John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in First Timothy 1:15 to 17.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Anyone who follows Jesus has a testimony of faith. Not all testimonies are the same, but they are meaningful because they share how the effective grace of God has saved and transformed someone from the inside out. Praise flows from our words when we acknowledge the change that the Lord has produced in our lives.

God’s mercy and patience are reasons 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 way Jesus blessed children.

In Matthew 19:13, people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Jesus has a tender place in His heart for children, and sees them with great value. Jesus shows us by example how to love children well with our prayers, affection, and spiritual training. Accept them as Jesus accepts them. Give them opportunity to come to Jesus.

The way Jesus blessed children is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Genesis 24:27.

Abraham’s servant bowed down and worshipped the LORD saying, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

This servant was entrusted with the task of getting a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac. On his journey, the servant prayed for success, and God gave him direction and clarity to find a wife for Isaac, namely Rebekah.

This is a good reminder for us to commit our plans to God, and trust Him to direct our paths. Whenever we see the evidence of God’s guidance and provision, that is an opportunity to give thanks for His help.

God’s guidance and provision are reasons 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 Paul’s thorn in the flesh.

He talked about it in Second Corinthians 12:7. “To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Many of us can relate with Paul’s thorn if we have any physical afflictions or personal limitations. We can identify with Paul’ request for God to remove that thorn. If He does, that is a tremendous breakthrough that we can celebrate. But God might also respond by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Paul responded by saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” He learned the value of humility and depending on God’s strength in his personal weakness.

Paul’s thorn in the flesh 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 prayer request of Jeremiah for correction.

It’s found in Jeremiah 10:23. This is how it is worded in the New Living Translation of the Bible.

“I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.”

The Gospel makes it possible for us to be redirected to a place of life rather than death, to a place of love rather than hatred, and to a place of faith rather than fear. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins at the cross. He took the wrath of God so that we might receive His grace. Jeremiah’s plea to the Lord reminds us that our lives are not our own. We belong to Jesus, we are directed by His will, and we live by His grace.

The prayer request of Jeremiah for correction is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Acts 16:25.

About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Paul and Silas were worshipping God aloud while they were in prison. They were thrown into prison because of their witness for Jesus.

Praising God through the trials of life may not be easy at times, but it is possible when we experience the joy of the Lord. This involves taking a look at the bigger picture beyond our present circumstances. God is still on the throne, and He is still with us. His love has not abandoned us. His grace is an ever-present help in trouble. Our songs and prayers of worship in such times can be a strong testimony to a watching world that Jesus is the anthem of our praise.

The encouragement of Christ in our trials 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 trust in times of turmoil.

When we look at the headlines of our time, we can be disturbed with anxiety. But if we look to God, we will find a place of security in His grace, which is able to calm our fears.

The writer of Psalm 46 was committed to faith in God through times of fear. He said, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

The short-term future may be unclear, but when God is our refuge and strength, our eternal future looks bright under His leadership. We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 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.”

Trusting God in times of turmoil is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Jonah 2:8 and 9.

Jonah praised the Lord from the belly of a huge fish.

He said, “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”

After this, Jonah was hurled out of the fish and went to Nineveh to preach, where there was a great revival in the city. God displayed His mercy on this great city when He saw them turn from their evil ways.

The good news of Jesus is a message of repentance and salvation, where we turn from our sinful ways and turn toward Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sins. All heaven celebrates whenever somebody turns to the Lord in this way.

Salvation is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Second Chronicles 20:12.

King Jehoshaphat inquired of God for help in the midst of a crisis.

He said, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

This is the key to winning the spiritual battles that we face on a daily basis. Keep our eyes on Jesus. Seek His help. Seek His grace. Seek His wisdom. As King Jehoshaphat cried out to God in his distress, wisdom came. God’s presence defended his people. The king put worship leaders at the head of the army to praise the Lord. As they began to sing praises, the LORD set ambushes against their enemies to destroy each other.

This is a good example of what can happen to the forces of darkness when we worship God through our spiritual battles.

Victory over the forces of darkness 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 what we can do in times of trouble.

James 5:13 asks the question, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.”

We could be having a difficult day or experiencing a season of grief. Whatever we may be facing, we can turn our concerns to God for the comfort and strength that we need. We can go to Him with confidence that He loves us and is able to help us by His grace and mercy.

Hebrews 4:15 says about Jesus, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.”

Prayer in times of trouble is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com