John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the value of listening for God to speak to us.

Prayer is more than just talking to God. It also involves listening for His heartbeat. It involves waiting for His gentle whisper to speak before we enter the noise of a given day, or perhaps after the noise of a given day.

It was at bedtime when Samuel heard the call of God on his life when he was a boy. The LORD called Samuel several times before Samuel recognized His voice. The Lord’s message was made clear after Samuel said this in First Samuel 3:10.

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up to be Israel’s trusted prophet. Opening our ears and heart to God’s will is the first step to fulfilling our calling. God can be trusted to guide us to a place of productive service.

The value of Listening to God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’ Praise Focus is found in Matthew 16:16.

Peter responded to a question raised by Jesus. “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus blessed him for saying this. He acknowledged the truth of this claim when He told Peter that it was revealed by His Father in heaven.

This is the reality that builds and unifies God’s church. This reality also confirms His worthiness of our faith and praise. That word, “Messiah” refers to God’s anointed one. Jesus has been set apart by God the Father for the specific purpose of saving people from sin and restoring us to a right relationship with God.

The identity of Jesus as the Messiah 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 God’s love for us.

First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

We do not have to carry our burdens alone. Jesus Himself invites us to come to Him with our burdens so that we might find rest for our souls.

His grace is our source of help in times of need.

We can be honest about our feelings, our fears, and our doubts as we go to God in prayer. He is close to the broken-hearted. He is at home with the contrite. His wisdom is available for guidance. His strength is available to support us. His compassion is available to empathize with us.

God’s love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Matthew 5:16.

Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

He was comparing our deeds to lighting a lamp so that everyone in the house might benefit by the light that it gives. Our lives are meant to reflect the light of God’s love and truth through good deeds. Whenever we notice a need, that is an opportunity to put compassion into action. It might be shoveling snow for a neighbor, visiting an elderly person who lives alone, or supporting a child in another country who lives in poverty. There are countless ways to make a difference. When compelled by the love of Christ, they are acts of service that bring glory to God and meet human needs.

The Light of God shining on our hearts 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 prayer of the early church leaders for guidance.

It happened in Acts chapter 1, as Simon Peter raised the issue of finding someone to take the place of leadership that Judas once had.

The believers nominated two men, namely Joseph and Matthias. They were not sure which person should take over this ministry, and so they prayed these words in Acts 1:24:

“Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Good, quality Leadership is important for the spiritual growth and health of a church. The actions of the early church leaders reveal the need for us to seek God’s will when appointing leaders.

The prayer of early church leaders, seeking guidance for leadership, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Nehemiah 9:6.

“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.”

God is our Creator, and the Creator of our universe. His Creation is both vast and personal. The heavens declare the glory of God. He also wants us to shine brightly for Him with how we live our lives. God is familiar with all our ways. He knows what we will say before we say it. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

With that knowledge of God, we can use our breath and energy to praise the Lord in words and deeds.

The Life-Giving Breath 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 prayer of Moses for his enemies.

Moses was given the assignment from God to deliver His people out of slavery in Egypt to a place of freedom and worship.

He told Pharoah on God’s behalf, “Let my people go!”

When Pharoah refused to comply, the Lord would send a plague, and Pharoah would sometimes acknowledge his guilt so that the plague would go away. He would say to Moses, “Pray for me.”

During the plague of the flies, Moses left Pharoah and prayed to the LORD for him. Exodus 8:31 records that the LORD did what Moses asked. The flies left Pharoah and his officials and his people.

Moses was doing something extraordinary that Jesus would teach in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “Pray for those who persecute you.” He also said, “Love your enemies and do good to them.”

The prayer of Moses, interceding for his enemies, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in John 4:23.

Jesus said to the woman at the well, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

True worship refreshes our spirit and glorifies God. In whatever way we express our worship for God, it flows from the heart, and is expressed with sincerity. Worship that honors God adores Him for who He is. It describes His character with accuracy and with reverence. This is what God is seeking from His people with whom He loves dearly.

The perspective of Jesus about true worship 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 nearness of God to hear our prayers.

This is what Psalm 145:18 affirms:

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

James 4:8 invites us to the throne of grace with these words. “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

God is approachable. He has made it possible for us to have an intimate relationship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We can call on His name, and have the confidence that He will respond to the earnest prayers of our heart with His grace.

The Nearness of God to hear our prayers is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 59, verses 16 and 17.

“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.  You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”

David wrote this Psalm when Saul was seeking to take his life. David responded by praying to God for deliverance from those who were seeking to harm him. Through this danger, he also praised God as his strength and fortress.

In the spiritual realm, it is always good to remember that the Lord is stronger than our greatest adversaries, including the devil. God’s grace is a dependable shield to protect us from the spiritual attacks that we face.

Knowing God as our Reliable Fortress is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com