JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at a prayerful response to the reading of the Scriptures.

There is great value in reading the Bible with a prayerful response, because we are seeking God’s help to live out what we believe to be true.

For example, in John 6:35, Jesus made the statement, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

We can respond to this claim by Jesus with this prayer:

Dear Lord, Your grace is sufficient for my needs. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You for your dependable Word. I need You every moment of every day. Nourish me and strengthen me daily to live out my faith in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayerful Response to the Reading of the Scriptures is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First John 3:1.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

The key to joyful praise is to take notice of the extravagant love of God for us. The life He gives us on this earth, the gift of Jesus to us, and the blessings He pours out on us are signs of the Father’s delight to bless us with good and perfect gifts.

Embracing God’s love for us shapes our identity! We recognize ourselves to be children of God. It’s not a question of whether God loves us or not. That truth is expressed in the Bible. The question before us is how will we respond to the reality of His love? That makes all the difference in how we think of God, how we view other people, and how we see ourselves.

The extravagant love 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 impact of devotions on our journey with Christ.

Time alone with God is what many Christians call devotions, where we study God’s Word and take time for prayer.

According to Psalm 1:2, “blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”

Time with God is a refreshing experience that gives us the opportunity to know Him better and learn from Him. This is quality time that prepares us to do God’s will with a thriving faith. Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.”

The impact of devotions on our journey with Christ is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Daniel 4:34.

One of the most powerful kings in the world came to a place of humility to acknowledge the greatness of God.

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.”

One of the themes in the book of Daniel is that human kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s glorious Kingdom is coming and will never end. It will be a righteous Kingdom with no corruption. It will be a peaceful Kingdom with no war. And it will be a Heavenly Kingdom with no death.

Hebrews 12:28 says, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

God’s Unshakeable Kingdom 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 finding refuge in God in times of trouble.

David wrote in Psalm 59:16-“I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

David wrote this when King Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to take his life. In times of danger, David sought refuge in the Lord.

His grace is the safest place for our soul. In God’s strong, loving arms, we find comfort and peace with God. His strength is the theme of our songs. Isaiah 40:11 reveals this picture of God with His people. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.”

Finding refuge in God in times of trouble is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Luke 5:29.

“Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors were eating with them.”

This came after Jesus approached Levi at the tax booth. He simply said to Levi, “Follow me,” and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

Tax collectors had tarnished reputations in the days of Jesus. They were labelled in the company of sinners. Levi was invited to go in a new direction to follow the way of Jesus. He abandoned his old way of life to embrace the new. And one of the first things he did to express his gratitude to Jesus was to hold a great banquet for Him. Expressions of praise can be demonstrated in different ways, and one of those ways is to show gratitude to Jesus and to honor His name in the presence of others.

The invitation of Jesus to follow Him is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

It’s Mother’s Day weekend, and this week our Praise & Worship Playlist is filled with songs sung by worship leader moms! It includes new moms like Elyssa Smith, adoptive moms like Lindy Cofer, single moms like Rita Springer and moms with lots of kids like Francesca Battistelli (mom of 7!)

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at vigilance in the Christian life.

First Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind, so that you can pray.”

To be vigilant in the Christian life is to keep our eyes of faith focused on Jesus. His influence gives us clarity for what is really important in life. This helps to shape our priorities in the right place so that they align with the values of God’s Kingdom.

Vigilance will keep us alert to the schemes of the devil and help us to resist temptation. Vigilance will make us aware of the needs of people around us, so that we know better how to meet their needs and how to pray for them. And vigilance will purify our faith. Romans 13:11 urges us to wake up out of slumber. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Vigilance in the Christian Life is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Luke 5, verses 24 to 26.

Jesus said to a paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Jesus healed this paralyzed man to show that He had authority on earth to forgive sins. Whenever we see remarkable things from the hand of God, whether it affects us or someone else, that is an occasion to praise God. It could be the miracle of a new life born into the world, the miracle of someone trusting Jesus to save them from sin, breakthroughs from the bondage of sin, or the breaking of dawn to start a new day.

The remarkable things done by Jesus 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 faithfulness in prayer.

This call comes in Romans 12:12-Be faithful in prayer.

Being faithful in prayer involves being consistent in prayer. David wrote in Psalm 5:3, “Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice. Morning by morning, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

Being faithful in prayer also involves being earnest in our prayer. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Samuel was a trusted prophet of the Lord who demonstrated faithfulness in prayer on behalf of the people he served. He said to them, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.”

Faithfulness in Prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com