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 22:1-25
+ 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 119:121-128.
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 11:1-16
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…
As I look back on different seasons of my life, I can see that during difficult times, God was doing something. Of course, it's easier to see that on the other side of things, but sometimes in looking back, we can see where God was working the most. I don't always understand it, and I often wonder why God doesn't act the way I think he should. In this passage today, we see Jesus finding out that his dear friend, Lazarus is ill. It does not make sense to me why he stays where he is for two days instead of going right to him. But, it DOES say that he loves Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Then he tells his disciples that Lazarus is dead, and also that he is glad that he wasn't there when it happened - so that they may believe. There is something that God is doing when we go through loss, grief, pain, and challenging times. We don't see it. Others may not see it. We may not even see it this side of heaven. Certainly God does not cause the pain that we experience, but it's so easy for us to blame him when he doesn't fix it the way we ask him to. But God is still doing something. Sometimes it may be for others. It may be for us. We don't always get to know. So whatever you're going through today, take it to Jesus. Cry out to him. If you aren't sure how to do that, Psalm 3 is a great Psalm of lament that you can pray directly to God. Sometimes praying a Psalm can give words to what we are feeling. It's ok if you're feeling angry, sad, confused, hurt - or anything else. God wants to hear from you! - Gwyn 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!
