Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first, & use as much or little as you’d like.

GET FOCUSED | Start by simply thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
+ Practice gratitude while singing/playing some worship music from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments meditating on today’s Old Testament Scripture: 1 Chronicles 23
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.”
Take time to thank & worship God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in your life.

MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the Lord’s Prayer, or slow down to pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use “Lectio Divina” to listen to God in this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 16:7-11
Reading 1 = Focus. What is one word or phrase that Holy Spirit puts on your heart?
Reading 2 = Feelings. Focus on that word or phrase while you read. What do you feel? What specific situation in your life today relates? Reflect and talk with God about it.
Reading 3 = Invitation. What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture?
Take time to journal anything you feel the Lord might be saying to you.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from Acts 15:32-16:3
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
Observe. Pay attention to what the text says. Ask who, what, when, where, & why.
Interpret. What’s the main point or meaning? What does it teach about God? Yourself?
Apply. Apply this truth to your own life. What can you put into practice today?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Why does it matter what I do or how I do it if the end result is going to be the same? I think this is a frustrating question. God bestowed an identity upon you and I. He gifted each of us uniquely to play a part as His hands and feet for His kingdom work. In 1 Chronicles 23, David prepared for his death by organizing and delegating tens of thousands as workers, gatekeepers, judges and worship leaders to specific jobs according to their identity and giftings from God. All to ensure the kingdom would continue to worship God and sing His praises after David was gone. Sometimes, I learn truth from God intentionally… and sometimes by happy accident. Kind of like I guessed correctly on a math test but couldn’t show my work, let alone repeat it. This example reminds me that God is in control and will produce the same results whether I choose to actively participate or not. The difference is that I want to know the how and why. The difference is that I love Jesus and that alone produces a love for who and what He loves. I want to observe, learn, and replicate what He is showing me. Displaying His grace and loving kindness, getting to the end result He has while learning patience and compassion for others along the way. “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” ‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV)‬‬ Today, let’s praise Him through the lens and perspective we are gifted with. Let’s pray and ask God how we can actively participate in His results and how He would have us use His gifts - together, observing what He’s doing all around us, and loving each other where we are at. - Rachel Hood

EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by returning to prayer each evening.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy, joyful, anxious, or burdened?
Rejoice = Give thanks to God for the small and the significant things from the day.
Repent = Ask God for forgiveness where you need. Receive His forgiveness afresh.
Refocus = Ask to see God’s presence more clearly & walk w/ Him more closely tomorrow.
+ Practice hearing from God by asking questions like, “Father, what do you want me to know about you?” or “Father, what do you want to say about your love for me?” Simply be still and listen, or journal anything that comes to mind. Learn more about hearing from God using the Tending Your Heart guide.

SHARE THE FOCUS |
+ Pray a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations & those serving them.
+ Text someone an encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
+ Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
+ Who can you share what you’re learning with today personally?

That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!