JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Matthew 1:21.

An angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

The name of Jesus carries the meaning that the Lord saves. That is why Joseph had specific instructions from heaven on what to name Him. Mary received the same message from the angel Gabriel.

As we celebrate the Holiday season this year, it is worth remembering the salvation that is found only in Jesus. That gives meaning to the celebration of Christmas. There is power in the name of Jesus to save us from our sins.

The name of Jesus 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 Ephesians 1:15 and 16.

The Apostle Paul said this to the church, “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Faith in God and love for His people flow out of a thriving relationship with God. There is always room to grow in these areas. When they are evident in our lives, that is good news for leaders like the Apostle Paul.

Church leaders are encouraged by the fruit of their labor as they see people responding to their preaching, teaching, and serving.

They are encouraged by the contagious effect of faith and love on their church and the surrounding community.

Church leaders are moved to thank God for the vibrant testimonies and spiritual growth of those who follow Jesus.

“Faith and Love among God’s people” 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 Ephesians 1:13.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…..”

Cliques might block outsiders from joining their group. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, no one is rejected who wants to be part of the family of God. There is space at the table to be with Jesus at the banquet that is being planned for His bride, the church.

Jesus said in Luke 14, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” The gospel extends the invitation for each person to follow Jesus and to know Him personally. Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

The Gospel of Salvation 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 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.”

Understanding of God’s will flows out of a relationship with Jesus. He gives us greater clarity for living a life that pleases God.

Jesus taught us that the Greatest Commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Jesus taught us the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

These are some of the big picture plans that God has for us to do with the breath and strength that He gives us.

Wisdom and Understanding 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 Ezra 3:11.

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Today, the church is a place where God’s people assemble together for worship. It is a place for prayer. It is a place for fellowship. It is a place for unity. It is a place for grace and truth when its foundation is built on Jesus Christ. The Gospel is preached faithfully. God is glorified. His people are edified, unified, and sanctified. God’s love is expressed openly and fills the atmosphere with the fragrance of Christ.

Psalm 149:1 says, “Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.”

The Faithful Church 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 Second Kings 4:13.

A well-to-do woman showed kindness and hospitality to a prophet named Elisha. She urged him to stay for a meal. Whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay whenever he comes to us.”

Elisha took note of her kindness. He said to his servant, “Tell her, ‘you have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you?’”

First Peter 4:9 encourages God’s people to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. This is a meaningful way to express our appreciation for God’s servants and to encourage them.

On the flip side, whenever we benefit from someone’s hospitality, that is also an opportunity to say “Thank you” and bless them for their act of kindness.

The practice of hospitality 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 Deuteronomy 8, verses 17 and 18a.

The LORD was speaking through His servant Moses to the Israelites:

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth….”

Whenever the LORD gives us material possessions or the ability to do something productive, we have a choice to make. Will we take credit for the favorable outcome or give the credit to God? With God’s grace in view, we recognize that He is our source of strength and is worthy of our praise.

God’s provision 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 Psalm 107, verse 8.

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.”

This statement appears 4 times in this Psalm.  The writer points out different ways in which people in distress cried out to the Lord and He answered by saving them in their distress. This Psalm ends by saying, “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.”

In a moment of crisis, we are reminded that we need the grace of God. There is no more desperate state for the soul than to be lost in sin. But there is good news for the person in this desperate place. God has provided a Savior, whose name is Jesus.

Isaiah 59:1 says, “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” That is especially encouraging to us when we find ourselves in a spiritual crisis.

The loving deeds of the LORD 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 Acts 3:26.

“When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

A relationship with Jesus will transform us from the inside out. His influence adjusts our attitude to be more like Jesus, which consists of obedience to God’s plan, a lifestyle of service, and willingness to sacrifice for others.

The influence of Jesus will transform our heart toward virtue that consists of the Fruit of the Spirit. Some of those qualities include love, joy, and peace. This makes a difference in the quality of our relationships.

The influence of Jesus will also move us away from sinful entanglements, so that we are set free from selfish ambition and destructive behavior. The resurrection of Jesus means that He is alive and well, and there is power in His name to experience the fullness of life.

Transformation 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 Deuteronomy 32, verses 3 and 4.

Moses said, “I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Moses was pointing to the praiseworthy attributes of God’s character. He is the Rock. He is the stable foundation for our faith. There is no flaw in what He says or does. He never makes mistakes. He is true to His promises and faithful to His people. We can trust in His unfailing love for us.

Perfect, Just, Faithful, and Upright-these are some of the praiseworthy attributes of God that we can celebrate today.

The praiseworthy attributes of God reveal the Goodness of God and are reasons to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com