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 29:20-30:27
+ 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 27:7-14
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 24:17-27
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…
Things can be different and God is always doing something new. King Hezekiah broke free from generational cycles and transgressions. He saw the bondage his kingdom was in because it had turned its back on God in previous generations. In 2 Chronicles 29, God put something new in motion in Hezekiah’s heart. So he ordered kingdom officials and priests to clean up the temple and get themselves ready for worship and repentance - preparing the temple to make a sacrifice for past sin and burning ashes while singing in worship to God. A fresh start and a new beginning.

When we decide to break away from old cycles, there will be growing pains. It’s not easy to leave things behind that we’ve always relied on. Even harmful things can be deceiving because it’s what we are used to. Psalm 27 brings solace when I consider what it really looks like to follow God’s path and consistently seek the new life He has for me. “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” ‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬) ‭

We can trust God and His process in all things. When we follow in His ways, He  brings about new things, sanctifies us by His grace, and brings about the  fruits of His Spirit in our life. He is building His church to be righteous followers of Christ.

In Acts 24, Paul was being persecuted. Lies were spoken of him. He was hurt, thrown in jail, and was potentially facing death. Paul maintained his obedience and never faltered in his faith. I want to have steadfast faith like Paul through all the pains this life brings. Let’s fix our eyes on the way Jesus is leading us into new places today. What is He putting on your heart and how can you walk in obedience? I’m praying you trust His process and see the fruit that comes. - Rachel Hood

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!