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 Old Testament scripture: 2 Samuel 3:1-34
+ 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 this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 118:22-29.
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 John 6:60-71
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…
I love music and going to concerts. For years (and in many cases, still today), the only option for purchasing tickets to concerts was Ticketmaster. Sure, we didn’t like it. It was/is expensive. And on top of it all, despite paying “convenience” charges it wasn’t actually all that convenient or efficient. But, if you wanted to buy tickets, there was nowhere else to go. Kind of a weird set up for today’s passage, but hear me out.
In John 6:60-71, we see many of Jesus' followers struggling with His difficult teachings. When Jesus talked about being the "bread of life" and that they needed to "eat His flesh" and "drink His blood," it wasn’t just confusing—it was downright uncomfortable. Many couldn’t handle it, and they walked away. But when Jesus asked the twelve if they wanted to leave too, Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Have you ever asked God those same words? “Where else am I going to go?” Especially when we face tough moments in our faith, this question comes from a place of honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity that I find refreshing. We may not like our circumstance or understand God’s leading, but where else would we go? Far from the hopeless “no other option” of Ticketmaster, though, this question comes from a place of hope and confidence when it’s directed toward Jesus. Following Jesus isn’t always easy or comfortable, but He’s the one who gives life, even when we don’t fully understand. Sometimes faith requires us to trust beyond what makes sense. Like Peter, we’re invited to hold on to Jesus, knowing that His words lead us to life—even when the road gets hard. Is there anyone or anything else, really? Where else would we go? Let that question drive you closer to Jesus today. There’s nowhere and no one else you’ll find life. - Dave 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!
