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 19-20
+ 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 14
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 AActs 14:21-15:5
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…
Have you ever felt like doing the right thing got you in a bad spot? I’m certain Martin Luther King, Jr did. That’s part of what makes his story and legacy so inspiring - He kept speaking out, kept standing up for what is right, kept marching on - even in the face of hardship, struggle, and persecution. Paul and Barnabas knew that feeling too. After sharing the gospel and encouraging new believers in Acts 14, they faced intense opposition. Just listen to these words - “refused to believe… stirred up against… poisoned their minds.” Yet, they didn’t give up—they kept strengthening others, reminding them that hardships were part of the journey into God’s kingdom. It almost sounds as if the resistance and persecution they experienced was the reason they stayed - “so they remained for a long time…” I tend to want to find a quick escape from hardship. But these men of God stayed in it. They kept going. The result? They saw God move in unbelievable ways - and yet people still didn’t believe. Their perseverance inspires me, but also begs the question: Am I willing to stay in uncomfortable (to say the least) places long enough to see God work - even when the outcome isn’t what I had hoped?
I don’t want to live like the fool of Psalm 14, living as though God isn’t real, chasing my own ways instead of His, making a quick escape back into comfort and control. Just like David experienced victories in 1 Chronicles 19-20, we can trust that God fights for those who rely on Him. So today, let’s keep seeking God, even when life feels hard. He’s faithful to strengthen us, use us, and lead us to victory. Let’s press on with courage, knowing the reward is worth it, even if we don’t see it or feel it this side of eternity. - 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!