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.
Choose one of the Names of God using this guide. Take time to Thank God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in the past, Worship Him for it today, and Intercede (pray for) that truth for yourself and others.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from John 21:15-19 & 1 Peter 5:1-4
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…
I see so much of Jesus' patience, restoration, and grace in these passages. Jesus has risen and is spending final moments with His disciples. The Bible records an important conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter. Jesus being fully God already knows Peter's heart and what is in it. Jesus knows that Peter loves Him and Peter multiple times in the Gospels is the first to declare that Jesus is the Christ and vows to never leave Him. (Matthew 16, Mark 8, John 6) But we have also just read about Peter's betrayal of Jesus in what was most likely a very painful and confusing time in Peter's life and history in following Jesus. We see almost this split of his heart and soul in minutes earlier being with Jesus in the garden and vowing to fight to the death to denying ever knowing Jesus after Jesus was arrested. Following Jesus isn't always this linear path of growth. Jesus uses this conversation to heal Peter's heart, remind Peter of who He is, and restore him to the disciple, apostle and shepherd of the church He had originally called Peter to be. There's a challenge for us all to evaluate if we love Jesus more than our past way of life, our career, reputation, etc just as Jesus asked Peter, 'Do you love me more than these?' And then, Jesus asks Peter 3 times 'Do you love me?' Not a mistake considering Peter had just denied Jesus 3 times. By the 3rd, Peter is hurting and his response is an emotional one demonstrating that his heart had changed. We see this unifying of his heart in a wholehearted love and devotion for Jesus that would leave all to follow Jesus, sharing in His suffering. We see Peter again responding to the call of Jesus to forsake and abandon all to love and follow Jesus. This charge and call comes to us time and time again in our walk with Jesus. After all this, Jesus calls Peter up into his role as a Shepherd and Apostle who would be a key leader in the early church. Despite Peter's mistakes and immaturity, Jesus continues to call and speak a new identity over Peter. Jesus calls Peter to 'feed His sheep'. We then see Peter living out this new identity and calling in his exhortation to other leaders and pastors to continue to feed the sheep. Peter tells them how to do this and with heart and mindset to shepherd their flock - the ones God would entrust to them. Peter's heart in 1 Peter sounds and looks so much like Jesus. Peter exhorts these leaders in the same way Jesus led them and we see this multiplication of the life and character of Jesus in Peter. Where do you see yourself in this story? What stage in your walk with Jesus are you in? How might Jesus be calling you to interact with those He has entrusted to you to lead and shepherd? I hope that you are encouraged by Peter's story and journey and are filled with hope for your own walk, relationship with Jesus and for others. - Jessica Glenn

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!