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Posts Tagged ‘redemption’

Freedom Phrase-Boast In The Lord, not in ourselves

October 24th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First Corinthians 1, verses 30 and 31.

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Anyone with a true understanding of the Gospel knows that we have no reason to brag about how great we are. All the boasting goes to God who has been gracious in providing a Savior for us. 

Our redemption is the result of God’s graciousness toward us. His grace provides us with the opportunity to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, and to be saved from our sinful nature.  Every breath we take is an opportunity to praise Him.

Through Jesus, we are set free to boast in the saving grace provided by a generous God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Freedom Phrase-Authentic Freedom

January 5th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – 2019 is the Year of Redemption at WJTL. We will examine the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings, which have the power to set us free and the freedom phrases found in the Bible.

Today’s Freedom Phrase is based on John 8:36.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Real and lasting freedom is found in a relationship with Jesus, where we follow Him as our Savior and Lord.  This means, taking His teachings seriously and recognizing their value to guide us to an abundant and eternal life. He gives us direction for life that takes us to places where we would not have traveled on our own, and enables us to accomplish things we could not do by ourselves.   

Through Jesus, we are set free to experience a life-changing relationship with God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Focus On God-His Ability To Do What Is Impossible For Us

September 13th, 2017 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His ability to do what is humanly impossible.

Looking at the history of the Bible, we would have to acknowledge that our faith depends on a mighty God who works miracles.

By His command, He was able to create something out of nothing. This was the birth of the world.

God kept His promise to Abraham to provide a son when Sarah was past her childbearing years. This was the birth of the nation of Israel.

The hope of redemption came to the world through a virgin birth. This was the birth of Jesus.

Jesus died on a cross, then rose from the dead three days later. He is uniquely qualified to save us from our sins, restore us to God, and give us eternal life with Him. This is spiritual birth: to accept this gracious gift. Luke 1:37 says, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

God’s ability to do what is humanly impossible is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Promise of Hope-Spiritual Blessings In Christ

June 8th, 2017 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Ephesians 1:7.

Speaking of Jesus, “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

These are some of the spiritual blessings that we experience in Christ-Redemption, Forgiveness, and abundant Grace.

To be redeemed is to be set free from the power of sin. Chains are broken when we follow Jesus out of the darkness into His wonderful light. To have the forgiveness of sins is to be cleared of guilt. According to Psalm 32:2, “Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” These are some of the blessings of God’s grace that we enjoy when we are   in Christ.

Spiritual blessings are promises of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Q and A-Debt

March 1st, 2016 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What does the Bible say about going into debt?”

Romans 13:8 gives us this instruction: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

While God’s Word does not forbid going into debt, it stresses the responsibility to pay back what we owe. So, we should not go into debt without a plan to get out of debt.

One debt that will always remain outstanding is the debt to love one another because there is always more to give.

Another debt that is impossible for us to pay back in full is the sinful actions that we have committed, whether in word, thought, or deed. But where we have fallen short, God has provided a payment plan for us through the blood of Jesus, which was shed on the cross. I Peter 1:18 tells us that we are redeemed, not by the payment of silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.

Through faith in Jesus, we are set free from the debt of sin and receive the credit of righteousness in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Reason To Believe-The Big Picture

January 4th, 2016 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – This is the Year of Exploration at WJTL. We will explore various questions about the Christian faith and examine daily reasons to believe in the Gospel.

Today’s Reason to Believe is the Big Picture.

From the beginning to end, the Bible outlines human history in a way that reveals Jesus as our only hope for salvation from sin.

The first two chapters in Genesis reveal Creation, where God made the heavens and the earth.

The third chapter of Genesis reveals the fall of Adam and Eve and the consequences of sin.

Much of the Bible covers God’s plan of redemption through the coming of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament anticipates the arrival of the Christ with the law, feasts, and prophecies. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets.

And the book of Revelation reveals the new heavens and the new earth, where God’s followers are restored to complete fellowship with God.

According to First Peter 3:18, Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

The big picture of history and God’s plan of redemption is a reason to believe in God’s good news.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Lesson of Faith-Presidential Pardon

October 29th, 2013 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – The redemption of Jesus as a Presidential Pardon.

Most presidents in our nation’s history have granted pardons. When this happens, a person who committed a crime is forgiven and restored to the innocence they had before they committed the crime. Their crime is not held against them.

That is the way it works with God’s forgiveness. For the person who looks to Jesus as Savior and Lord, He grants the pardon that releases them from the guilt of their sins.

Isaiah 55 explains how we can experience this life-saving pardon:

Verse 6 says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

The redemption of Jesus as a Presidential Pardon is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Lesson Of Faith-Jesus As Our Defense Attorney

October 22nd, 2013 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – A defense attorney represents someone facing a lawsuit or criminal prosecution.

In the courtroom of heaven, God is the judge, and Satan is the prosecuting attorney. He is our accuser. He makes a compelling case for our guilt, as he recites the list of sins that we have committed in our lifetime. But then another voice comes forward to defend us. Jesus makes the case for our innocence, not by denying we did those things, but by acknowledging the shedding of His blood to cover our sins. This is what it’s like for the person who confesses their need for Jesus to save them from their sin.

First John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

The redemption of Jesus as a defense attorney in a courtroom is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com