John Shirk

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

Our worship songs can be offered to the Lord as a prayer. It can be life-changing.

Brian Doerksen wrote “Refiner’s Fire” to express his request for God to purify his heart, and to be holy.

Chris Tomlin recorded a song called “I Will Follow”, expressing his commitment to be wherever the Lord leads him.

Whenever we listen to the radio, or join in on a worship chorus at church, or write our own song, that is an opportunity to pour out our heart to the Lord with our deepest desires.

Psalm 42, verse 8 says, “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life.”

Instrumental Prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Jeremiah 9, verse 24.

This is what the LORD says, “Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

As we delight in the LORD, we will learn to delight in the exercise of His kindness, justice, and righteousness. Jesus is the vivid demonstration of these qualities when He lived on the earth and died on a cross. He lived the perfect life. God’s justice toward sin was placed on Him at the cross. God’s kindness was extended to us when Jesus stretched out His hands and became the sacrifice for our sins.

The Kindness, Justice, and Righteousness of God 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 prayer for the spread of the Gospel.

Jesus said in Matthew 9:37 and 38, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There are many souls to reach with the good news of God’s love. Jesus encourages us to pray that workers will be mobilized into those places where the Gospel needs to be shared. God hears these requests. Only eternity will reveal how God has answered these kinds of prayers to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ.

We can also pray for overseas missionaries serving in other nations, our church leaders, and local ministries touching lives with God’s love.

Praying for the Spread of the Gospel is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 34, verses 1 to 3.

“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.”

This is one of the most satisfying, joyful places in the Christian experience-where fellowship and worship meet. There is great value in extending an invitation for another brother or sister in Christ to join us in exalting the name of the Lord.

That can happen at a church service or at a Bible study gathering. It can happen at a banquet or a fellowship meal where we meet with other believers to share about the good things that God is doing in our lives. Relationships have opportunity to thrive when the name of Jesus is lifted up among His people who are deeply moved by His grace.

The glory of the Lord is a reason for us 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 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