JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is rejoicing in the Lord.
The Apostle Paul gave this instruction in Philippians 4:4, and then emphasized it by repeating it.
In the Old Testament, Nehemiah talked about the joy of the Lord being our strength.
Joy is the experience of knowing God’s love. Having the joy of the Lord moves us to celebrate God’s amazing grace and to enjoy our relationship with Him. We will be moved to places of praising God with our lips and worshipping Him with our hearts. There will be a song in our heart, and Jesus will be the theme of our music. His salvation will be our great delight. Our service for Him will be an honor and privilege.
Psalm 40:16 says, “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”
Rejoicing in the LORD is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com

It’s Week 1 in a Season of Joy Sunday mornings on WJTL. This week’s Praise & Worship playlist is filled with songs of joy from Dante Bowe, Phil Wickham, Kim Walker-Smith, We The Kingdom, Aaron Shust, Rend Collective, Shane & Shane and more!

Song Title |
Artist |
Album |
Year |
6AM |
|
|
|
Beauty For Ashes |
Anthony Skinner |
Forever And A Day |
2004 |
Joyful |
Dante Bowe |
Circles |
2021 |
Joy |
Phil Wickham |
Response |
2011 |
Joyful (The One Who Saves) |
Brenton Brown |
Joyful |
2010 |
Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? |
Delirious |
Revival Generation |
1998 |
Up in Arms |
Hillsong UNITED |
Zion (Deluxe Edition) |
2013 |
Joy to the World / Joy of the Lord |
Maverick City Music |
A Very Maverick Christmas (feat. Mav City Gospel Choir) |
2021 |
Rejoice |
Dustin Kensrue |
The Water & The Blood |
2013 |
joy. |
for KING & COUNTRY |
Burn The Ships |
2018 |
My Joy |
Philip Herndon |
Love In Every Motion |
2012 |
Your Love Never Fails |
Chris McClarney |
Love Never Fails |
2008 |
Make A Joyful Noise – I Will Not Be Silent |
David Crowder |
All I Can Say |
1998 |
Rejoice |
Chris Tomlin |
See The Morning |
2006 |
Shout for Joy |
Paul Baloche |
The Same Love |
2012 |
7AM |
|
|
|
Tears Of Joy |
Phil Wickham |
The Ascension |
2013 |
What Joy Is Found |
Jeremy Riddle |
Full Attention |
2007 |
Take Courage (Kristene DiMarco) |
Bethel Music |
Starlight (Live) |
2017 |
Joy of the Lord (Live) [Spontaneous] |
Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson |
You Make Me Brave (Live) |
2014 |
I Have Found (Live) |
Kim Walker-Smith |
Revival Nights (Live) |
2021 |
Find a Reason (Joyful Joyful) [feat. Brett Stanfill] |
North Point Worship |
Find a Reason |
2020 |
Count It All Joy |
Sovereign Grace Music |
Worship God Live |
2005 |
I Will Rejoice |
Rita Springer |
I Have To Believe |
2005 |
O Rejoice |
Hillsong |
Celebrating Christmas |
2005 |
Rejoice |
Brad+Rebekah |
Single |
2019 |
Praise the Lord / Rejoice [feat. Eb Cole] |
Daniel Bashta |
My Resurrection |
2017 |
8AM |
|
|
|
In Your Presence (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) [Live] |
Jesus Culture |
Let It Echo (Live) |
2016 |
Psalm 16 (Fullness of Joy) |
Shane & Shane |
Psalms, Vol. 2 |
2015 |
Joy! He Shall Reign |
Big Daddy Weave |
Single |
2020 |
Rejoice |
Andrew Peterson |
The Burning Edge of Dawn |
2015 |
Joy Is In Our Hearts |
Sara Groves |
Fireflies And Songs |
2009 |
Rejoice |
Sovereign Grace Music |
Savior |
2006 |
Psalm 96 (Let the Earth Rejoice) |
Robbie Seay Band |
Psalms LP |
2015 |
Hymn of Joy (Live) |
Chris Tomlin |
Adore-Christmas Songs Of Worship (Live) |
2015 |
Joy Of The Lord |
Rend Collective |
As Family We Go |
2016 |
Rejoice |
Andrew Ripp |
Evergreen |
2021 |
Joy Has Dawned |
Bethany Dillon and Matt Hammitt (of Sanctus Real) |
In Christ Alone – Modern Hymns Of Worship |
2008 |
Rejoice |
Mission Worship |
Mission Worship EP |
2019 |
Joy Is In This Place |
Tim Hughes |
When Silence Falls |
2004 |
House Of The Lord |
Phil Wickham |
Single |
2021 |
9AM |
|
|
|
Joy (Shining Light) |
Victory Fellowship Worship Band |
Elevator Music |
2010 |
Joy Invincible (feat. Jenn Johnson) |
Switchfoot |
Joy Invincible recut Single |
2020 |
Joy Comes In The Morning |
Baylor Wilson |
Joy Comes In The Morning |
2021 |
Joy (To the World) (feat. Ryan Ellis) |
Life.Church Worship |
Gloria (Live) |
2021 |
Rejoice |
Life Center Worship |
Single |
2019 |
Joyous Light |
Chris Tomlin |
Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern |
2004 |
Yes I Will |
Vertical Worship |
Bright Faith Bold Future |
2018 |
Sing Wherever I Go (Live) |
We The Kingdom |
Live At the Wheelhouse – EP |
2019 |
Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful) |
Phil Wickham |
Christmas |
2019 |
Joy |
Rend Collective |
The Art of Celebration |
2014 |
Joy To Be (feat. Chaunda Jefferson) |
Citizens |
The Joy of Being |
2020 |
Rejoice |
Aaron Shust |
Unto Us |
2014 |
Joyful Noise |
Matt Maher |
Single |
2021 |
Rejoice |
Jordan St. Cyr |
