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Posts Tagged ‘prayer’

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Wear Full Armor of God

November 17th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to put on the full armor of God.

The Christian life is a spiritual battlefield, not with the weapons of the world, and not against flesh and blood.  Our battle is against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. The weapons available to us consist of truth, faith, prayer, salvation, righteousness, and God’s Word.

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the full armor of God, so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes.

Satan tries to influence us through temptation, accusation, condemnation, and confusion. But the weapons that God provides for us are strong enough to resist the devil’s influence, so that we can follow Jesus with a fully devoted heart.

Second Peter 1:3 tells us that God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” The armor of God equips us to stand firm in the faith.

Putting on the full armor of God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Joshua 10:13 The Day The Sun Stood Still

November 6th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Joshua 10:13.

In a time of battle, there is an unusual story when Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still.

The Bible says that “the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely, the LORD was fighting for Israel!”

Through the spiritual battles and challenges of our lives, God provides the light that we need for hope and courage to press on in the faith. He provides the armor of light, which enables us to put aside the deeds of darkness. His truth overcomes deception. His love overcomes hatred. His presence overcomes our fears. We can lean in on the grace and mercy of God to light the fire of our faith when the challenges of life wear us down.

This Light Reflection inspires us to pray for God’s help in the struggles of our lives in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Feed The Fire of Faith

October 31st, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to feed the fire of faith.

The beginning of our relationship with God brings refreshment to our souls.  Over time, there are some disciplines that can help us keep that passion for the Lord so that we overflow with enthusiasm.

One of those disciplines is to read God’s Word daily. This is an opportunity to meet God and listen to His voice speaking into our day.

Another discipline is prayer. This is an opportunity to tell God what is on our heart. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

A third discipline is connections with believers. The church can serve as a support system to encourage our faith to grow.

A fourth discipline is to find a meaningful place of service that meets the needs of others. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Feeding the fire of our faith is a vital step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Pray for Each Other

October 19th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to pray for each other.

This is a powerful way to support each other as we go to God with our prayer requests.  Here are some examples of prayer in the Bible.

The Apostle Paul said to the church in Second Thessalonians 1:11, “We  constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power, he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”

He told the church in Philippians 1:9, “This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ….”

Charles Finney once said, “Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. Never do they love one another so well as they witness the outpouring of each other’s hearts in prayer.”

Praying for each other is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Cast Anxiety on Jesus

October 5th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is casting our anxiety on Jesus.

If you research how to cope with anxiety, you will find various recommendations from therapy to physical exercise to taking medication. They might help us, but that is not the complete picture.

Another suggestion is to talk with someone we trust. No one is more trustworthy than Jesus. He is truthful. He is full of love. And He can fill us with peace that the world cannot comprehend.

First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” It takes trust to confide our fears and concerns to someone else. And Jesus is there to hear us.

This was the practice of David who wrote many of the Psalms. When he was in trouble, he turned to God for help. That is because He trusted in God. He wrote in Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Casting our Anxiety on Jesus is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-John 15:5 The Vine and Branches

September 25th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 15:5.

Jesus identified Himself by “I Am” statements, which are recorded for us in the Gospel of John. These statements open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is and what He is able to accomplish on our behalf.

As Jesus was walking with His disciples in a garden, He said to them in John 15:5:

“I am the vine: you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Here we see that a productive faith flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus. How can we stay connected with Jesus every day?

One way is through prayer. Ongoing communication builds thriving relationships. Prayer is how we have a conversation with God. Another way is by reading the Bible, which is God’s inspired word given to us. That is where God shows us how to live a life that pleases Him.

This Light Reflection inspires us to remain in Jesus and bear much fruit in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Ephesians 1:18 Enlightened

August 25th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 1:18.

This was the prayer of the Apostle Paul for this church, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which God has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

A relationship with Jesus is the key to understanding the hope that we have in the kingdom of God. As we follow Jesus step-by-step, day-by-day, we will get to know Him better. We will see Him more clearly, and learn just how blessed we are to have access to His words of wisdom and the riches of heaven.

This Light Reflection inspires us to live in the awareness of God’s blessings and promises in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Psalm 63:6 and 7 Resting in God’s Love

July 11th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 63:6 and 7.

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

In the stillness of the night, our soul can be encouraged by the thought of God’s love and faithfulness. Someone has said that if we are having trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep. Rather, talk to the Good Shepherd.

His name is Jesus, and He can use the quiet moments of our lives to draw us to prayer, fill us with peace, and stir us to praise.

Psalm 149 tells us that the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

This Light Reflection inspires us to rest in God’s love for us through the watches of the night in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-I Timothy 2:1-4 Prayer

May 3rd, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First Timothy 2:1 to 4.

“I urge then, first of all that petitions, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

On Thursday, Americans will gather in over 60,000 local community events to pray for this nation.

People will be praying for strong foundations among families.

For our churches to be salt and light for the Gospel.

For the wisdom of government leaders as they make critical decisions.

For businesses to be innovative and thrive with integrity.

And for educators to pass along wisdom and instruction for today’s generation of students. They will become the leaders of tomorrow.

This Light Reflection inspires us to pray for the leaders among us in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-Ephesians 6 18 Prayer

March 8th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 6:18.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Prayer is part of the armor of light that enables us to fight the good fight of faith.

There is power in prayer. As we seek God, we draw closer to Him. Prayer opens our eyes to the needs around us. Prayer gives us opportunity to intercede for others, which means that we go to God on their behalf.  When someone comes to our mind, that is a good time to pray for them and lift their needs to God’s throne of grace.

This Light Reflection inspires us to be committed to praying for others in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Light Reflection-Psalm 5:3 Prayer In the Morning

January 20th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 5:3.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Meeting with God in the morning is effective for setting the tone for a brighter day.

One of the ways we can have a meaningful encounter with the living God is through prayer. This will train us to invite God into our activities the rest of the day. David was a man after God’s own heart who sought the Lord in the morning. He poured out his requests before God daily. God invites us also to meet Him at the throne of grace in our time of need.

First Peter 5:7 says, “cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to lay down our requests before God as we rise to start each new day in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com