John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Exodus 15:11.

This is the song that Moses and the Israelites sang after they crossed the Red Sea safely on dry ground.

“Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”

God miraculously delivered the Israelites from captivity in Egypt. Exodus 14:31 records that when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

The good news of Jesus is also a picture of deliverance. At the cross, Jesus stretched out His hands and displayed the wonder-working power of His grace to deliver us from the chains of sin. He is uniquely qualified to save us from sin and guide us to the Promised land.

“The wonder-working power of grace to set us free” 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 importance of removing barriers to prayer.

The writer of Psalm 66:18 wrote, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the LORD would not have listened.”

It is humanly possible to put up barriers with God by our selfish motivation. This happened in the early church and was addressed by James. He said in chapter 4, verse 2, “You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”  Prayer can be a time for us to get rightly aligned with God as we confess our sins with a humble heart. And then change course. This is the key to seeing the goodness of Jesus more clearly.

Hebrews 12:1 urges us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Removing barriers to prayer 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 value of waiting on God.

Sometimes, God delivers on His promises later than we anticipate. When Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, they waited 50 days. He also told them He is coming back again. Today, followers of Jesus are still waiting for the fulfillment of that promise.

Jesus taught us to be persistent in our prayer life, and patient in His timing. Waiting on God is not a passive experience. There are some productive ways to use our time wisely while we wait for God to act.

Trust God completely, Walk in His ways, and serve Him daily.

Lamentations 3:25 and 26 says, “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

The value of waiting on God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Hebrews 1:3 and 4.

Speaking of Jesus, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So, he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

Jesus shines brightly in human history as the Savior of the world. His radiance also shines brightly in heaven as the name who is worthy of praise. He stands apart as the only One who is qualified to save us from sin. He deserves our gratitude for the love that He has proven for us at the cross. After Jesus rose from dead, He ascended to heaven, where He is currently honored on the throne at His Father’s right hand.

The radiance of Jesus 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 Psalm 30, verses 11 and 12.

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”

The disciples of Jesus would have identified with this Psalm when it came to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The night before He died, Jesus told them, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

The resurrection of Jesus raised the hopes of His disciples to experience joy and celebration in His presence. On this journey of faith, there are moments of tears and sadness, but because of God’s saving grace, it is temporary. Eternal destiny reveals a day when there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain for God’s people. He will wipe every tear from the eyes of the redeemed.

The garment of joy 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 prayers of David on his bed.

David said to the Lord in Psalm 63:6-On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

It can be a busy and noisy world. We have access to devices that David never had. There are so many voices that seek our attention. So, it is important to be intentional about finding a quiet place to focus on God.

Nighttime is an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness with a heart of gratitude. If we have anxious thoughts, we can bring them before His throne of grace, meditate on His Word, and seek His peace. David was moved by joy when he considered God’s love for him.

He wrote in Psalm 63:7, “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”

The Prayers of David on his bed are worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com