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: Nehemiah 5:1-6:14
+ 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 35:19-28
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 Romans 4:1-12
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 best things in life are free. It's hard to believe, especially in today’s economy and with inflation, that anything in life is free. We've been taught that, in life, you get what you earn - and there's some truth to that. That your success, your worth, and your value are directly tied to what you can produce. People will often define you as a good person based on the good things you have done. But in the kingdom of God, things are a bit different. See, God is perfect. His standard of righteousness is without flaw, and no imperfect human being could ever measure to that standard. It's impossible. God is righteous, and he is holy, and the Bible says without holiness, no man shall see God. Which makes you wonder, how can a person get to heaven when they'll never be good enough to actually get in? What must they do to be saved? A person who doesn't truly understand the gospel may try to create a moral high ground by superficially creating a list of moral tasks to be accomplished to earn merit. Like maybe giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, or even clothing the naked to possibly offset some of the bad things they've done in life to rank up the virtue ladder. But Romans 3 says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that there is none good but God himself. This may seem like bad news from the onset, but when you listen to the inspired words of scripture, and this message that we are not justified by the works that we do but by our faith in Christ alone, it's reason for celebration. Which brings us to our passage in Romans 4, which is centered on Abraham and serves as a prime example of "justification by faith alone." This passage specifically shows that Abraham was deemed righteous by God solely due to his unwavering faith, rather than any works he accomplished. This crucial principle extends to all believers, irrespective of their background—Jews or Gentiles alike— pointing to Abraham's role as a spiritual father for everyone who is a true follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. So while I can't necessarily say that the best things in life are free, what I can say is that the greatest gift humanity has ever come across is found in the loving arms of our Creator - eternal life through the incredible sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of cavalry… and it doesn't cost you a dime because Jesus paid it in full. - Jewaun Glenn
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!
