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 9:20-10;29
+ 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 127.
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 15:9-17
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 often think about God's love and how it makes me feel knowing that he loves me. It's an affirming and joyful feeling to be loved. Everyone wants to be loved. Guess what, you are!!! God's love is given to us through grace. Grace was accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the ultimate act of love. We are to abide in his love. The love that Jesus has for you and me is a mirror of the Love God has for His Son. We, as disciples, are also to mirror this love to each other and to be an extension of the Father’s love. We are to abide in His love. What does it mean to “Abide?” To accept or act in accordance with a rule. To obey. I feel that to be an extension of Jesus is to be a friend and, as a Christian, is to bear His fruit. When we choose to abide, we blossom and grow. That blossom can give off a fragrance - sweet and of His love. Think of cross-pollination in the garden, certain fruits, and trees needing each other to bear good fruit. Sharing love to accomplish something that cannot be accomplished alone. Love is given to us through grace because God wants a relationship with you. Nothing on this earth can take that away.He has your past, present, and future covered. He wants us to have joy in knowing that we are loved, and nothing can separate us from that love. Do you see how strong His love is? It is not fragile. It is big, bold, and everlasting. God wants you to know that you have his favor. He has chosen you. Live in the fullness of his blessing. Live generously, give His love generously as He has to you, and share this grace with each other. John 15: 12 - This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. Have a wonderful day, and know that you are loved by God in Heaven. - 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!
