JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Psalm 23, verse 3.

With the LORD as my Shepherd, “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

As our soul is refreshed in the Presence of the LORD, our pathway is directed by the counsel of the LORD. The closer we move toward Jesus, the greater our clarity for understanding the way forward. His Word is a lamp to guide our way through climates of spiritual darkness. He shows us the way to go in His will. His grace not only saves us from sin, but is also a virtuous teacher in the ways of God. His kindness leads us to repentance.

Titus 2:11 and 12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

The guiding 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 Psalm 23, verse 2.

With the LORD as my Shepherd, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”

In the presence of Jesus, there is peace for our soul. He is not a harsh task-master who places unrealistic demands on us. He comes alongside of us to bear our burdens and to refresh us with His love. The presence of Jesus is a place of security and serenity.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Rest and Refreshment for our souls 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 23:1.

“The LORD is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.”

This is how David knew the LORD of his life, as a shepherd whose grace was sufficient for his needs.

Having a relationship with God does not mean that our wish list will be met, but we will have grace for today and hope for tomorrow. We will have the comfort of His forgiveness and the assurance of His unfailing love.

Jesus said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.” He also said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd 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 11, verses 2 through 4.

The disciples said to Jesus, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’.

He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

In His reply to the disciples, Jesus gives us a guide for how to pray. Acknowledging the greatness and holiness of God; inviting His kingdom to be among us on earth as it is in heaven; requesting that God provides for us, forgives us and guides us in His holy will. These are the prayers from the heart that draw us closer to God

The prayer guide taught by 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 Exodus 33, verses 18 and 19.

Moses said to the LORD, “Now show me your glory.”

And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

This conversation happened as the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land. The Presence of God is what Moses desired. He requested this of the LORD, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

On our journey of faith, this can be our request of God. “Wherever You are, that is where I want to be. Wherever You are working, that is where I want to be involved. Wherever You guide me, that is where I want to go. Wherever Your name is honored, that is where I want to be found.”

The glory 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 2:4.

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

God has a peace plan for the world. His name is Jesus. He is described by the prophet Isaiah as the Prince of Peace. The first time Jesus came on a mission to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. The next time He comes will be as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will disarm the nations and establish His Kingdom with justice and righteousness.

God has a peace plan for our souls too. His name is Jesus. Romans 5:1 says that “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God’s peace plan through Jesus reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Our Mother’s Day edition of the Praise & Worship Playlist is themed! It’s Songs From The Garden for the first half of the program. The second half is a lineup of songs from worship leader moms including TAYA, Rita Springer, Meredith Andrews, Jenn Johnson, Natalie Grant, Katie Torwalt and more.

Kristi@WJTL.com

Song Title	Artist	Album	Year
6AM
Bloom (ft. Lindy Cofer)	Mitch Wong	Bloom EP	2023
Catch Me Singing	Sean Curran	Single	2020
In the Garden (There Is None Like You)	Watermark	A Grateful People	2006
Wildflower	Clay Finnesand	Springside	2019
Cherry Blossoms	MoveSomebody	MoveSomebody	2020
Praise Before My Breakthrough	Bryan & Katie Torwalt	Praise Before My Breakthrough – EP	2018
God Moves In A Mysterious Way	Jeremy Riddle	Full Attention	2007
Springtime	Chris Renzema	Let the Ground Rest	2020
Seasons	Hillsong Worship	Christmas: The Peace Project	2018
Creation Sings	All Sons & Daughters	Poets & Saints (Deluxe Community Edition)	2016
Joyful, Joyful	Casting Crowns	Until The Whole World Hears	2010
Good Ground	Citizens	Single	2023
Grow	Jason Upton	God Finds Us	2020
7AM
Beautiful Things	Shane & Shane	The Worship Initiative, Vol. 1	2014
The Garden	Kari Jobe	The Garden (Deluxe Edition)	2017
Roses	Andrew Ripp	Radio Single	2023
Hymn	Jars Of Clay	Much Afraid	1997
Garden	NEEDTOBREATHE	The Outsiders (Deluxe Version)	2009
Evergreen	Gable Price and Friends	Fractioned Heart	2020
Graves Into Gardens (feat. Brandon Lake)	Elevation Worship	LIVE Radio Edit	2020
Sparrows	Cory Asbury	To Love A Fool	2020
Wildflowers	Brandon Lake	House Of Miracles	2020
Sparrows and Lilies	Pat Barrett	Pat Barrett	2018
Fairest Lord Jesus	Jadon Lavik	Roots Run Deeper	2012
Old for New (Live)	Hannah McClure	Starlight (Live)	2017
Every Season	Canyon Hills Worship	All To Jesus	2023
Resurrecting	Elevation Worship	Here As In Heaven	2018
Way Maker (Live)	Leeland	Single	2019
8AM
Goodness of God (Live)	Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson	Victory (Live)	2019
I Think He Is	Rita Springer	Single	2024
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (feat. Taya)	Hillsong United	Zion	2013
Forever YHWH (feat. Tiffany Hudson)	Elevation Worship	LION	2022
Bless God	Brooke Ligertwood	EIGHT	2023
God of Israel (ft. Naomi Raine, Maryanne J. George)	Maverick City Music	Jubilee	2021
Who Else	Natalie Grant	Strings Intro	2021
The Dove (feat. Kari Jobe)	The Belonging Co.	Single	2022
Age To Age (Live)	The Belonging Co & Mia Fieldes	See The Light (Live)	2021
Holy Holy Here With Me (feat. Kirby Kaple)	Housefires	Housefires VII (Live)	2021
9AM
God of the Living	Meredith Andrews	Single	2023
You Are My One Thing	Bethel Music & Hannah McClure	We Will Not Be Shaken (Live)	2015
Be Glorified (Live)	Lindy Cofer & Circuit Rider Music	Single	2023
Only You (Live)	Kim Walker-Smith	Wild Heart (Live)	2020
Holy Spirit	Francesca Battistelli	If Were Honest	2015
Knees to the Earth / I Surrender All (Live)	Christy Nockels	(Live From Keeper’s Branch)	2024
Flood the Earth (feat. Katie Torwalt)	Jesus Culture	Love Has a Name (Deluxe) [Live]	2017
Revivals In The Air	Melissa Helser	Revivals In The Air (Live)	2020
The Love of God (feat. Bethany Barnard)	The Worship Initiative	The Worship Initiative, Vol. 24 (Live)	2021
More Than Able (ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	Maverick City Music	Radio Single	2023
Take Courage (Kristene DiMarco)	Bethel Music	Starlight (Live)	2017

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Romans 10:17.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

The message about Jesus is the Gospel, which is good news for the soul. The testimony of Jesus inspires us to follow Him. His testimony consists of His identity as the Son of God and Savior of the world, His teachings, His ministry of healing and deliverance, His death on a cross and resurrection from the dead; His love for us and His saving grace. Jesus has also promised to return for those who are His faithful followers.

This testimony about Jesus stirs us to faith in Him as our Savior and Lord. So, if we keep our ears and heart open to the message about Jesus, our hope will be renewed and our spirit will be refreshed, knowing that we are loved by the God who created us.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com