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: Job 28
+ 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 51:13-19
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 1 Corinthians 4:16-5:8
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…
About a decade into professional ministry, I was having a conversation with some other pastors when I recognized a sobering reality - I could fake it on the outside and still be far from God on the inside. I was doing all the “right” things—serving, showing up, saying the right words—but my heart wasn’t in it. That’s what David talks about in Psalm 51. He says God isn’t impressed with sacrifices and outward religion. What He really wants is a broken and contrite heart—a heart that’s real. In Job 28, we read that true wisdom—life-giving, God-honoring wisdom—isn’t found in the deep mines of the earth, but in the fear of the Lord. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians, calling the church to stop boasting and instead live with sincerity and truth. Being “real,” or AUTHENTIC - is something that is near and dear to my heart. It’s part of the culture at Paradox. It’s what we mean when we say “Come as you are, no perfect people allowed.” Thankfully, it’s exactly what God wants us to be too. Because God loves you just as you are, not as you should be. He just loves you too much to let you stay that way. The good news is, we don’t have to pretend, fake it, or clean ourselves up. We get honest with ourselves, God, and maybe even a few others. That’s where healing and freedom begin.
Here’s the challenge: Don’t just look the part. Live it. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that’s more performance than transformation. Then confess it, and turn back to God with a clean heart. One practical step? Start your day with this prayer: “God, more than I want to be impressive, I want to be authentic. Search me, shape me, and lead me.” When we walk in humility, God meets us with grace—and that’s where real change begins. You don’t have to “look” the part. Play it instead. - 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!
