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 23
+ 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 70
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 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2
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…
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you critical of what you see? I am. I often wonder how I got to be this way or look this way. But here’s some good news. In 2 Corinthians 5:16, we are told not to regard ourselves as the world does. PHEW! That is a relief! We are also told not to regard Jesus as the world regards Him. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 tells us that we are to be reconciled to God. Reconciled, in a relationship, not only means to be forgiven, but to restore a friendly relationship with. If you are married and have struggled in your marriage, you know how good it is to reconcile with your spouse. Or maybe you and your child have a difficult relationship. That moment when reconciliation happens, you can hear the angels sing! From before the world was created, God developed a plan to be reconciled to us. He knew we would mess up. But He loved us so much, He desired a relationship with us!

So, Jesus took it upon Himself to reconcile us to the Father. When I read these passages about how Christ reconciled us to the Father, I am overwhelmed and just want to melt into the loving arms of God. Who am I that God would do this for me? For you? Yet, He did. He has also committed us to the message of forgiveness. We are ambassadors of reconciliation, of the great love of God. Ambassadors who spread the word that now is the time of favor and salvation, to be restored in relationship with God. Now is the time to be reconciled to God, to let Him embrace you, forgive you, and love you. Now is the time to share that powerful message of forgiveness and love. You are definitely loved. You are definitely forgiven. - Mary Spix

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!