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.
Pray through a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations and those serving them.
Submit a Prayer Request or pray with others at the House of Prayer at Paradox every Sunday at 9:00am.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from 2 Timothy 3:1-13
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…
One of my favorite movie series of all time is Rocky. In Rocky III, “Clubber” Lang is asked to make a prediction about his upcoming fight with Rocky Balboa. He responds with an intense gaze directly into the camera and a single word: “Pain.” Today’s reading contains some promises I wish weren’t there. Namely, that in “the last days” (and none of us know when those are/will be), there will come times of difficulty. It’s more than a “prediction,” it’s a promise. In our sinful, broken world people will become increasingly selfish and arrogant, and our world will get messier. That’s a promise. The real question is what we’ll do with that promise. How will we receive it and respond? Remember, Paul wrote these words to Timothy, who never lived to see the “last days” Paul is describing… or did he? These days since Jesus rose and promised to return can collectively be referred to as “the last days.” And in them, though Jesus has defeated sin, death, and the devil, we live in an “already won but not yet fully realized” world. It’s like the game being “won” and “over” with time still left on the clock. So what do we do in these “last days?” How should we respond? Not by trying to figure out whether or not we’re in them (in this sense, we are!), begging God to remove them (although it’s ok to ask Jesus to come quickly!), by living in fear/self-defense/withdrawal because of them, or judging the world for them (remember, Jesus is coming back to do that). Quite the opposite. Paul instructs Timothy (and all of us fellow “last days-livers”) to faithfully follow Jesus and live a godly life in the midst of these sufferings and persecutions. Keep on keeping on, in other words - with Scripture as your guide. It’s from God, for you, today, in the midst of whatever hardship, suffering, or persecution you’re facing. God promised it was coming, and has prepared us with His Spirit and His Word. Allow Him help you continue on through it today by opening up your Bible and your life to the Holy Spirit, asking if there is any reproof, correction, training, or equipping God has to help you get through it today. - 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!
