JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the desperate plea of a dying man.

There were two criminals who were crucified beside Jesus.

One of the criminals hurled insults at Jesus. But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This criminal understood that he was a guilty man, and that Jesus was innocent. He also understood that Jesus was a king, and so, he called on the name of the only One who could save him in his desperate moment. While we have breath, it’s never too late to find our place in God’s Kingdom. Acts 2:21 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” There is a remedy for our guilt. His name is Jesus.

The desperate plea of a dying man is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 15:7.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

When God’s people accept one another, it reflects our love for God. It shows that we have been receptive to God’s love for us, and we want to share that love with our brothers and sisters in Christ to build a vibrant faith community. This will honor the name of Jesus in the church and throughout the world.

The acceptance of Jesus is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 15, verses 4 to 6.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This was a prayer for unity in the church, which brings praise to God when that unity is built on the Gospel. Jesus is the Head of the church. He is the leader. His command for His followers is that we love Him and love each other. His teachings form the foundation for our faith to build godly character, and to inspire love, joy, and hope. With Jesus as our guide, we are growing and moving toward the fulfillment of His promises that will bless us for eternity.

The Endurance and Encouragement of God’s Word are reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of the early church for boldness.

The early church was a thriving church, and a praying church. They looked to God as their source of strength and saw His power in their gatherings.

Under threats of persecution, the early believers in the church gathered in Acts 4:24. They raised their voices together in prayer to God.

In verse 29, they prayed, “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Prayer invites the power of God to give us courage to speak the name of Jesus in spiritual climates that resist Him.

The prayer of the early church for boldness is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Happy Father’s Day! I have a themed lineup for you. Our Praise & Worship playlist is filled with songs celebrating our good Father! Some of my highlights are songs rooted in James 1:17 (“every good and perfect gift comes from above…coming down from the Father of lights”) and The Lord’s Prayer.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the commitment of the early church to gather in worship.

The early church was a thriving church, and a praying church. They looked to God as their source of strength and saw His power in their gatherings.

After Pentecost, the church started to gather on a regular basis, and their times of fellowship were rich with spiritual growth. It was not just because of the quantity of their gatherings, but also the quality of their gatherings that grew the church in a healthy way.

Acts 2:42 says, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

These commitments can help us to contribute to a thriving church today. Verse 47 says about the early church, “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

The commitment of the early church to gather in worship is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Daniel 6:26 and 27.

King Darius wrote this message to all the nations of the earth:

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. ‘For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.”

This happened after Daniel survived a night with the lions after he was found praying to God. At the time, it was against the law for Daniel to do that, but he continued to pray to God faithfully as before. The King was witness of Daniel’s faithfulness to his God and God’s power to rescue Daniel from the grip of the lions.  As a result of Daniel’s stand for the Lord, King Darius used his platform to send a message to the world, acknowledging the greatness of the living God, His enduring Kingdom, and His ability to save those who trust in Him.

The mighty hand of God and His enduring Kingdom are reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer for guidance in the early church.

In Acts chapter 1, Simon Peter raised the issue of finding someone to take the place of leadership that Judas once had.

The believers nominated two men, namely Joseph and Matthias. They were not sure which person should take over this ministry, and so they prayed these words in Acts 1:24:

“Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Good, quality leadership is vital for spiritual growth in the church. The actions of the early church leaders reveal the need for us to seek God’s will when appointing leaders.

The prayer for guidance in the early church is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Habakkuk 3:17 to 19.

The prophet said, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength.”

Here was a man who had hard questions for God about suffering. Yet, his faith in the Lord remained steadfast through the questions.

Habakkuk shows us by example to find our joy in the Lord rather than favorable circumstances. This kind of joy is possible when we focus on God’s love for us and find confidence in His saving grace. Consider the wisdom of the cross. By His wounds, we are healed. His strength helps us to press on through a broken world until we reach our Heavenly Home in God’s presence. Then our healing will be complete.

The Strength and Salvation of the Lord are reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com