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 12
+ 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 119:41-48.
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 8:12-30
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…
Jesus was met with adversity and judged. As he taught people, they disputed his testimony and who he really was. In John 8:12, Jesus says clearly, " I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
In my own experience, the loss of a loved one, a broken heart, or disappointment can feel heavy, dark and final. But in Jesus, we know there is so much more. That disappointment or broken heart can be restored and mended, because our peace and joy are in Christ, not our circumstances.This world can be cruel, full of hurt, loss, deception, and disappointment. That all sounds like darkness to me. We may only see glimpses now, but Jesus' light is that of love, the promise of eternal life, and the knowledge that God in heaven sees me and has a place for me where there is no hurt, loss, deception or disappointment. Now that sounds like Heaven!
Light is light – it doesn't need anything to illuminate itself– it doesn't need someone or something else to defend it. Jesus is that light! He doesn't need witnesses to expose him. But God gives us the choice to live in His light or in darkness. We are only here for a short while, and how we choose to live our lives on this earth matters. We can choose to be a reflection of Jesus' light and share the good news with others. When we live our lives daily in the knowledge of God's word (the Bible), we are walking in the light of Jesus, and showing the way to others. I am so thankful for a relationship with Jesus. Studying the Bible helps me develop that relationship. Who can you share the light of Jesus with today? - Marci Burk
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!
