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 20:20-21:17
+ 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 23
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 22:3-16
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 know you’ve been here... Do you ever get up in the middle of the night and have to walk, but you can’t really see where you’re going? It’s happening more and more as I get older. Moving forward when you can’t see clearly where you’re going is tough, but it’s also necessary. It’s also what faith actually looks like, and what brings about breakthrough in our life. When things are dark or unclear, walking in faith (not by sight) can mean praising God before we see it for what God has already done, is doing, and will do. Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 20 gives us a glimpse of what to do when we don’t know what to do or where to go: seek God first and praise Him even before the breakthrough comes. When he led Judah into battle, they didn’t charge with weapons drawn - they sang songs of worship, showing us how to praise God in uncertainty. Similarly, Psalm 23, one of my favorites, reminds me that the Lord is my Shepherd, guiding me EVEN AS I WALK THROUGH SHADOWY VALLEYS (emphasis mine). Do you know that today? Can you feel it? Even when we can't see the way, God’s presence makes all the difference. In Acts 22, while Saul (Paul) was on the road to Damascus, he was blinded… which was exactly what it took for him to find clarity. It was precisely the moment he couldn’t see where to go or what to do next that God called him into a new life of purpose. Maybe today you're waiting for answers or unsure about your next step. Trust the God who sees the whole picture, praise Him for what He’s already done, and follow His voice like a sheep trusts its shepherd. His path will always lead to life. (Take some time to read through Psalm 23 again today, praying through any area of uncertainty in your life. Try listening to “Praise Before My Breakthrough” by Bryan & Katie Torwalt while you do!) - Dave Kubiak
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!
