John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Matthew 14:19.

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.”

There is a pattern that Jesus displayed with food. Whenever he would take it, he would give thanks, and then distribute the food through His followers.

Psalm 104:14 says that God makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth.

Food is provided for our enjoyment and to help us to live. It is also an opportunity for building meaningful relationships. Jesus shows us by example how to receive it with thanksgiving to God and to be generous in sharing it with others. The practice of hospitality is one form of ministry that provides nourishment and builds relationships. It starts with a simple invitation for someone to join us for a meal.

The provision of food 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 12, verses 4 to 6.

“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

This chapter of the Bible expresses praise to God for His salvation. He comes to the defense of His people and gives us strength. He becomes our source of joy when we find comfort in His saving grace. The cross of Christ and the empty grave are reminders of His unfailing love for us.  This is good news to celebrate and to share with others.

The Glorious 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 Matthew 6:19 and 20.

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Jesus is highlighting a big difference between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven. Treasures on earth are temporary. Treasures in heaven are forever. Treasures on earth are not completely secure. Treasures in heaven are secure. We get a clear sense from the words of Jesus that their value is much greater, longer, and more secure than the treasures on earth.

With our hope in God, we can invest in heavenly treasure by using our wealth on the earth for His Kingdom. First Timothy 6:18 talks about doing good, being rich in good deeds, and being generous and willing to share. In this way, we will lay up treasure for ourselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.

The treasures 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 5:12.

The scene is heaven, and the voice of many angels could be heard around the throne. In a loud voice they were saying, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

This is how Jesus is celebrated in heaven, and this is how He can be celebrated in our lives today as we fix our eyes of faith on Him. John the Baptist once said, “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

John was referring to the sacrifice that Jesus would make at the cross on our behalf. In that moment, He was paying the price for our sins with the shedding of His blood. He opened the way for our forgiveness by taking the penalty of our sins upon Himself. And all through eternity, God’s people will have the opportunity to celebrate His worthy sacrifice to set us free.

The sacrifice 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 John 14:6.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

There is no substitute for Jesus. He is God’s plan to save us from our sins and to be restored to a relationship with God.

Jesus said “I am the way.” He is the door for us to enter into the Presence of God. He is the road that leads us to heaven. He is the pathway for us to experience God’s forgiveness.

Jesus said, “I am the truth.” He is our ultimate reality. His promises are reliable. His love is real. His character is holy and unblemished.

Jesus said, “I am the life.” He is our source of abundant and eternal life. Because Jesus lives, we can enjoy life with God now and forever.

The way, the truth, and the life 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 15:5.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

We are dependent on the life-giving grace of our Lord Jesus to bear fruit for the glory of God. Before we face the challenges and opportunities of a given day, it is essential to come into the presence of God and meet with Him.

Our faith in God is strengthened when we hear from Jesus and take His words to heart. Those words are found in the Bible.

Our faith is refreshed when we enjoy His presence and rest in His love for us. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Flowing out of our relationship with Jesus is a thriving faith that shines brightly as a faithful witness.

A fruitful faith 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 15, verses 1 and 2.

Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:

‘I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

They sang this song after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and the LORD delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians.

Whenever God delivers us from the slavery of sin, that is a reason to sing praises to God. His truth is a powerful force to deliver us from the lies of the enemy. His grace is protection from the accusations of the enemy. His salvation delivers us from death. Jesus is the way to the Promised Land of life and liberty. His Presence guides the way.

Deliverance from the enemy 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 Colossians 1:12 to 14.

“Giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

This is reality for anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ. When we call on Jesus to save us from sin, He is faithful to answer this humble prayer with His supply of grace. He places His righteousness on us, and roots out the impurities in our heart. That is how He qualifies us to inherit the riches of His kingdom and to experience His forgiveness. Because of God’s lavish love for us, we can know the treasures of His grace. Some of those treasures can be known today. Others will be inherited later when we see Jesus face to face.

The Inheritance of the Saints 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 Colossians 3:15 and 16.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Being thankful is a quality that invites the peace of God in our lives. Remembering His goodness leads us to express praise to God with thanksgiving in our songs. Music is an instrument of praise. It is an instrument of instruction. It is an instrument of joy.

What is the influence that enables us to celebrate God’s goodness in these ways? It is the message of Christ-His good news that brings us the hope of forgiveness and eternal life with Him. His death and resurrection have paved the way for us to believe in the name of Jesus and to enjoy His presence forever.

The message of 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 40, verse 3.

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”

The theme of our music has a way of changing when the throne of our heart belongs to Jesus.

Music is a gift from the Lord that enables us to express our love and gratitude to God for His marvelous grace. God put a new song in the heart of John Newton, who wrote the well-known hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  That hymn has endured through many generations and reflects the miracle of new life in Christ.

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

The New Song that comes from God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com