John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at God’s knowledge of who we are.

David was aware of God’s incredible understanding in the prayer of Psalm 139, verses 1 to 4.

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely.”

God made us, and knows how we are wired. He sees what we do. He knows what we think. He knows us better than we even know ourselves. For some people, this knowledge is a source of comfort. For others, it might be unsettling if they are resisting God’s plan for their lives.

For David, such knowledge was too wonderful for him. It was his desire to follow after God’s own heart, to be near God, and to be led by God.

God’s thorough knowledge of who we are is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Colossians 2, verses 9 and 10.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

This declaration affirms Jesus as God. He was the Word who became flesh and made His dwelling among people 2,000 years ago. He came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We are incomplete until we fully embrace His Divine love for us. Blaise Pascal was a French philosopher who once said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

When we accept Jesus as Deity, embrace His love for us, and welcome His authority over us, He will reveal to us the sufficiency of His grace.

Knowing Jesus as 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 value of praying for students.

A new school year is getting underway. Students are getting into the flow of the classroom experience. They will have tests and challenges. They will have opportunities for growth.

We can be in prayer for the students that we know who are going back to school, that they might have a fulfilling year of learning and build healthy relationships among their peers. If they know the Lord, pray that they might stand firm in their faith and be an influence for the Gospel. Pray that they might grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Proverbs 2:9 says, “then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

The value of praying for students is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Hebrews 3, verses 3 to 6.

“Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house; bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”

When Jesus is the foundation of our lives, we are blessed by God with an unshakeable hope. His love is a strong anchor to keep us secure in His salvation. John 1:17 tells us that the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The faithfulness of Jesus over His people 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 value of praying for teachers.

With the new school year getting underway, we can be in prayer for the teachers in the classrooms, that they might experience the joy of seeing their students learn knowledge, grow in character, and develop their personal skills.

Pray for them to have the strength they need to meet the demands of a busy schedule. Pray for their instructions to be clear and helpful to facilitate learning.  Pray for patience. Pray for wisdom. Pray that they might be an encouraging voice for their students. Pray that they might be encouraged by the difference they are making as they invest in those they serve. Pray that they might be a positive example.

Titus 2:7 says, “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech.”

The value of praying for teachers is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Isaiah 63:7.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us-yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.”

The LORD shows His kindness to us in creation such as the morning sunrise, the rain that falls from the sky to provide food for us, and the rainbow after a storm.

The LORD has also shown His kindness to us in the testimony of Jesus, His teaching ministry, miracles, what He accomplished at the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. God is full of compassion, and saves those who believe the Gospel.  In Isaiah 63:8, the LORD said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me:’ and so he became their Savior.

The kindness of the LORD 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 a prayer request for greatness.

The mother of James and John had a special request of Jesus on behalf of her sons.

It happened in Matthew 20:21. In a kneeling position, she said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

Jesus responded by saying, “You don’t know what you are asking.” He left the question open-ended by saying “These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

He used this request as a launching point to talk about the meaning of true greatness. It’s not about being in a place of honor; it’s about being in a place of service. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” If we want to be great in the eyes of Jesus, that is the pathway that will lead to a place of honor in His kingdom.

A Prayer Request for Greatness (the Jesus way) is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 89:15 and 16.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.”

That word “acclaim” refers to the act of praising or applauding someone with great enthusiasm and approval.  The applause of a crowd is often expressed in clapping and cheers for a performer on stage or an athlete who makes a good play.

Praise for the LORD is often expressed among God’s people in songs, with clapping, and with a joyful noise. When we acclaim God’s righteousness, His name is glorified and we are blessed with the awareness that we are in the Presence of the God who sees us, who knows us, who loves us, and has redeemed us through Jesus.

The righteousness 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 instrumental prayer.

Our worship songs can be offered to the Lord as a prayer. It can be life-changing.

Brian Doerksen wrote “Refiner’s Fire” to express his request for God to purify his heart, and to be holy.

Chris Tomlin recorded a song called “I Will Follow”, expressing his commitment to be wherever the Lord leads him.

Whenever we listen to the radio, or join in on a worship chorus at church, or write our own song, that is an opportunity to pour out our heart to the Lord with our deepest desires.

Psalm 42, verse 8 says, “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life.”

Instrumental Prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Jeremiah 9, verse 24.

This is what the LORD says, “Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

As we delight in the LORD, we will learn to delight in the exercise of His kindness, justice, and righteousness. Jesus is the vivid demonstration of these qualities when He lived on the earth and died on a cross. He lived the perfect life. God’s justice toward sin was placed on Him at the cross. God’s kindness was extended to us when Jesus stretched out His hands and became the sacrifice for our sins.

The Kindness, Justice, and Righteousness of God are all reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com