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: Genesis 12:1-3
+ 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 139:13-16
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 Acts 3:17-25 & Galatians 3:7-29
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…
Today’s passage may have seemed tedious to read or like it was even written in code. A lot of parallels are made between the Old and New Testaments and the Law is brought up numerous times. In Galatians, Paul is writing to a non-Jewish audience explaining the history of Jewish law, its purpose, and how they now fit into Jesus’ plan. I don’t know about you, but I do tend to be a rule follower (for the most part). I like knowing what I can and cannot do, what my boundaries are, and what the consequences are if I don’t follow guidelines. Maybe you can relate. Not everyone is a rule follower, so to speak, but with that built in tendency there is also this drive to keep all the rules and not break any one of them. There may even be a sense of pride in keeping these rules. It’s painfully clear, though, that it’s not possible to be perfect and keep every rule. Jesus was the only perfect rule follower, and all the consequences we deserved for breaking these rules in the law He took on Himself and was cursed for us.
The other thing I loved about these scriptures is how much Paul is reminding people of their new standing in Jesus and encouraging them with their belonging in the family of God. Maybe there have been times when you have felt like an outsider at church or have felt “less than” for any reason. Paul wraps up chapter 3 saying that we are no longer on the outside looking in, but we are one in Jesus! All the ways we have previously used to try to be included or the pain of being excluded no longer have bearing or carry weight because our identity is in being a child of God. This position and status means that all Jesus has is now ours! We inherit this blessing - you are now in! You’re in the “will” and it had nothing to do with you, but everything to do with Jesus. - Jessica Glenn
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!
