John Shirk

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

It happened in First Samuel 7, verses 8 and 9. Prayer became a vital weapon of protection as the Israelites were facing fear in the face of the Philistine army. They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” The Bible says that he cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him.

After Israel’s victory in the battle, Samuel set up a stone, naming it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’

This highlights the value of seeking God’s help in the midst of our battles and thanking God for His help in our victories.

The prayer of Samuel for the Israelites is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 118, verses 22 to 24.

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”

This Psalm is a reference to Jesus who is the firm foundation for the church and for all who call on the Lord in faith. He was rejected by men, so that we could be accepted by God. He was forsaken at the cross, so that we could be forgiven of our sins. The Gospel is good news that brings great joy for the heart that believes in Jesus.

Knowing Jesus as our Cornerstone 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 keeping God as top priority.

First John 5:21 is a short exhortation worthy of our attention. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Idols are objects of worship. An idol can be anything or anyone that is more important to us than Jesus.

We can protect our heart from competing influences by delighting in the Lord, where our focus is on Jesus:

• Remembering His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead
• Treasuring the value of His grace
• Enjoying the freedom of walking in His truth
• Meditating on His word
• Spending time with Him in prayer
• Healthy relationships with other believers are also vital for encouragement and growing in our faith.

Keeping God as top priority is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 8:28.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This is an encouraging word to each person who loves the Lord with all their heart. God has worked through the Gospel and is working through the circumstances of daily life to work out His good purposes in our lives.

Not everything that happens to us is good. Joseph learned that in the book of Genesis. He was badly mistreated by His brothers, but he persevered in trusting God and remained tender toward His love. Much later in life, when he had the opportunity for revenge, he showed forgiveness instead. Through eyes of faith, he saw God’s goodness through their evil intent many years ago. He said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

God’s good purposes 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 prayer support for the Apostle Paul.

This is how Paul recognized the value of prayer support:

He said to the church in Second Corinthians 1:10 that God “has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

The prayers of God’s people were making a difference for Paul and his co-workers to deliver them from harm. Our prayers for God’s servants today will be a blessing to support their ministries. God moves powerfully in our churches and communities when His people pray.

Prayer Support for the Apostle Paul is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 12:11.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Having zeal for God means we are enthusiastic about belonging to Him and lifting up the name of Jesus with praise.

There are various ways to praise the Lord-with our songs, with our love for people, with our words, and in our service. When we think of the ways that God has gifted us to serve, those are opportunities to be a blessing to people in our worship for God.

We can be consistent in our zeal by staying close to God and delighting in His love for us. His zeal is the key to His accomplishments on our behalf, which motivates us to serve Him with zeal.

The zeal of the Lord 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 Reliance on God.

This is how Paul the Apostle lived as a follower of Jesus. He recalled his experiences in ministry in Second Corinthians 1, verses 8 and 9.

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead.

Sometimes, God brings us through hardships to increase our dependence on His power of grace to see us through.

Corrie Ten Boom experienced much hardship in a concentration camp during World War II. After her release, she would tell others of the lessons of obedience, forgiveness, and trust she had learned in her trials. She would say, “You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”

Reliance on God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 13:6.

I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.

This is the final verse in a Psalm that is filled with questions, complaints, and earnest pleas to God for help.

The questions begin with “How long?” How long, LORD, will you forget me forever?”

Through the struggles of our lives, we can be honest with our emotions as we pour out our heart to God. David did that with an underlying confidence in God’s faithfulness. He said to the LORD in this Psalm, “But I trust in your unfailing love. My heart rejoices in your salvation.”  This reality is a firm foundation for our soul, even when we wrestle with our thoughts.

The goodness of God toward us 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 prayer of Moses for a leader to succeed him.

It happened in Numbers 27:15 after the LORD told him that his life on earth was soon coming to an end.

We might wonder what will happen after we have breathed our last on earth. Who will take our place of service? What kind of legacy will we leave behind? Moses turned thoughts of the future into a prayer.

“May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

The LORD answered Moses, “Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership and lay your hand on him.”  This led to the commissioning of Joshua to be Israel’s next leader.

The Prayer of Moses for a leader to succeed him is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Second Corinthians 9, verse 7.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

God delights in cheerful giving from a willing heart. As we are generous with God’s blessings, His name is honored. Verse 13 says that others will praise God for our generosity in sharing with them.

Cheerful giving is possible as we remember the generous ways that God has blessed us through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God’s generous gift toward us is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com