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 36
+ 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 31:6-9
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 27:9-20
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…
As parents, our greatest hope is to equip our children for success in life. For those who follow Jesus, that means teaching them to love and serve Him. But no matter how much we pour into them, they may still choose a different path—one that strays from God’s plan. Just as we long for our children to follow the right path, God, our heavenly Father, also has a plan and a hope for us. Yet, because of our sinful nature, we often turn away from Him. Following God’s way isn’t always easy or comfortable; the desires of the flesh often pull us in the opposite direction. We see this struggle play out in 2 Chronicles 36, where a series of kings—Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah—are given the responsibility to lead God’s people. But instead of walking in wisdom, they follow their own sinful desires, doing evil in the sight of the Lord. Contrast this with Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1. When God gave him the opportunity to ask for anything, he didn’t request wealth, power, or personal gain. Instead, he humbly asked for wisdom to lead God’s people well. Because of his faithfulness, God not only granted him wisdom but also poured out blessings—riches, honor, and a kingdom beyond measure. But the kings that followed him rejected that wisdom. They chased their own desires, which led to slavery, bondage, and ultimately, destruction—even the devastation of God's holy temple. This serves as a sobering reminder: when we follow our own way, it leads to ruin. But when we surrender to God’s way, it leads to life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." I want to be the kind of person who surrenders my desires to God, trusting that His way is always better. My way leads to eventual destruction, but His way leads to life. - Liz Holland
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!
