JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Isaiah 12:4 and 5.

“In that day you will say, ‘Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.’”

The combination of praise and music is the destiny of God’s people. The body of Christ has the common theme of lifting up the name of Jesus in our songs. He has done glorious things that are worthy of our praise. His death and resurrection 2,000 years ago brings good news for the world today. That is the foundation of the Gospel which reveals the way every person can be set free from sin, find forgiveness in God’s grace, and live forever in His presence.

The glorious deeds of God are reasons 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 invitation of Jesus to know Him as the Good Shepherd.

It’s been said that if you have trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep; talk to the Shepherd. The truth is that we can call on the name of Jesus any time of the day. He lives in relationship with His followers. He said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” He also said that He lays down His life for the sheep. That is what He did for us at the cross. As the good shepherd, Jesus overflows with love in the way He died for us, rose for us, intercedes for us, teaches us, disciplines us, and comforts us with His grace.

His invitation goes out today just as it went out to His disciples when He said, “Follow me.” This is how we can find forgiveness, peace with God, and hope for a bright future in the Presence of God.

Knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd 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 prayer of Isaiah, accepting God’s call.

The call went out in Isaiah 6:8. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

That is when Isaiah responded, saying “Here am I. Send me!”

In the Presence of God, Isaiah saw the holiness of God and was overwhelmed with humility. As we draw close to Jesus, we will be aware that we are in the Presence of someone greater than ourselves, who greatly loves us. He has a plan for our lives to follow Jesus and to make Him known by the witness of our testimony.

The prayer of Isaiah, accepting God’s call is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Nahum 1:15.

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows.”

We live in a world tainted by sin, which delivers the bad news of corruption, pain, and tragedy. But that is not the only reality of a given day.

There is good news that triumphs over bad news. There is the reality of God’s saving grace. There is the reality of forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus. There is the reality of peace with God and the hope of eternal life by faith in His name. This is a reality that we can celebrate together in our churches, in our homes, and in our connections with other believers wherever we meet.

The good news of the Gospel 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 wisdom of trusting in Jesus to lead us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once prayed to God, “In me there is darkness, but with You there is light….Your ways are past understanding, but You know the way for me.”

Jesus identified Himself as the light of the world, who leads His followers in the light of life. He said in John 12:35, “Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

As we walk this journey of faith, we will find trustworthy guidance in the wisdom of God’s grace and truth. Our prayer time is an opportunity to yield our plans to God’s plans, and follow Jesus with a willing heart.

The wisdom of trusting Jesus to lead us is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Acts 11:18.

One of Jesus’ followers, Peter, saw God move in the hearts of people who lived in the house of Cornelius, who was a Gentile.

God was using this encounter to show Peter that He does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.

Some believers criticized Peter for associating with Gentiles, but when they heard from Peter what really happened, “they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

God’s acceptance of all who follow Jesus 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 Psalm 103, verses 1 and 2.

“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul and forget not all his benefits.”

David was reminding himself to praise the Lord, providing a list of benefits that he has enjoyed from the LORD.

He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

In what ways have you enjoyed the benefits of God’s grace? Those are reasons to praise Him every day.

The benefits of the LORD 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 prayer under pressure.

David wrote in Psalm 109, verse 4-“In return for my friendship, they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.”

Prayer was such a significant part of David’s life and identity. He wrote many of the Psalms. That is where we have the opportunity to read the words of someone who was seeking after God’s own heart. He sought help from God through the storm. He relied on God for support and strength. He also praised God and trusted Him as the Good Shepherd.

Whenever we face the pressures of this world, we are going to respond in some way, shape, or form. We might get stressed out. We might get angry or afraid. We might worry about the future. But prayer gives us an opportunity to respond with a heart of faith. Trusting God through the turbulence is able to calm our fears.

The value of prayer under pressure is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Second Samuel 22:47.

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior.”

David sang these words of praise after the LORD delivered him from all his enemies. What an incredible parallel these words provide for the Gospel, which comes from the same power source.

Jesus lives! He was crucified, but rose from the dead, and lives to intercede for us today.

Jesus is our Rock! His good news of forgiveness and eternal life provide a firm foundation for our lives.

Jesus is exalted! Forever and ever, His people will praise Him for His marvelous grace and Divine Presence.

Jesus is our Savior! His whole purpose for coming into the world was to save us from our sins. He fulfilled His mission completely and flawlessly.

The worthiness and salvation 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 Paul’s prayer of joy for his partners in ministry.

We find this in Philippians 1:4, where he says to God’s people of that church, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Can you identify a person or group of people who have been on a journey of ministry with you? Paul the Apostle shows us the value of praying for them and to express our joy for their partnership. God has given you a work to accomplish together as a team. Through the challenges and hardships of ministry, there are opportunities to support and encourage one another.  Where there is a close bond of friendship and fellowship, we can be filled with gratitude that God has been so gracious to bring us together for His good work to be accomplished.

Paul’s prayer of joy for partners in ministry is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com