John Shirk

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

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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Psalm 73, verses 23 and 24.

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”

It can be easy to lose perspective in a troubled world, even for people who love the Lord. Asaph was the writer of Psalm 73. He started to notice the prosperity of those who had no regard for God. He became envious of those who were arrogant. And he nearly lost his foothold. But the loving guidance of God helped him to regain perspective.

When Jesus becomes our Wonderful Counselor, He takes us by the hand to guide us in the truth and to lead us to life-giving places. He is our source of peace and security. He is our living hope. He shows us how to live a life of love. He is the author of our salvation. With our faith in Him, our destiny with Him in glory is secure forever.

The counsel 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 Joshua 1:9.

The LORD said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you.” Joshua had the assurance of God’s Presence as he led God’s people into the Promised land.

The Bible highlights God’s presence as a source of encouragement, strength, comfort, and help.

When Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples, He said, “Surely I will be with you to the end of the age.” As they preached the gospel, the Lord worked with them. This gives us great encouragement whenever we share the Gospel with others. As we go, we are not alone. God’s Presence is with us to help us share the testimony of Jesus in a moving way.

The Presence 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 Matthew 10:30 and 31.

Jesus said, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

In Psalm 139, David praised the Lord because he recognized that he was fearfully and wonderfully made.

The same is true of us. God is familiar with every detail of our lives. He knows how we are wired, because He made us. He knows what we are doing every moment of every day. He also sees what other people don’t see. He perceives our unspoken thoughts. He is familiar with our dreams, hopes, and fears. He even knows what we will say before we say it. When David pondered this reality, he said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

We may not comprehend all that God understands about us, but we can marvel over the fact that He knows us better than we know ourselves.

God’s attention to the details of our lives reflects 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 Corinthians 1:20.

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

The promises of God are true and reliable. We can count on God’s Word to fulfill what He says He will do. His goodness moves Him to follow through on His Word to us. His power has the ability to make it happen. No force is able to stop Him.

Throughout history, God has worked through circumstances that were humanly impossible and made them reality. Abraham and Sarah had a baby when they were well-advanced in years. The Israelites passed through the Red Sea on dry ground.  Jesus was born of a virgin. And after He was crucified, He rose from the dead. Nothing is impossible with God. Joshua 21:45 says, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises failed; everyone was fulfilled.”

The Promises of God 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 10:10.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The Gospel offers us not just quantity of life that lasts forever, but also a quality of life that abounds with joy, peace, and love.

Those are qualities found in the Fruit of the Spirit and they flow out of a faith that walks in relationship with Jesus.

These qualities are just a fraction of the fullness of life that Jesus provides for His followers. Our cup overflows to represent Jesus and to bless those people that God brings into our path.

The fullness 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 John 6, verse 40.

Jesus said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

The Gospel draws us to faith in Jesus. Eternal life is a priceless treasure of God’s saving grace. Having this gift does not mean the absence of physical death, but rather a resurrected life beyond the grave. The Apostle Paul saw death has a promotion into the presence of God.

In Philippians 1:21, he said “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Forever is a long time. Heaven awaits the gathering of the saints in a place of peace and celebration in the presence of the Lord. God has made a way for us to be there, and His name is Jesus.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com