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 18:1-30
+ 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 119:89-96.
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 10:1-10
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…
People have called Jesus a lot of things, but in today’s reading, Jesus calls Himself something strange - He says He is the "gate" for the sheep. At first glance, it’s a weird image to use to describe yourself, but this odd comparison becomes beautiful when we look again. With it, Jesus is saying that He’s the only way to real life, and anyone who enters through Him will find safety, freedom, and provision. Like the door that leads to all the comforts of your home, Jesus is the way in! But there’s more. As the “gate,” Jesus also keeps others out. Who? Jesus tells us there are thieves and robbers who try to mislead the sheep, but His voice is the one we can trust. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder: there’s a lot of noise in the world trying to steal our attention and even an enemy trying to lead us astray, but Jesus is the one voice that brings life, peace, and direction. The question is, are we tuned in to His voice or getting distracted by everything else?
It gets better. Jesus doesn’t just offer life—He promises “life to the full.” That’s not about having everything we want or living a perfect life without challenges, but about the richness of life with Him at the center. When we enter through the gate that is Jesus, we find purpose, security, and the freedom to be who God created us to be. It’s so easy to chase after other things, thinking they’ll fill us up, but only Jesus can give us that full, abundant life. Today, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves: Are we following His voice, or are we letting other things take the lead? Jesus came not just to save your life, but to give it - and give it abundantly. What step can you take to “walk through the Gate” to find all that God has waiting for you today? - Dave Kubiak
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!
