John Shirk

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

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” In our lives, trouble may come in the form of financial uncertainty or sickness or grief. We might experience stress from strained relationships or a heavy workload. These are situations that can fill our minds with anxious thoughts.

Philippians 4:6 points out an alternative to worry. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus invites us to come to Him with the burdens of our heart. He offers to come alongside us with His grace and wisdom, and provide rest for our souls.

Prayer that invites the peace of God is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from First Corinthians 6:19 and 20.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

In comparing our bodies to a temple, the Bible is revealing that our bodies are made to worship God. This is possible with lifted hands in praise to God and with generous hands that help people in need. This is possible with ready feet to go and take the Gospel with us wherever we go. This is possible with our eyes as we look for the goodness of God in our day. This is possible with our mouth as we proclaim that God is love and Jesus is Lord. These are just some ways that we can use our bodies as instruments of praise.

Our body as a temple is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Lamentations 3:20 to 23.

“My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

In our journey through life, we are bound to go through various seasons. Some seasons will be more joyful than others. We just came through a harsh winter season with frigid cold temperatures. Sometimes, the world feels like a cold and dark place. Sometimes, we go through lonely seasons of life, or we grieve the loss of a meaningful relationship. That does not mean that God is far away. On the contrary, He is quite close to the brokenhearted. The writer of Lamentations was in a season of sadness, but the morning sunlight drew his attention to the constant faithfulness of God through the changing seasons of life. His compassion is a light to keep hope alive in our hearts.

The unfailing compassion 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 intercession of Jesus for Simon Peter and His followers today.

Just before His death on the cross, Jesus told Peter that he would deny knowing Jesus three times. That is exactly what happened. But even before it happened, Jesus was praying for Peter.

In Luke 22:32, Jesus said, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

There is a big difference between Satan and Jesus in their view of us. Satan preys on our weaknesses to destroy us. Jesus prays for us in our weaknesses to protect us and build our faith. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

These words of Jesus also remind us to pray for those among us who are vulnerable to spiritual dangers. Pray that their faith may not fail.

The Intercession of Jesus for Simon Peter and His followers today is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Isaiah 12:4 and 5.

“In that day you will say, ‘Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.’”

The combination of praise and music is the destiny of God’s people. The body of Christ has the common theme of lifting up the name of Jesus in our songs. He has done glorious things that are worthy of our praise. His death and resurrection 2,000 years ago brings good news for the world today. That is the foundation of the Gospel which reveals the way every person can be set free from sin, find forgiveness in God’s grace, and live forever in His presence.

The glorious deeds of God 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 invitation of Jesus to know Him as the Good Shepherd.

It’s been said that if you have trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep; talk to the Shepherd. The truth is that we can call on the name of Jesus any time of the day. He lives in relationship with His followers. He said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” He also said that He lays down His life for the sheep. That is what He did for us at the cross. As the good shepherd, Jesus overflows with love in the way He died for us, rose for us, intercedes for us, teaches us, disciplines us, and comforts us with His grace.

His invitation goes out today just as it went out to His disciples when He said, “Follow me.” This is how we can find forgiveness, peace with God, and hope for a bright future in the Presence of God.

Knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Nahum 1:15.

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows.”

We live in a world tainted by sin, which delivers the bad news of corruption, pain, and tragedy. But that is not the only reality of a given day.

There is good news that triumphs over bad news. There is the reality of God’s saving grace. There is the reality of forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus. There is the reality of peace with God and the hope of eternal life by faith in His name. This is a reality that we can celebrate together in our churches, in our homes, and in our connections with other believers wherever we meet.

The good news of the Gospel 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 wisdom of trusting in Jesus to lead us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once prayed to God, “In me there is darkness, but with You there is light….Your ways are past understanding, but You know the way for me.”

Jesus identified Himself as the light of the world, who leads His followers in the light of life. He said in John 12:35, “Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

As we walk this journey of faith, we will find trustworthy guidance in the wisdom of God’s grace and truth. Our prayer time is an opportunity to yield our plans to God’s plans, and follow Jesus with a willing heart.

The wisdom of trusting Jesus to lead us is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Acts 11:18.

One of Jesus’ followers, Peter, saw God move in the hearts of people who lived in the house of Cornelius, who was a Gentile.

God was using this encounter to show Peter that He does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.

Some believers criticized Peter for associating with Gentiles, but when they heard from Peter what really happened, “they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

God’s acceptance of all who follow Jesus is a reason to praise Him in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 103, verses 1 and 2.

“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul and forget not all his benefits.”

David was reminding himself to praise the Lord, providing a list of benefits that he has enjoyed from the LORD.

He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

In what ways have you enjoyed the benefits of God’s grace? Those are reasons to praise Him every day.

The benefits of the LORD are reasons to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com