JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at David’s cry for mercy.

In Psalm 86:5, David prayed, “You Lord are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.”

Where do we turn in times of trouble? David was a man after God’s own heart, and his tendency was to lean on the Lord in dire circumstances. One of his statements highlights his unwavering trust in God in crisis moments. He said, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”

What we believe about God’s ways and character affects whether or not we will trust Him in our moments of distress. The Bible is a dependable place to turn to see God’s faithfulness to His word and His people.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Revelation 21, verses 3 and 4.

The Apostle John wrote, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

There is a new heaven and a new earth planned for God’s people. It will be a new order of peace, and love, and joy, and worship in the presence of God. It will be so full of life. No graves will ever be dug. No hospitals will need to be built. There will be no more suffering.

There is a certain mystery to this future place of glory and grace. But we do know that the death and resurrection of Jesus is what makes it possible for us to live with this certain hope. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The promise of a new heaven and a new earth 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 a prayer for restoration.

It’s found in Psalm 51:10 to 12.

David prayed “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Sometimes, God’s people lose spiritual focus, and lose their moral direction. Such was the case with David, who committed adultery with Bathsheba and plotted her husband’s death. When he was confronted about his sin, David did not try to justify his actions. Rather, he humbly confessed them to God and asked Him for a cleansing.

Sin keeps us from experiencing the joy of sweet fellowship with God. Because He loves us so much, God convicts us of our sin, so that we might confess it, uproot it, and be set free from its control. Confession is key to restoration of our joy in the Lord.

A prayer for Restoration is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Revelation 19:6 and 7.

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

There is a great celebration coming in heaven with shouts of Hallelujah. Multitudes will enjoy a festival of praise to the Lord around the throne. The angel said to the Apostle John, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! These are the true words of God.”

This is a glorious day that God’s people anticipate-being in the presence of the Lord, seeing Him face to face, enjoying His peace and grace.

The Reign of the LORD Almighty 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 vibrancy of living with zeal.

Sometimes, indifference can creep in when we lose our passion for the Lord. But there are ways that we can keep our zeal for the Lord vibrant.

A marriage has opportunity to thrive when the communication lines stay open. So it is with our relationship with God. Prayer and Bible reading keep the communication lines open with God and train us to abide in Jesus with a Spirit-controlled zeal.

Whenever we serve God with our spiritual gifts, we are investing in God’s Kingdom and going deeper in our commitment to Christ.

Expressing love for God and sharing His love with others is a life-giving experience. Staying connected with members of God’s family in fulfilling relationships also has an encouraging impact on our faith.

Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Living with zeal for the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 33, verses 1 to 4.

“Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.”

God’s word is a trustworthy blueprint for building our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. His word directs us to follow Jesus. That is where we find the freedom. That is where we find true love. That is where we find real joy-in the arms of a gracious God who watches over us and cares for us. That is good news that puts a song in our heart to praise the Lord.

The faithfulness of God is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week we’ve got a “God Is Always Faithful” Mini-Theme for the 6AM hour. Plus, super singable songs of worship like “Worthy Of It All”, “Jesus Over Everything”, “Who Else”, “Made For More” and lots more!

Name	Artist	Year
6AM
Your Nature (Live)	Kari Jobe	2020
Always	Kristian Stanfill	2011
Always On Time (ft. Bella Cordero)	Elevation Worship	2024
Time And Time Again	Mack Brock	2024
Over & Over	ELEVATION RHYTHM	2022
A Million Times	Patrick Mayberry	2023
Ive Witnessed It (feat. Melodie Malone)	Passion	2023
Faithful Then / Faithful Now (ft. Chris Brown)	Elevation Worship	2024
Faithful & True	New Life Worship	2025
Marvelous Things (feat. Kari Jobe)	Paul Baloche	2020
What Hes Done	Passion	2022
7AM
Just Like Youve Always Done	Mack Brock	2023
Never Once	Matt Redman	2011
In The Name Of Jesus	JWLKRS Worship	2025
Mighty Name of Jesus (ft. Josh Baldwin)	Hope Darst	2025
Jesus Over Everything (feat. Andrew Holt)	The Belonging Co	2021
Our God Reigns (feat. Andy Cherry)	Seacoast	2025
Reign Above It All	Paul McClure	2020
Still On the Throne (Live)	The Belonging Co & Danny Gokey	2025
Worthy Of It All (Worthy)	CeCe Winans	2026
Abandoned (ft. Brandon Lake)	Benjamin William Hastings	2024
My Hallelujah (Live)	Aodhan King & Hannah McClure	2025
Let It Be A Hallelujah	Lauren Daigle	2025
Hallelujah In The Hard Things	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	2026
8AM
THANK GOD IM FREE (ft. Lizzie Morgan)	ELEVATION RHYTHM	2026
God Im Just Grateful (ft. Chandler Moore)	Elevation Worship	2025
Thank You Jesus (Live)	Josh Baldwin	2024
Nothing But The Blood (ft. Jeremy Rosado)	Tommee Profitt	2026
Love Of God	Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham	2024
What A God	SEU Worship	2026
Who Else (ft. Claire Smith)	Gateway Worship	2026
YAHWEH (No One) (feat. Elevation Worhip)	Chris Tomlin	2022
The Blood (ft. Jenn Johnson)	David Funk	2025
Silence	JWLKRS Worship	2023
Just Jesus (Live)	David Leonard & Seacoast	2025
Daily Bread (ft. Kari Jobe)	Pat Barrett	2024
9AM
Seen Known Loved	Pat Barrett	2023
Rest On Us (ft. David Funk)	Housefires	2025
Stay	Zahriya Zachary	2026
Made For More (ft. Jenn Johnson)	Josh Baldwin	2024
How Good It Is	Chris Tomlin	2025
Alleluia	Elevation Worship	2026
Break Open (Live)	Pat Barrett	2026
God of Revival	Phil Wickham	2021
When Wind Meets Fire	Elevation Worship	2024
No One Like The Lord (Live)	Jenn Johnson	2024
Marvelous	Mitch Wong	2025
Holy Hands (Live)	Paul McClure, Hannah McClure	2025

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 15:13 and 14.

Jesus told His followers, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

The next day, after uttering these words, Jesus died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. He demonstrated the ultimate form of love by laying down His life for us.

The command that Jesus was sharing with His disciples was “Love each other as I have loved you.”  How would we learn the way of love if Jesus did not show the way? Because of His humble service and worthy sacrifice, we can see how God’s love is expressed, and follow the example of Jesus.  His love for us moves us to a place of deep gratitude to God and sincere love for the people He has created in His image.

The sacrificial love of Jesus for us 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 value of wholehearted trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5 to 7 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

We need God’s wisdom to move forward in His plan. He sees the big picture of our lives and works in the details to direct us and show us the way. He will sometimes use opened and closed doors to lead us. He will direct us through His word, and He will respond to the prayers of His people for guidance. We have this assuring word from Psalm 25:9, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” We can trust God to be faithful to His word.

Wholehearted trust in the LORD 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 value of finding our refuge in the Lord.

The kingdom of God is a prevailing kingdom that will stand the test of time. On the throne is the righteous King who is faithful and just in all His ways. His works are perfect. This is why we can trust in Jesus. His grace lasts forever and gives us the security of knowing that we are loved forever.

Whatever we trust that can be taken from us is a false hope.

Proverbs 11:28 says, “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

And Psalm 118, verse 8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.”

Finding our Refuge in the LORD is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com