JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Mercy.

There are two common meanings of mercy found in the Bible. One way to define mercy is the withholding of punishment for the sins we have committed.  Another meaning of mercy refers to compassion.

Both meanings describe God’s heart for those who follow Jesus. He withholds punishment and is deeply compassionate.

God’s mercy is life-changing, taking hatred and bitterness from our heart and replacing those attitudes with love and forgiveness.

Consider the difference that God’s mercy made in the life of Paul the Apostle. He said in Titus 3:3, “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

Find encouragement in the mercy of God to rearrange our lives in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to step into the light of transformation.

This process starts with a proper view of God’s mercy. His mercy spares us from the punishment that we deserve because of our sin. John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace, observed near the end of his life, “I remember two things clearly, ‘I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.’”

Romans 12:1 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Transformation happens when we respond to God’s mercy with a heart of gratitude and worship, and renew our mind to follow Gods’ will.

Take the daily challenge to walk in the transformation that embraces God’s purposes on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Titus 3:4 and 5.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

We can thank God for His mercy. It was God’s mercy that stopped the stoning of a woman who had been caught in adultery. It was God’s mercy that turned a persecutor of the church named Saul into an apostle of the church named Paul. And God’s mercy changes our lives when we see the kindness of God expressed in Christ.

Jesus did not come to a world that had its act together. Rather, He came to a world in a sinful condition. He came because we needed His mercy. That is what He provided for us when He shed His blood at the cross.

Jesus is our source of Good News, leading us to a place of new life in His kindness and mercy in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the power of God’s mercy to transform our lives.

In Romans 12, verses 1 and 2, we see God’s mercy as the starting place for transformation from the inside out.

“In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Of all the voices that seek our attention, the most important voice is God. He has spoken at the cross. He has spoken at the empty grave, and He has spoken in the Bible. His message speaks to us of mercy as Jesus took the penalty for our sins on the cross. Keeping God’s mercy in view, we are moved to gratitude and worship. We are also better equipped to discern the will of God for our lives.

Focusing on God’s mercy gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Galatians 3:13.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

That is what Jesus did for us when He died on a cross. He took the curse of our sin upon Himself so that we might be blessed with His righteousness. 

We can respond to this historical moment with gratitude. This was a sacrifice that Jesus endured voluntarily, because He loves us. We can say thank-you by trusting Him to forgive us and to lead us every day for the rest of our lives. It will not be the most popular path nor the easiest path. But His way will prove to be the only path forward in His grace and mercy.

Through Jesus, we are set free from the curse of the law to experience the blessing of His grace.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Titus 3, verses 3 through 5a.

The Apostle Paul said, “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

When we hear testimonies from believers, we hear of the various ways that God can change a heart. In the case of Paul the Apostle, his transformation was dynamic. The kindness and love of God changed him from the inside out. Instead of being foolish without Christ, he became wise in Christ. Instead of being disobedient to the Gospel, he became obedient to the Gospel. The hatred and hardness that he once harbored in his heart were replaced by love and tenderness toward God and His church. Today, followers of Jesus also have a story to share of transformation.

Through Jesus, we are set free from the strongholds of our past to enjoy God’s love in the present.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Galatians 6:1 and 2.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Expressing love to sinners can get messy. The ultimate example of this is Jesus Christ, who went to the cross for our sins. As we walk in the light of God’s love, we will recognize two important realities. The first reality is that there are people all around us who need Jesus. And the second reality is that even though we might have a relationship with Jesus, we are still capable of giving in to temptation. So, we are wise to guard our own heart, so that the Spirit living in us influences the person caught in sin, rather than sin in the other person having an influence on us.

In reaching out to people who have been caught in a sin, we have the opportunity to restore them to fellowship with God. The Bible says that we are to do this gently. This means, showing mercy and patience so that they can perceive God’s love expressed through us. It means sharing the good news that Jesus can change us from the inside out as we look to Him as Savior and Lord.

Carrying the burdens of another is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Jesus told this Parable to an expert in the Law who recited the greatest commandments of the Bible to Jesus. One of those commands is to love your neighbor as yourself. The expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

That is when Jesus told the story of a man going from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell into the hands of robbers and was beaten badly. Three men traveled on the same road and noticed the man. The two religious leaders who saw him passed by him on the other side of the road. But a Samaritan man, a foreigner, responded differently. He moved toward the injured man, bandaged his wounds and took care of him.

After telling the story, Jesus asked the expert in the law, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”

A daily connection with Christ will move us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His role as our high priest.

One of the functions of the high priest in the Old Testament was to enter the Most Holy Place once a year to make atonement for himself and the people. The high priest would offer animal blood as sacrifices year after year, which did not have the power to take away sin. Then came Jesus who offered Himself for our sins once for all. His blood was payment enough to take our sin away. His grace is sufficient for our need.

Hebrews 4:14 says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

In our times of weakness and temptations, Jesus will be our source of strength if we turn to Him. He is able to turn our weaknesses into strengths, so that when people see the change in our lives, they see the power of Christ making the difference.

A daily connection with Christ gives us constant access to the throne of grace.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the praise that flows from a redeemed life

Here is one person’s testimony. The Apostle Paul wrote 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. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Paul is saying in essence, that if Jesus can save him, he can save anybody no matter how deep their depravity has taken them. When Jesus saves us from our sins, He fills our heart with thanksgiving and praise. We realize the dark destiny He rescued us from and the hopeful future He is leading us to experience. His mercy is marvelous in our eyes, and it has changed us from the inside out. Now we have been set free to bring glory to God with the activity of our lives.

The praise that flows from a redeemed life is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the blessing of forgiveness.

Psalm 32, verse 1 says, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

This describes the person who has confessed their sins to God and confessed their need for His mercy. They are focused on walking with God with a humble heart. They do not make intentional plans that disregard God’s laws. Rather, they seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Their first love is for God, and that allegiance compels them to live for His glory.

The forgiveness of God offers us freedom from guilt. In the New Testament of the Bible, we learn that this forgiveness is available through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23 and 24 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The blessing of forgiveness is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com