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.
Use the PRAY acronym to guide your prayer this morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Acts 17; Zechariah 12:10; Romans 3:21–26
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…
It is interesting to see the different reactions of people who are exposed to the truth of Christ. As Paul and the other apostles travel from town to town; some people “receive the word with eagerness”. Others debate and have intellectual objections. Still others are jealous and hostile. Why such different reactions? Aren’t they all hearing the same words from the same guy? Yes. So what’s the difference?
I believe the heart posture of the receiver is the difference. Those who are humble, grateful, and open will be the ones to receive God’s grace with gladness. Those who are self focused, skeptical, and malcontent will struggle. I am thankful that Paul and the other apostles didn’t give up, as they surely met many more people who were the later. Yet they knew, as Paul would later write in Romans, that all have sinned and fall short of God’s grace, but all may be justified through their faith in Jesus. They kept sharing, at times to their own peril, so that all may hear and have the chance to accept Christ.
My thought for today is that I would like to be more like them. Ready to give an answer. Ready to face hardship and ridicule. Ready to go. Ready to show God’s love at any time.
”Lord, our world is very different than the one that Paul was ministering to. But people, at their core, are very similar. Your Word holds true, and you yourself remain unchanged. Please give us the opportunities to share our faith with others through our words and deeds, and the courage to follow through.” - 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!