JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is light.
Light has a way of breaking the darkness, just as the power of God is dependable for breaking the power of sin. John 1:5 says that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
We can trust in Jesus to overcome the forces of darkness because He is the light of the world. He made this claim in John 8:12.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
If we feel surrounded by darkness, whether it be the pressures of this world or the temptations by our own sinful desires, there is a light to lead us out of darkness. His name is Jesus. He is the source of light to shine on our hearts and give us the hope of an abundant and eternal life with Him.
Find encouragement in the light that Jesus provides to lead us out of darkness in the Year of Endurance.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to take a step toward doing what is good.
The Apostle Paul wrote why this is important in Titus 3:14-Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
God put us here on earth to make a difference. He called us to be a light in the world-to reflect His heart of love for a broken world. One of the ways we shine that light is to do good deeds that glorify God in heaven.
When we see the good deeds of Jesus, we see that He was about proclaiming good news, healing, setting the oppressed free, and demonstrating love through humble service and sacrifice.
Take the daily challenge to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by doing what is good on the journey of faith.
Today’s playlist has brand new music from Kim Walker-Smith, Jason Upton, Mack Brock and Mosaic MSC. Plus, mini-themes of PEACE, GARDENS springing to life and LIGHT breaking through!
One of my favorite new songs in that GARDENS mini-theme is “Cherry Blossoms” by MoveSomebody. I talked with BJ & Lisa Sullivan and loved learning all about this song (and how the saxophone was instrumental in the recording process!)
Another song that is on my heart a lot this season is “Let The Light In” by Cody Carnes. I caught up with him recently and was thrilled to know it’s his pick for this season, too. He told me the story behind the song on the P&W Podcast. Listen right here!
Right at the beginning, God said “Let there be light”. That was it! Darkness lost. Just a spark and it still flees today. This morning’s “Marvelous Light” theme fills our lineup with songs celebrating the defeat of darkness. Whatever darkness you’re up against (depression, discouragement, confusion, sickness, grief)…I’ve got a feeling it won’t last very long. The playlist is below.
Bright hope to you,
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Song Title
Artist
Album
Year
6:00 a.m.
Light Will Shine
Hillsong United
Aftermath
2011
Live Alive (live)
Rend Collective
Campfire II-Simplicity
2016
In Your Light (feat. Jeremy Riddle)
Bethel Live
For The Sake Of The World
2012
Life Light Up
Christy Nockels
Life Light Up
2009
Lift Up the Light
Shane & Shane
The One You Need
2011
Joyous Light
Chris Tomlin
Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern
2004
Let There Be Light
The City Harmonic
We Are
2016
God of Our Yesterdays
Chris McClarney
Glimpses of Worship
2009
Let It Shine
All Sons & Daughters
Season One
2012
Old for New (Live)
Bethel Music & Hannah McClure
Starlight (Live)
2017
Pure Light
Matt Redman
Facedown
2004
Turn Your Eyes
Jadon Lavik
Roots Run Deep
2008
Salt & Light
Lauren Daigle
How Can It Be
2015
As Sure As The Sun
Ellie Holcomb
As Sure As The Sun
2015
Sunrise
Meredith Andrews
Deeper (Deluxe Edition)
2016
7:00 a.m.
Bright as the Sun
Hillsong Worship
Awake
2019
Marvelous Light
Charlie Hall
Flying Into Daybreak
2006
Never Lost
Catherine Mullins
Sing Like the Battle Is Over
2019
To the End (feat. Amanda Cook)
Mack Brock
Greater Things
2018
Morning Sun
Philip Herndon
Decade
2019
Shine On Us
Cory Asbury
Immersed
2007
Where His Light Was
Kristene DiMarco
Where His Light Was
2017
The Light Will Come
Phil Wickham
Cannons
2007
Into The Light
SisterBrother
TBD
2013
Step Into the Light (feat. Sean Curran) [Live from Passion 2019]
Passion
Single
2019
Let Me Feel You Shine
David Crowder Band
Give Us Rest-A Requiem Mass In C (The Happiest Of All The Keys)
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on First Peter 2:12.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
The call to Christian integrity goes beyond mere words to a way of life that reflects the actions, attitudes, and teachings of Jesus Christ. One famous quote commonly associated with St. Francis of Assisi is, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.”
Jesus emphasized the importance of letting our light shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
Walking in the light of God’s goodness is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on John 8:12.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Darkness is a place of confusion, despair, and death. Those are the places where sinful choices lead us. But there is a way out of the darkness. Jesus is the source of light. He brings clarity and direction where there was once confusion. He brings hope that overcomes despair. He puts us on the road that leads to heaven. He knows how to guide His followers to their eternal home.
Darkness is overcome by light when we follow Jesus.
Walking in the light of Jesus’ footsteps is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
Halloween is on Monday and we’re losing more and more daylight every day…I thought it was the perfect time to focus on Shining our Light! See my themed playlist, and links to helpful blogs below.
I was baptized at Hershey Free Church when I was in junior high. It just so happened that the day my church was holding the event was on Halloween, and I was at a point in my life where my school was my mission field. This was back in the day when “In The Light” by Charlie Peacock and “Be The One” by Al Denson were newer hit songs, not Classics — and “Shine” by Newsboys didn’t even exist yet! I carried my Bible with me every day at school and invited friends to youth group events. I was on fire for God on couldn’t think of a more powerful day to be baptized than on Halloween. I was into Frank Peretti books and learning about spiritual warfare…being baptized on Halloween was as good as it could possibly get! It was like taking the darkest day and making it stand for my dedication to Jesus, which I figured would send a loud and clear message to the devil.
The Bible verse I shared before taking the plunge was Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
If you’re in total darkness, even just one match is a game changer! One very small light will always defeat darkness. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
In the Bible, “Light” is life. It guides our path. It purifies. It brings hope. It is closely associated with God’s presence and favor. Jesus is called the “Light of the World”. Isn’t it such good news that God called us out of the darkness and into His marvelous light?! We’ll sing about it with a light-themed playlist on this Sunday’s Praise & Worship Show from 6-10 a.m. and I hope you’ll join me.
JOHN SHIRK – Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
This statement was connected to Jesus in Matthew chapter 4. Jesus fulfilled these words of the prophet with His words of life, His touch of healing, and ultimately, by His death and resurrection from the grave.
In the Bible, darkness is often connected with sin and death. There is a spirit of despair in the heart of someone who is caught in the grip of spiritual darkness. Jesus came as the Light of the world. As we welcome His light, the shadows that cause despair flee under His influence of grace and truth. We live with freedom from guilt and shame. We live with the certain hope of eternal life. We live with the awareness that God loves us with an unfailing love. We live with a sense of joy in belonging to His spiritual family. And we live with a heavenly purpose, to reach souls for the Gospel through our witness for Jesus.
The hope that Jesus brought with His coming is a lesson of faith worth remembering.