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: Isaiah 1
+ 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 78:9-16
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 Galatians 3:6-18
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…
Faith. It is where our life as followers of Jesus began. But it is equally the way of life for every day that follows! Faith. It’s what happened when I recognized that I was broken, selfish and sinful, and I couldn’t fix myself. It’s what happened when I realized that I came from Someone greater than me, and that I didn’t know, follow or obey that Someone. Then, I realized that “Someone,” God my Creator, loved me and had sent His Son to rescue and restore me to Himself. I realized that He could give me what I had never been able to find on my own, an abundant life that I had only been able to hope for. I cried out “Lord, what should I do to be restored with you?!” And He said, “Do?? You already tried that, and you see how that worked out? My beloved, it’s done! Just trust in what I’ve already done FOR you through my Son, Jesus, on the cross. Trust Him, follow Him, love Him, and obey Him. Just put your faith and trust in Him and you will be restored!” Faith. It is how our relationship with God Almighty through His Son Jesus began, and according to Paul, it is how our relationship with Him will continue till the day we die and go to be with Him forever! There is no change in the “contract” on day 2. “The righteous shall live by faith.” Gal. 3:11b is how we were rescued from our sin, and it is how we will overcome sin and live every day with Him thereafter! Faith in Christ is our source of eternal life, victory, joy, peace, wisdom and abundant life! I love the reminder that our church gives so often, “God loves you just as you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way!” You trusted and put your faith in Him to save you and make you a new creation in Christ. Now trust and put your faith in Him every day to transform you more and more into His likeness. In whatever the challenges, trials, joys and situations that lay ahead today, make today a “live by faith” day. Jesus promised to be with you, and you can trust Him! - Frank Taubitz
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!
