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: Proverbs 1:1-2:8
+ 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 59:10-17
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 11:31-12:11
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…
Proverbs is written by Solomon, to whom was given the gift of wisdom by the Lord. As an educator, I love this Proverb. It opens with some of the most profound words ever spoken. Verse 7 states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (Proverbs 1:7-9). When we “fear the Lord” it does not mean to be terrified of Him, but to realize that He has all authority and power over our lives, that we are to respect and revere Him, that He has many things to teach us… and to pay attention to those instructions.
I truly believe that the Lord places the right people and situations in our path to bring us wisdom and knowledge. Looking back over my life I can identify many individuals and situations that taught me how to make wise choices and the discernment to avoid foolish ones. We have the responsibility to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord, so that they may prosper under Him and avoid temptations by the evil one. In my family, it was often said that “The Lord only gave you to me for a short time, my job is to teach you right from wrong.” I know that sounds simple, but it can be a daunting task - especially in today’s world. Our children can be influenced by so many different sources and people. I told my son one time that I wasn’t trying to stop him from experiencing things for himself, but to save him from the consequences that come from poor decisions. It is our responsibility to help them determine the correct direction, to steer their lives in a direction that they will find favor with the Lord. As we are reminded in Proverbs 2:1-8, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, indeed if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as a for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.” I pray for all of our children - that the Lord would love them like David, give them the wisdom of Solomon, and guide them on the path that He has chosen for them. I also pray this over all of you, for we are ALL GOD’S CHILDREN. - Dawn Marie Custer
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!