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 Chronicles 5:1-22
+ 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 3
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 Romans 8:18-30, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 & Revelation 21:1-2, 5-7
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…
So, how’s your resolution and the “new you” coming along? My year usually starts with such great intentions. It’s a new year, after all. Time to turn over a new leaf - time for the new me! And yet with every new year, it seems like it’s the same old Dave. I want the journey toward newness to constantly point up and to the left. But the reality of life is that our life is full of ups and downs, setbacks, letdowns, and temptations to give up. I want my life to be clean cut and consistent, with each being a complete success (and if it’s not, it’s a complete failure.) But most days are a mix of beauty and brokenness, aren’t they? Some days are filled with joy and purpose, while others seem marked by struggle, pain, or longing. In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that even in the midst of suffering, God is working for our good, shaping us into His image and pointing us toward a hope that will not disappoint. He speaks of the glory that will one day be revealed—a world where pain and brokenness will be replaced by wholeness and joy. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of that promise: a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with His people, wiping away every tear and making all things new.
The best part is, we don’t have to wait for the future to experience that renewal. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul declares that in Christ, we are already a new creation. The old is gone, and the new has come! This means that, even now, God is at work in our lives, restoring what’s broken and bringing new life. So, as we walk through the challenges and joys of today, let’s hold tightly to this truth: the story isn’t over. God is redeeming, restoring, and preparing us for a future more beautiful than we can imagine. Let’s trust Him to make all things new—starting with us— even in the broken, messy middle. Take heart, and keep on. God’s not finished yet. - Dave 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!
