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 34:8-33
+ 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 30:6-12
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 26:15-27
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…
The word “bold” is used a lot in our culture, especially in advertising. Seems like everything has “bold taste” or “bold style”. Why do advertisers do this? Because it works! Who wants regular boring Doritos when you can have Bold BBQ?! We are intrigued by things that are bold (powerful, confident, remarkable). I believe it is, in part, because our souls were crafted by a powerful, remarkable being, and so a part of us knows there is more than just the mundane that this world has to offer.
In both our OT and NT readings today, we see boldness on display.
OT - King Josiah, upon rediscovering the law of Moses, aka the first 5 books of the Bible, boldly tears his clothes and springs into action. With a healthy fear of the Lord he inquires of the prophets. When he hears that God is merciful to those who are repentant, he immediately summons the leaders of his kingdom and implements changes to realign their culture back to focus on God. He orders that all shrines and monuments to false gods be destroyed. That’s pretty bold!
NT - Paul is brought before the local Roman governor and the current King of the Jewish people to account for his bold history of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. With his freedom and maybe even his life on the line, Paul is unapologetic. He doesn’t try to downplay or explain away his behavior. Instead he takes this inquisition as an opportunity to share his testimony, and even try to demonstrate to King Agrippa that Jesus is the messiah that their people have been awaiting. Acts 26:25-29 is one of my favorite verbal exchanges in the whole Bible. I would encourage you to go read it if you skipped right to this “thought” or go reread it if you read it quickly. Paul is so clear and confident and, well…BOLD!
I want to be more bold in my words, like Paul. I want to be more decisive in my actions, like Josiah. If you agree with me then let’s do it! Let’s begin our bold journey in prayer…
Lord God, we acknowledge that you are worthy of ALL our praise, ALL our heart, ALL our attention. We want to be more BOLD for you. We want our words and our actions to be pleasing to you, and to point others clearly to Jesus. Holy Spirit, make us brave! Fill us with your powerful presence so that we will stick out in our culture… unashamed that we follow Jesus and ready to boldly proclaim his name in word and deed! Amen. - Mike Nank
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!
