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 8:1-9:6
+ 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 65:1-8
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 14:36-15:2
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…
How do you feel about buffet meals? All of those choices, with new and sometimes familiar favorites to choose from, can leave you excited or overwhelmed. I know I can’t eat everything—it’s just too much—but I don’t want to miss something tasty. I usually end up taking enough for a bite of those things that look the most interesting and more of what is familiar and a favorite. Sometimes, the devotionals containing many verses make me feel like I’m at a buffet of God’s truth. It’s all good, and I definitely don’t want to miss out. What will I choose to focus on? Spirit, what do You have for me this morning? The chapter on wisdom in Proverbs 8 caught my attention, and this was what I took the most of this morning. I believe wisdom is another word for the Holy Spirit in this chapter, or maybe what the Holy Spirit is offering. He has been with God, is God, since before the earth's foundations were set. There are many delightful things to walk away with while reading and sitting with this chapter. I took verses 9-11 away with me this morning.
“The words of my mouth are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”
What is your heart focusing on right now? Is it riches, wealth, and earthly reward? Or is the heart seeking God and HIs wisdom with every inch of space in it? Those who seek God with their whole heart find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13). And how does one gain understanding? By studying persistently and searching for it. When the verse states wisdom is right for those who “find” it, it implies that someone is actually seeking knowledge. God can and sometimes does drop pearls of wisdom and understanding in our laps or across our screens, but friends, I have to say that those things I have sought hard after are the pieces of wisdom and understanding I remember and are etched on my heart for all time. Friends, don’t give up the search because understanding doesn’t come as fast as you’d like. God’s truth, wisdom, and understanding are like hidden treasures worth discovering! - Renee Richter
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!
