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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 16:33.

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He prepared His disciples for what was to come. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

Jesus is the great overcomer who helps us to overcome the world.

Jesus overcame temptation. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus would resist by using the word of God. He showed us how we can overcome temptation with God’s Word.

Jesus overcame evil with good. At the cross, Jesus responded to the hatred that was poured out on Him by pouring out His love for us. His blood was shed at the cross for our redemption.

Jesus also overcame the grave, breaking the power of death, and freeing us from being paralyzed by the fear of death.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to be encouraged by the victory found in Jesus in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

One definition of Overcome is to defeat an opponent and prevail.

When Jesus died on a cross, it may not have appeared to most people that Jesus was prevailing, but three days later, He rose from the grave and overcame death.

When we face crisis situations or the pressures of daily life, we can be encouraged by the accomplishments of Jesus when He walked on the earth.

In John 16:33, Jesus said to His followers, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Because Jesus lives, we can live with the confidence that He is able to lead us to a place of life and ultimate victory. First John 5:5 asks the question, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Find encouragement in the grace of the Lord Jesus to help us overcome the pressures of the world in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on John 16:33.

Among His final words to the disciples before His death, Jesus said, “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.” Three days later, He would rise from the dead.

If you experience trouble in this world, you are not alone. Jesus told us it would be this way. He is honest with us about the challenges we will face while we live on the earth. Financial stress, loneliness, physical sickness, grief, and persecution for our faith are a number of troubling realities that people face in this world.

But to the person who trusts in Jesus and follows Him daily, there is another reality-a greater reality that gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. Jesus has overcome the world. Because He has overcome the world, we can have faith that He will help us to overcome the world too. We live with this hope in First John 5:5, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Victory in Christ is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

How are you? Feeling challenged or discouraged lately? Here is a special lineup of songs, celebrating our strong God who helps us in times of battle. It’s a playlist packed with songs of Victory! I pray you’ll be encouraged, no matter what you’re up against.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com