JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to rely on God’s love for us.
First John 4:16 says, “We know and rely on the love God has for us.” This kind of reliance involves a confidence that God’s love is dependable and serves as a strong foundation for our lives.
In the summer of 1859, Charles Blondin became the first person to walk on a tightrope between Canada and the United States over the Niagra Falls. Huge crowds would gather to see him pushing a wheelbarrow over the falls. On one occasion, he asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow? The crowd affirmed “Yes.” Any takers? His question challenged their claims of confidence.
When it comes to Jesus, we can rely on His love to carry us on this journey of faith to a heavenly destiny, where we will enjoy a relationship with God forever. He won’t let us down. He will take us to the other side.
Relying on God’s love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – 2023 has been designated the Year to Shine at WJTL. We will explore what it means to be the salt and light in this world that Jesus calls us to be. Listen for daily light reflections and for steps of faith that we can take to be a radiant witness for Jesus.
Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 50, verse 10.
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.
Light gives us a perspective that enables us to see more clearly. Daily, we need wisdom for the decisions we make and the direction we go. That is where God’s counsel is a vital voice to help us walk in the light.
This Light Reflection inspires us to trust God for wise counsel in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to rely on God’s love.
First John 4:16 says, “we know and rely on the love God has for us.”
To rely on God’s love is to lean on Him with all our weight. We trust His grace to be sufficient for us and to save us from our sins.
What are some reasons that we have to rely on God’s love? Here are a few ways that His love is described in the Bible. In First John chapter 3, God’s love is described as great.Jesus implied His love was the greatest, and that it would find ultimate expression at the cross when He laid down His life for us. Psalm 136 describes God’s love as enduring forever. It never ends. And Psalm 86 describes God’s love as abounding. It overflows from His heart into the world.
Look into the ways that God’s love is described in the Bible and find encouragement by the nature of His love.
Take the daily challenge to fully rely on God’s love on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “Is Christianity a crutch?”
Sometimes, people think of Christianity as a crutch in negative terms to imply that faith is for the weak and for losers. Is it better to rely on ourselves or rely on God to meet our greatest needs?
Physically, crutches are useful for the person who lacks strength to walk on their own. Spiritually, sin weakens us to the point that we are not able to stand before God in our own righteousness. This is why we need Jesus. His righteousness gives us light for our path, strength for the journey of faith, and a way to live in good standing with God.
Isaiah 50, verse 10 says, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”
The Hebrew word for “rely” in that verse means to lean on for support. Charles Spurgeon has said, “That is what you have to do with Christ-lean on Him with all your weight of sin and sorrow-lean on Jesus Christ….do not try to hold yourself up now-throw yourself right on him.
By leaning on Jesus, we are relying on the strength of God for support and salvation in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
