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 7:34–8:1-16
+ 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 124
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 14:1-14
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…
This past Sunday I was with the kids in Journey. Our Bible story for the morning was Elijah asking the widow for bread (1King 17:8-16). I found out after church that Pastor Dave used this same story in his message, not knowing that it was part of the kids’ lesson plan. Amazing coincidence? Maybe. Then yesterday afternoon I was hanging with a young man from Paradox and he asked me a great question about what happens to kids his age who die not knowing Jesus. As part of my answer to him I referenced John 14:2, and we made it our next memory verse. NOW…I sit to prep this Daily Focus and behold John 14:2 is part of today’s readings. Coincidence again? Nah. I’m convinced God is telling me (and by extension you) that his word is alive and active. He speaks relevant, consistent, universal truth through these ancient texts, because they are more than just ancient texts. I am so thankful to be part of a church committed to connecting with God through his word; on Sunday mornings with our adults/teens/kids, in our Lifegroups, and through this Daily Focus. God will speak to us through his word when we pick it up and listen.
In today’s reading we also see that God wants to be with us directly. In the OT reading we see that when Solomon completed the temple that God instructed him to build, God’s presence moved into it and made it a holy ground for the Isrealites to use to connect with God. In the NT reading, Philip gives Jesus a request that we all have thought at some point: “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” Jesus tells Philip plainly that by being in Jesus’ presence he IS in the presence of the Father. Jesus then makes a statement that has changed everything: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.” Translation…God’s presence, his Holy Spirit, is with all who follow Jesus. That’s great news! God himself guides us into his word and speaks through it, comforts us, strengthens us, gives us peace, joy, self-control, purpose, etc, etc, etc.
Thank you God for your presence, your word, and people to enjoy it with. - Mike Nank
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!
