JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Fruit.
Most of us have a favorite fruit that is pleasing to our tastebuds, whether they are oranges, apples, or strawberries.
There are different kinds of character qualities that make our faith more fruitful, such as love, joy, and peace. These qualities are found in the fruit of the Spirit.
When we live by God’s Spirit, He builds godly character qualities on our foundation of faith. This is what enables us to be an effective witness to the world of God’s saving grace. Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Through the faithful witness of believers, the words of Colossians 1:6 are still true today. “The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the world.”
Find encouragement in the fruitfulness of walking in step with God’s Spirit in the Year of Endurance.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to trust in the LORD completely.
There is a comfort in knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving and powerful God. That does not mean we have immunity from trials and tragedies, but it does mean that the LORD is with us through those times of turbulence. He is a firm foundation for our faith when the storms of life rage at our doorstep. His grace is a calming presence, and His truth is a guiding presence to help us.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Take the daily challenge to trust the LORD completely and experience His perfect peace on the journey of faith.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue peace.
This is what the Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor to do in Second Timothy 2:22. Paul was instructing Timothy to be an effective witness for the Gospel.
Pursuing peace was one of those instructions. Jesus offers us peace with God that is not dependent on favorable circumstances. Just before Jesus died on a cross, He told His disciples in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace is a gift from Jesus that equips us to live at peace with God and with others. First Peter 3:11 shows us how we can be intentional about pursuing peace. “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
Take the daily challenge to pursue peace in relationship to God and in our relationships with others on the journey of faith.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to pursue godly character.
In Second Timothy 2:22, the Apostle Paul gave this instruction to a young church leader.
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Whatever we pursue normally flows out of our priorities. That is why it is important to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. That priority will direct us to pursue the qualities of God’s Kingdom.
It is not enough just to avoid doing bad things. Saying no to sin is certainly noble, but there is so much more to the Christian life than saying no to sin. There is also the focus of saying yes to God, and His plan for our lives. That plan will include the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Take the daily challenge to pursue godly character on the journey of faith.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the purpose of Jesus to enrich our lives.
Second Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, so that you, through his poverty might become rich.”
Jesus left His place of honor and glory in heaven to become the suffering servant on earth. This was for our benefit, not for the purpose of giving us material riches, but to give us God’s grace. That is the richest place for us to be. That is where we have the favor of God. That is where we have peace with God. That is where we experience the joy of the Lord. That is where we live with the hope of moving forward in God’s plan until we reach His glorious destiny. We gain access to these treasures through faith in Jesus to save us from our sins.
Focusing on the riches of God’s grace gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Micah 4:5.
“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”
This chapter reveals the blessing of belonging to God and His Kingdom. The prophet lays out a vision of the future where God teaches us His ways so that we may walk in his paths.
The word of the LORD will go out from Jerusalem. Nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. No one will make them afraid.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of grace, truth, and peace in the Year of Vision.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer is a spiritual weapon that fights against our anxious thoughts. Prayer gives us access to the throne of heaven. When we communicate with God, we have the opportunity to tell Him the cares of our hearts. God invites us to place our burdens on Him. He can handle our concerns and replace the anxious thoughts that weigh on our mind with His peace.
Billy Graham once said, “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, “O God, forgive me”, or “help me.”
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of prayer and peace with God in the Year of Vision.
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!
Hello! I hope you and your family are doing well. There’s a lot going on, and it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed. So, I have a special theme for this morning: songs of wholehearted trust and unshakeable peace. The lineup includes songs based on popular Bible verses like Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6 and Lamentations 3:22-23. We’ll focus on His goodness in keeping His promises—and we’ll remember: He is still in control.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Psalm 29:11.
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
God is our source of strength. Whatever good accomplishments flow out of our lives is ultimately because He gave us the strength to be successful.
God is also our source of peace. His love for us speaks at the cross and tells us that we matter to God.
Jesus invites us to follow Him with a faithful heart, and offers to replace our guilt with His righteousness. In saying “Yes” to this invitation, we are no longer isolated from God, but restored to a meaningful friendship with God. His love surrounds us, and we find comfort in His love.
Through Jesus, we are set free to celebrate His strength and peace.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Romans 5, verses 1 and 2a.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
In the presence of violence and conflict, many of us crave peace. We want wars to end. We want crime to stop. We want the arguments and disagreements to disappear from our relationships. There are some types of conflict that we cannot control, but there is a pathway provided by Jesus that leads us to peace with God. That way is the good news of His grace, which we can receive as the ultimate gift.
He will be faithful to bring us into a peaceful relationship with God and to separate us from the guilt of our sins. There is no more war with God when our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus.
Through Jesus, we are set free to have peace with God forever.
