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.

GET FOCUSED | Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
Spend a few moments in silence, meditating on scripture, or writing/saying 3-5 things you’re thankful for.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Simply pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Isaiah 9:2-7
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
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…
The most efficient form of government is a dictatorship. No arguing committees. No filibusters. No election rhetoric. Just one person in total authority making the best decisions for the good of the whole. They appoint leaders who report directly to them and are accountable to the dictator’s supreme power. The ONLY problem with this form of government…finding a good, wise, selfless, caring dictator. All cases in human history with the dictatorship experiment have ended very poorly .
But consider the prophesy Isaiah wrote to his people as seen in today’s reading...
He is writing to the people of Zebulun and Naphtali, which would end up being the area that Jesus grows up in. He tells them that they will see a great light, their joy will increase, and their oppression will end. Why? Because a child will be born in their area and he will become a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, and prince of peace. He is, of course, talking about Jesus.
What does this have to do with a dictatorship?
Isaiah says “of the increase of his (Jesus’) government and of peace there will be no end…” What he is saying? That Jesus’ authority (government) will ultimately be supreme, and ALONG WITH IT…peace! Why? Because if an all powerful being who created a universe with the sole purpose of sharing his love with it were to be the everlasting dictator over it…there will be peace. He will “uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”
I can’t wait for dictator Jesus to be in charge. - Mike Nank

EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by praying a Daily Examen each evening.
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.
Refocus = 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. 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!