Single |
2021 |
Heart Sings Hallelujah (Live) |
Paul McClure & Hannah McClure |
Christmas Morning (Live) |
2020 |
Bless His Name (Ive Got That Joy) (feat. Brandon Lake & Andy Cherry) |
Seacoast Music |
Single |
2021 |
Praise to the Lord (Joyful, Joyful) |
Shane & Shane |
Hymns, Vol. 2 |
2019 |
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to rejoice in the Lord.
First Thessalonians 5:16 instructs us to “rejoice always.” Philippians 4:4 reiterates the point. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
How can joy be fulfilling part of our Christian journey? When we look into what the Bible says about “joy” and “rejoicing”, we will often see those words connected with worship. With the eyes of our faith focused on magnifying Jesus, the door is open for us to experience His joy. We see His greatness, we taste His goodness, and we experience His forgiveness.
Psalm 68, verses 3 and 4 connects joy with worship: “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him-his name is the LORD.”
Take the Daily Challenge to rejoice in the Lord on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK -In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to rejoice in the Lord.
It was Nehemiah who said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Having joy does not mean that we are always happy about our circumstances. But the joy of the Lord does lead us to a place of serving God with a willing heart and worshipping God with a grateful heart.
First Chronicles 16:10 says, “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”
The salvation of God gives us a glad heart. His promise of a new life, abundant life, and eternal life in Christ brings joy to our soul. We are encouraged by God’s faithful love for us, and rejoice in His goodness, greatness, and graciousness toward us.
Take the Daily Challenge to rejoice in the Lord with a heart of worship on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
September 23rd, 2019
john
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Luke 10:20.
Jesus said to His followers, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
He said this to 72 people who had seen God do amazing things in their ministry. Demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. And they came back to Jesus with hearts full of joy at what God had done through them.
But Jesus reminded them that there was a reason to rejoice greater than seeing the demons submit to them. That was having the assurance that their names were written in heaven. That is a miracle worth celebrating-the opportunity of being a new creation in Christ, and belonging to Him forever.
The words of Jesus inspire us to enjoy our relationship with God each and every day in the Year of Redemption.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on James 1, verses 2 to 4.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
It is not unusual to come out of a trial with a very different mindset than when we entered into a trial. Something happens in the midst of a trial that humbles us to recognize our dependence on Jesus.
Coming out of a trial, we can usually be more sympathetic to other people in similar circumstances, because we have been there.
We rarely seek trials before they happen, but after they happen, we can often look back on their value to our faith. James has wise advice for our trials-Persevere. Another way of saying that is “Don’t give up.”
Walking in perseverance and maturity are virtues to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Zephaniah 3:17.
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Here we see a picture of God’s people purified in His grace. If there is one thing that can bring comfort to our day, it’s music. It is an art form that can help us experience peace in a turbulent world. And here, God is using music to express His delight in those who belong to Him. He has won victories on their behalf and He has won their heart. There is a great celebration ahead for those who celebrate Jesus.
The enjoyment of Heavenly music is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
This week in my devotions, I read from the “Jolt Of Joy” plan on the YouVersion Bible App. It’s based on the writing of Carol McLeod at www.JustJoyMinistries.com
There were a few sentences that really stuck out to me and inspired today’s lineup with a concentration on the connection of thanksgiving and joy.
“It is important to understand the relationship between joy and thanksgiving . If you are a thankful person, joy cannot be so very far away. If you are a joyful person, I can guarantee that you count your blessings loudly and daily. Thanksgiving is the password that opens the door of His presence to His people. And, when you enter into His presence, you know that you will find there: JOY!”
Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Song Title
|
Artist
|
Album
|
Year
|
6:00 a.m.
|
|
|
|
Open Up the Gates
|
Planetshakers
|
Open Up the Gates
|
2004
|
Joyful (The One Who Saves)
|
Brenton Brown
|
Joyful
|
2010
|
Come Ye Thankful People Come
|
Leigh Nash
|
Hymns And Sacred Songs
|
2011
|
Sparrow
|
Audrey Assad
|
Heart
|
2011
|
Hes Always Been Faithful
|
Sara Groves
|
Conversations
|
2002
|
Psalm 96 (Let the Earth Rejoice)
|
Robbie Seay Band
|
Psalms LP
|
2015
|
When I Think About the Lord
|
Shane & Shane
|
Pages
|
2007
|
I Will Rejoice
|
Rita Springer
|
I Have To Believe
|
2005
|
Thank You Lord
|
Paul Baloche
|
A Greater Song
|
2006
|
I Have Found
|
Kim Walker
|
Here Is My Song
|
2008
|
Thank You
|
The Merchant Band
|
The World Can Wait
|
2006
|
Joy
|
Rend Collective
|
The Art of Celebration
|
2014
|
Nothing Holding Me Back
|
Bryan & Katie Torwalt
|
Here On Earth
|
2011
|
7:00 a.m.
|
|
|
|
Thrill
|
Charlie Hall
|
The Bright Sadness
|
2008
|
Good Forever (Live)
|
Matt Redman
|
Your Grace Finds Me (Live)
|
2013
|
We Are Blessed
|
All Sons & Daughters
|
The Longing – EP
|
2012
|
Joy
|
Phil Wickham
|
Response
|
2011
|
Joy (Shining Light)
|
Victory Fellowship Worship Band
|
Elevator Music
|
2010
|
Thank You Jesus
|
Hillsong Worship
|
No Other Name
|
2014
|
Joy Is In This Place
|
Tim Hughes
|
When Silence Falls
|
2004
|
Thank You for Healing Me
|
Matt Redman
|
Beautiful News
|
2006
|
Thank You For Hearing Me
|
David Crowder
|
All I Can Say
|
1998
|
Thank You God For Saving Me (feat. Phil Wickham)
|
Chris Tomlin
|
Burning Lights
|
2013
|
You Have Been So Good (feat. Sara Groves)
|
Paul Baloche
|
A Greater Song
|
2006
|
We Give You Thanks
|
All Sons & Daughters
|
All Sons & Daughters
|
2014
|
Joy Of The Lord
|
Rend Collective
|
As Family We Go
|
2016
|
8:00 a.m.
|
|
|
|
Count It All Joy
|
Sovereign Grace Music
|
Worship God Live
|
2005
|
A Grateful People/Bless the Lord
|
Watermark
|
A Grateful People
|
2006
|
Psalm 16 (Fullness of Joy)
|
Shane & Shane
|
Psalms, Vol. 2
|
2015
|
Forever and a Day (feat. Jenn Johnson) [Live]
|
Bethel Live
|
Be Lifted High (Deluxe Edition) [Live]
|
2011
|
You Are Good (feat. Brian Johnson)
|
Bethel Live
|
Be Lifted High (Deluxe Edition)
|
2011
|
Shout for Joy
|
Paul Baloche
|
The Same Love
|
2012
|
Thank You
|
Hillsong Worship
|
A Beautiful Exchange
|
2010
|
Rejoice
|
Chris Tomlin
|
See The Morning
|
2006
|
Joyful, Joyful
|
Laura Hackett
|
Joy (LIVE)
|
2010
|
So Good to Me
|
Cory Asbury
|
Holy
|
2008
|
Make A Joyful Noise
|
David Crowder
|
Passion: The Road To One Day
|
2000
|
You Give Me Life
|
Rita Springer
|
Rise Up
|
2004
|
9:00 a.m.
|
|
|
2011
|
Great Are You Lord
|
All Sons & Daughters
|
All Sons & Daughters
|
2014
|
Tears Of Joy
|
Phil Wickham
|
The Ascension
|
2013
|
What Joy Is Found
|
Jeremy Riddle
|
Full Attention
|
2007
|
The Happy Song
|
Delirious
|
The Cutting Edge
|
1997
|
You Are My Joy
|
David Crowder Band
|
Passion: Everything Glorious
|
2006
|
Great Rejoicing
|
Crowder
|
American Prodigal (Deluxe Edition)
|
2016
|
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the peace of a faith-focused thought life.
In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul listed a number of healthy habits that lead to peace with God.
One healthy habit was to rejoice in the Lord always.
Another healthy habit was to present our prayer requests to God with thanksgiving.
Another thing we can do is learn from those in places of spiritual authority-to listen to their teachings, to watch how they live, and follow their example as they follow Christ.
Verse 8 talks about yet another healthy habit that brings peace to our soul. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
When we think about Jesus, we are thinking of these qualities, because He defines them. When our minds are focused on Christ, we remember that our lives are in the hands of Someone who loves us very much and has proved it at the cross and empty grave.
The peace of a faith-focused thought life is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com