John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

It’s found in Psalm 122:6-“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.”

Jerusalem is described in the Bible as the holy city. It’s meaning is “City of Peace.” So, when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we are praying for its meaning to become its reality. Jesus wept over Jerusalem when He appeared to its people, saying “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

But a day is coming when according to Zechariah 12:10, the LORD “will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.” Their eyes will be opened to the One who was pierced for our transgressions.

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Isaiah 57, verses 18 and 19.

The LORD says, “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near” says the LORD, “And I will heal them.”

The comfort of the LORD brings refreshment for the weary soul who is discouraged and downcast. There is hope and forgiveness for the person who approaches God with humility.

Earlier in this chapter, the LORD says, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” As His grace encourages us and turns our hearts toward Jesus, He gives us a new song filled with praise.

The comfort of the Lord 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 invitation for God to inspect his heart.

It’s found in Psalm 139, verse 24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

David was willing to do spiritual inventory on the condition of his heart. That requires humility to open our heart for God to search us and reveal anything in our lives offending Him. It is also the way to turn from those ways and learn to walk in the ways of Jesus.

He is our source of peace and forgiveness. He is our wisdom for living in God’s will with integrity. And He is the way that leads us to heaven beyond our last breath on earth.

David’s invitation for God to inspect his heart is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Luke 24:51 to 53.

Speaking of Jesus and His disciples, “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

That is how the book of Luke ends-with a description of the disciples praising God. That is where the testimony of Jesus leads His people.

We are moved to thanksgiving. We are grateful for His gift of grace that lifts us out of the deep depravity of our sin.

We are moved to worship, because Jesus is worthy of our praise and adoration. His death and resurrection leave us with a sense of awe.

We are moved to joy, because His love is proven to be faithful and true, and is our source of security and confidence.

The testimony 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 David to please the Lord.

David prayed in Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Our words, thoughts, and ambitions matter to God. David wanted these areas to be aligned to the heart of God. That is a spiritually healthy place to be. That is the pathway to faithfulness and integrity.

When this becomes the prayer from our heart, pleasing God becomes the purpose of our lives.

The prayer of David to please the Lord is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Acts 2, verses 46 and 47.

Speaking of the early Church, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

It is interesting to note that as the believers of the early church daily practiced their faith in community, fellowship, and praising God, new converts were joining them every day. Each new day is a God-given opportunity to glorify God by our faith in Him and in the way we love people. He can produce lasting spiritual fruit through our faithful witness for Jesus. Today, let’s look for open doors to make meaningful connections that build the church and honor the name of Jesus.

Every New Day of Life on this earth 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 desperate plea of a dying man.

There were two criminals who were crucified beside Jesus.

One of the criminals hurled insults at Jesus. But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This criminal understood that he was a guilty man, and that Jesus was innocent. He also understood that Jesus was a king, and so, he called on the name of the only One who could save him in his desperate moment. While we have breath, it’s never too late to find our place in God’s Kingdom. Acts 2:21 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” There is a remedy for our guilt. His name is Jesus.

The desperate plea of a dying man is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Romans 15:7.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

When God’s people accept one another, it reflects our love for God. It shows that we have been receptive to God’s love for us, and we want to share that love with our brothers and sisters in Christ to build a vibrant faith community. This will honor the name of Jesus in the church and throughout the world.

The acceptance 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 Romans 15, verses 4 to 6.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This was a prayer for unity in the church, which brings praise to God when that unity is built on the Gospel. Jesus is the Head of the church. He is the leader. His command for His followers is that we love Him and love each other. His teachings form the foundation for our faith to build godly character, and to inspire love, joy, and hope. With Jesus as our guide, we are growing and moving toward the fulfillment of His promises that will bless us for eternity.

The Endurance and Encouragement of God’s Word 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 prayer of the early church for boldness.

The early church was a thriving church, and a praying church. They looked to God as their source of strength and saw His power in their gatherings.

Under threats of persecution, the early believers in the church gathered in Acts 4:24. They raised their voices together in prayer to God.

In verse 29, they prayed, “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Prayer invites the power of God to give us courage to speak the name of Jesus in spiritual climates that resist Him.

The prayer of the early church for boldness is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com