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 38
+ 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 56:9-13
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 10:1-10
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…
Temptation is something we have to deal with everyday of our lives. From being rabid fans of our favorite sports team to the movies we watch, temptations to leave the path we’re walking with Jesus are everywhere. And if we’re honest, sometimes it’s way easier to excuse it than fight it. We even justify giving into these temptations by telling ourselves, “It's no big deal, God will forgive me,” or “It’s ok, I took communion last week.” But that's not freedom—that's spiritual laziness. It seems we’re often tempted to take the easy way out in our relationship
Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" The Israelites had seen God do miracles, and still, they gave in to temptation—and it didn’t end well. I can remember giving into temptation when I was younger, trying to rely on my mom and dad's grace and mercy for things I did… and the wrath that sometimes ensued. Why would I try to use that with God? Why trade in his mercies for temptations? There’s a cost to giving into temptation - and I’m good with reading about it and not experiencing it again! (Don’t get me wrong, I have definitely taken some chances and gambled with God’s grace.) When we’re tempted to take the easy way out in our faith (like canceling church services one winter Sunday at a previous church because the boiler wasn’t working and it was 50 degrees in the sanctuary. A few weeks later I found myself at the Big House yelling “Go Blue” at a tem I could hardly see through the snowstorm!), we might need a reminder that the “easy way” isn’t always easy.
God isn't just some safety net for our bad decisions. He’s a holy God who loves you enough to call you higher. Follow His Book and walk in a right relationship with him. Yeah, temptations are real. They always will be. And they’re everywhere. But every time you say no to sin and yes to Jesus, you’re building a faith that actually works when life gets messy. Being able to withstand temptation helps us grow in our faith and walk with Jesus. He’s already won the battle—you just need to walk His path.
Practical step: Before you excuse or justify something today, pause. Ask: "Is this leading me closer to Jesus—or farther away?" Then choose the way that leads to life. God Loves You and So Do I - Scott Rose
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!
