JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is peacemaking.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
God’s love is so strong that it can be a force to turn enemies into friends. That is what happened at the cross when Jesus died for sinners. We were in hostility against God, and our sin was the expression of that hostility. However, His love draws us to His saving grace and turns us from foe to friend when we yield to His love.
We also become ambassadors for Christ to share a message of grace and peace through Jesus. This good news has the power to persuade people to follow Jesus and build healthy relationships between people. James 3:18 says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Peacemaking is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Ambassador.”
This is a diplomat in a foreign land, representing their leader on a mission of peace.
Isn’t that a true description of the Christian in a spiritual sense? This world is not our home. We are serving the King of Kings in a foreign land, representing Jesus on a peacemaking mission. That is a high calling, and a privilege to serve in such a way.
The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
To be a faithful ambassador, we need to make sure that we are at peace with God. Stay connected to Him. Walk in His love and truth. Establish relationships with neighbors, co-workers, and peers at school. Reach out to them with God’s love and be ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.
Find encouragement in the opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Matthew 5:9.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Conflict and division threaten to tear apart meaningful relationships. The influence of Jesus invites peace into our relationships. His Gospel is the way of love, which moves us to bless those people in our sphere of influence.
Jesus calls His followers to be peacemakers in the world while we have opportunity. Peacemaking leads to reconciliation where there was once division and conflict. There is no greater peacemaking mission than to be an influence for the Gospel. The Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 5:20, “We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of reconciliation and peacemaking in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Matthew 5:9.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
One of the purposes of those who follow Jesus is to be agents of reconciliation. Second Corinthians 5:19 tells us that God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We have good news to share with the world that God’s forgiveness is available through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no greater way to be a peacemaker than to be an influence for the Gospel, where people come into relationship with God and experience His peace.
Another way to be a peacemaker is to have a mediating role between two conflicting parties. This takes wisdom and patience to rebuild relationships that have been strained by conflict.
God’s peacemakers in the world will be called God’s children in His kingdom.
Walking as a peacemaker is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Matthew 5:9.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
When we serve as a peacemaker, we are reflecting the mission of Jesus, who came as a Mediator between God and mankind.
There are various forms of peacemaking that are valuable, such as conflict resolution, or being an influence to bring peace between nations. But the ultimate peacemaking mission is evangelism, where we serve as ambassadors for Christ, imploring people in this world to be reconciled to God. This is what Jesus calls His followers to do until the end of the age.
Being identified as a child of God is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
