JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Ephesians 6, verses 7 and 8.

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do…..”

Whatever assignment God has for us, He wants us to serve with our heart. This means, being moved by our faith in the Lord to carry out good deeds as a labor of love. This may apply to serving our customers or supervisors in the workplace, or serving in ministry at the local church, or serving our family members on the home front.

God is aware of our actions. He sees it all, and will reward each person who serves Him with a loving heart.

God’s Rewards 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 Isaiah 41:10.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Sometimes God’s hand is mentioned in the Bible to demonstrate His guidance in our lives. Sometimes, it is mentioned to show His creativity. Sometimes, it reflects His generosity. Often, it is mentioned to show His power and might. The hand of God is our source of strength when we rely on His grace. The cross is evidence of His mighty hand to save us from our sins.

We are blessed to be in a place where God’s hand guides us, provides for us, moves us, and helps us to live fruitful lives for His glory. The hand of God shows how much we need His grace to save us and sustain us.

The righteous hand of God on our lives 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 Chronicles 16, verse 9a.

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

God’s eyes are perceptive. He sees everything. He sees what we do, and weighs the motives of our heart when we do them. It means a lot for a son or daughter to have their parent show up at their performance in a musical or sporting event. God’s eyes are on the child of God to encourage us and bring out the best in us.

God is especially seeking loyal hearts to His Word and His ways. He is looking for people who will respond to the call of the Gospel to follow Jesus. He is looking for people who are devoted to the glory of His name. God empowers our faith to thrive as a shining testimony of His goodness and grace.

The eyes 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 Psalm 55:16 and 17.

As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

God hears the prayers of His people, whether we express them out loud or under our breath. He listens to every word that comes from the heart that is longing after Him. Attentiveness is one way of showing that we care for someone else, because we are eager to hear what they have to say and what is important to them.

The Bible tells us that God is attentive to the prayers of the righteous. He cares for us, and that is why we can trust Him with the burdens of our heart.

The listening ears of God reveal 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 29:4.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The voice of the LORD still speaks today, through His creation, through the life and ministry of Jesus, and through the Bible. God communicates the greatness of His character and the greatness of His love for us. The voice of the Holy Spirit guides the believer in the footsteps of Jesus.

The voice of the LORD is also an inviting voice, calling us into relationship with Him. Jesus often said, “Follow me” and “Come to me.” In John 10:27, He said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The voice of the Lord 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 66:2.

The LORD declares, “These are the ones I look on with favor; those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”

One definition of favor is “Demonstrated Delight.”  God delights in humility, and He honors us with His favor when we acknowledge Him with a humble heart.

Having the favor of God is like having God’s face directed toward us expressing His delight with a smile. His ears are in tune with our voice, His voice speaks encouragement and wisdom to our heart. His heartbeat is for us to be with Him. The way to be found in God’s favor is to respond to God’s love with a heart of faith and humility.

Second Corinthians 6:2 says “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you”. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. That word “Now” indicates the opportunity that we have to be in a relationship with God today.

The favor 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 13:7.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

This word of instruction is in the context of faithful leadership. When pastors and overseers are faithful to the Lord, we can be inspired by their godly example.

We can find encouragement in their sermons, as they explain how to live out the words of God in the Bible.

We can find encouragement in their way of life. The quality of their lives will move us to be more like Jesus. Their example of service will motivate us to find our place in God’s plan.

Faithful Leaders in the Church 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 Thessalonians 1:3.

The Apostle Paul wrote this word of encouragement to the church there:

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

God did not intend for us to travel the journey of the Christian faith alone. We are made for relationship. Thankfully, God has provided a support system for us to grow in our walk with God. It’s called the Church. It is not made of perfect people, but it does have people who are learning to know God better and are walking in His love.

The church is designed by God to be a household of faith, where we treat each other as members of one family, dearly loved by God. When the church is functioning on a foundation of faith and love, God’s light is shining brightly, and we are blessed with encouragement.

Faithful Brothers and Sisters 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 Acts 3:19.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

The Gospel brings refreshment to our soul when we humbly receive God’s gift of grace. Jesus is ready to embrace us with open arms when we acknowledge our need for Him to save us from our sins.

God does not despise us when we honestly admit our moral failures. Instead, He helps us to break free from our sins by forgiving us and showing the way forward. He breaks our darkness with His light. He turns our ashes into beauty. He turns our turmoil into peace. He brings rest to our soul with His saving grace.

Refreshment from the Lord 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 1, verses 8 and 9.

About the Son, God says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

What a blessing to have the king of heaven reigning as the king of our heart! He establishes His righteousness in us and uproots wickedness. He brings us into the kingdom of God where there is joy and fellowship. He gives us a place of service, where we can honor His name by helping people in their time of need. The throne of God is also secure for the child of God. His kingdom will never end. Hebrews 12:28 says, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

The Throne of God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com