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: 2 Chronicles 12:13-13:22
+ 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 21
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 20:17-31
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…
I have read Psalm 21 multiple times, but this time I was struck by the relationship between the king and His Lord. His Lord, who has bestowed on him so many blessings and has given him the desires of his heart. What an intimate relationship! It reminds me of John, the disciple Jesus loved. His love wasn't exclusive to John in this intimate way - John was receptive, by God's grace, to that love. So it was with the king in Psalm 21 - he has been touched by the unfailing love of God. He didn't earn it. In fact, there was nothing he could do that could change this unfailing love. He could see that love in the victories he had, in the fulfilling of the desires of his heart, and in the defeat of his enemies.
God’s unfailing love leaves me speechless,especially when I think of all the ways, large and small, that the Lord has bestowed His love on me. The peace I feel when I sit in His presence - unfailing love. The gratefulness I feel when I see all He has given me - marriage, kids, friends, and a church that is alive in Jesus - unfailing love. The correction I receive when I step away from Him at times - unfailing love. All these are examples of His unfailing love that has captured my heart. I am not worthy, but I sure am grateful for his faithfulness and His love that never fails. How can you see his unfailing love for you today? Ask God to show you in a tangible way how He is loving you today - maybe in a friend, a memory, a song. Whatever. He delights to let you know just how much you mean to Him and how His love will never fail you. - Mary Spix
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!
