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 4:2-5:30
+ 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 78:32-39
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 4:1-16
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…
Ever feel like you keep messing up even after you’ve experienced God’s grace? You’re not alone. In Psalm 78, we see God’s people repeating the cycle - rebellion, consequence, mercy, repeat. They had seen His miracles, yet quickly forgot His goodness. Sound familiar? Galatians 4 reminds us that we are no longer slaves - we’re sons and daughters of God. But sometimes we live like orphans, chasing old habits, old fears, or trying to earn what’s already ours. Paul says, “Why are you turning back to those weak and miserable forces?” That hits hard. We don’t need to perform for God's approval - we already have it through Christ. Let’s break this down: Living like a son (or daughter) means knowing you already belong. You’re not performing to get God’s attention—you have it. A slave works for approval. A son works from approval. Big difference. So how do you live like a son, not a slave?
1. Start your day with identity, not activity. Before your to-do list, say: “I’m God’s child. I’m fully loved.”
2. Talk to God like a Father, not a boss. He’s not waiting to critique you. He’s already proud to call you His.
3. Catch the striving. When you start thinking “I have to do more to be enough,” pause. Breathe. Replace that lie with: “I am enough in Christ.”
Read Galatians 4:1-16 again, and identify one area of your life where you’re striving to prove your worth - your performance, productivity, relationship status, whatever. Stop. Surrender that to God in prayer. Then let truth interrupt the loop in your head and rewire your heart with grace. Live like you’re free today, because you are.- Dave Kubiak
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!
