John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the value of undistracted, dedicated prayer.

Away from the noise of the crowd, our cell phones, and our agenda items for the day, we can find refreshment and spiritual growth by spending time alone with God each day.

Daniel was known for his integrity. He prayed three times a day, giving thanks to God.

Samuel was known as a trustworthy leader. He said to the Israelites, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.”

The prophet Elijah prayed after a long drought in his day. The heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.  The overflow of a dedicated prayer life is good fruit that brings glory to God.

The value of undistracted, dedicated prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 23, verse 1.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

David wrote this Psalm. Max Lucado says that David remembered his days as a shepherd-how he watched over them and lavished attention on the sheep day and night. “And the way he cared for the sheep reminded him of the way God cares for us.”

David celebrated his relationship with God, knowing Him as the Shepherd whose grace is sufficient for our needs. When Jesus stepped into the world, He announced, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He also said, “I know the sheep, and my sheep know me.”

As we follow Jesus, we will experience the joy of God’s love and live with godly contentment.

Knowing Jesus as our 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 prayer of Jabez seeking God’s blessing.

It is recorded for us in First Chronicles 4:10-“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be freed from pain.” And God granted his request.

Asking for God’s blessing is noble when we our hearts are yielded to His purposes. The Bible describes Jabez as “more honorable than his brothers.”  With a faithful and a humble heart devoted to the Lord, we have the opportunity to approach the throne of grace with our requests.

A prayer similar to that of Jabez is found in Psalm 67, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us-so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”

The prayer of Jabez seeking God’s blessing is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

John@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 8, verses 1 and 2.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Our sinful nature has us on the path that leads to death and separation from God until we come under new management. Romans 8:6 tells us that the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

As we follow Jesus with a heart of faith, He will free us from the fear of slavery to sin and death. Instead, we will be redirected to a life of love and hope and peace with God. Our soul will be secure in the hands of His grace, and we will live with the joy that our sins against God will not be counted against us on judgment day.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com