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.
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.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from John 1:29-51 & Isaiah 53:7-12
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…
In the latter verses of John 1 we read that John the Baptist describes Jesus as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. This was a description of Jesus that the people living during this time in history could understand. It was Jewish custom that lamb animals were being sacrificed as an atonement/sacrifice for the people's sins. The prophet Isaiah had also prophesied the Messiah Jesus would be sacrificed in the same way lambs were as a sin offering. During Jesus’ baptism God revealed that Jesus was His Son when John witnessed the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus - also revealing that Jesus was God’s Chosen One. John and his disciples were excited to tell the others that they had found the Messiah (Christ). They later found Nathaniel to share the good news with him and his reply was, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Jesus prophesied to Nathaniel and told him who he was and what he was doing before they met up. Nathaniel declared, “You are the Son of God.” Jesus replied in Chapter 1:50 (NIV) “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that. He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” The city of Nazareth had a poor reputation in morals and religion, which is why Nathaniel had doubted that Jesus the Messiah would come from such a place. Throughout the Bible, God chooses the most unlikely circumstances and people to reveal himself and or his message. Our thinking has to be aligned with the power of God. Most certainly he can work through any person, place, or thing to reveal Himself as God Almighty. As we meditate on today’s Scripture passages, let us take in the gravity of God becoming human through the personhood of Jesus bringing salvation to the world. And let us also be mindful of the places, persons or things we so easily discredit in the same manner that Nathaniel did. What is seemingly insignificant within our own intellect, could be the very thing God is working with. - Colleen Payton

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!