JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at our access to God’s presence through faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:18 refers to Jesus this way, “For through him, we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

The word “Both” in that verse refers to Jews and Gentiles. Jesus is the One who created the various ethnic groups in the world, and He invites people from all ethnic backgrounds to participate in His Kingdom. The way to gain access to His Kingdom is to believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of our lives.

Just as Jesus builds bridges of love between people of different ethnic backgrounds, so He is also our link with God the Father. Jesus said to His followers, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And so, in Jesus, and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Our Access to God the Father through Jesus is worth-examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Ephesians 3:20 and 21.

“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, for ever and ever! Amen.”

God is able to multiply the small offerings that we offer to Him with Kingdom impact. On one occasion, He was able to turn a boy’s lunch into a feast for thousands of people. Many lives can be impacted for the Gospel through our simple acts of love and obedience to the Savior.

His love has the capacity to overflow through us to make a difference in this world. Whenever we see the evidence of God’s love, we are seeing His power at work, reaching out with sincere concern and drawing people to His Gospel.

God’s Power at work in us 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 earnest prayer that seeks God.

In Jeremiah 29:13, the LORD says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

How do we seek God in this way? One insight can be seen in the preceding verse. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

Our search for God leads to a relationship with Him when we pray. He invites us to His throne of grace to call on His name. He is faithful to hear the cries of our heart with His caring heart. He is moved by our prayers from a humble heart that truly seeks to know Him.

Earnest Prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Jeremiah 10, verses 6 and 7.

“No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.”

This was the prophet’s response to what the LORD said about the ways of the nations. The LORD pointed out the fruitless practice of worshipping idols. He said, “Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” The real power is found in God’s hand and breath. By His power, he made the earth.  He created us too. The right response to that reality is to worship Him with a thankful heart.

The Mighty Power 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 a prayer of commitment to the Lord.

Psalm 37:4 to 6 says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

A relationship with God is the starting place to stand for a righteous cause. Jesus told us in John chapter 15 that our fruitfulness for the Gospel flows out of abiding in Him. When we experience a burden of our heart or have compassion for someone in a time of struggle, that could be God prompting us to activate our faith for a noble cause. Then, commit our plans to Him and see if He opens doors for us to serve in a productive way. Our journey of faith moves forward one step at a time as we walk with Jesus every day.

A prayer of commitment to the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Isaiah 25:1.

“LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”

The wonderful things that God does flow out of His perfect faithfulness. We can trust Him completely to follow through on His plans and promises. Long ago, He spoke through various prophets that the Messiah was coming. The world waited for hundreds of years after the prophecies were made. But eventually, Jesus was born, and fulfilled many prophecies about Him. He will fulfill more in the future. Jesus is the reason that we can live with hope and praise today.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Galatians 1:23 and 24.

The Apostle Paul was sharing his spiritual journey with the Galatian church. After his conversion, he was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that were in Christ.

Then he said, “They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.

You might know of certain people whose lives were turned around dramatically by the Gospel. This is a reason for celebration. Not only is each convert saved and transformed, but their influence changes. Now, they are instruments of God’s grace to lead others to Jesus. That is what the Apostle Paul did. He was a living example of the miraculous power of God’s grace.

Changed Lives are reasons 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 King Hezekiah for deliverance.

Under threat from Assyria, King Hezekiah prayed to the Lord in Isaiah 37:18-“It is true, O Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands…..Now O Lord, deliver us from his hand so that all the kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”

God did come to the aid of King Hezekiah in response to his prayer.

When the circumstances of our lives leave us feeling insecure, that is the time to go to the firm foundation of our faith. The opposition we encounter may seem powerful and intimidating, but God is stronger. The Apostle Paul was aware of that reality. That is why he said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Victory may have different outcomes, but they always lead to the glory of God.  Prayer is an effective way to fight our spiritual battles on our knees.

The Prayer of King Hezekiah for Deliverance is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 43, verses 3 and 4.

“Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.”

These verses reflect a heart that is yearning to be near God and to celebrate Him. This is where God guides His followers-to a place of joy and delight in His presence.

God’s light of guidance and His faithful care of provision are reasons to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com