JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Ephesians 5:8 to 10.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

In relationship with God, we come out of the darkness of our own sin and into the light of His grace and truth. In light of our identity as children of God, the writer is urging us to live that truth out in our attitude, speech, and conduct. The words we say and the things we do will please the Lord if they are motivated by our love for the Lord and in line with His goodness, righteousness, and truth.

This Light Reflection inspires us to find out what pleases the Lord and live it out in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is Speaking the Truth in Love.

Ephesians 4:15 explains what happens when God’s people follow through on this practice.

“We will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Grace gives second chances. Grace forgives sin, restores relationships, and builds faith. Grace extends life and peace to those who will embrace the Gospel.

Truth upholds God’s standards and reveals God’s will for our lives. Jesus equated the truth to His teachings, which has the power to set us free.

When the truth is spoken in love, God’s people are blessed with spiritual growth and greater unity in Christ.

Speaking the Truth in Love is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from John 17:17.

Jesus prayed for His disciples this way, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Lies deceive us and take us away from the joy of following Jesus. Truth, however, is like a reliable compass, pointing out God’s standards, and giving us direction in the light of God’s will. The words of Jesus accurately reflect the will of God. If we are guided by the words of truth, we will be sanctified. That means we will be set apart by God for a useful purpose that brings glory to His name. We will grow in God’s grace and in godly character, so that our lives yield the fruitful qualities of love, joy, peace, and patience.

Jesus said in John 18:37, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

This Light Reflection inspires us to be sanctified by the truth of God’s Word in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is John 18:37.

Jesus told Pilate when He was on trial, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

In a world that is concerned about the spread of misinformation and fake news, we can take comfort in the truth of the good news found in Jesus Christ.

The truth that Jesus taught was not a confining message to ruin our fun. It was a liberating message to save us from our sins. Jesus said in John 8:32 that the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to walk in the truth of God’s good news in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Jeremiah.

The LORD called him to be a prophet even before Jeremiah was aware of his calling. The LORD said to him in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Initially, Jeremiah responded like Moses did when God called him at the burning bush. Jeremiah said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

But the LORD said, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child’. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

From that moment on, Jeremiah went forth in the authority of the LORD’s name and declared His word. His message was not popular to a nation attached to their idols. But his words were true, and they call us to “ask where the good way is, and walk in it.” Then, we will find rest for our souls.

The faithfulness of Jeremiah to speak truth to his generation inspires us to follow God’s calling and live a life of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on John 14:6.

Jesus said, “I am the truth….”

When Jesus was on trial, He said to the Roman Governor Pilate, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Jesus invites us to listen to His teaching and live out what He says. If we do, Jesus says we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. But Pilate was not ready to acknowledge Jesus as the source of truth. He was not even ready to acknowledge that there was truth. He asked Jesus, “what is truth?” And then, he walked out to face the crowd. If truth is not established firmly in our heart, it leaves us vulnerable to just go along with the wishes of the crowd. That is what Pilate did.

Faith walks toward God, using the bridge that He has provided to cross over from a world of lies to a place of truth.

Walking in the truth of Jesus is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Ephesians 4:15 and 16.

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Before we send a message to someone, it is good to ask these two questions: “Is it truthful?” and “Is it loving? Words of truth without love can come across as blunt and hurtful. On the other hand, words meant to build up, but not grounded in honesty amount to empty flattery.

But when we speak the truth in a spirit of love, good things happen. People are encouraged to grow in their relationship with God. The trust factor is strong. There is a greater atmosphere of freedom to be honest about our struggles because of the support structure that is in place. When this is happening in the church, God’s people grow together in love, and character is transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ.

Speaking the truth in love is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the key to real and authentic freedom?”

Over the Fourth of July, America celebrates Independence Day with fireworks. Political liberties such as free speech, religious expression, freedom of assembly, and the freedom of the press are all granted in the U.S. Constitution. These are some of the liberties that we enjoy today, which many other nations do not experience.

As precious as these liberties are, they are not the keys to real and authentic freedom. Jesus offers us the key in John 8:36. He said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus was referring to Himself. He is full of grace and truth. One of His purposes for coming to the world was to set the captives free. In verse 31, He says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

While political freedoms can be taken away, no one can steal away our spiritual liberty. The truth of Jesus’ words and His gospel of grace are keys to real and authentic freedom in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Micah 6:8.

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Following this good path will guide us into relationships that bring honor to God.

To act justly means that we treat people with fairness and without partiality. We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We stand for the truth and refuse to be influenced by bribes. Acting justly flows out of a commitment to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

Loving mercy means that it gives us great delight to offer a helping hand to those in needy places, like the Good Samaritan who aided a man on the side of the road beaten by robbers. Loving mercy also means being gracious and patient with people who have stumbled into sin. The love of Jesus fills us with compassion for the condition of their soul.

Walking humbly with God means that we acknowledge the authority of Jesus over us and follow Him day-by-day, step by step.

Doing what is good in the eyes of the Lord is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the encouragement of a friend.

It happened in the book of Third John, when the Apostle John wrote to a follower of Jesus named Gaius

He said to his dear friend in verse 3, “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

We all benefit by this kind of encouragement. If we see someone who is demonstrating their love for God in the way they live, that is a good opportunity to express how we see God at work in them. John noted the good report he was hearing of the faithful witness of Gaius. This report was giving John matchless joy. His words of encouragement in Third John are examples for us to build others up in the faith, so that they will continue to walk in the truth of the Gospel

The encouragement of a friend is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on freedom in Christ.

Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

There are reasons to cherish our political freedoms to vote, to speak out, and to publicly express our worship for God.

However, the greatest form of freedom is the kind that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Here are some of the ways that Jesus sets us free.

In Christ we are set free to love people as He loves us. Galatians 5:13 talks about using our freedom to serve one another in love.

In Christ, we are set free from the penalty of our sin through God’s forgiveness. Romans 8:1 says “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

In Christ, we are set free to know the truth of God’s will and do it. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Following God is our pathway to real and lasting freedom.

Freedom in Christ is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com