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 12:44-13:14
+ 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 37:27-33
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 7:7-20
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…
What do boundaries do for us? God gave us boundaries in His commandments. If it weren’t for them we wouldn’t have a grasp on what is good vs evil. Romans 7:7-20 talks about this. The Law gives us boundaries that set apart good from evil, and it’s up to us to turn to or from those things. To walk in obedience to Him. Continuing through the book of Nehemiah in chapter 12:44-47, it talks about leaders being appointed to guard the places and things set apart for God. They rededicated themselves, this new place they rebuilt, and the tithe in worship to God, overcoming previous sin and shame. It makes sense that they would take measures to protect it by adding guards, walls, and gates. Many times throughout this book there were people who came against them rebuilding the foundation, walls and gates in worship to their God.

This spoke to me and made me think of times I’ve had to make a choice to turn to or away from sin. Or times I’ve taken measures to protect His place and His good plans for me. I need boundaries that are built to protect good things and walk through hard things. I need gates that allow good leadership in my life to come in and help me work through hard things and celebrate what God is doing. There will be those that have a problem with your boundaries and might even push past them. Take courage and turn to God’s Word today. There’ are also people God brings you that speak life into you. Let’s worship and give thanks for the ways God is moving, and consider what boundaries we have or need that will protect the good things He is doing. “The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭31‬ ‭ - 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!