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.
Simply pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from John 3:1-21 & Romans 8:31-32
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…
All scripture is good, but this is one of those days where the content is just so rich with meaning. If you only have time to read my thought below or go back and reread today’s scripture, choose the later.
If you are still here, here is just one thing that stood out to me…
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Why? Because he didn’t want to be seen by the people engaging with Jesus. Why? Because then he would have to “defend” his faith, raw as it was, and ultimately “defend” Jesus to those asking. He would become associated with Jesus. I think many times we feel the same tension that Nicodemus felt. On one hand, we believe, or are coming to believe, that Jesus is who he claimed to be: God. We believe to some degree that he did indeed die for all humanity, and was raised to life that we too might be. “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” On the other hand, it is TOO amazing and mysterious and incomprehensible for us to fully understand, so we don’t know how to “defend” it to others who don’t know Jesus. So we tend to keep our faith in the shadows. We come to church on Sunday, praise with loud voices and arms extended, pray with our Christian friends, and read our Bibles in secret.
Let’s heed John’s words in v 19-21. Let’s live BOLDLY by truth and step into the light! “If God is for us, who can be against us?” When we share our faith with others, we do not need to defend ourselves, and we certainly do not need to defend Jesus. He is perfectly capable to do that himself. Our job is just to make the introduction and invite people to meet Jesus for themselves. Who among us who now call Jesus our Lord came to that decision because someone else explained all his ways to us? No one! We know Jesus because his Spirit has done a work in us beyond words.
So be bold. Come into the light! God did not spare his own Son, he will graciously gives us all things, including the words to say that may help bring another soul to their Savior.
- Mike Nank

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!