JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to grow in God’s Word.
When Jesus taught a parable in Luke chapter 8, He spoke of seeds scattered on four different kinds of soil. There were three different soils where the seed did not produce a crop. They represent people who either don’t embrace God’s word, or are distracted from God’s word to pursue something else, like wealth or pleasure.
But there was one type of soil that did produce a thriving crop. That soil represents the person with a noble and good heart, who hears the word, retains it, and by persevering, they produce a crop.
This is a description of someone whose heart is receptive to God’s Word, believes Gods Word, obeys God’s Word, and continues in God’s Word. By God’s grace, this is how we can live out a productive Christian life and stand tall as a witness for Christ.
Take the daily challenge to grow in God’s Word on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in the will of God.
These are the words of Hebrews 10:35 and 36-“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
God has promised rewards to His followers for faithful service. This promise reflects the heart of God to bless His people in the picture of eternity. Those promised rewards also give us incentive to serve the Lord faithfully today. He is watching our actions and knows our motives.
At the end of our lives on earth, the most reassuring words we can hear from the voice of God is “Well done, good and faithful servant.” So, as Galatians 6:9 instructs us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Take the daily challenge to persevere in the will of God on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in hope.
Through the frustrations and heartaches of life, we have a hope that helps us to press on in the faith, resting on the promises of God.
In Romans 8:22, the Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship-the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
This world will have good seasons and difficult seasons-joy, conflict, and pain. But God is planning a much better place in the future for those who follow Jesus by faith. His promises keep hope alive in our hearts, and keep us motivated to serve Him faithfully today.
Take the daily challenge to persevere in hope on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to persevere in love.
God’s will for our lives is to express our faith in love. He wants us to have thriving relationships.
In First Thessalonians 4:10, the Apostle Paul commended that church for loving God’s family throughout Macedonia, and then said, “Yet, we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.”
When it comes to sharing God’s love with others, there is always room for us to grow.
First Corinthians 13:6 tells us that love always perseveres.
It shows in the form of showing compassion to one another, forgiving one another, being kind to one another, offering encouragement to one another, and serving one another. There are many opportunities to demonstrate God’s love every day.
Take the daily challenge to persevere in love on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on First Timothy 4:16.
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
This verse stresses the importance of what we believe and how we live. Both matter in terms of how they have an impact on our lives and on those watching us.
A good starting place for believing in sound doctrine is to study the life of Jesus. Examine how He lived, what He taught, and what He did to make redemption possible for us. He loves us and invites us to follow Him. He seeks a relationship with us that will change our lives and save us from our sins. As we put our full faith in His gift of grace to save us, Jesus will make us instruments of His grace for others as we live out the Gospel.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of integrity and influence in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “When Jesus went to the cross, what was the joy that was set before Him?”
Hebrews 12:2 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Just before Jesus died, we see many quotes, where Jesus is looking past His suffering to the glory that would follow. He said to His disciples, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice.”
Perhaps the most insightful statement revealing the joy that was set before Him came when He prayed to the Father just before His death. Jesus prayed in John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
The cross was the only way this holy desire could become reality. By way of the cross, we have a pathway to heavenly citizenship, whereby we can be in His presence and enjoy His glory forever.
By faith, the joy that was set before Jesus becomes our greatest hope in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
