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 21:27-22:19
+ 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 16:1-6
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 15:19-31
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…
When I first read all of these verses, my mind was spinning. How do I find a theme with all of these different scenarios? But the Spirit is faithful, and there is joy in the waiting as He brings clarity to my confusion.There was a theme in all of these passages - Choosing. We read about how people chose to treat and defend each other, but more importantly, we read about choosing to love and honor God. David chose to set aside his great desire to build a temple for God and obey. We then read about his choice to bring his troubles to God with praise, to make God his portion, and to place Him at his right hand. David chose to make God his power—these choices of David led to gladness, courage and steadfastness, joy, pleasure, and refuge. In Acts, we read about choosing to obey God very specifically. This theme fits with the verse that stood out to me as I read. 1 Chronicles 22:13: “Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.”
When I think “prosperity,” I don’t go to monetary goals and dreams but to Jesus’s words in John 10:10: “I have come to give you life and life more abundantly.” And then there is John 15:10-11 (my paraphrase): “If you obey me, you abide in Me, and your joy will be complete.” We each have a choice each day and throughout those days to obey God and the statutes we find in scripture. Sometimes, like David, these choices are hard and not in line with our heart’s earthly desires, but God is worth it! He is faithful and generously wants to bless us with His presence, joy, and love! So what will you choose today, your will and heart’s desire or God’s will and His desire for you? - Renee Richter
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!
