John Shirk

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

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Psalm 145, verses 1 to 4.

“I will exalt you, my God and King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

The name of Jesus remains the name above all names from generation to generation. His ministry on earth changed lives through preaching, healing, and disciple-making. His sacrifice is remembered for the forgiveness of sins. His resurrection from the dead is celebrated with hope among His followers. His promise to return is anticipated among those who love Him. His grace is still transforming lives today, bringing people into God’s Kingdom. The fruit of His Gospel continues to spread around the world as we declare the good news of God’s love.

The Mighty Acts 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 8:36.

Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

There are five freedoms found in the first amendment of the Constitution: Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government.

However, Jesus is pointing out an even greater freedom than these-freedom from sin and freedom in Christ. Following Jesus is the pathway to real and lasting freedom. We can experience peace with God, joy in His love, and worship in His presence.

This freedom becomes our experience when we hold to the teachings of Jesus and follow the truth of what He taught us. His words are given to bless us, direct our lives in God’s will, and build our faith.

The freedom offered 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 Second Samuel 7:22.

“How great are you, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”

This was a prayer from the heart of David, acknowledging that God has no rival to His throne. No one else is worthy to share His glory.  He cannot be outwitted or overpowered. Who can fathom His greatness? Who can comprehend His graciousness?  Who can understand the magnitude of His love? His redemption plan covers His people with grace forever.

David marveled at the great and awesome wonders that God performed for his people. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt in the days of Moses, so He is able to deliver us from slavery to sin today. Just as God guided the Israelites to the Promised Land, so He is able to lead us to heaven where we can enjoy His presence forever.

The greatness 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 Mark 1:17.

Jesus said to Simon and his brother Andrew as they were casting a net into the lake, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.

Jesus was inviting these two men into a new way of life that involved following Him. For Simon and Andrew, following Jesus turned them from fishermen into evangelists. Their witness for Jesus would convince others to follow Jesus too.

Following Jesus may lead us to a career change, but then again, maybe not. What is important about accepting His invitation is that we are coming into a relationship with Jesus that gives us peace with God and a higher purpose.  So, when Jesus comes to us and says, “Follow me”, that is a good time to heed the call.

The invitation 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 Hebrews 7:26 and 27.

Speaking of Jesus, “Such a high priest truly meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”

In the Old Testament, the high priest offered animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. This system was in place until the time of Christ. But according to Hebrews 10:4, it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Where the blood of bulls and goats failed, the blood of Jesus prevailed. His sacrifice was enough to cleanse us from sin. Hebrews 9:26 says that He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

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