John Shirk

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Second Corinthians 5:17.

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

The grace of God transforms lives from the inside out, building the character of Christ in us and affecting other people’s lives through us.

One of the ways we become a new creation in Christ is that we are reconciled to God. The barrier of sin comes down, and our relationship with God is restored to peace and harmony.

Another way we become a new creation in Christ is that He gives us a message to share with the world. That message is a peace mission. Be reconciled to God. Jesus is the answer to reconciliation. That is why the Gospel is the relevant message for our important mission.

A third way we become a new creation is that we have the righteousness of Christ. God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

“New creations in Christ” 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 First Corinthians 1, verses 4 to 7.

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way-with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge….Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”

God’s grace is amazing. Every good and perfect gift comes from above. That includes the spiritual gifts that we have from His generous hand. This is why God deserves the glory for our accomplishments. The only reason we can do anything good is because of God’s grace to equip us.

First Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

Spiritual Gifts 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 Romans 7:25.

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul the Apostle wrote these words after sharing about his struggle with the sinful nature.

He said, “In my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”

Jesus is the answer to that question. His grace is greater than our sin. His truth guides us forward with God in the path of life and freedom. When we follow Jesus as the Lord of our lives, we are set free from the control of sin and death.

God’s Rescue Plan 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 Mark 5:18 to 20.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you”. So the man went away and began to tell in Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Here was a man that many would say was a lost cause. He was possessed by many demons. Evil controlled his life, until Jesus intervened and delivered him from evil.

The name of Jesus has the power to deliver us from the evil that seeks to control our lives. We can find freedom and hope under His influence of grace and truth. When God delivers us, that is a reason to praise God and share our testimony of what God has done for us.

Deliverance from Evil 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 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