JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is the voice of Reconciliation.
This is the voice that encourages peace between parties that live in hostility to each other.
The ultimate peacemaking mission is to promote peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Peace with God is the way forward for us to experience peace with others and peace within. God’s love for us is a sure foundation that calms our fears and gives us hope. His love compels us to share the Gospel in a spirit of love.
In Second Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul said, “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.”
Being a voice of Reconciliation is a Key Element for Thriving Relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to make things right with someone we have wronged.
Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
God cares about our relationships. He wants them to be full of love, peace, and joy. That is why Jesus is calling us to remove any barriers that keep us from experiencing fulfilling relationships. He calls us to seek reconciliation. This is possible when we go to the person we have wronged, confess what we have done, and seek forgiveness. These steps open the door for strained relationships to be restored.
Making things right with someone we have wronged is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Grace.
To be in God’s grace is to have God’s favor. For those who have sinned against God, we don’t deserve God’s grace, but out of God’s abundant goodness and love for us, He gives His grace to bless us.
Grace is a gift to be received, not a paycheck to be earned. The life-saving impact of grace is highlighted for us in Ephesians 2:8. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
And Romans 3:22 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith.”
That is what the death and resurrection of Jesus was all about-to offer the gift of grace to sinners like us, so that we might be redeemed, restored, and reconciled to Him.
Find encouragement in receiving the gift of God’s grace in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in John 14:27.
Jesus
told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.”
The
peace of God is a wonderful treasure and is available for those who trust in
Jesus completely. Just before Jesus died, He was talking about peace that was
better than anything this world could give.
With
faith in Jesus, we are able to rest in God’s grace. We don’t have to prove our worth to Him. He has proved His
love for us.
With
faith in Jesus, we have a secure relationship that is built on sure promises of
blessing.
With
faith in Jesus, we have a Savior, who does not count our sins against us. We
are forgiven and reconciled to God through Jesus.
The words of Jesus inspire us to embrace the peace that Jesus offers us in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com