JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Luke 15:20.
This is one of the highlights in the Parable of the Lost Son taught by Jesus.
A father had two sons. The younger one took his share of the estate and squandered his wealth on wild living. But after he spent everything and was in need, he came to his senses and decided to return to his father.
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son and threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
This is a vivid picture of God’s compassion for the person who recognizes their need for forgiveness. Compassion sees the needs of another person and is moved to relieve their distress. Compassion moved the father to embrace his son who had returned home to Him.
The Father’s arms are open wide to receive returning Prodigals today.
This Light Reflection inspires us to marvel at the brilliance of God’s compassion in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships draws a lesson of love from the heart of the Father toward a Prodigal Son.
In Luke 15, the Prodigal Son returned home after squandering his wealth in a distant country.
His father embraced him with open arms and kisses. Then, he did something extraordinary. He called for a celebration.
He said in Luke 15:22, ‘“Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Luke 15 is all about celebrating the lost being found. This is what happens in heaven whenever someone turns to the Lord.
Celebrating changed lives by the Gospel is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Luke 15:20.
As the Prodigal Son returned home after a season of wild living and squandering his father’s wealth, what would happen when his father saw him?
Would he be angry? Would he refuse to talk to him? Or would he welcome him with open arms?
Verse 20 reveals the answer. “He got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” This is great compassion, to welcome His son with joy and have a celebration on his behalf. This is the Father’s heart for those who earnestly seek His forgiveness.
The Father’s love for us inspires us to have a tender heart for others. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Walking with great compassion is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is the Prodigal Son.
This person is mentioned in a story taught by Jesus in Luke 15.
The word “prodigal” describes someone who spends money recklessly. In this story, the Prodigal Son left home and squandered his father’s wealth on wild living. There is nothing noble about that. But that is not where his story ends. People with godly integrity are not perfect, but they are purified.
Jesus said, “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” That is exactly what he did, and his father welcomed him with open arms. He was filled with love and compassion for his son as he returned home.
The faithfulness of the Prodigal Son to make things right with his father inspires us to be reconciled with our Heavenly Father through Jesus and to live a life of integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as a storyteller.
According to Matthew 13:3, Jesus told a large crowd “many things in parables….”
Jesus told stories to tell people what the kingdom of God was like. He used ordinary things in His stories that would have been familiar to the people in His time. Through the use of parables, we have heard about the heart of compassion of the Good Samaritan, and learned about repentance through the Prodigal Son.
The Gospel is a love story about God taking extraordinary measures to win back the loyalty of those who had wandered away from Him. When we unite with Christ, our story is woven into His story for the glory of His name for all eternity.
The story of God’s grace is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is broken circumstances.
How might God use our broken circumstances to bring us to the point of faith?
Consider the example of the prodigal son in Luke 15. He squandered his wealth on wild living. For a season, he feasted on what he wanted. But it was just for a season. Then, it was gone. And he was left with an empty stomach, an empty wallet, and an empty soul. He was broken, and humbled. That is what broken circumstances will do in our lives. They will humble us. This brings us to a critical crossroads: whether to give up, try to dig out ourselves, or reach out for help.
The prodigal son came to his senses with this thought, “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him, ‘I am no longer worthy to be called your son, make me like one of your hired men.’” So he got up and went to his father. His father’s response? He was filled with compassion for his son. He ran to him and kissed him.
God welcomes us when we return to the place where we belong-His arms of grace.
The broken circumstances of our lives become opportunities for us to recognize our need for Jesus and are reasons to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
