Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.
MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning.
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 32:48-52 & 33
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Whenever I read Deuteronomy, I think of the value of these words, the last words of Moses. What we have read today are the final recorded words of Moses to the people of Israel. Some of the people will cherish these words, just as I cherish my father's final words. Almost all of the tribes received a blessing in these final words, but it’s verse 33:26 that captured my attention.
“There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to help, through the skies in his majesty.”
This large group of wanderers had come to the end of their journey, and Moses was sending them off to conquer the Promised Land. He reminds them once again that they weren’t facing the battle alone. The majestic God of Israel rode through the heavens to help them. This is beyond encouraging! Yet, did you catch the name Moses uses for Israel - Jeshurun? Jeshurun means dear upright people. If you ‘ve read about the people of Israel rescued by God from Egypt, you’d know they didn’t always exhibit faith and uprightness, yet Moses, their blessed leader, gave them this title. This is how he saw them at that moment. It is my belief God saw them in this way as well (2 Timothy 3:16). There are times when I am facing difficulty, I look at my unworthiness to come to God. But, here God is telling me and each of you that even though He is aware of those times of weakened faith, He sees a person He is deeply in love with and a person He either longs to call child or through faith in Jesus, is a child in His family. The same child He promised to never leave or abandon. (Hebrews 13:5) Like the Israelites facing the coming battles in the Promised land, He will be with me and you during the difficulty times. - Renee Richter
EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Pray the Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation created by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us re-focus on Jesus at the close of our days.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy or joyful? What made you 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.
Reboot = Commit to walk with Jesus tomorrow. Ask for grace to see His presence more clearly.
*For help or an audio prayer version, use the Lectio 365 app.
SHARE THE FOCUS | 1-5 Minutes
1. Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
2. Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!
