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: Ezra 4
+ 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 32
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 28:7-16
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…
Following God isn’t always easy - just ask Paul in Acts 28 or the Israelites in Ezra 4. The moment they stepped out in obedience, opposition came. Doesn’t it feel that way sometimes? The Israelites faced resistance, discouragement, and even had their work shut down. Paul went through even more - from prison to shipwrecks, and then, when he finally did reach Rome, he seemed to only face more uncertainty. I’ve struggled with this recently as we’re praying and thinking through some big decisions. I also recently returned from a conference in Seattle, so I’ve got flying on my mind. In this journey of following Jesus, it can honestly feel like every time I unbuckle my seat belt or get a half cup of ginger ale, we hit turbulence. Or every time we’re about to land, the landing gear goes back up and we have to do another circle. Maybe you’ve been there too - trying to follow God’s call, only to hit roadblock after roadblock. It’s frustrating, and it can make you wonder if you’re even on the right path.

But Psalm 32 reminds us that joy is found in walking with God, even when it’s hard. Read that again - joy is found ON the walk! Just because you face resistance doesn’t mean you’re off track - sometimes, it can even be proof that you’re right where you need to be. The Israelites eventually finished the temple, and Paul kept going, no matter what stood in his way. God was there with them, guiding them, carrying them through. The part that can give us hope? He promises to do the same for you. So if today feels like a struggle, remember this: God is with you, leading you every step of the way. - Dave Kubiak

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!