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: Ecclesiastes 3:9-5:20
+ 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 74:10-17
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 11:16-33
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…
Circumstances can feel big — but God is bigger. In Psalm 74:10–17, Asaph brings a heartfelt lament to God over the devastation caused by enemies who mock God and destroy His sanctuary. He pleads with the Lord to remember His covenant and act on behalf of His people. The enemies are openly defying God (v.10), and Asaph wonders why God seems to hold back His hand (v.11). God appears silent, and the people see no signs of His intervention (v.9). It’s a moment of deep confusion and grief — one many of us can relate to.

But Asaph doesn’t stop there. Even in the silence, he turns his eyes to what he does know: God’s character. He remembers that God is his King from of old, working salvation in the earth (v.12). He recalls the mighty acts of deliverance — how God split the sea, crushed great sea creatures (symbolic of chaos and evil), brought forth water, and set boundaries for day and night. These poetic images remind him — and us — that God is sovereign over creation, history, and even the chaos.

So what does this mean for us? Just like Asaph, we may face moments where God feels silent. Our enemies may mock. Our prayers may feel unanswered. Our feelings are real but they aren’t reality. God has not abandoned us. He invites us, even in silence, to shift our gaze from our circumstances to Him — our salvation, Yeshua. So take heart. Reflect on what God has done in your life and in His Word. Let that shape your appeal and your hope. He is still sovereign. He is still present. And He is far greater than anything you’re facing. Shalom shalom! - Rob & Kori Bolden

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!