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 little as you’d like.

GET FOCUSED | Start by simply thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
+ Practice gratitude while singing/playing some worship music from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments meditating on today’s Old Testament Scripture: 1 Kings 20:1-21
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.”
Take time to thank & worship God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in your life.

MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the Lord’s Prayer, or slow down to pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use “Lectio Divina” to listen to God in this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 136
Reading 1 = Focus. What is one word or phrase that Holy Spirit puts on your heart?
Reading 2 = Feelings. Focus on that word or phrase while you read. What do you feel? What specific situation in your life today relates? Reflect and talk with God about it.
Reading 3 = Invitation. What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture?
Take time to journal anything you feel the Lord might be saying to you.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from John 19:12-24
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
Observe. Pay attention to what the text says. Ask who, what, when, where, & why.
Interpret. What’s the main point or meaning? What does it teach about God? Yourself?
Apply. Apply this truth to your own life. What can you put into practice today?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
In today's reading, I was struck by how Pilate must have felt... like he wasn't sure who to follow, or what way to go. It seemed to him that Jesus was innocent, and his intention was to set him free. He was also surrounded by people who strongly disagreed with him – who thought Jesus was guilty and should be crucified. He kept trying to reason with them, but ultimately his decision was swayed by those who disagreed. Like Pilate, it can be so easy for us to go along with what others are saying or doing. Sometimes this can be a good thing – when we follow those who are walking in truth and are leading well by their example. Following the way of Jesus and going along with what He is doing is always a good thing! However, when we know the truth and follow others that aren't headed in that direction, we are not in the right. It can be really hard to do this - to go against the majority when they are headed in the wrong direction. We see this in young children. We see this in teenagers. And while we wish that becoming an adult would eliminate this, that doesn't always happen... we often see it in adults as well. So today, let's ask Jesus to help us seek Him and His ways above what the world seeks.

Here are a few things you could pray as you go about your day:

• "Jesus, please show me what is right as I go through my day, and help me to follow you and walk in your truth."

• "Lord, would you have me to join this conversation that I am hearing others have?"

• "Jesus, is there a place in my life where I am following others that aren't leading me towards you?" (even if it's not a majority)

• "Jesus, is there a place in my life where you are inviting me to follow you in a way that I haven't before?" - Gwyn Kubiak

  
  EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by returning to prayer each evening.
  Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy, joyful, 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 = Ask to see God’s presence more clearly & walk w/ Him more closely tomorrow.
  + 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.
  
  SHARE THE FOCUS |
  + Pray a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations & those serving them.
  + Text someone an 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.
  + Who can you share what you’re learning with today personally?
  
  That’s all for today.
  Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!