John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the value of exercising our faith.

There is a proper balance that contributes to our physical health-rest, nutrition, and exercise. In the spiritual context, these patterns lead us toward a healthy relationship with God. Today’s Focus is on exercise.

This happens when we serve others with the gifts that God has provided for us. We see the body of Christ functioning in a healthy manner when each part fulfills its role with a Christ-like attitude.

Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” This is how the exercise of our faith can meet the needs of others and make our witness for Christ productive.

The value of exercising our faith is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 147, verse 5.

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

This Psalm points out some of the ways that God’s power is evident in His handiwork. He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. He is the same God who delights in those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

The mighty power 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 value of spiritual input and nourishment.

There is a proper balance that contributes to our physical health-rest, nutrition, and exercise. In the spiritual context, these patterns lead us toward a healthy relationship with God. Today’s Focus is on nutrition.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

We need the input of God’s Word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the experience of God’s goodness for a fulfilling relationship with Him.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” He also has living water to offer us. His words of grace and truth point us to the good news of God’s salvation plan through Jesus Christ. The input of faith-based music, sound teaching, The Bible, and fellowship with other believers give us the taste of God’s goodness and encourage us to press on in the faith.

The value of spiritual input and nourishment is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Luke 23:47.

After Jesus breathed His last at the cross, there was a centurion, who saw what had happened. The Bible says that he praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” Matthew’s Gospel records him saying, “Surely, he was the Son of God!” Jesus had been accused of blasphemy, but the centurion’s claim directly contradicts the accusation. It was dawning on him that an innocent man had been put to death.

The centurion was an eyewitness to the crucifixion of Jesus, how He died, and what was happening at the time. Darkness came over the whole land. The curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus prayed for forgiveness for His persecutors. He offered salvation to the thief on the cross who recognized his need for grace.  By His wounds, we are healed.

The willingness of Jesus to go to the cross 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 value of resting in the Lord.

There is a proper balance that contributes to our physical health-rest, nutrition, and exercise. In the spiritual context, these patterns lead us toward a healthy relationship with God. Today’s focus is on rest.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

If we are going to serve God effectively, we need to spend time with Him personally. This involves taking time daily to reflect on His love, pray with thanksgiving, and meditate on His words. Jesus is our source of peace and rest. He has an ample supply of grace to provide for our journey of faith.

The value of resting in the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 7:24 and 25.

The Apostle Paul made this statement, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Paul knew what it was like to rely on the law during the early part of his life. He was a Pharisee before coming to faith in Christ. But there was a problem with this focus. Paul said in Romans 7:14, “The law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.”  The good that he wanted to do, he could not carry out. The evil he did not want to do, that is what he kept doing. This is what it’s like when we are controlled by our sinful nature. The answer to this downward spiral was found not in depending on the law, but in clinging to Jesus. In relationship to Christ, we are given a new nature that is responsive to His grace and is set free from the control of sin.

Knowing Jesus as our Rescuer is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we remember the promise of God to be with us.

Through our challenges, struggles, conflicts, dangers, and temptations, we are encouraged by the promises of God for a hope and a future. We also have the comfort of His presence today to be near in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:5 and 6 reminds us that God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So, we say with confidence, ‘the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

God has us here on this earth for such a time as this. He has a purpose for us to fulfill that relates to His glory. Living for His glory and walking in His grace frees us to trust in God to be our source of help and hope for today and forever.

The promise of God to be with us is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Psalm 18, verses 1 and 2.

“I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

David wrote this Psalm after the LORD delivered him from the hand of his enemies. He said in verse 3, “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”

There is something refreshing about freely expressing our love for God in a personal way. Followers of Jesus can identify spiritually with what David experienced physically. The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. He is our adversary. But Jesus has appeared as our Advocate to defend our cause. Because we have trusted in Him for salvation, He is qualified to save us from our enemies and give us ultimate victory over sin, death, and the schemes of the devil. We can find our security in His saving grace.

Knowing God as our Source of Strength 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 request of Moses for the favor of the Lord.

We all need the favor of God to shine on us if we want Him to shine through us.

In Psalm 90:17, Moses prayed, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands.”

This was a prayer for guidance. We need God’s direction to give us meaning and purpose for what we do.

This was also a prayer for strength. Only with God’s strength do we have the capability of accomplishing God’s will for our lives.

Committing our efforts to Jesus helps us to remember the Lord of our work as we work for the Lord.

The prayer request of Moses for the favor of the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First John 1:7.

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Jesus died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins. That is where we can find true forgiveness.

In John Bunyan’s famous book Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character Christian is on a journey. He has a burden on his back, which is released when he comes to the cross of Christ. That is where our guilt is removed and where our peace with God begins. That is where the light of His grace shines on us and enables us to move forward in faith and in the freedom of His love.

The blood of Jesus, shed at the cross for our sins, is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com