John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Revelation 19:6 and 7a.

The Apostle John heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!”

Hallelujah is a term that means “Praise the Lord.” It appears four times in the Bible, and all those appearances are in Revelation chapter 19. This is the shout of praise among the inhabitants of heaven. It is an expression of victory and celebration. Hallelujah is an acknowledgment that salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

The Hallelujahs of Heaven 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 Revelation 22: 3 to 5.

This passage describes what heaven is like for God’s people:

“No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

This is a picture of healing. Sin’s curse will be removed from the human experience. No longer will death grieve God’s people. No longer will there be pain or sickness or crying. God is making everything new for those who love Him. Heaven will be a place of joyful praise and perfect peace in the presence of God. It will be a place that is full of life, sustained by God’s grace. It will be a place that sparkles with beauty.

Heaven 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 10:14 and 15.

Jesus said, “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.”

When Jesus was identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, He was saying that we can trust Him as our Leader, Savior, and Friend.

Jesus leads us in the context of a relationship. We are not a mere number to Him. He knows us by name. He holds His followers close to His heart.

Jesus leads with wisdom. His word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. He provides Divine Guidance for our faith.

Jesus also leads us with service and sacrifice. He took our place on the cross 2,000 years ago and paid the price for our sins so that we could experience God’s forgiveness.

The Leadership 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 Galatians 5:22 and 23.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

These are the qualities that develop in our character when we abide in Jesus and keep in step with the Spirit of God.

As we grow in these qualities, the Bible tells us that they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our relationship with Christ.

As we grow in these qualities, we can see God at work in a thriving faith that reflects the light of Jesus.

As we grow in these qualities, we still have room for growth, but by God’s grace, we are not the person we used to be. The fruit of the Spirit shows the evidence that we belong to Jesus and His grace is the source of our strength.

The Fruit of the Spirit 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 75, verse 1.

“We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.”

God came near to us when He sent Jesus into the world. He became visible, and people would see clearly. He became touchable and people would be healed of their disease. His voice could be heard, and people would believe Him and be saved from their sins.  He would offer His body as a sacrifice, and God would be approachable.

Hebrews 10:19 invites us to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.”

The wonderful deeds of the Lord have made it possible for us to have a relationship with God. His love for us draws us near and is strong enough to keep us in His love forever.

The nearness 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 Romans 12:2.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

With God’s mercy in view, we see the sincere love that Jesus has for us. We comprehend His goodness and learn to trust His plans for us.

We don’t have to know God’s plan in order to agree to it. Rather, we are so convinced of God’s genuine love for us that we offer ourselves to God. We commit to His plan whatever it is or wherever He may lead us. God will show us His plan when the time is right. Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow me.” And Jesus said to Paul at the time of his conversion, “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

We can anticipate God moving our hearts in a good direction as we learn to appreciate what moves His heart.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Hebrews 5:7.

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”

Jesus is described as a man of sorrows, not because he was gloomy and sad all the time, but because He had emotion. His heart empathized with the grieving. At the graveside of Lazarus, Jesus wept.

His heart grieved at the tragedy of unbelief. Looking over Jerusalem, Jesus wept, because many did not recognize the peace that He came to offer.

And Jesus was in great anguish when He prayed on the night before His crucifixion. Jesus was not aloof from our suffering and pain. Rather, He stepped right into it when He came to the world. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” The tears of Jesus express His tender love and compassion for us.

The tears 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 John 1:16.

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

This is a view of God’s grace coming in wave after wave after wave to bless us. God’s love is a daily reality. The writer of Lamentations tells us that His mercies are new every morning.  His compassions never fail.

His blessings are revealed in various ways-by the encouragement of a friend in Christ; in nature-by the daily sunrise or the provision of rain, or the appearance of the rainbow in the sky; in every breath we take and in every heartbeat; in the daily opportunities He gives us to learn and grow and thrive where we are planted. Whenever we are enriched by the good and perfect gifts from above, that is a moment to give credit to God.

The waves of God’s gracious blessings 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 Genesis 2:18.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

And so, human relationships began when God created Eve. Marriage relationships and meaningful friendships are God’s design to build us up, rather than tear us down. This happens when we are in tune with God’s love and share that love in the context of our human relationships. That is when family units, churches, and communities can really thrive. God brings people into our lives for encouragement, help, and enjoyment. We were made for healthy relationships.

Paul expressed his thanks to God for the people in the church many times. One of those places is Colossians 1:3, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all God’s people.”

Relationships 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 17, verses 24 and 25.

The Apostle Paul said, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”

The God who made the world is also the giver of life. In Genesis 2, we learn that God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

Every breath is a gift from God and is an opportunity to enjoy life and a relationship with God. He is our Creator who is worthy of our praise.

Every Breath reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com