JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at seeking God at the crossroads of life.

We all have major decisions to make in life, and seeking God’s wisdom is a good starting place for gaining clarity of God’s will for us.

In Jeremiah 6:16, the LORD says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

The verbs in this verse are descriptive. “Stand” means pausing and waiting on the Lord for His counsel. “Look” means being observant to the options and considering carefully where they may lead us. “Ask” means praying about our decision and seeking God’s will. “Walk” means going forward when God provides clarity about which decision to make. Finding rest for our souls means that we have peace, having the confidence that God is the One who is guiding us.

Seeking God at the crossroads of life is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Joel 2:26 and 27.

The LORD says, “You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.”

This is a prophecy about a day of blessing that the LORD has declared for His people. God’s long-term forecast for the weather is autumn rains and abundant showers to provide plenty of food for His followers. Even in a broken world frustrated by sin, God is gracious in the present season to send rain and provide food for us to live.  Acts 14:17 says, “He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

God’s provision for rain and food are reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take look at the way of love.

Second John verse 6 says, “This is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

The way of love follows in the footsteps of Jesus. He is our instructor and example to inspire us in the way of love.

The way of love is obedience to God. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Love for God is His greatest command.

The way of love is filled with patience and kindness.  It seeks to help and not to harm others. Love moves us to pray for others in their time of need.

The command to walk in love is simply stated, but can be hard to apply when tested. However, with God’s help, all things are possible, including the expression of love even when we are not feeling it. That is why we need Jesus to lead us in the way of love.

The way of love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:15 and 16.

The Apostle Paul said this to the church, “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Faith in Jesus and love for His people flow out of a thriving relationship with God.  As a church leader, Paul the Apostle noticed how the Holy Spirit was working in the church at Ephesus, and he was grateful to God by what he saw. When these qualities are evident in the church, the foundation is laid for a church to be a thriving witness in the community. There is always room for us to grow in these areas, and when that happens, we have a vibrant testimony to share with the world that Jesus has saved us and is transforming us into His likeness with every passing day.

The evidence of faith and love among God’s people is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the stability of trusting the Lord.

Psalm 112, verses 6 and 7 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the LORD.”

In Jesus, we have an anchor for our soul that keeps us grounded with a secure hope through the storms of life. Someone has said that if you hem in both ends of your day with a prayer, it won’t be so likely to unravel in the middle.

Through the bad news stories that we hear in a given day, which sometimes affect our lives, we have the good news of the Gospel to keep hope alive and keep us secure in God’s love.

The stability of trusting the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:13a.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”

In the Kingdom of Heaven, no one is rejected who receives Jesus as Savior and Lord. There is a place at the table with Jesus at the banquet that is being planned for His bride, the church.

Jesus said in Luke 14, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” The gospel extends the invitation for each person to follow Jesus and to know Him personally. Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” Salvation is a gift that is extended to us by a gracious God.

The Gospel of Salvation is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at faith in the power of God’s love.

In Ephesians 3:20 and 21, we see how the power of God is able to bless our lives abundantly.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

In the picture of eternity, God exceeds expectations for His followers. The gift of God’s grace, salvation, heavenly rewards, the Presence of Jesus, the fruit of our labor in the Lord, and the heavenly reunion of the saints-these are all blessings that followers of Jesus will enjoy.

There are blessings that we experience in this life too. Those blessings give us a small glimpse of His good plans for those who love Him.

Faith in the Power of God’s Love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:11 and 12.

Speaking of Jesus, “In him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

This is a message for the faithful in Christ, and one of the spiritual blessings that we have in Christ.

God’s plan and purpose for our lives is to reflect His glory. It happens when we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit to speak, to serve, and to share God’s love with others. It also happens when others see us living with genuine hope through times of testing. Our ultimate goal as followers of Jesus is not to draw people closer to ourselves, but to draw people closer to Christ. So, let them see the love of Christ compelling us in whatever we do. His name is worthy of our very best.

The glory of God is a reason 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 David’s cry for mercy in Psalm 86.

In verse 1, he pours out his heart to God in this way: “Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord for I call to you all day long.”

Where do we turn in our times of distress? David turned his eyes toward heaven to commit his cares to God. That is because he trusted God, and called on him constantly. He took his feelings of need and insecurity to the throne of grace, and the Lord helped David.

We have access to God today through Jesus Christ and what He has done for us at the cross. Jesus is our source of strength when we feel weak and vulnerable. As we trust in Him, we can say with confidence the words of Psalm 118:7-“The LORD is with me; he is my helper.”

David’s cry for Mercy is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com