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 9:1-34
+ 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 7:10-17
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 11:11-24
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…
Acts chapter 11 is one of my favorites from the New Testament. I think the actions discussed here are some of the most pivotal moments in the Bible. In Antioch, the church was intentionally preaching the gospel to the gentiles directly - something that hadn’t happened until now. Yep - the Antioch that was at this time known for luxurious immorality was on the leading edge of Christianity becoming the religion it is today. I find it interesting though, that we do not know the names of most of the people on this leading edge of spreading the gospel. Up to this point almost anyone playing a part is called out in the Bible. I wonder if this was the point where the movement just started growing so fast it was getting hard knowing everyone and every little detail of what they were doing. This may also be a lesson to those that follow - that it isn't important who was doing what, but that something important was getting done. Too many people worry more about getting acknowledged for what they have done rather than celebrating the importance of what has been accomplished. Antioch was also where the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians.” The people of Antioch were well known for finding jesting nicknames for people. Christian means “those Christ folk” and was more likely meant as an insult than a compliment. But Christians took on this nickname, spreading it around the world wearing it as a badge of honor. The lesson is we need to get out of our safe place and spread the gospel to whoever will listen regardless of what they call us. It's our turn to start the next big push for christianity. GO JESUS!!
God Loves You And So Do I - Scott Rose
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!
