JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the value of committing our children to the Lord.

Hannah did that for Samuel in First Samuel 1:27. She said to the priest Eli, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now, I give him to the LORD. For his whole life, he will be given over to the LORD.”

Praying for our children is a precious and powerful expression of love for our children. We can pray for their protection, that God will guard their minds and hearts from the corruption of this world.

We can pray for direction, that God will guide them by His love in the way of His plan.

We can pray for their salvation, that they would grow up to love Jesus and live in His saving grace.

Committing our children to the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:7.

Speaking of Jesus ,”In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

Redemption comes to God’s followers at the price of Christ’s blood which was shed at the cross. That was an acceptable payment that provides for our forgiveness. This makes a huge difference in our focus for today and forever.

Instead of despair, we can live with hope. Instead of guilt, we can live with freedom from shame. Instead of hatred, we can live in God’s love. Instead of confusion, we can live with clarity. Instead of selfishness, we can live generously. This is the way Jesus can transform our lives through the riches of His grace.

Redemption 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 prayer of Jacob seeking God’s help.

As Jacob was preparing to meet his brother Esau, he was in great fear, because Esau had been holding a grudge against Jacob.

In Genesis 32:10, Jacob turned to the Lord in his distress praying, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me….”

Jacob acknowledged he was unworthy and afraid. He also acknowledged the kindness and faithfulness of God. In our times of distress, we can be honest with God about the cares of our heart while acknowledging His care for us. Faith remembers the goodness of God in vulnerable moments.

The Prayer of Jacob seeking God’s help is worth examining for a faith focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:6.

“To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

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

The glorious grace of God was revealed through Jesus Christ-in His earthly ministry of teaching, healing, and deliverance from evil. It was also revealed through His death and resurrection. Someday, Jesus will return and fully reveal the glory of His grace to His faithful followers. Now, we know in part, but then, we shall know fully what the glory of His grace looks like in the picture of eternity.

God freely gives His grace to those who are found in Christ. He does not give reluctantly or hesitantly, but freely, joyfully, and willingly. It is His delight to celebrate each follower of Christ as His beloved child.

God’s glorious grace 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 blessing of a peacemaker.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

If we want to be the kind of peacemaker that Jesus described here, we can start by being at peace with God. This happens when we receive the grace that Jesus offers us by His death and resurrection from the grave.

His peace is a powerful light that shines through us to refresh others. St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope.”

The blessing of being a Peacemaker is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:5.

“In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

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

Every child of God has a place in His spiritual family. This is a tremendous blessing that reveals our place of belonging in the body of Christ. God is our Father. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Other believers are considered our brothers and sisters in Christ. The love of God unites us into His household of faith. We have fellowship together, standing firmly on the foundation of the Gospel.

The spiritual blessing of adoption 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 praying for families.

The family is God’s idea.  Jesus talked about the family unit in Matthew 19:5, saying “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife.” He also said, “what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

We can be praying for the thriving of families-that they may stay together and grow together. God’s Word calls for honor, respect, and dignity with how family members treat one another.

Jesus also said that a household divided against itself will not stand. We can remember those affected by divided households and strained relationships. Pray for God to help them find love in His arms of grace and in the family unit of God’s household.

Praying for families is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:4.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

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

We are declared holy and blameless in his sight. What ultimately matters is how God sees us when He looks at the condition of our heart.

Where there is faith in Jesus, we are justified-declared “not guilty.” The grace of the Lord Jesus gives us a fresh start that leads us in a new direction. David prayed, “Keep your servant from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”

The spiritual blessing of being holy and blameless 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 David’s confession that led to forgiveness.

The blood of Jesus shed on the cross is the cleansing agent that heals our sickness called sin.

Even after we come to faith in Christ, we will need to be alert to the temptations to disobey God. David was a man after God’s own heart, who also sinned against God in very destructive ways.

He also experienced the miracle of God’s forgiveness. This is how it happened, according to Psalm 32:5. David said, “Day and night your hand was heavy on me: my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”. And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

The confession of David leading to forgiveness is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com