JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of Jesus for the protection of His followers.

In John 17:15, Jesus said to His Heavenly Father about His disciples, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

This is a good reminder for us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in a similar way. Pray that believers would not give in to the voice of temptation. Pray that they would overcome evil with good, and grow in the truth of God’s Word.

Greg Laurie has said that the Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. Prayer is one of the weapons we need to overcome the evil one. Another important weapon is the Bible. Jesus resisted the Devil’s temptations by quoting Scripture. That power is available to us by paying attention to God’s Word.

The prayer of Jesus for the protection of His followers is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 20, verse 28.

Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

This was a statement of faith and worship. At first, Thomas doubted reports that Jesus rose from the dead, but after seeing Jesus face to face, his doubts were erased. Evidence of the nail-scarred hands revealed the unwavering love that Jesus had for Thomas and for us. The cross is how God demonstrated His love for us, and we can trust in that love to be the source of good news in our lives.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The nail-scarred hands of 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 the value of seeking prayer for a bold faith.

If there is one person in the Bible that we would link to a bold faith, it would be the Apostle Paul. He had a confidence in the Gospel that compelled him to boast in the Lord.

He said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

In Ephesians 6:19, he asked the church to pray that he might have a bold witness for the Lord. He said, “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

This is prayer support that we can request from other believers today.

Seeking prayer for a bold faith is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Acts 10:36.

“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

Peter was sharing the Gospel with Gentiles at the house of a man named Cornelius. He was saying that this good news about Jesus was for them too. He spoke about the anointing of the Holy Spirit on Jesus to do good and heal all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Then, Peter recalled the death and resurrection of Jesus and how forgiveness of sins was given to everyone who believes in His name. God moved through this message to draw these Gentiles to faith in Jesus and to praise God. This message is also relevant for us today.

The good news of 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 prayer of David seeking God in the morning.

In Psalm 143:8, David prayed, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

Each morning is an opportunity to meet with God. As we wake up, we can live with the hope and anticipation that God will greet us with His unfailing love, speak words of encouragement in His word, and guide us with His wisdom throughout the day. As a man after God’s own heart, David trusted God with his life. This is a focus point that adds meaning and power to our prayer life. With that trust firmly planted, we will be in a good place to grow in God’s grace and go His way.

The prayer of David seeking God in the morning is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 44:8.

“In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.”

In the battles of our lives, victory belongs to the Lord. He is our source of strength through temptations and through the adversity we face.

With eyes of faith, we recognize that the Lord deserves the credit for any victories that we gain. Psalm 115:1 says, “Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

The spiritual victories we experience 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 prayer and the peace of God.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” In our lives, trouble may come in the form of financial uncertainty or sickness or grief. We might experience stress from strained relationships or a heavy workload. These are situations that can fill our minds with anxious thoughts.

Philippians 4:6 points out an alternative to worry. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus invites us to come to Him with the burdens of our heart. He offers to come alongside us with His grace and wisdom, and provide rest for our souls.

Prayer that invites the peace of God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Corinthians 6:19 and 20.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

In comparing our bodies to a temple, the Bible is revealing that our bodies are made to worship God. This is possible with lifted hands in praise to God and with generous hands that help people in need. This is possible with ready feet to go and take the Gospel with us wherever we go. This is possible with our eyes as we look for the goodness of God in our day. This is possible with our mouth as we proclaim that God is love and Jesus is Lord. These are just some ways that we can use our bodies as instruments of praise.

Our body as a temple is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Lamentations 3:20 to 23.

“My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

In our journey through life, we are bound to go through various seasons. Some seasons will be more joyful than others. We just came through a harsh winter season with frigid cold temperatures. Sometimes, the world feels like a cold and dark place. Sometimes, we go through lonely seasons of life, or we grieve the loss of a meaningful relationship. That does not mean that God is far away. On the contrary, He is quite close to the brokenhearted. The writer of Lamentations was in a season of sadness, but the morning sunlight drew his attention to the constant faithfulness of God through the changing seasons of life. His compassion is a light to keep hope alive in our hearts.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com