JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to keep our spiritual fervor.
Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
When someone serves the Lord with fresh enthusiasm, they can have a contagious effect on people’s lives for the Gospel.
It is good to be aware of those influences which damage our enthusiasm for God and stay away from them, including sinful patterns, discouraging voices, and hurried schedules.
It is also good to be aware of those influences that increase our enthusiasm and move toward them: Jesus, faithfulness in prayer, supportive believers, meaningful Bible study, and service for God in the ways He has gifted us.
Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
Take the daily challenge to keep spiritual fervor alive on the journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Romans 12:11.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
A relationship with God gives us meaningful purpose to do everything for His glory. By faith, we acknowledge the zealous love of Christ for us, and we respond in gratitude and worship. We are motivated to serve Him faithfully to draw attention to His goodness and glory.
God’s love is a genuine spark that can ignite enthusiasm into our faith. We are moved by the opportunities that God gives us to share the Gospel with the world for such a time as this.
Through Jesus, we are set free from complacency to serve the Lord with spiritual fervor.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His zeal.
According to Isaiah 9:7, the prophesied Messiah will have no end to the greatness of His government and no end to His peace. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
To have zeal is to live with passion. God is passionate about souls. He is passionate about righteousness. He is passionate about justice. And He is passionate about restoration.
Jesus came in history as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will return in the future to establish a kingdom based on justice and righteousness. War will come to an end. Peace will prevail. His people will thrive in His Kingdom. His zeal will make it happen.
The zeal of the LORD is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What does the Bible have to say about zeal?”
There are several positive statements and cautious statements about zeal in the Bible.
Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” This kind of enthusiasm can be a contagious quality when directed by love for the Lord.
But there is danger in misplaced zeal. Before knowing Christ, the Apostle Paul said that in his zeal, he persecuted the church. So, he knows what he is talking about when he says in Galatians 4:18, “It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good.”
And it is good to understand what the zeal of God accomplishes. Isaiah 9:7 talks about the coming kingdom that Jesus establishes with peace, justice, and righteousness. It is the zeal of the LORD Almighty that accomplishes this.
So, in misplaced zeal, we see the danger of fanaticism if it is not based on knowledge or directed to a good purpose. But we also see that zeal is a spark that God can use in us to accomplish His purposes in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
