John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Job 1:21.

In a place of brokenness, Job fell to the ground in worship, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Job was in a place of extreme suffering, losing so much of what he had. In that setting, he worshiped the One who was refining his faith and enabling his testimony to shine like gold. With the trials we endure, God is still good and remains on the throne. He still loves us with compassion and mercy. Job persevered in the faith through his pain, and was greatly blessed in the end. In the realm of eternity, this is the experience of the true worshipers of God-grace and blessing beyond the pain of living.

James 5:11 says, “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

The compassion and mercy of the Lord are reasons 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 prayer as a two-way dialogue.

Billy Graham has described prayer as a “two-way conversation. It is our talking to God and His talking to us.”

We have a God in heaven who hears and answers prayer.

This was the kind of relationship that David had with God. In Psalm 5:2 and 3, he wrote, “Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

With folded hands and an open Bible, we can approach God each morning and have a conversation that prepares us for the challenges and opportunities for the upcoming day.

Prayer as a two-way dialogue 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 seeking prayer for clarity and opportunity to spread the Gospel.

If we want to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, that’s a good focus point for our faith. It is also a sacred platform calling us to represent Jesus in our words, actions, and attitudes. So, it is good to seek prayer support for our efforts.

In Colossians 4, verses 3 and 4, that is what the Apostle Paul requested.

He said to the church, “Pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should.”

The prayer support of God’s people helps to prepare the way for us to be effective witnesses for Jesus.

Seeking prayer for clarity and opportunity to spread the Gospel is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Revelation 5:12.

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

This is the way Jesus is honored in heaven by the multitudes of angels in heaven. They encircle the throne to exalt the name of Jesus with a shout of praise. He is their central focus of worship as they draw attention to the worthy sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. His death on the cross was part of God’s plan all along, and for that, we can be eternally grateful.

When Jesus is the central focus of our faith, joy and gratitude overflows into expressions of worship, preparing our own hearts for that blessed day when we join the heavenly choir to celebrate the name of Jesus.

The Worthiness of Jesus is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

This was the reaction of the women who went to the tomb of Jesus on the first day of the week.

An angel said to them, “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.”

The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Out of the overflow of their joy, these women were moved to share good news with the disciples that Jesus had come back to life.

The resurrection of Jesus 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 at the Mount of Olives.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus and his disciples went out as usual to the Mount of Olives. That is where Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Luke 22:44 says, “Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done.” He modeled that prayer at the Mount of Olives when He entrusted Himself to the Father’s plan. The death and resurrection of Jesus offers us a valuable faith lesson. There will sometimes be pain when we yield to God’s plan for our lives, and there will also be victory on the other side.

The prayer of Jesus at the Mount of Olives 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 prayer of Jesus from the cross, requesting forgiveness for His enemies.

Yes, Jesus had His enemies, and they were in His presence when He died on a cross. Before He died, He prayed for His persecutors in Luke 23:34. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Whenever we speak against Christ or bring harm to one of God’s followers, Jesus takes that personally. An example of that is in the actions of Saul, who was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians. Jesus met him on the way and asked, “Why are you persecuting me?” Eventually, Saul changed course and found forgiveness in God’s saving grace. That offer of forgiveness is still available for us today.

Romans 5:8 is a marvelous mystery to ponder-“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The prayer of Jesus from the cross, requesting forgiveness for His enemies, is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Corinthians 15:57.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The question is raised in this chapter of the Bible, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Jesus died and rose again from the grave three days later. His death happened for a reason. It was God’s plan all along for Jesus to die on a cross to set us free from sin. Jesus is our Redeemer, our Savior, and very best friend.

Hebrews 9:27 tells us that people are destined to die once and after that to face judgment. Death is a human tragedy for anyone who is not ready to meet Jesus as their Savior. But with the breath that God gives us today, He gives us opportunity to receive grace for our sin by turning to the One who conquered the grave. His name is Jesus. And He is able to raise us back to life after we die to enjoy eternity with Him in a peaceful place.

The promise of victory over the grave 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 Prayer for the Lord’s people.

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul talked about the full armor of God that is available to help us stand firm in the faith. One of those vital pieces of armor at the end of his list is prayer.

He said in verse 18, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

As we are engaged in fellowship with other believers, we will likely learn of their specific needs and ambitions. These are opportunities to pray for them. We can do this in our quiet time with God. We can also pray with them as we pray for them. This is a tremendous way to show support and encouragement for them to hear us interceding for them at the throne of grace. Prayer helps us to stay vigilant on the spiritual battlefield as we support our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Praying for the Lord’s People is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Peter 1, verses 3 and 4.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.”

The resurrection of Jesus is the reason for our living hope in a relationship with Christ. Our identity, purpose, and destiny are all affected by the fact that Jesus is alive.

Our identity is a child of God, because we are included in His family by faith.

Our purpose is to live for the glory of God, because His name is worthy.

Our destiny is heaven in the presence of God, because of His grace.

Our Living Hope in Christ is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com