JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119:111.
“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”
Joshua was a man of God who inspired a nation to walk with God when he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” It was his joy to obey God by leading His people.
The light of God’s Word fills us with joy. When we open up the Bible, we see the need of humanity for a Savior, which God provided through Jesus Christ. We are encouraged by His plan for our lives, to bless us with His grace and guide us in His truth.
We also see how His statutes are given in love to protect us and provide for us. From a heart of gratitude for all that God has done for us, we want to obey Him and honor His name. It is our joy to serve Him. First John 5:3 says “this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”
This Light Reflection inspires us to find joy in following God’s statutes in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 119, verse 59.
“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”
When we consider our ways and compare them to God’s statutes, we have the opportunity to assess more thoroughly whether we are going forward in the will of God. The statutes of God are rules for living found in the Bible. They are given to us to guide us in His will.
If we think that God’s laws are designed to ruin our fun and make us miserable, we are not trusting in God’s plan to be good for us.
But God’s Word declares that His plan for our lives is good. In Isaiah 48:17, the LORD declares that He teaches what is best for you, and directs you in the way you should go.
This Light Reflection inspires us to consider our ways and turn our steps to God’s statutes in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Psalm 119, verses 36 and 37.
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”
In the Bible, a statute is a law or decree made by God. The writer of Psalm 119 understood that if his heart was focused on obeying God’s Word, he would not be motivated by selfish gain.
Walking in the ways of God’s statutes will not feel confining to us if love for God is at the heart of our motivation. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Those commands will direct us on a path of Biblical integrity. They will lead us to a place of freedom where our relationships with God and with people will have opportunity to thrive. Prayer for a willing heart is a good starting place for following God’s statutes.
Walking in the statutes of God is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
