John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the nearness of God to hear our prayers.

This is what Psalm 145:18 affirms:

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

James 4:8 invites us to the throne of grace with these words. “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

God is approachable. He has made it possible for us to have an intimate relationship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We can call on His name, and have the confidence that He will respond to the earnest prayers of our heart with His grace.

The Nearness of God to hear our prayers is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 59, verses 16 and 17.

“I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”

David wrote this Psalm when Saul was seeking to take his life. David responded by praying to God for deliverance from those who were seeking to harm him. Through this danger, he also praised God as his strength and fortress.

In the spiritual realm, it is always good to remember that the Lord is stronger than our greatest adversaries, including the devil. God’s grace is a dependable shield to protect us from the spiritual attacks that we face.

Knowing God as our Reliable Fortress 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 God’s invitation to call on His name.

In Jeremiah 33:3, the LORD says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Prayer gives us the opportunity to know God better. Spending time with God in quiet trust brings us to a deeper understanding of His character and how He works. Psalm 25:14 tells us that the Lord confides in those who fear Him. He makes His covenant known to them.

Seeking God also leads us to greater revelation of His Kingdom, which is a treasure that surpasses the wealth of the world. His counsel leads us to the wisdom of His truth and the wonders of His love.

God’s Invitation to call on Him is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 89, verses 6 to 8.

“For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?” Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.”

One of the common phrases in the Bible used by worshippers of God is “Who is like the LORD?” It is a question that draws attention to the supremacy of God above all other names. His power and faithfulness are just two of His qualities that are matchless. Later in this Psalm, the writer adds, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.”

The awesomeness of 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 earnest prayers of Elijah.

In James 5:17, Elijah is described as a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Everyone who is considered righteous lives by faith. Elijah had faith in God. He believed that with God all things are possible. He was also prompted by God’s Word to pray for what was humanly impossible.

James 5:16 says that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

The earnest prayers of Elijah are worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in First Peter 4:10 and 11.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

How has God gifted you? The answer gives insight as to where you fit in God’s design. Our gifts and abilities are not accidents. They are given to us for the purpose of sharing God’s love with others and bringing glory to His name. Let this be the motto we serve by:

“By God’s grace, with His strength, for His glory.”

God’s power at work in us 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 prayer of Jesus for unity.

In John 17:21, Jesus prayed about His followers this way: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

When Christians live in unity with God and with each other, the message of the Gospel is proclaimed in our relationships. We send out the message to the world that God was moved by love for the world to send His one and only Son.

Jesus brings the church together under His Lordship. We live with a common purpose and share a common love. In a relationship with God, we can be an answer to this prayer uttered by Jesus, so that multitudes of people in this world may believe the Gospel.

The prayer of Jesus for unity among His followers is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 139, verses 13 to 16.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

The fact that God is our Creator means that He made us for a purpose. When God made you, He knew what He was doing. He created each of us to be masterpieces by His design. That is what we become when we are found in Christ. His plan for us is rooted in knowing Him, loving Him, trusting Him, and honoring Him.

Knowing God as our Creator 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 devoted prayer.

Colossians 4:2 instructs us with these words: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Here we see two elements of devoted prayer. The first is to be watchful. God calls us to a vigilant faith. This means, being in tune with people’s circumstances, being aware of their needs, and being proactive in prayer for them.

The second element is thankfulness. This means that we remember God’s blessings that have been poured out on our lives, and then respond with a heart of gratitude.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “If God has said much about prayer, it is because He knows how desperately we need it….The motto for this year must be….”Continue in prayer.”

The value of devoted prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Micah 7:18.

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy.”

At a conference room in Britain, various experts were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among the world religions. They were debating this question for some time until C.S. Lewis entered the room. When he found out the subject of debate, he said in one simple phrase, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”

Our sin makes us guilty in the eyes of God. But the blood of Jesus has the power to make us clean. That is the power of the Gospel to set us free from the penalty of our sin so that we can experience the joy of God’s salvation. Grace cannot be earned or purchased by us, but it can be received by faith in Jesus Christ and celebrated forever.

Pardon for sin is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com