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 15:30-37 2 Samuel 16:1-23
+ 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 119:73-80.
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 9:13-34
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…
In reading this account, the response of the Jewish leaders stuck out to me and made me think of their state of mind. The Jewish people had been without a prophet for centuries. These precious people were steeped in tradition and culture influenced by the leaders’ interpretation and guidance of the Law of Moses - their Bible, and how to live it out. This tradition was sometimes good and comfortable. It became a way of life they could rely on; it was predictable and familiar in their ever-changing outside world, dominated by the Romans. Then Jesus enters. In John 3:2, the Pharisees knew Jesus was a teacher from God because of the signs He performed. “No one can do these signs you do unless God is with Him.” In today’s passage, Jesus does another great “sign.” He heals a man born blind, and now the man can see. But the Pharisees get hung up on the timing of the healing. It happened on the Sabbath. God made the Sabbath so people could rest and spend time with Him. The Pharisees made it a day of rules to mandate no work and come to the Temple. I can’t say Jesus was intentionally challenging this tradition and way of life as much as doing the work of the Father along the way. This man needed healing. God said to heal the people both spiritually and physically. Jesus did just that and wasn’t bound by the laws of man but acted in service and love for the Father. The Pharisees saw the good Jesus was doing but made tradition and culture higher than a message from God, missing the Messiah living among them and pointing them to God, whom they worshiped.
Is Jesus doing something in your life, in your life group, or in your church that seems contrary to the culture and tradition you have found comforting? Is He challenging you where you are and daring you to come where He is leading? Jesus has done this to me many times and is currently challenging me, in fact, challenging me for over a year to join Him where He is leading. There is uncertainty, and if you know me, sooo many questions I’ve expressed to Him and others in my life. Like me, go to Jesus in prayer, seek wise counsel, and find rest in Him. Change isn’t always easy, but the rewards of following Jesus and being obedient are abundant. Let us not miss Jesus and what He is offering for the sake of comfort, culture, and “common sense.” - Renee Richter
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!
