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.
Simply pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Acts 5:12–42; Deuteronomy 21:22–23; John 6:66–69
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…
We read today about a pivotal and powerful time in the young Christian church. Let’s step through what happened:
+ Signs and wonders were being accomplished by the Lord through the willing hands of the apostles, including many physical and spiritual healings. Why? Because the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and willing to be used.
+ God provided for the apostles, stepping in to deliver them TWICE when they were jailed for preaching in Jesus’ name. The second time, God even used the wisdom of one of the Jewish leaders, Gamaliel, to stay the hand of the council and return the apostles to service. Why? Because the apostles, in Peter’s words: “must obey God rather than men”, no matter what the cost.
+ The apostles were flogged as they were released. This does not scare them off from their mission, but rather emboldens them and they were rejoicing as they left. Why? Probably because they remembered Jesus’ words: “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12a)

Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that were following him that it would not be easy. He warned them that it would cost them from a worldly perspective (money, comfort, respect), but that the reward would be the power of God and a place in the kingdom of heaven. I’m sure the disciples had many moments of doubt and questioning. We see their response in one such moment when Peter famously answers Jesus’ question of “do you want to leave?” with “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Their faith was not perfect, but it was enough. God’s Holy Spirit had all the power and wisdom that they needed. They needed only be willing to listen.

We are in the same position and the same question is posed to us.
Are you willing?
-Mike Nank

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!