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 as little of this guide as you’d like.
GET FOCUSED | Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does.
+ Practice gratitude while playing or sing some worship music, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments in silence, meditating on today’s Old Testament scripture: 2 Samuel 10-11
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.” Take time to Thank God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in the past, Worship Him for it, and Intercede (pray for) that truth for yourself and others.
MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use the PRAY acronym to guide your prayer through this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 119:33-40.
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.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Pray a simple prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from John 8:1–11
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? (see Focus on Others)
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Jesus, teaching in the temple courts, is interrupted by the Pharisees and scribes and they bring a woman caught in adultery to test him to see how he would respond and how well he knew the law. According to the Jewish law, anyone caught in adultery would suffer the penalty of capital punishment/death. There was no question whether or not the woman was guilty, but what was on everybody's mind was how Jesus would respond. Jesus responds in the most brilliant way possible, which is no surprise. He doesn't say not to stone her, because that would go against the law. But incredibly, he challenges the accusers - that whoever is without sin should throw the first stone.
It was at this statement that every individual there realized their hypocrisy. Some have even speculated that many of the men who were there accusing her were guilty themselves of the very same sin, and realizing this they went away - afraid of having the same punishment inflicted on them that they wished to inflict on her. It was at this point that the woman realized that all of her accusers had left. Jesus tells her, “Those who wished to condemn you have all left, and neither do I condemn you.” It’s a beautiful portrait of the heart of Christ to show mercy to this woman - and to us. Mercy is when God, out of His lovingkindness, withholds punishment that we rightfully deserve because of our sin. But he doesn't leave it there, like many do. Instead, Jesus takes it a step further and lets her know because of this very grace and mercy that has been shown to you, we should actually go and sin no more.
This directly lines up with Romans chapter twelve, where Paul said, because of the mercy you have received, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. We don't do right because we're afraid of punishment. We do what is right because we have received mercy and the only reasonable response to this incredible mercy is to present our bodies to God. The Bible says we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But, thank Jesus, our Lord is rich in mercy. Even in those times when it feels like everyone is against us, remember: if God is for you, who can be against you? - Jewaun Glenn
EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by praying an Examen & Tending Your Heart 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.
+ 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.
FOCUS ON OTHERS |
+ Pray through a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations and those serving them.
+ Text someone a prayer/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.
That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!
