrection, and eventual departure from this world. He was leaving final words of instruction and comfort for them.

The reason He told them these things is the reason that these things are recorded for us-so that in Christ we may have peace. Life in this world can be filled with peer pressure, stress, and conflict. But there is also a greater reality than our problems. We can be encouraged by the proclamation of Jesus to overcome the world. Because He wins, so will His followers.  First Corinthians 15:57 says, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The victory of Jesus over sin and death reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Focus on God’s Goodness-I Timothy 1:15 Why Christ Came

January 4th, 2024 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – 2024 is the Year of Gratitude at WJTL. In our 40th year of ministry, we are thankful to God for His faithfulness and thankful for our family of listeners.

Each weekday, we will share a Scripture with you that focuses on God’s goodness, which gives us a reason to be grateful.

Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in First Timothy 1:15.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.

The Apostle Paul lived with profound gratitude to God for His grace and mercy that reached him when he was at the lowest depths of depravity. He had been filled with hatred toward followers of Jesus, but was stopped in his tracks on the way to Damascus, where he had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. The journey of Paul to faith reminds us that no one is a hopeless cause beyond God’s ability to reach them.

The mission of Jesus to save sinners reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-True Clarity Psalm 36:9

December 28th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 36:9.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

To get to our desired destination, we need to follow the right directions. To find correct answers, we need to have reliable information. Every strong building starts with a firm foundation.

Jesus is the light source we need for a vibrant relationship with God. He is the pathway to an eternal destiny. He is the answer to solve the problem of our sinful nature. He is the foundation for a thriving faith. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to look to Jesus for the clarity we need everyday in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-John 5:46 and 47 Moses

November 1st, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 5:46 and 47

Jesus told His critics, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

The words of Moses shed light on the identify of Jesus as the coming Messiah. He wrote about Jesus in Deuteronomy 18:15, when he said, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

In Acts chapter 3, Peter applied this statement to Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us by the words of Moses to listen to the voice of Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-John 5:39-40 Scriptures

October 31st, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 5, verses 39 to 40.

Jesus said to His critics, “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.”

Is it possible to read the Bible and miss the message? Evidently, the religious leaders in the days of Jesus were very familiar with the Scriptures of the Old Testament, but rejected Jesus as their Messiah. When we see the influence of Jesus in the Bible from the books of Genesis to Revelation, His good news of redemption comes into view.

The Bible is a lamp for spiritual transformation if we believe and obey the message that leads us to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.

This Light Reflection inspires us to see the influence of Jesus as we study the Scriptures in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Revelation 5:9 Glory In Heaven

October 24th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 5, verse 9.

The Apostle John saw a vision of heaven. One of the scenes he saw was a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.

They fell before the Lamb and sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Heaven resounds with worship for Jesus, who is glorified at the throne. These words are spoken in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power, and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

This Light Reflection inspires us worship Jesus reverently on earth as He is honored in heaven in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Think about Jesus

October 11th, 2023 No comments

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

Our thoughts often focus on what and who we love the most. When we fall in love with someone, it is common for us to be thinking about that person when we are not with them, and to give our devoted attention to them when we are with them.

Thinking about Jesus keeps our priorities focused on God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Our affections and love for Him will grow as we know Him more deeply. Thinking about Jesus will also shove out impure thoughts and motives that corrupt the mind and heart.

Hebrews 3:1 urges us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus. The more we reflect on His glory, His teachings, and His love, the more we will be transformed into His likeness and reflect His character to a watching world.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-John 8:58 Before Abraham was Born

October 3rd, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 8:58.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” Statements. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is, and what He can accomplish on our behalf.

In John 8:58, Jesus made an astonishing statement that stirred anger among the religious leaders who opposed Him. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!”

Their reaction was to pick up stones to throw at Him. They recognized that Jesus was claiming to be God. But they resisted His claim, which led to the fulfillment of God’s redemption plan.

First Peter 1:20 talks about Jesus being chosen before the creation of the world to shed His precious blood on the cross.

God would use the hatred of the religious leaders to express His love for the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to acknowledge Jesus as God in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-John 8:12 Light of the World

September 28th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 8:12.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He can accomplish on our behalf.

As morning light broke through to chase away the darkness of the night, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Just as physical light has a way of breaking the darkness, the light of grace and truth is able to break the darkness of our sin. Just before Jesus said this, a woman was caught in adultery. A crowd was ready to stone her to death. But Jesus disarmed these religious men by saying, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  He let her go free by saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”  This is how grace and truth can set us free.

This Light Reflection inspires us to come out of the darkness of sinful patterns and follow Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-John 11:25 Resurrection and the Life

September 27th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 11:25.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He is able to accomplish on our behalf.

Just as Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the grave, He said to Martha, the sister of Lazarus,

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

How would you answer that question? Martha responded by saying, “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

The raising of Lazarus from the grave would confirm this statement made by Jesus. Those who die in Christ will live again and enjoy fellowship with God forever in a place where death is no more.

This Light Reflection inspires us to believe in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Revelation 1:14-16 Brilliance of Jesus

September 19th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Revelation 1, verses 14 through 16.

John had an encounter with Jesus before he wrote the book of Revelation.  This is part of the description of what he saw.

“The hair on his head was white as wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

John responded by falling at his feet. The hand of Jesus was on him.  The voice of Jesus spoke to him: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One.”

An encounter with Jesus will lead us to faith, reverence, and worship. We will understand that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves, but we will be truly grateful that we are loved by Him. Our faithful service will lead to the glory of His name and will flow out of a relationship with Jesus.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find love and purpose in the Presence of Jesus in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com