John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at Jesus as our very best friend.

Sometimes, concern is raised that if we view Jesus as our friend, we will limit our focus on Jesus as Lord. But there is a way in which viewing Jesus as our friend can strengthen our relationship with Him without compromising His Lordship.

Jesus is the One who initiated friendship with His disciples. In John 15:15, Jesus said, “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Friends confide in each other. There are details that Jesus shared with His friends that He did not share with others.

Jesus also said, “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.” His friendship toward us draws us toward Him in trust and obedience.

Seeing Jesus as our very best friend is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 145, verses 1 to 3.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Because God’s grace lasts forever, the praises of His people will last forever. David was committed to praise the Lord every day for eternity.

How can this become reality for us? One of the ways this can happen is when we live with a grateful spirit. We remember God’s blessings and take time each day to express gratitude for what He has done for us.

Another way this can happen for us is to find joy in worshipping God. It’s not something to check off our to-do list. It can be an expression of delight every day when it comes from a heart that loves God. In another Psalm, David said, “I will be glad and rejoice in you.”

The greatness 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 way that God shapes our character.

This is the prayer of Isaiah 64, verse 8: “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

God shapes His people by His blueprint. The clay needs to be soft if the potter is going to freely shape it. In a similar way, we need to be tender and teachable toward God if we are going to be molded according to His plan. That plan includes purity, holiness, and transformation into the image of Christ. This is how our faith shines brightly-when we reflect the grace and truth of Jesus to the world.

Ephesians 2:10 puts it this way: “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

The way God shapes our character is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Deuteronomy 4:34 and 35.

Just before the Israelites crossed over into the Promised Land, Moses gave some final words to this nation he led through the desert for 40 years.

He asked, “Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? Then Moses explained, “You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.”

The Gospel has a similar pattern. With His mighty hand of salvation and outstretched arm of love, Jesus intervened for us at the cross. He declared victory over the enemy with the words “It Is Finished.” He died to set us free from the slavery of sin and put us on a journey of faith that leads to the Promised Land. He rose from the dead so that we might know that He is the Lord.

The Intervention of Jesus on our behalf 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 invitation to be saved by the Lord Jesus.

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, Peter delivered this soul-stirring message in Acts 2:21.

“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

At the time of Christ’s birth, Joseph received instructions from an angel to give Him the name of Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

That is what the power of God’s grace can do for us. Jesus is able to take away our sins and replace our guilt with His righteousness. The road to salvation can start with a simple prayer that says, “Dear Jesus, please forgive my sin. I call on Your name for the saving grace I need. I am trusting You to free me from sin and lead me to eternal life with You. I want to take that first step to follow You today and forever.”

The invitation to be saved by the Lord Jesus is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 10:11.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

This description of Jesus reminds us of His great love for us. He proved how much He loves us at the cross.

When we acknowledge Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we celebrate His personal care for us and His watchful eye over us. We belong to Him and we are familiar with His tender love.

Jesus said in John 10:14, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

And in verse 27, He adds, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hands.”

Knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd 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 well-rooted faith.

Colossians 2:6 and 7 says, “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.”

The key to a growing faith is to always be receptive to Jesus and rooted in His words. Following Jesus is a step-by-step journey of faith that is taking us to places of spiritual growth, maturity, and being a fruitful witness for Jesus.

There is great value in seeking God daily in times of prayer and hearing His words found in the Bible. The more we know Him, the more grateful we will be for His great grace that changes our lives. Our roots of faith will grow deeper and our light for Christ will shine more brightly.

Having a well-rooted faith is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 14, verse 6.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus reveals to us that He is the bridge to a relationship with God the Father. He was also saying that there is no other way to get there. But we can thank God that He provided a way for us to cross over from death to life.

Jesus is our source of good news. He has the power to provide love, joy, and peace in our lives that the world cannot give.

Jesus is our source of salvation. He offers eternal life as a free gift to all who trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins.

Knowing Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 15, verse 5.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

By identifying Himself as the vine, Jesus was telling us that our fruitful labor depends on the nourishment of His grace. A productive faith flows out of our relationship with Him. Jesus invites us to come to Him for the strength and support that we need. This involves staying connected to Him in quiet moments of Bible study and prayer. This also involves walking with Him in obedience to His will. Jesus speaks to us in His word and guides us in truth. As we follow Jesus, He will refresh us with His grace and give us a productive place to serve in His Kingdom.

Knowing Jesus as the Vine is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the value of heeding the voice of Jesus.

In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

You can’t go in the wrong direction by following the voice of Jesus. One of His disciples by the name of Peter acknowledged that Jesus has the words of eternal life. When Jesus says, “Come to me,” He is inviting us out of spiritual darkness into the light of His grace and truth. He knows how to lead us to eternal life. He is the only One capable of bringing us to the throne of heaven where we can celebrate Jesus forever in an atmosphere of peace and worship.

Heeding the voice of Jesus is worth examining for a faith-focused life.