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 19:1-20:19
+ 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 22:29-31
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 21:31-22:2
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 done something that wasn’t really right, but you had good intentions as to why you did it? Maybe you told a little “white lie,” but it backfired on you. This is pretty much the situation we find King Jehoshaphat in. King Jehoshaphat married his son off to King Ahab’s daughter, Ahab is the king of upper Israel at this time, while Jehoshaphat is the King of Judah. Well King Ahab was evil and married to Jezebel, they had turned their backs on God and were worshiping false idols. Jehoshaphat thought that by uniting their kingdoms through marriage that it would strengthen their power over their enemies. Needless to say this alliance turned into a total disaster. When King Jehoshaphat returns home, he is severely rebuked by the prophet Jehu for associating with an evil king. Jehu tells him that the Lord is not happy and if Jehoshaphat continues to associate with wicked people, he is courting the wrath of the Lord. But Jehu tells Jehoshaphat that the Lord does see some good still in him, because he had rid the land of Judah of the Asherah poles (poles or trees that were erected to a Canaanite goddess) and had set his heart on seeking God.
As a response to Jehu’s rebuke, Jehoshaphat gets the whole country to pray and worship the Lord. He then sets up a judicial system throughout Judah. He appoints judges in every city and tells them that they MUST rule with integrity and fairness - always putting God’s law as their guiding post. The Judges must have a deep respect for the Lord and be totally accountable to Him. Because of Jehoshaphat’s reverence and dependance on the Lord, along with the citizens of Judah, the Lord intervenes and gives Judah a victory when a massive army of Judah’s enemies launch an attack. This story reminds us that we need to be accountable for our actions. Even when we have good intentions, seek to repent. It also reminds us not to judge others unfairly, but to uphold the laws of the Lord. And finally, remember that even in tough times, keep your eye on the Lord, trust in Him and continue to thank and praise Him. Believe it or not He is working for your good. - Dawn Custer
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!
