JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are Titus 3:3 to 5.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
It is an amazing miracle to ponder the mercy of God triumphant over judgment. His grace covers our sins at the moment of our conversion to Christ. From there, we experience a change of heart. Our motives change. Our words change. Our attitudes change. Some of these areas of change may not happen overnight, but over time, God works in the hearts of His believers to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Real-life transformation will lead us into a life of love and holiness because of what Jesus did on the cross and how He is working in our hearts.
These Faith-Building Verses inspire us to celebrate the mercy of God that changes our lives in the Year of Relationship.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Savior.
The Bible directs us to Jesus Christ as Savior, who is qualified to redeem us from sin and to save our souls.
This is one of the reasons why we can celebrate Christmas with so much hope: We have a Savior in Jesus Christ. We needed a rescuer because of our sin, and God saw our need. He did something about it by sending us His precious gift.
In Luke 2:11, the angelic announcement to the shepherds echoes through the centuries around the world to this generation: “Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Find encouragement in knowing Jesus as Savior, Messiah, and Lord in the Year of Endurance.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the true meaning of Christmas?”
There are many possible influences that can take our attention away from the true meaning. Too much activity can lead to stress during the holiday season. Too much shopping can lead us to debt after the holiday season.
The true meaning of Christmas is marked by a special, sacred gift that came from heaven to earth about 2,000 years ago-a child born in a manger who was born to save God’s people from their sins.
The true meaning of Christmas can be found in the proclamation of the angel to the shepherds when Jesus was born. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
This focus point will make our celebration of Christmas meaningful during this holiday season in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
September 24th, 2013
john
JOHN SHIRK – Today, WJTL remembers the thread that we all have in common.
Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”
No one has lived up to God’s perfect moral standard, except for Jesus Christ. He is the only One who got it right 100% of the time.
We might consider ourselves to be good people with the choices we make and the way we live our lives. Yet, all it takes for us to be considered guilty in God’s eyes is to disobey His law one time. James 2:10 says, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” The wages of sin is death. This is what we deserve because of our sin. Without understanding the bad news about ourselves, we will not fully appreciate the good news of what Jesus has done for us.
Our sinful condition points to the fact that we all are in the same boat. We have all sinned against God. We all need a Savior. His name is Jesus.
The common thread of our sinful condition is a lesson of faith worth remembering.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – From First Timothy 1:15.
Words from the Apostle Paul, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.”
There are times in the New Testament when Paul gives us a window into his tainted past. His conversion to Christ was a dramatic transformation of character in a short time. In reflecting on his life, Paul realized that there were many sins of his that Jesus had forgiven.
In this verse, we can put our personal name in place of the word “sinners”. Christ Jesus came into the world to save….me. His grace is a gift for me to receive. There is nothing I can do to earn it, but I can receive His forgiveness by trusting in the name of Jesus and what He did for me at the cross.
When we experience His forgiveness, our burden of guilt is removed and we can truly appreciate and celebrate what Jesus has done for us.
Recognizing Jesus as our Savior from sin is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
