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: 1 Kings 2:39–3:28
+ 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 119:169-176.
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 12:20-36
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…
We are deep into fall, which then turns into winter. Winter, I feel, is a season loved by some, maybe dreaded by others - all for different reasons. One obvious thing in parts of the country where winters are actually cold is that things die. It is the natural order of plants, trees, leaves to die and go through a season of death. Seeds go through this process as well when buried in the ground. They die so to speak - but then will sprout up with new life after a period of time.
In this passage, Jesus is talking with His disciples - preparing them for what is to come. He knows His death is coming but also knows it’s not final and that, out of His death, life will come. Not just His own resurrected life. but life for all of us who would put our trust and faith in Him.There’s an invitation given to His disciples to also follow Him and serve Him and to not love our lives so much. But to willingly give it up and allow the flesh, our “old man”, to die so that we gain eternal life.
Let’s be honest. Dying to self, parting with old habits or coping mechanisms, freedom from addictions, death of visions or dreams we’ve had, burying sin patterns, isn’t easy, doesn’t sound fun, and isn’t something we’d eagerly want to do. Even Jesus knew the agony that would come with His death and asked for that cup to be taken from Him. But He also knew the end result and the fruit and life that comes from death. Verse 26 even states that the Father will honor those who have chosen to serve and follow Jesus, giving up their own way and agenda for His. Hating their own life and giving it up in exchange for a life that follows and serves Jesus no matter the cost. What might Jesus be calling you to “die to” or hate in your own life - letting it die as you serve and follow Him? Be encouraged - spring is coming, which means new life and fruit that is eternal. - Jessica Glenn
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!
