JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7.
“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.”
The presence of God is a peaceful influence for our soul. His grace is our source of hope, joy, and love. We can count on Jesus to be with us through our triumphs and trials. He can calm our fears in the midst of turbulent circumstances. Prayer invites God’s presence into our situations, whatever they happen to be.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
The peace of God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Luke 7 verses 16 and 17.
These verses show the response of the crowd to the miracles of Jesus.
“They were filled with awe and praised God. They said, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us. God has come to help his people.’ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.”
The miracles of Jesus had a healing and life-giving impact on those who were blessed by His gracious hand. In this case, Jesus raised a young man from the dead and gave him back to his mother. His miracles were praiseworthy deeds, pointing to His identity as God’s anointed One. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The miracles of Jesus reveal the goodness of God and are reasons to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in James 1:13.
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.”
James was pointing out that we are tempted when we are dragged away by our own evil desire and enticed. God will not tempt us to do what is wrong, but God will teach and motivate us to do what is right.
He has provided the Bible for us to know His will and to invite us to faith in Jesus that leads to abundant and eternal life.
God has also provided the church, so that we can be in relationship with God’s people and encourage each other.
God also sent His One and only Son into the world to save us from our sins, and to become our source of righteousness.
The Purity of God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Isaiah 55, verses 6 and 7.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
A pardon is an act of forgiveness toward someone who has violated the law. Presidents have been known to issue pardons before they leave their office. We all need God’s pardon, because we have disobeyed His laws, and have been guilty of sin. But we can be set free from guilt by turning to Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives. No matter what we have done in the past, God’s grace is strong enough to forgive us and make us clean. This window of time is our opportunity to turn from our selfish ways and receive God’s mercy. The barriers of sin will come down and open the way to grace and freedom in Christ.
The Pardon of God extended to lawbreakers reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Luke 12:6 and 7.
Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet, not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
In the time of Christ, sparrows were among the cheapest birds on the market, and yet, every single sparrow had God’s attention. Jesus turns to us and says, “You are worth more than many sparrows.” He knows all the details about us. That includes the number of hairs on our head. If God notices the sparrows of the air, who are worth pennies to people, how much more valuable are people, who were redeemed by the blood of Jesus? This comparison between sparrows and humans highlights the significance of God’s love for us. Each person matters to God. Jesus went a great distance as proof.
God’s view of our value reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Proverbs 19:17.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.
God has a tender heart for those in places of poverty and notices when we are moved by His love to be kind to the poor. The Gospel is about lifting people up who are in places of brokenness.
In Galatians chapter 2, we see the leaders of the early church filled with the compassion of Christ, and agreeing in their ministries to remember the poor.
God’s reward for faithful service reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in First Chronicles 29:12 and 13.
David was praising the LORD in the public assembly:
“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”
God supplies us with material wealth, not for the purpose of hoarding it for ourselves, but to be generous with others and use it for the glory of His name.
He also supplies us with energy to accomplish certain tasks. He provides us with intelligence and strength to develop skills and do certain jobs that provide valuable services for others. And so, our jobs and resources can become a testimony of God’s blessing in our lives designed to bear fruit for His glory.
The strength of God to provide for us reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in First John 1:5.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Verse 9 shows us how we can step into the light if we are walking in darkness: Confess our sins. The Bible tells us that God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Confession is a major step forward to breaking the darkness of our sin with the light of God’s grace and truth.
The faithfulness of God to forgive confessed sin reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
