JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in First Peter 1, verses 8 and 9.

Speaking of Jesus, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Remembering the destiny of eternal life with Jesus brings joy into the experience of living for Him today. This world can be a tough place that brings trials, tragedies, and temptations. Peter was addressing believers who were facing serious opposition to their faith. To encourage them, he reminded these saints of their glorious destiny. This is a focus point that can help us live with a faith that endures the test of time.

Hebrews 13:9 tells us that it is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.

God’s saving grace 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 37, verses 23 and 24.

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

The hand of the LORD is dependable for guiding us and supporting us. The key to knowing God in this way is to delight in Him. This means, we enjoy walking with Jesus and being in relationship with Him. His words move us and encourage us. His love refreshes us daily. His Presence brings us joy. Flowing out of that relationship, we find our purpose and move forward by faith to be a light in this world.

The stability of God’s ways 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 Romans 5:6.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

God’s redemption plan was put into place at the right time to meet our deepest need for a Savior. Jesus did not come to us in our loveliness. He did not wait to come to earth until we got our house in order. Instead, He saw our need for forgiveness, and then He did something about it by going to the cross.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That is how God demonstrated his own love for us. That is how He rescues us from our sinful condition.

The demonstration of God’s love 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 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

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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