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 13:15-31
+ 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 37:34-40
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 7:21-8:8
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…
Ever feel like you’re in a constant tug-of-war between doing what’s right and falling back into old habits? You’re not the only one. In fact, Paul himself talks about the struggle we ALL face in Romans 7 — wanting to do good but wrestling with sin. Nehemiah saw this firsthand as the people of Israel kept slipping back into old patterns, even after rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 13, he had to step in and remind them to honor God’s boundaries (as Rachel reminded us yesterday), like keeping the Sabbath holy. It wasn’t about rules for the sake of rules but about protecting their relationship with God and the good things He was doing among them.
It’s natural to try harder to do more and better - especially when we’re not hitting the mark. But in God’s kingdom, things often feel upside down. Do you intentionally set aside time to rest and refocus on God? In our fast-paced lives, creating rhythms of rest — whether it’s unplugging from work, spending quiet time in prayer, or gathering with others for worship — helps protect our hearts from drifting and keeps our focus on God.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, try Psalm 37:34: "Wait for the Lord and keep his way." Practically, this means pausing before reacting or making decisions, especially when you feel tempted or overwhelmed. Take a moment to pray, seek wisdom from scripture, or talk to a trusted friend who points you back to Jesus. These habits build a foundation of relying on the Spirit’s guidance, as Paul talks about in Romans 8:5-6, choosing to set our minds on what the Spirit desires rather than being driven by our impulses.
If you’re struggling with sin today, remember - you’re not in this alone. God gives us His Spirit to guide and strengthen us, and He places people in our lives to walk alongside us. Instead of trying harder, train! Lean into God’s grace, set healthy boundaries, and trust God’s Spirit to lead you. - 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!
