John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at praying through the news.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:7, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”

We see that unfolding in our news headlines today. We need to be careful about how much news we hear in a given day or it might overwhelm us. But when we do learn of disasters in the world, there are some responses that are healthier than others.

With eyes of love and concern, we can pray for those who are affected by bad news. If we hear an Amber alert, pray for that missing child, and if we are in the same area, be vigilant. When we hear of droughts, famines, and floods, we can intercede on behalf of those people who are affected. We can support a relief organization or homeless shelter that reaches out to those who are struggling to survive. Prayer is a good starting point, followed by action steps as God leads us.

Praying through the News is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Timothy 1:17.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The eternal King is the One who is worthy of our praise forever. His name is Jesus Christ, who is described in the book of Revelation as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His name is above all names. He is the only One who can save us from our sins, because He is the Only One sent from heaven to die for us at the cross.

His death and resurrection 2,000 years ago is changing lives to this day. Paul the Apostle had a dramatic conversion to Christ. Just before writing these words of praise, he said, “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.” The grace of God moves us to glorify the name of Jesus.

The eternal reign of Jesus 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 Apostle Paul’s prayer for the church to be established in love.

He wrote in Ephesians 3, verses 17 to 19, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

This is where the joy of walking with Christ fills us with encouragement, as we grow in our understanding of how much Jesus loves us. This is a productive way to pray for each other.

As we examine the various dimensions of His love, we will marvel at His goodness toward us and be equipped to share His love with others.

Paul’s prayer for the church to be established in love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Exodus 15:2.

This is the song that Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord after they safely crossed the Red Sea.

“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

The Egyptians had pursued the Israelites to bring them back as slaves. But God had the Israelites on a journey to the Promised Land and He would not allow the plans of the Egyptians to succeed.

Whatever breakthrough moments we experience, whether it be an escape from addiction, or peaceful resolution to a conflict, or an open door into service for God-those are moments to exalt the Lord and praise Him for His grace and power.

God’s breakthrough moments 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 the example of Noah’s righteousness.

In Genesis 6:9, we learn that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.

He also lived in a corrupt climate that was filled with violence, so Noah did not have the support of friends or a church community to build his faith. But he did walk with God, who instructed him to build an ark. He was given notice that God was going to destroy the people of the earth in his time. The Bible says that Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Noah and his family were the only people who were saved through the flood that would fill the earth.

Noah’s example shows us the value of walking with God, listening to Him, and obeying His voice when He speaks to us.

The example of Noah’s righteousness is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Hebrews 13:21.

May the God of peace “equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

It is a noble ambition to please God in our words, deeds, and attitudes. His grace gives us a beating heart to live for the glory of His name.

Here are some ways that God is pleased, according to the Bible.

• When we live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness
• the salvation of souls by the preaching of God’s Word
• Faith
• Sharing our resources with those in need
• unity of God’s people
• prayers for wisdom
• when God’s people use music to praise God.

God’s good work in our lives 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 prayer for strength in a season of sorrow.

It’s found in Psalm 119:28-“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”

Have you ever felt worn down by sorrow? It can steal our joy and energy. It’s hard to get up in the morning when our soul is filled with grief or sadness. We are not alone in those moments. God is close to the broken-hearted. He sympathizes with us in our weaknesses. He understands and He cares for us.

Prayer is a gift that allows us to approach His throne of grace anytime anywhere. God hears our prayers and answers prayer. The Bible is also a place where we can turn for hope and encouragement. That is where the evidence of God’s love for us leaps off the pages to connect with our heart. We are never helpless or hopeless when Jesus is in view.

Praying for strength in a season of sorrow is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from John 17:4.

Jesus prayed, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”

Each of us has a calling in life which includes the purpose of glorifying God. Jesus saw the accomplishment of His mission as the means to do that. The will of His Heavenly Father brought Him great fulfillment.

Jesus said to His disciples on one occasion, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” The good news is that God provides a way for us to complete our mission with the strength that He provides. Just as Jesus glorified the Father by His finished work, so we also glorify God when we carry out the work where God has called us to serve.

The calling of God on our lives 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 delegation in the early church.

If you ever felt overwhelmed by the workload, there is wisdom to be gained by what happened in the early church. Some areas of service were not getting done to meet certain needs.

In Acts 6:1, some widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group, enabling more leaders to emerge to address various needs. That is how deacons entered the ministry of the church.

The value of delegation in the early church is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 19:1.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

When David looked into the night sky, he saw a beautiful display of brilliant lights by the hand of his Creator.

The LORD himself said in Isaiah 40:26-“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

The universe is a big place. Mankind continues to explore the frontiers of space and is fascinated by the mystery of what is beyond us. This draws attention to a big God who is familiar with the details of His creation.

The heavens and skies that God created are reasons to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com