John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take look at the way of love.

Second John verse 6 says, “This is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

The way of love follows in the footsteps of Jesus. He is our instructor and example to inspire us in the way of love.

The way of love is obedience to God. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Love for God is His greatest command.

The way of love is filled with patience and kindness.  It seeks to help and not to harm others. Love moves us to pray for others in their time of need.

The command to walk in love is simply stated, but can be hard to apply when tested. However, with God’s help, all things are possible, including the expression of love even when we are not feeling it. That is why we need Jesus to lead us in the way of love.

The way of love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:15 and 16.

The Apostle Paul said this to the church, “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Faith in Jesus and love for His people flow out of a thriving relationship with God.  As a church leader, Paul the Apostle noticed how the Holy Spirit was working in the church at Ephesus, and he was grateful to God by what he saw. When these qualities are evident in the church, the foundation is laid for a church to be a thriving witness in the community. There is always room for us to grow in these areas, and when that happens, we have a vibrant testimony to share with the world that Jesus has saved us and is transforming us into His likeness with every passing day.

The evidence of faith and love among God’s people 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 stability of trusting the Lord.

Psalm 112, verses 6 and 7 says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the LORD.”

In Jesus, we have an anchor for our soul that keeps us grounded with a secure hope through the storms of life. Someone has said that if you hem in both ends of your day with a prayer, it won’t be so likely to unravel in the middle.

Through the bad news stories that we hear in a given day, which sometimes affect our lives, we have the good news of the Gospel to keep hope alive and keep us secure in God’s love.

The stability of trusting the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:13a.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”

In the Kingdom of Heaven, no one is rejected who receives Jesus as Savior and Lord. There is a place at the table with Jesus at the banquet that is being planned for His bride, the church.

Jesus said in Luke 14, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” The gospel extends the invitation for each person to follow Jesus and to know Him personally. Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” Salvation is a gift that is extended to us by a gracious God.

The Gospel of Salvation 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 faith in the power of God’s love.

In Ephesians 3:20 and 21, we see how the power of God is able to bless our lives abundantly.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

In the picture of eternity, God exceeds expectations for His followers. The gift of God’s grace, salvation, heavenly rewards, the Presence of Jesus, the fruit of our labor in the Lord, and the heavenly reunion of the saints-these are all blessings that followers of Jesus will enjoy.

There are blessings that we experience in this life too. Those blessings give us a small glimpse of His good plans for those who love Him.

Faith in the Power of God’s Love is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:11 and 12.

Speaking of Jesus, “In him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

This is a message for the faithful in Christ, and one of the spiritual blessings that we have in Christ.

God’s plan and purpose for our lives is to reflect His glory. It happens when we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit to speak, to serve, and to share God’s love with others. It also happens when others see us living with genuine hope through times of testing. Our ultimate goal as followers of Jesus is not to draw people closer to ourselves, but to draw people closer to Christ. So, let them see the love of Christ compelling us in whatever we do. His name is worthy of our very best.

The glory 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 David’s cry for mercy in Psalm 86.

In verse 1, he pours out his heart to God in this way: “Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord for I call to you all day long.”

Where do we turn in our times of distress? David turned his eyes toward heaven to commit his cares to God. That is because he trusted God, and called on him constantly. He took his feelings of need and insecurity to the throne of grace, and the Lord helped David.

We have access to God today through Jesus Christ and what He has done for us at the cross. Jesus is our source of strength when we feel weak and vulnerable. As we trust in Him, we can say with confidence the words of Psalm 118:7-“The LORD is with me; he is my helper.”

David’s cry for Mercy is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:8 and 9.

“With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.”

This is a message for the faithful in Christ, and one of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ.

Understanding God’s will flows out of a relationship with Jesus. His words of wisdom give us clarity for living a life that pleases God.

The Greatest two commandments were central to His message-“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And the second command He emphasized was, “Love your neighbr as yourself.” Jesus said, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The wisdom of Jesus to reveal God’s Will 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 committing our children to the Lord.

Hannah did that for Samuel in First Samuel 1:27. She said to the priest Eli, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now, I give him to the LORD. For his whole life, he will be given over to the LORD.”

Praying for our children is a precious and powerful expression of love for our children. We can pray for their protection, that God will guard their minds and hearts from the corruption of this world.

We can pray for direction, that God will guide them by His love in the way of His plan.

We can pray for their salvation, that they would grow up to love Jesus and live in His saving grace.

Committing our children to the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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

Speaking of Jesus ,”In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

Redemption comes to God’s followers at the price of Christ’s blood which was shed at the cross. That was an acceptable payment that provides for our forgiveness. This makes a huge difference in our focus for today and forever.

Instead of despair, we can live with hope. Instead of guilt, we can live with freedom from shame. Instead of hatred, we can live in God’s love. Instead of confusion, we can live with clarity. Instead of selfishness, we can live generously. This is the way Jesus can transform our lives through the riches of His grace.

Redemption is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com