JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in John 16:33.

Jesus told His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

These were some of the last words that Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest. Jesus was preparing His followers for His death, resurrection, and eventual departure from this world. He was leaving final words of instruction and comfort for them.

The reason He told them these things is the reason that these things are recorded for us-so that in Christ we may have peace. Life in this world can be filled with peer pressure, stress, and conflict. But there is also a greater reality than our problems. We can be encouraged by the proclamation of Jesus to overcome the world. Because He wins, so will His followers.  First Corinthians 15:57 says, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The victory of Jesus over sin and death reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Following Jesus is the pathway to victory. His way leads to the triumph of mercy over judgement. His way leads to the triumph of love over hatred. His way leads to the triumph of life over death.  When we follow Jesus with a faithful heart, we live with His resurrection power.

Yes, there will be times of trouble, but we can be encouraged by the light of the Gospel to overcome the darkness. The grave of Jesus is empty, so that our lives can be filled with His Presence.

In light of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and the resurrection of the saints, First Corinthians 15:54 exclaims, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” And verse 57 says, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Walking in Victory is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verses are First John 5, verses 3 through 5.

From the New Living Translation: “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”

The real champion is Jesus, who overcame the world by His perfect obedience to the will of God. He resisted the temptations of the devil by the power of God’s Word. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins by the power of His blood.  Then, He gave us the hope of eternal life by the power of His resurrection.

His Presence in our lives gives us the power to overcome the world. Out of the overflow of life’s most important relationship, we are moved to obey God’s commands. We are set free from the power of darkness, and live in the light of grace and truth.

These faith-building verses inspire us to trust and obey God in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is First Corinthians 15:57.

“Thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

One of the memorable upsets in Winter Olympics history was when the United States defeated the Soviet Union in men’s hockey in 1980. They won by one goal-4 to 3. At the end of the game, commentator Al Michaels asked the question, “Do you believe in miracles?” For the follower of Jesus, the answer is a resounding “YES!”

The Christian faith is built on the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died, and then overcame death by coming to life. What is impossible with humans is possible with God. Because of the resurrection, we can live in hope and victory.

First John 5:4 asks the question, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

This faith-building verse highlights the victory that we have through faith in Jesus Christ in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to remember the empty grave.

Second Timothy 2:8 tells us to “remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” Paul the Apostle noted, “This is my gospel.”  Jesus is our source of good news too when we belong to Him through faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the reason for our victory over sin, death, and the pressures of this world.

Jesus told His followers the night before He died, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Even though we face temptation, turbulence, and the trials of life, we have much reason for optimism.  Jesus is alive today. We do not worship a dead Christ, but the risen Christ. Because of that, we have a living hope that outshines the brilliance of the sunlight and endures forever.

Take the daily challenge to remember the empty grave and the reason for our hope on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on John 16:33.

Among His final words to the disciples before His death, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Three days later, He would rise from the dead.

If you experience trouble in this world, you are not alone. Jesus told us it would be this way. He is honest with us about the challenges we will face while we live on the earth. Financial stress, loneliness, physical sickness, grief, and persecution for our faith are a number of troubling realities that people face in this world.

But to the person who trusts in Jesus and follows Him daily, there is another reality-a greater reality that gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. Jesus has overcome the world. Because He has overcome the world, we can have faith that He will help us to overcome the world too. We live with this hope in First John 5:5, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Victory in Christ is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

How are you? Feeling challenged or discouraged lately? Here is a special lineup of songs, celebrating our strong God who helps us in times of battle. It’s a playlist packed with songs of Victory! I pray you’ll be encouraged, no matter what you’re up against.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com