John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the humility of a child.

In Matthew 18:4, Jesus pointed to a little child to make a point about greatness in the kingdom of God.

The disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Taking on the humility of a child will have an impact on how we pray to God. We will be honest and transparent. We will recognize God as greater than ourselves and rely on His love daily. We will look to Him to provide for us. Like a child with their earthly father, we can simply go to our Heavenly Father and call him Daddy.

The Humility of a Child is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Psalm 147, verses 1 and 2.

“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.”

This Psalm tells us that God is greatly exalted. He reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

According to Colossians 1:6, the Gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world. This good news tells a love story of a God who has come to redeem people with sacrificial love. That was what the cross of Jesus was all about. Today, we can live with joy in the Lord’s love and with hope in God’s power to save us for eternal life in His holy presence. This Gospel is an open invitation for the people all over the world to come to Jesus and celebrate Him around the throne in heaven.

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 Paul the Apostle’s urgent plea for prayer.

In Romans 15:30, he said, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”

The Apostle Paul lived with the realization that he needed the prayers of God’s people, and he asked for prayer support. One of the ways we can share in the struggles of a missionary or pastor is to pray for them. What are their struggles? What are their obstacles? What kind of opposition are they facing? We can ask them for specific ways that we can pray for them. As we hear how God is working through them, we can also share in their joys.

Another application of this verse is to be willing to seek prayer support from other believers to join us in our struggles.

Paul’s urgent plea for prayer is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus is found in Philippians 2:9 to 11.

“God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus came to this earth as a gift from God the Father. He was faithful to His mission. He never sinned. He came in humility to serve and sacrifice Himself for the sake of our salvation. His sacrifice was acceptable to God and sufficient for our greatest need for forgiveness. He suffered on a cross to accomplish God’s redemptive plan.  His love for us wins our allegiance. His faithfulness wins our loyalty. His name is worthy of our praise and devotion.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com