John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 15:13 and 14.

Jesus told His followers, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

The next day, after uttering these words, Jesus died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. He demonstrated the ultimate form of love by laying down His life for us.

The command that Jesus was sharing with His disciples was “Love each other as I have loved you.”  How would we learn the way of love if Jesus did not show the way? Because of His humble service and worthy sacrifice, we can see how God’s love is expressed, and follow the example of Jesus.  His love for us moves us to a place of deep gratitude to God and sincere love for the people He has created in His image.

The sacrificial love of Jesus for us 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 wholehearted trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5 to 7 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

We need God’s wisdom to move forward in His plan. He sees the big picture of our lives and works in the details to direct us and show us the way. He will sometimes use opened and closed doors to lead us. He will direct us through His word, and He will respond to the prayers of His people for guidance. We have this assuring word from Psalm 25:9, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” We can trust God to be faithful to His word.

Wholehearted trust in the LORD 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 value of finding our refuge in the Lord.

The kingdom of God is a prevailing kingdom that will stand the test of time. On the throne is the righteous King who is faithful and just in all His ways. His works are perfect. This is why we can trust in Jesus. His grace lasts forever and gives us the security of knowing that we are loved forever.

Whatever we trust that can be taken from us is a false hope.

Proverbs 11:28 says, “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

And Psalm 118, verse 8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.”

Finding our Refuge in the LORD is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 23, verse 6.

With the Lord as my Shepherd, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

The goodness and love of the LORD is what allows us to be near to Him. These qualities were demonstrated at the cross, where Jesus surely suffered and died for our sins in the ultimate sacrifice. That is how our faith can be certain in a good God who is able to provide for our deepest need for forgiveness. He pursues us with His love.

Experiencing the goodness and love of God can be a present-day reality when we follow the heart of the good Shepherd, because we are near to Him. Isaiah 40, verse 11 says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms, and carries them close to his heart.”

The goodness and love of the Good Shepherd 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 goodness of God.

Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

First and foremost, the Christian life is a relationship based on love, and a journey based on faith. Out of the overflow of loving God, we want to do what pleases Him.

To act justly means that we are committed to doing what is right in the eyes of God and representing His holy character in our actions.

To love mercy means that we show compassion to people in need and have a forgiving spirit toward those who have wronged us.

To walk humbly with God is to follow Jesus step by step with grateful devotion.

The goodness of God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 23, verse 5.

With the Lord as my Shepherd, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

In the flock of God’s family, we enjoy the sweet fellowship of our Savior. Each banquet that we enjoy today is just a foretaste of the great banquet that is coming in heaven someday. Jesus prepares a table for His followers. He honors those who honor Him.

He not only gives us a place in His family, but He also gives us a place in His plan. He anoints us for a mission that gives us opportunity to serve in the Kingdom of God. He provides what we need to carry out that mission so that we might live with a thriving faith.

The abundant blessings of the Good Shepherd 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 asking God for wisdom.

James 1:5 plainly says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

There is great value in gaining wisdom from God. We have understanding for making sound decisions and building godly character. Wisdom is more valuable than wealth. Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold.” Here are some of the productive ways that wisdom is expressed from our character.

James 3:17 says, “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” That is the kind of wisdom that will shine a bright light of hope in this world.

Asking God for wisdom is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 23, verse 4.

With the LORD as my Shepherd, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Over and over, in times of peril and perplexity, God would say to His faithful servants, “I am with you.” This would often be the message that they needed to hear to move forward in faith and with courage.

The peace and presence of God is a source of great comfort in our times of grief, sorrow, and pain. God has not abandoned us in those moments. He is right there with us. The cross is evidence that He can empathize with us in our low moments. In Isaiah 41:10, the LORD says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

The faithfulness of the Good Shepherd 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 yearning for God every day.

Martin Luther once said, “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.”

When we delight in God, we yearn for His presence. Prayer in the morning prepares us for the challenges of a given day. God gives us a spiritual focus for our activities. He enables us to resist the temptations of the devil and live in the victory of Christ.

Isaiah 26:8 and 9 says, “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.”

The value of yearning for God every day is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 23, verse 2.

With the Lord as my Shepherd, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”

We don’t grasp how long the night can be until we have a sleepless night. We toss and turn, trying to find the right position for sleeping.  We have trouble turning off the thoughts that disturb our mind. We crave rest and refreshment.

That is what God’s grace offers us. While there is no guarantee for uninterrupted sleep, we can experience the peace of God with our focus on Jesus. With our eyes fixed on Him, we have the assurance of His forgiveness and calm abiding Presence. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The rest and refreshment provided by the Good Shepherd are reasons to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com