JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Acts 17: 26 to 28.
The Apostle Paul said, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they should seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
This insight reveals that we are not here by accident, but rather by providence. God made us for the purpose of knowing Him. He is not distant from hearing the cries of our heart. He is near enough to hear our humble prayers and to save us from our sins. He has the power to restore us to a right relationship with Him through faith in Jesus.
These faith-building verses inspire us to call on the name of the Lord in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to support our pastors and spiritual leaders in our prayers.
When we pray for our leaders, we not only support their work but also become partners in their ministry.
In Second Corinthians 1, verses 10 and 11, the Apostle Paul said, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
So, God hears and responds to the prayers of His people on behalf of our leaders. We can pray for them to be a bold witness for the Lord. Pray for their protection-from harm and from evil. Pray that their work would prosper as their relationship with God prospers. And pray about how we might partner with them to reach people with the Gospel.
Take the Daily Challenge to support our pastors with prayer on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to be committed to prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to “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.”
Every day is an opportunity to approach God in prayer with the confidence that He hears us, He loves us, and responds to the prayers of His people.
When someone comes to our mind, that is a good time to pray for them. God may be bringing a particular person to our mind so that we lift up their needs to the throne of grace. There are additional ways that we can be a supportive friend, but prayer is a good starting place.
Take the daily challenge to be committed to prayer on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK-In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember Jesus’ prayer in the Garden just before He was arrested.
Jesus understood the gravity of the moment. Hope for the human race depended on the mission of Jesus. That time was approaching for Him to be handed over to the Gentiles for crucifixion. He was in great anguish.
In Luke 22:42, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
The next day, Jesus hung on a cross. This request is a powerful reminder that Jesus was God’s Plan A, and there was no Plan B.
Jesus yielded to His Father’s will, even though it was the way of suffering. His example moves us to be humble before God and submit ourselves to His plan whatever the cost.
Take the daily challenge to remember Jesus’ prayer in the Garden and yield to God’s will on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to stay connected with Jesus every single day.
The importance of relying on Jesus for each step of faith is highlighted in John 15:5. Jesus said to His followers, “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.”
One of the ways that we remain connected to Jesus is through prayer. Relationships thrive through open communication. Prayer is how we can have a conversation with God.
Another way to have a conversation with God is to read the Bible. That is where God’s Word communicates to us and tells us how to live a life that pleases Him. When we follow through on God’s plan for our lives, there is fruit that brings glory to God. Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Take the daily challenge to stay connected with Jesus every single day, every step of the way on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Pray.”
Author Ray Stedman has said that when you take the whole range of Bible teaching on the subject of prayer, you will find that prayer is simply conversing with God. As the famous hymn declares, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”
Jesus taught us to how to pray in Matthew chapter 6, verse 9.
“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts and we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Find encouragement in prayer to the God who made us and loves us in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on prayer with God in a place of privacy.
In Matthew 6:5, Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
In Jesus’ day, hypocrites were actors who appeared religious on the outside, but inside, they were full of greed and self-indulgence. The reward they received for their religious show was praise from people, but not favor from God. Jesus instructs us to find a quiet place and have a talk with God. That is where our relationship with God has an opportunity to grow stronger. Then the practice of our faith will be guided by pure motives that reflect our love for God.
Focusing on personal time with God in prayer gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on James 5:13.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
We will experience different seasons of life. Sometimes, we will be on the mountaintop of celebration. At other times, we will be in the valley of grief and sorrow. The circumstances of our lives give us opportunities to draw closer to God if we respond to them with faith.
Rick Warren has said, “In happy moments, praise God. In difficult moments, seek God. In quiet moments, worship God. In painful moments, trust God. In every moment, thank God.”
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of prayer and praise through the various seasons of life in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the mountainside where Jesus prayed.
It happened in Luke chapter 6, verse 12: “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.”
A mountainside is sometimes a place of isolation where we can have undistracted, quality time with God. Jesus prayed the night before making some important appointments. When we have significant decisions to make, we have the opportunity to approach God in prayer and to seek His direction. Prayer invites God’s wisdom for our decisions.
Focusing on quiet time with God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:1 says that “when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.” The famous sermon taught by Jesus was delivered from a mountainside in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.
In that sermon, Jesus gave us a vision of the blessed life with the beatitudes. He taught us how to follow Him from the heart, not just with outward religious practices. He taught us about extraordinary love that extends to our enemies. He taught the golden rule so that we might do to others what we would have them do to us.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a vision of how to pray. He taught us about priorities so that we might store up treasures in heaven rather than treasures on earth. His words give us direction, wisdom, and encouragement for living a life that honors God.
Focusing on the teachings from the Sermon on the Mount gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
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.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
