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.

GET FOCUSED | Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
Spend a few moments in silence, meditating on scripture, or writing/saying 3-5 things you’re thankful for.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Use the PRAY acronym to guide your prayer this morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from John 1:1-4 & Ephesians 5:8-14
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Check out the little numbers and notes in your paper Bible, or the speech bubbles next to some words if you’re reading on your phone. They “shed some light” on who this “Word” is that John is referring to. (Hint: It’s Jesus!) Jesus is the “light” that has been from the beginning. Jesus was with God, Jesus IS God, Jesus is the light by which God created the world and everything in it (although, as the Nicene Creed teaches, He was not himself created), and Jesus brings light, life, and victory to everyone and everything He touches. Just as days get longer, brighter, and warmer in spring, as you look around and see trees and flowers blossoming, as you hear birds singing praises and feel the warmth of the sun on your face - pause to close your eyes and think about everything light brings today. Thank Jesus for it. Say a quiet prayer like, “Jesus, thank you for warming the cold places of my heart. Jesus, thank you for helping me to see the beauty all around me. Jesus, thank you for lighting the way for me to walk. Jesus, thank you for bringing life into the dormant, dead parts of my soul.” I love the verses we read from Ephesians - as we live “in the light,” we actually become part of it. Christ, the light, in us! We are little moons reflecting God’s light and life into the darkness around us, exposing it for what it is and overcoming it… simply by existing. - Dave Kubiak

EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by praying a Daily Examen each evening.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy or joyful? What made you 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 = Commit to walk with Jesus tomorrow. Ask for grace to see His presence more clearly.
*For help or an audio prayer version, use the Lectio 365 app.

SHARE THE FOCUS |
1. Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
2. Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

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