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.
Use the PRAY acronym to guide your prayer this 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 John 15:1-17
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…
You’ve probably heard the well-known phrase, “It’s better to give than receive” plenty of times throughout your life. (By the way, that’s a Jesus original. See Acts 20:35) But here’s one you likely haven’t heard before - “It’s easier to give than receive.” (That one is a Dave Kubiak original.) Most of us would say we have a hard time receiving. Sure, we’ll let someone give us a gift on our birthday or for Christmas - but there is likely a point where we say something is “too much,” we make sure to say, “you didn’t have to,” or get into a fist fight over the bill at a restaurant. The truth is, most people are uncomfortable receiving. But in John 15, Jesus says receiving is the most essential thing we can do in this life. That’s what it means to “abide” - to receive everything we need from Jesus as our life-giving and sustaining Source. And that’s not simply material provision, although depending on Him for those things is part of “abiding” too. Abiding in Jesus means receiving our identity, worth, wisdom, strength, guidance, love, and defense and anything else we need to survive and thrive as human “branches” from our Source, the Vine, Jesus. So, stop. Rest. Breathe in deep like you’re smelling a delicious soup and out through your lips like you’re trying to cool it down. (Go ahead. It’s ok to do that a few times!) Now, ask God, the Master Gardener, to show you what you need to receive from Him today. Quietly listen. Then, try breathing in and saying, “Jesus, you are my Vine” and out saying, “I receive ___ from you.” Now, go “produce” today, my fruity friends! - Dave Kubiak

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!