JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 30, verses 11 and 12.

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”

The disciples of Jesus would have identified with this Psalm when it came to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The night before He died, Jesus told them, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

The resurrection of Jesus raised the hopes of His disciples to experience joy and celebration in His presence. On this journey of faith, there are moments of tears and sadness, but because of God’s saving grace, it is temporary. Eternal destiny reveals a day when there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain for God’s people. He will wipe every tear from the eyes of the redeemed.

The garment of joy 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 prayers of David on his bed.

David said to the Lord in Psalm 63:6-On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

It can be a busy and noisy world. We have access to devices that David never had. There are so many voices that seek our attention. So, it is important to be intentional about finding a quiet place to focus on God.

Nighttime is an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness with a heart of gratitude. If we have anxious thoughts, we can bring them before His throne of grace, meditate on His Word, and seek His peace. David was moved by joy when he considered God’s love for him.

He wrote in Psalm 63:7, “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”

The Prayers of David on his bed are worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Our lineup this week includes a few mini themes, focusing on Calvary, Gratitude, God as HOLY and God being WORTHY. I’ve got a variety of worship leaders singing their songs including Brooke Ligertwood, Cody Carnes, Abbie Gamboa, Chris Tomlin, SEU Worship and more.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Philippians 4:4.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

The Apostle Paul was moved by the joy of the Lord, and he wanted to impress this quality on the people of God. Because God is good all the time, we can rejoice in the Lord always, not just sometimes.

We can rejoice in the Lord always when we keep the good news of Jesus in view. His saving grace is the reason for our hope, and has the power to carry us through the trials of this life.

The joy of knowing Jesus 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 fasting of Queen Esther in a time of crisis.

Her people were facing the threat of genocide. Esther had influence to do something to stop it. She was Queen in Persia, but she was not free to enter the king’s presence at any time. In fact, she could lose her life in approaching him unless he extended the gold scepter to her.

She sent word to her cousin Mordecai about her plan to go to the king to intervene in Esther 4:16: “Go, gather together all the Jews….and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther called her nation to prayer and fasting, and God intervened on their behalf.

In times of crisis, we are not helpless. We have a loving God who hears the cries of our heart and responds with grace and compassion.

The fasting of Queen Esther in a time of crisis is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of David seeking God for instruction.

If we want to understand the heart of David in pursuit of God, we can examine some of his prayers. They reveal a heart that is teachable and open to correction. They reveal a heart that understood the wisdom of God to be higher than his own.

In Psalm 25:4 and 5, David prayed, “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

The prayer of David, seeking God for instruction, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Second Samuel 22, verses 31-33.

“As for God, his way is perfect: the LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”

When we have faith in God, we are entrusting ourselves to Someone far greater than ourselves. His ways and wisdom are greater. His love is the perfect standard. His righteousness is infinitely pure. His power is the source of our strength. In Him, we live and move and have our being. We can trust His words to be true. We can depend on His grace to lead us home into His glorious Presence, where He is honored as He deserves.

The perfection 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 the value of listening for God to speak to us.

Prayer is more than just talking to God. It also involves listening for His heartbeat. It involves waiting for His gentle whisper to speak before we enter the noise of a given day, or perhaps after the noise of a given day.

It was at bedtime when Samuel heard the call of God on his life when he was a boy. The LORD called Samuel several times before Samuel recognized His voice. The Lord’s message was made clear after Samuel said this in First Samuel 3:10.

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up to be Israel’s trusted prophet. Opening our ears and heart to God’s will is the first step to fulfilling our calling. God can be trusted to guide us to a place of productive service.

The value of Listening to God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’ Praise Focus is found in Matthew 16:16.

Peter responded to a question raised by Jesus. “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus blessed him for saying this. He acknowledged the truth of this claim when He told Peter that it was revealed by His Father in heaven.

This is the reality that builds and unifies God’s church. This reality also confirms His worthiness of our faith and praise. That word, “Messiah” refers to God’s anointed one. Jesus has been set apart by God the Father for the specific purpose of saving people from sin and restoring us to a right relationship with God.

The identity of Jesus as the Messiah 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 God’s love for us.

First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

We do not have to carry our burdens alone. Jesus Himself invites us to come to Him with our burdens so that we might find rest for our souls.

His grace is our source of help in times of need.

We can be honest about our feelings, our fears, and our doubts as we go to God in prayer. He is close to the broken-hearted. He is at home with the contrite. His wisdom is available for guidance. His strength is available to support us. His compassion is available to empathize with us.

God’s love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com