John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Psalm 25, verses 8 and 9.

“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

The goodness of God is the foundation of His moral direction. He does not lead us to places of corruption or compromise. He leads us in His righteous way. He moves us to faith in Jesus. We can hear His voice speaking in the Bible. That is where His inspired words can be found.

Sometimes, God will work through our circumstances to guide us.  Paul and Silas were imprisoned for effective ministry, and it led them to a place where they could lead the jailer to faith in Christ.

God also speaks through His faithful followers. When a decision was needed about caring for widows in the midst of a growing early church, God spoke through the disciples of Jesus to chart a pathway for that ministry.

The Guidance of God’s Instruction 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 1, verses 1 to 3.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”

There is wonderful counsel in the wisdom of God’s voice. A thriving faith flows out of delighting in God’s Word. That is where we learn about His unfailing love for us. In the quietness of the day, we can open our Bible, and find hope and encouragement to move forward with God. We get aligned with His heart and focused on His will. We learn what it is like to love like Jesus and to follow His way of righteousness. God’s Word prepares us for being a bright light in a world that needs His saving grace.

The Fruitfulness of God’s Word 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 16:8 and 9.

The Apostle Paul said, “I will stay on at **Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”

God was opening this effective door. It was not an easy path with smooth sailing. There was opposition to the Gospel where Paul was preaching. Yet, Paul was also seeing fruit from his labor, and discerning that this was God’s will for him to remain where he was.

Where there is an open door, there is an opportunity to make a difference that glorifies God’s name. God gives us certain spiritual gifts, He gives us energy, and He opens up avenues for us to serve people with God’s love. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Windows of opportunity 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 Proverbs 2:6.

For the LORD gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Wisdom is what Solomon requested from God when he became king and the Lord honored his request.  People from all over the world came to hear his wisdom.

Wisdom may not make us famous, but will bless us in various ways. It starts with reverence for the Lord, and a simple request of God. Then comes a willingness to search for wisdom as hidden treasure.

Proverbs chapter 2 highlights some of the benefits of having wisdom from God. “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.”

Wisdom 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 10:13.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

While it is true that we have a sinful nature and have yielded to temptation in the past, we are not destined for moral failure in the midst of temptation today. There is an escape route available to us called grace.

Titus 2:12 tells us that the grace of God has appeared and teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Intimacy with God builds resistance to temptation. His grace gives us the power to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God’s righteous ways.

God’s Gracious Escape Route reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com