JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Matthew 5:1.

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.”

What followed was the Sermon on the Mount which included a list of blessings pronounced for various kinds of people—-the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who crave righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted because of righteousness.

This teaching has impact for anyone who seeks God’s blessing for our lives. We don’t have to speculate on the attitudes and actions that please God. We have the teachings of Jesus in the Bible to show us the way forward. They are light for our pathway and have value for revealing God’s will to us. Because of the teachings of Jesus, we have direction for living a life that is blessed by God.

The teachings 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 Matthew 16:18.

Jesus said, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Jesus Christ built the church on the firm foundation of His identity as the Son of the Living God. He is the Head of the Church. He loves the church, and proved that love by dying for the church. When we go to church, we are not just going into a building. We are going into a house of worship to celebrate the Lord with God’s people.

Jesus has a mission for the church. He said in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” That ministry continues to reach lives for the Gospel to this very day.

The 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 First Chronicles 29:14.

King David said, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

This statement was made after generous offerings were given to provide for the holy temple that Israel was building for God. It was a moment of joy in the whole assembly.

David understood that wealth and honor come from God. His generosity was not a moment for pride, but rather humility. Whatever we have, whether we have material resources, or influence, or skills to do our job well–those blessings come from God, and they are opportunities to glorify His name.

The generous hand 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 Hebrews 6:10.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

God sees what we do and knows the condition of our heart. He understands the motives of our heart, whether we are doing something for God’s glory or to draw attention to ourselves.  Where God sees genuine love in our actions, He remembers and He rewards His faithful servants.

So, with a grateful heart, we can pass along God’s love to others in various ways and keep on helping them daily. God is noticing what we do for His glory.

God’s Memory 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 John 6:37.

Jesus said, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

The love of Jesus is strong to keep us secure in His grace through the various seasons of our lives. Jesus does not push away anyone who approaches Him with a trusting heart.

Jesus said He came to do the Father’s will, and this is God’s will-that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and Jesus will raise them up at the last day.

A secure salvation in Christ 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 9, verses 9 and 10.

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

The grace of God is a safe place for our soul. We can run to Him in our time of need, and have the confidence that His love will be our source of help and strength. He is our Protector and Provider.

Jesus told His followers that we would experience trouble in this life, but He also encouraged us with the reality that He has overcome the world. His love for us is stronger than the hatred of our greatest foes against us. He is not surprised by the adversity that we face, and is able to work through our difficulties to bear good fruit in our lives. When our faith is tested with trials, those are times to lean in to God’s grace.

The Refuge of God’s 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 9:1 and 2.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”

This Psalm identifies specific ways that the Lord upholds the cause of righteousness.

Verse 9 says that the LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Verse 10 says He has never forsaken those who seek Him.

Verse 16 tells us that the LORD is known by his acts of justice. And verse 18 points out that God has a perfect memory. “God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.”

God’s acts of mercy and justice ultimately came together at the cross where Jesus died for our sins, so that we can experience forgiveness.

The wonderful 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 Second Corinthians 5:17.

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

The grace of God transforms lives from the inside out, building the character of Christ in us and affecting other people’s lives through us.

One of the ways we become a new creation in Christ is that we are reconciled to God. The barrier of sin comes down, and our relationship with God is restored to peace and harmony.

Another way we become a new creation in Christ is that He gives us a message to share with the world. That message is a peace mission. Be reconciled to God. Jesus is the answer to reconciliation. That is why the Gospel is the relevant message for our important mission.

A third way we become a new creation is that we have the righteousness of Christ. God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

“New creations in Christ” 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 First Corinthians 1, verses 4 to 7.

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way-with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge….Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”

God’s grace is amazing. Every good and perfect gift comes from above. That includes the spiritual gifts that we have from His generous hand. This is why God deserves the glory for our accomplishments. The only reason we can do anything good is because of God’s grace to equip us.

First Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

Spiritual Gifts 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 Romans 7:25.

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul the Apostle wrote these words after sharing about his struggle with the sinful nature.

He said, “In my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”

Jesus is the answer to that question. His grace is greater than our sin. His truth guides us forward with God in the path of life and freedom. When we follow Jesus as the Lord of our lives, we are set free from the control of sin and death.

God’s Rescue Plan reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com