John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the value of God’s forgiveness.

We all need forgiveness, because at some point, according to the Bible, we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. This humbles us when we take that message to heart.

In Luke chapter 7, there was a woman who had lived a sinful life expressing her love for Jesus in a humble posture. Jesus was at the house of a Pharisee named Simon, and she was there, at the feet of Jesus weeping. She began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”

Simon did not view this favorably, but Jesus told him, “Her many sins have been forgiven-as her great love has shown.”  Then he turned to the woman and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then He said, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” That is what the amazing grace of God is able to do for sinners who turn to Jesus with a heart of faith and love.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 9, verses 1 and 2.

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”

David faced many challenges and much opposition in his life. Looking at how God defended him and supported him through his times of adversity, he responded with a grateful heart.

He said, “My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.” He took note that the LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

When God does something wonderful that has an impact on our lives, that is an occasion to rejoice in the Lord and to say “thank you.”

The wonderful deeds of the Lord 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 our reason for living.

Paul addressed this reason in a sermon at Athens. He talked about the Lord of heaven and earth giving everyone life and breath and everything else. In Acts 17:26, he said, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.”

We were called to be in relationship with God, and this door is opened when we put our faith in Jesus to save us from sin and lead us in His righteous path. He becomes our purpose. He becomes our identity. He becomes our living hope.

Knowing Jesus as our reason for living is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Chronicles 29, verses 12 and 13.

“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

David said these words as a public proclamation of praise to the Lord. The Israelites were embarking on a God-sized project-building a temple that would be a place of worship for God’s people.

David acknowledged that they were giving to the Lord only what was coming from His hand. That is the beauty of a thankful heart. Praise flows from the gratitude of God’s gracious hand, enabling us to build families, ministries, churches, and businesses that honor His holy name. Let the motto of our lives be something like this: By His grace, With His strength, For His glory!

That was David’s focus, and that can be our focus too.

God’s grace, strength, and glorious name are all 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 God’s knowledge of who we are.

David was aware of God’s incredible understanding in the prayer of Psalm 139, verses 1 to 4.

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely.”

God made us, and knows how we are wired. He sees what we do. He knows what we think. He knows us better than we even know ourselves. For some people, this knowledge is a source of comfort. For others, it might be unsettling if they are resisting God’s plan for their lives.

For David, such knowledge was too wonderful for him. It was his desire to follow after God’s own heart, to be near God, and to be led by God.

God’s thorough knowledge of who we are is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Colossians 2, verses 9 and 10.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

This declaration affirms Jesus as God. He was the Word who became flesh and made His dwelling among people 2,000 years ago. He came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We are incomplete until we fully embrace His Divine love for us. Blaise Pascal was a French philosopher who once said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

When we accept Jesus as Deity, embrace His love for us, and welcome His authority over us, He will reveal to us the sufficiency of His grace.

Knowing Jesus as 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 value of praying for students.

A new school year is getting underway. Students are getting into the flow of the classroom experience. They will have tests and challenges. They will have opportunities for growth.

We can be in prayer for the students that we know who are going back to school, that they might have a fulfilling year of learning and build healthy relationships among their peers. If they know the Lord, pray that they might stand firm in their faith and be an influence for the Gospel. Pray that they might grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Proverbs 2:9 says, “then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

The value of praying for students is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Hebrews 3, verses 3 to 6.

“Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house; bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”

When Jesus is the foundation of our lives, we are blessed by God with an unshakeable hope. His love is a strong anchor to keep us secure in His salvation. John 1:17 tells us that the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The faithfulness of Jesus over His people 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 value of praying for teachers.

With the new school year getting underway, we can be in prayer for the teachers in the classrooms, that they might experience the joy of seeing their students learn knowledge, grow in character, and develop their personal skills.

Pray for them to have the strength they need to meet the demands of a busy schedule. Pray for their instructions to be clear and helpful to facilitate learning.  Pray for patience. Pray for wisdom. Pray that they might be an encouraging voice for their students. Pray that they might be encouraged by the difference they are making as they invest in those they serve. Pray that they might be a positive example.

Titus 2:7 says, “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech.”

The value of praying for teachers is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Isaiah 63:7.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us-yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.”

The LORD shows His kindness to us in creation such as the morning sunrise, the rain that falls from the sky to provide food for us, and the rainbow after a storm.

The LORD has also shown His kindness to us in the testimony of Jesus, His teaching ministry, miracles, what He accomplished at the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. God is full of compassion, and saves those who believe the Gospel.  In Isaiah 63:8, the LORD said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me:’ and so he became their Savior.

The kindness of the LORD is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com