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: 2 Chronicles 9:13-10:19
+ 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 19:7-14
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 Acts 19:32-20:3
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…
In today's reading, the verses at the end of Psalm 19 stood out the most to me. David is honestly pleading with the Lord to humbly keep him from callousness, arrogance and a purposeful committing of sin that is known to go against what God says is right, good and pure. Because it is altogether possible to become complacent and begin to think that we know better than God which can lead to willful sin out of pure pride. Throughout this Psalm though, we see that David has this understanding of God's heart, character and nature that recognizes that any boundaries, rules or guidelines given to us are for our good and we should love them and long for them in our lives unto pleasing Him inwardly and outwardly. In our world that is very postmodern, there is a push for 'tolerance' and relative/subjective truth and the saying of  ‘you do you' as a way to condone actions or behavior that may or may not be in line with God’s character and Word. It may be uncomfortable to call sin - sin. To label it for what it is. That can feel huge or daunting or maybe even defeating. But I love David's heart to call things what they are and to beg God to keep him from sin knowing he can't even discern his own heart sometimes and the hiddenness that we all can fall into. God is so kind and sympathetic to our weaknesses, as Jesus was tempted and suffered in every single way we are, yet he was without sin. When we find ourselves in sin, we can know that we go to a God who sympathizes with our weaknesses and even intercedes for us. And in this, He gives us a way for healing, breakthrough, and receiving of grace through the rhythms of confession. I was talking with a friend just the other day about regular confession and the power of it in our lives. Each time, it may not feel fantastical or powerful - and sometimes it’s actually really hard to do and embarrassing and requires immense courage and vulnerability. Yet, through confession, we receive grace and mercy from others and healing comes. That is the promise in Scripture. We are reminded of who we are in Christ and how He sees us - our true self and identity because of the cross and the righteousness placed on us because of Jesus. These rhythms are not without reward or fruit and this friend and I who are in discipleship together are seeing the fruit of regular confession. If this isn't a practice in your life, I would challenge you to do so with someone you are in discipleship with and watch God fulfill His Word in your life of healing, true fellowship with Him and others and the receiving of mercy and grace from Him. 1 John 1:7-9; Proverbs 28:13 - 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!