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: Job 15-16
+ 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 48
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 Romans 16:8-20
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…
There’s a whole lot of greeting and welcoming going on in the beginning of this passage, but verse 17 caught my attention. “Avoid drama.” Sounds like something a caring parent or teacher would say, right? It takes me back to school days, immaturity, and different personalities… just a melting pot of people in one place. You were bound to see and hear some drama! Someone always had something over the top to share, or a philosophical idea they wanted to spout as truth, even when it wasn’t. I think these are the type of people Paul is warning the early Christians about. He told them to avoid drama. Avoid those who are false prophets, people that cause division and are going against what you have learned of the Gospel. God gives us a sense of right and wrong through Scripture and His Spirit, and we have all witnessed people choosing sin, or choosing more wrong than right. I remember my mom saying things like, “misery loves company,” or “If your friend jumps off a bridge are you going to jump off the bridge too?” (The correct answer here is “No!”). This stuff isn’t just for kids. It still applies today, and hopefully we are wise enough to know better. Here’s the thing, no one is perfect (except Jesus). God has given all of us a freewill to choose: good or bad, right or wrong, holiness or sin. God has also given us his Book of wisdom, telling us to study it and live by it. It has answers that still apply in today’s world. The Living Word, the Bible. God breathed His loving words to help us avoid drama and choose His holy path. God also gives us grace and mercy as we learn, grow and mature in our walk of faith. I am thankful to have a loving Father in heaven who guides us on our journey, and the faithful community He surrounds us with to help along the way. - Marci Burk
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!
