John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at Mary’s choice to listen to Jesus.

She had a sister named Martha who opened her home to Jesus in Luke chapter 10. While He was there, Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. Martha was busy, distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Martha wanted Mary to help her. But Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Both sisters loved Jesus very much and had their own way of expressing it. But Mary chose to stop and listen to Jesus. She was open to learning from Him. She was pressing in and leaning on His wisdom. Serving Jesus is a noble thing to do, but it is never meant to replace our time with Him. The truth of His words will encourage us and feed our souls for a stronger faith.

Mary’s Choice to Listen to Jesus is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Colossians 2:6 and 7.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Jesus invites us to follow Him as Lord and Savior. It is one thing to say “Yes” to this invitation, but quite another to actually take the first step to walk in His direction. Jesus is worthy of more than just lip service. He is worthy of our wholehearted love and devotion.

The experience of walking with Jesus as our Lord and Friend will not always be easy. He promised trouble in this world. This is something we should expect. But He also promised His peace and presence, which is greater than our current difficulties. He will never leave us for forsake us. He is faithful forever, and knows how to lead us to a place of joy and gratitude.

Our relationship with 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 value of silence in the presence of God.

Rick Warren has said that “if you want to hear God’s voice, then you have to silence the noise around you. You can’t hear His voice in the whirlwind of a crazy life.”  With an open Bible and an open heart, God’s voice can break through the noise of a given day.

In the silence and presence of God is the voice of clarity. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

In the silence and presence of God is the voice of encouragement. Isaiah 30:15 says, “In quietness and trust is your strength.”

In the silence and presence of God is the voice of direction. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Silence in the Presence of God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 12:3.

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

One of the disciples, namely Judas, thought that this perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Sometimes, our lavish expressions of love for God will draw criticism. Jesus is worthy of our best, and He knows the motives of our heart. In this case, Jesus knew that Mary intended to save this perfume for the day of His burial. And He commended Mary for her actions.

The truth is that we could never outgive God, because His love is more valuable and extravagant than anything we could ever offer Him. First John 3:1 says, “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 extravagant love of God for 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 the prayer of Hannah for a son.

First Samuel 1:10 records that “In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.”

This is how Hannah prayed, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant, but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life.”

In the course of time, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel. Her prayer reveals how we can be real with God as we share the burdens of our heart. God welcomes our honest and earnest prayers. Whenever God answers our requests, that is a time to rejoice and to commit that blessing to the Lord for His purposes.

The prayer of Hannah for a son is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 8:1.

“LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.”

As David wrote Psalm 8, he marveled at the wonders of God’s creation, His brilliant design, and His thoughtfulness of human beings. God not only created us, but also gave us great dignity in His created order.

Verse 3 says, “when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them.”

Verse 6 says, “You have made them rulers over the works of your hands.”

The Majesty of the Lord 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 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