John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in James 1:12.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

There is a crown that awaits the servant of God who loves Him and perseveres through the trials of life. We need God’s help for this. We cannot rely on our own strength. Discouragement, Persecution, and Opposition test the strength of our resolve to press forward in the faith. At those times, we might feel like giving up. But that is where our reliance on God is necessary for overcoming our feelings.

James is encouraging us to remember the eternal perspective of life beyond our temporary trials on this earth. God is faithful to His promises, and He notices when we press on in the faith through painful trials.

The Crown of Life 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 Peter 5, verses 2 through 4.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

There is a reward for faithful leadership in the church. It’s called the Crown of Glory. Peter gives us a pathway to fulfilling this calling in a way that honors the Lord-with honesty, a willing heart, eagerness to serve, and being a godly example for others to follow. God notices and remembers the faithful service of a church leader who fulfills their calling with the heart of a shepherd.

The Crown of Glory 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 Thessalonians 2:19.

The Apostle Paul lived with a heavenly perspective. This view helped him to stay focused on the mission that God gave him.

When writing to the church, he said, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”

Paul is referring here to the crown of rejoicing. He would have likely seen converts to the Christian faith in this church as a result of his ministry. In the previous chapter, he told believers at this church they welcomed the Gospel when they heard the message and turned from idols to serve the living and true God.

The crown of rejoicing is given to the saints of God who have invested in people’s lives with the Gospel. As a result, people were saved and grew in their walk with God. That joy of seeing changed lives is possible for us today and into the future.

The crown of rejoicing 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 Corinthians 9:24 and 25.

The Apostle Paul was showing what we can learn about the Christian life from the sports world.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

During the ancient games, a wreath was placed on the victor’s head as a reward for winning the contest. Paul was comparing that scene with the heavenly reward that awaits the believer for faithful endurance. An imperishable crown is in store for the believer who crosses the finish line victoriously. They have applied themselves with proper spiritual training and completed the race they were called to run. They fulfill God’s calling for their lives and receive a lasting crown.

The Imperishable Crown 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 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