John Shirk

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.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the contrite heart of David.

After committing a grievous sin against God, David confessed his sin in Psalm 51. He came clean and declared his sincere intent to willingly follow the Lord. That is called repentance. We grieve our sinful condition, call on Jesus for forgiveness, and go in a different direction. That direction is following Jesus with a willing heart that trusts Him and loves Him above all other loves.

In Psalm 51:17, David said to the Lord, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

We can be honest with God about our weaknesses and ask for His grace to be our source of strength to help us overcome our weaknesses. Honesty and Humility lead us to places of greater intimacy with God.

The contrite heart of David is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Genesis 50, verses 20 and 21.

Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

When Joseph was a young man, he was badly mistreated by his brothers. Later in life, he arose to second in command in all of Egypt. During a drought, his brothers came to Joseph and pleaded for food. Joseph could have chosen revenge for all the harm that they did to him, but instead he offered forgiveness. Here, he spoke of the goodness of God, and was moved by the compassion of God to extend a helping hand. That is how the cycle of hatred and bitterness can be broken-by the love of God.

The wisdom of God’s redemptive plan 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 heart of God toward those who are hurting.

Psalm 34:17 and 18 says, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

In our time of urgent need, we recognize that we need a strong arm to rescue us. That strong arm is Jesus, who stretched out His hands on the cross with the saving power of His shed blood. He was extending His love to us in that moment, and because He is alive, He is mighty to save those who call on Him. He listens to the prayer of our heart with His compassion. He can sympathize with us. He knows about our broken circumstances. He has the power to deliver us from the troubles of this world. We have the help of heaven through an ongoing relationship with Jesus.

The heart of God toward those who are hurting is worth examining for a faith focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Colossians 3, verses 23 and 24.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Those who belong to Jesus are servants of Jesus. He is worthy of our very best efforts, whether we are working at our job, doing chores on the home front, or volunteering at our local church. Ultimately, it is what we do for Jesus that matters. He sees what we do for Him. He knows when our heart is in it for the right reasons.

Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

The reward of God’s inheritance is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com