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: 1 Kings 4:29-5:18
+ 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 121.
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 13:1-17
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…
Here’s an opener I doubt you ever expected - my feet stink. I’ll bet yours do too. Do you ever have that moment where you take off your shoes and get a whiff of what’s been trapped inside of your shoes for 8 or more hours? If you’re with other people, it’s quite frankly embarrassing! And when it’s someone else’s - it can be kind of disgusting. I barely want to smell or wash my own stinky feet - but someone else’s…? In John 13, Jesus does something shocking—He washes His disciples’ feet. The Son of God, who deserves the highest honor, chooses the role of a servant. In that time, washing feet was a dirty, humbling task usually reserved for servants. But here’s Jesus, kneeling in front of each disciple, showing them love in a way that flips power and position upside down. He’s teaching them, and us, that greatness in God’s kingdom isn’t about titles or status but about serving others with humility.
Here’s the thing. There are ways that the “stink” of our life becomes clear. Our weakness or need can be embarrassing. Most of us want to hide it, and not let anyone see (or smell) it. And we definitely don’t want to get involved in the “stink” of someone else’s life. But that’s exactly what serving is and does. Jesus’ message is clear: if He, our Lord and Teacher, can serve like this, so should we. Service isn’t just an act; it’s a lifestyle He calls us into. When we serve others, we’re reflecting His love, showing that no one is “too good” to lend a hand or meet a need. As we go about our day, let’s think of one way to serve someone around us—maybe it’s helping a friend, lending an ear, or simply being present. Through these simple acts, we’re following Jesus’ example and making His love tangible in the world. - 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!
