John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of Jacob seeking God’s help.

As Jacob was preparing to meet his brother Esau, he was in great fear, because Esau had been holding a grudge against Jacob.

In Genesis 32:10, Jacob turned to the Lord in his distress praying, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me….”

Jacob acknowledged he was unworthy and afraid. He also acknowledged the kindness and faithfulness of God. In our times of distress, we can be honest with God about the cares of our heart while acknowledging His care for us. Faith remembers the goodness of God in vulnerable moments.

The Prayer of Jacob seeking God’s help is worth examining for a faith focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:6.

“To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

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

The glorious grace of God was revealed through Jesus Christ-in His earthly ministry of teaching, healing, and deliverance from evil. It was also revealed through His death and resurrection. Someday, Jesus will return and fully reveal the glory of His grace to His faithful followers. Now, we know in part, but then, we shall know fully what the glory of His grace looks like in the picture of eternity.

God freely gives His grace to those who are found in Christ. He does not give reluctantly or hesitantly, but freely, joyfully, and willingly. It is His delight to celebrate each follower of Christ as His beloved child.

God’s glorious grace 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 blessing of a peacemaker.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

If we want to be the kind of peacemaker that Jesus described here, we can start by being at peace with God. This happens when we receive the grace that Jesus offers us by His death and resurrection from the grave.

His peace is a powerful light that shines through us to refresh others. St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope.”

The blessing of being a Peacemaker is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:5.

“In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

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

Every child of God has a place in His spiritual family. This is a tremendous blessing that reveals our place of belonging in the body of Christ. God is our Father. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Other believers are considered our brothers and sisters in Christ. The love of God unites us into His household of faith. We have fellowship together, standing firmly on the foundation of the Gospel.

The spiritual blessing of adoption 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 value of praying for families.

The family is God’s idea.  Jesus talked about the family unit in Matthew 19:5, saying “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife.” He also said, “what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

We can be praying for the thriving of families-that they may stay together and grow together. God’s Word calls for honor, respect, and dignity with how family members treat one another.

Jesus also said that a household divided against itself will not stand. We can remember those affected by divided households and strained relationships. Pray for God to help them find love in His arms of grace and in the family unit of God’s household.

Praying for families is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Praise Focus comes from Ephesians 1:4.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

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

We are declared holy and blameless in his sight. What ultimately matters is how God sees us when He looks at the condition of our heart.

Where there is faith in Jesus, we are justified-declared “not guilty.” The grace of the Lord Jesus gives us a fresh start that leads us in a new direction. David prayed, “Keep your servant from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”

The spiritual blessing of being holy and blameless is a reason to praise God in the Year of Focus.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com