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 21:18-23:21
+ 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 24
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 22:17-29
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…
Psalm 24, There is so much packed into this passage. I read it over several times and saw new meanings highlighted each time. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, our Father in heaven.
King David, the author of Psalm 24, wrote this passage out of his love and commitment to God. He acknowledges that the whole earth and everything in it belongs to God. Having faith in God starts with believing He made this world, that it belongs to Him, and that He has a purpose for everything He made - including you. This passage offers a guide to holy living for those whom God has saved by his amazing grace.
There is a reference to the gates, which made me dig deeper. What is David saying about gates, and how does this apply? I think the gates & doors represent a place of power and control. It is a euphemism for courts and judges since ancient Israel, and the courts assembled at the gates of cities. In verses 7-10, David tells the "gates" to "raise up your heads" and be uplifted that the King of Glory may enter. He is speaking to those seated in authority like a judge, telling them to acknowledge someone who is greater than themselves. It is a command to confess the LORD as King, to keep God on the throne in our lives and acknowledge his power and glory. These judges, kings,and people in authority all belong to God, and each will answer for their actions, and what they (we) allow to pass through and affect the people they (we) oversee and protect. Is God your authority? Does God influence you as you influence those with whom you have authority/influence? Do we allow ourselves to be influenced, believe lies, or be led by selfish motives of greed, power, pleasure and gluttony? Who we allow to influence us matters too. Who do we surround ourselves with? What do we allow to pass by our doors and gates? When reading 2 chronicles 21:18- 23:21, look at the line of kings and what took place. While the kings in power were influenced by God, there was peace and prosperity. When led astray by selfish people with wicked motives that served false gods, there was much death and despair. Thankfully, God is really good at pointing us back to him and correcting us in love.
What does it mean to love like God, then? I think it means to correct one another in love. Nothing good will come of offense, and to truly love someone like God does is not to participate in their “worship” of false gods and idols, or partner with beliefs that go along with sin and selfishness. Who you surround yourself with matters, but if you see a fault in someone you love, help them correct it and turn to God, the King of Glory. You are loved just as you are, not as you should be, but God loves you too much to let you stay that way. - Marci Burk
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!
