JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Isaiah 55, verses 10 and 11.

This is what the LORD says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth, and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

God is referring to the rain cycle to highlight the refreshment of God’s Word for us. Just as rain brings nourishment to the ground, so God’s Word brings nourishment to our heart. Just as rain is vital to the growth of the crops, so God’s Word is vital to our spiritual growth in the grace of God.

The nourishment of God’s Word 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 Key Element for Thriving Relationships is growth into spiritual maturity.

God’s will for our lives is to grow in His grace and become mature in our character. That does not mean having a holier-than-thou attitude. It means living out the words of Galatians 5:6, which says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

When we turn to Second Peter 1:5, we see the writer urging us to grow in several character qualities including Goodness, Knowledge, Self-Control, and Godliness. That list starts with faith and ends with love. Faith is at the foundation of our relationship with Jesus. Love is the expression flowing out of our relationship with Jesus.

Verse 8 says, “If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Growth into spiritual maturity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the nourishment of spring rains and the word of God.

In Isaiah 55:10, the LORD compares the rain cycle with the nourishment of His Word to feed our soul.

From the New Living Translation, “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Just as the soil needs rain for the crops to grow, so we need God’s Word for our faith to grow. That is one dependable place where we can turn to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Focusing on God’s Word daily gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the forward progress of the Christian journey.

In Philippians 3:13 and 14, the Apostle Paul wrote, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Before knowing Christ, Paul was hostile to anyone who identified with Jesus, and sought to destroy the church with his religious zeal. However, the road to Damascus became a defining moment in his life when he would begin the journey of walking with Christ as a faithful follower. If anyone had a reason to feel guilt and regret, Paul was the man. He was there to approve the death of Stephen, the first martyr in the early church.

But Paul’s days were filled with the awareness of God’s grace, and that changed his perspective about the past and the future. He was spending his time moving forward with Christ, not looking back with past regrets or failures. Neither did he look back with fondness to his former way of life. A relationship with Jesus puts us on the path of faith that leads to a greater love, holiness, and eternal life in heaven with Him.

The forward progress of the Christian journey is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com