JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s goodness is found in Luke 12:6 and 7.

Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet, not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

In the time of Christ, sparrows were among the cheapest birds on the market, and yet, every single sparrow had God’s attention. Jesus turns to us and says, “You are worth more than many sparrows.” He knows all the details about us. That includes the number of hairs on our head. If God notices the sparrows of the air, who are worth pennies to people, how much more valuable are people, who were redeemed by the blood of Jesus? This comparison between sparrows and humans highlights the significance of God’s love for us. Each person matters to God. Jesus went a great distance as proof.

God’s view of our value 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 Key Element for Thriving Relationships is measuring our worth by how God sees us.

In Second Corinthians 10:12, the Apostle Paul wrote, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

The unwise thing about making comparisons is that they tempt us toward feelings of inferiority or superiority. King Saul became jealous of David when the crowd compared David’s victories with Saul’s victories. Their relationship broke down.

A better way to measure our worth is by understanding how God sees us. Jesus said in Luke 12:7, “the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” This sense of value frees us to share God’s love with others and treat them with respect and dignity.

Measuring our worth by how God sees us is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com