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.
Simply pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from 1 Timothy 6:11-21
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…
Paul closes out his first letter to Timothy with a couple admonishments, one teaching point, and a healthy dose of encouragement.
He tells Timothy to flee from the pursuit of wealth. Paul has seen it cause many to wander from their faith as their focus shifts from trust and hope in God to trust and hope in wealth. I think we could all say we have seen those pursuing wealth struggle to find contentment in God alone. Paul does not want that for young Timothy, especially since he has a call on his life to teach and lead. To that end, Paul instructs Timothy to remind those with means that their riches should flow into many good works as they lean on God who richly provides all we need. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel rich. There is a tendency to read passages like this in the Bible and think “this isn’t for me”. But wealth is relative, and most of us are better off than many around us, and can afford to help. We should do this because we know God will backfill what we need, AND, as Jesus said and Paul repeats, when we share our treasures on earth with others we store up for ourselves treasure in heaven.
Along with avoiding riches, Paul admonishes Timothy to avoid “irreverent babble” (ESV) and “what is falsely called knowledge”. I believe Paul was referring to philosophical/theological arguments. The Jewish people were occupied and ruled by a Greco-Roman culture that was very preoccupied at the time with big questions of “why"?”, “what is truth?”, etc. I think Paul was reminding Timothy, and us, that it is not our job to argue for the existence or relevance of God. We need only share our experience with him and make the introduction. God will do the heavy lifting of breaking through intellectual barriers to grab people’s hearts.
As we close this letter to Timothy, let us be encouraged to “fight the good fight for the faith”. Let us “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness”, which we know are not things we can get from the world, but are fruit that comes out of us from God when we walk by his Spirit. - Mike Nank

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!