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 as little of this guide as you’d like.
GET FOCUSED | Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does.
+ Practice gratitude while playing or sing some worship music, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments in silence, meditating on today’s scripture.
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.” Take time to Thank God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in the past, Worship Him for it, and Intercede (pray for) that truth for yourself and others.
MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use the PRAY acronym to guide your prayer through a Psalm
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.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Pray a simple prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from Isaiah 40:6-8, John 17:17-26, & James 1:19-25
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? (see Focus on Others)
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Today I felt like Jesus fit these three passages together in such a beautiful and unique way for me. I love how it starts with God, through Isaiah, telling us how the Word of God is what lasts. It’s so easy for me to think that other things that I see and experience in my life will last forever - but I take joy in knowing that what outlasts it all is God’s Word. In John, Jesus is praying and asking that we (those who follow Him) would be one, just as He is one with the Father. Love - the kind of love God loves us with, that His grace enables us to receive and love others with, is what lasts. His words of love are what will last. In James, we see an example of that love in action, as the passage starts by inviting the reader to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger because all of these things bring God’s blessing! When we hear God’s Word, live in unity with other believers, and love others by being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger… persevering in these things - we will be blessed in what we do. It’s a promise! We are to, as James says in verse 21, “humbly accept the word.” Today, I feel like the Lord is inviting us to ask Him “is there any situation in my life where I have not really heard you or others, or where I’ve been quick to speak, or quick to respond in anger?” As He lovingly reveals something to you (He will!), receive it humbly! Reach out to someone who loves Jesus and you and share it with them. Ask them to pray for you, that you would act on His words of love and not just hear them. - Gwyn Kubiak
EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by praying an Examen & Tending Your Heart 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.
+ 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.
FOCUS ON OTHERS |
+ Pray through a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations and those serving them.
+ Text someone a prayer/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.
That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!
