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 little as you’d like.
GET FOCUSED | Start by simply thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
+ Practice gratitude while singing/playing some worship music from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments meditating on today’s Old Testament Scripture: 1 Kings 18
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.”
Take time to thank & worship God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in your life.
MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the Lord’s Prayer, or slow down to pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use “Lectio Divina” to listen to God in this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 135:1-12
Reading 1 = Focus. What is one word or phrase that Holy Spirit puts on your heart?
Reading 2 = Feelings. Focus on that word or phrase while you read. What do you feel? What specific situation in your life today relates? Reflect and talk with God about it.
Reading 3 = Invitation. What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture?
Take time to journal anything you feel the Lord might be saying to you.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from John 18:25-40
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
Observe. Pay attention to what the text says. Ask who, what, when, where, & why.
Interpret. What’s the main point or meaning? What does it teach about God? Yourself?
Apply. Apply this truth to your own life. What can you put into practice today?
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
I like to think I don’t care what other people think of me. On the surface, I hope to project a Jesus-loving, punk-rock rebel who will go against the flow and stand up for what’s right no matter how unpopular it may be. But today’s reading reminds me just how powerful the fear of others’ opinions can be. I can relate to Peter and Pilate more often than I’d like to admit. Despite once boldly declaring he’d never abandon Jesus, Peter crumbles when faced with the judgment of a few strangers. Just a little later, Pilate wrestles with truth, torn between doing what’s right and appeasing the crowd. It’s easy to shake our heads at Peter’s denial or Pilate’s waffling, but if we’re honest, we’ve all had moments when fear kept us from standing for what we believe.
When we live for the approval of others, we often compromise on what matters most. But there’s beauty and hope to be found there as well - Jesus sees us in those moments when we’re afraid or tempted to bend under pressure, and He still chooses to love us. Unconditionally. He chose to know Peter even when Peter denied knowing Him. He chose to stand silently for Pilate even when Pilate wouldn’t stand up for him. Jesus chose the cross for you, and today, Jesus chooses you. Today, if you’re feeling the pressure of fear or uncertainty, remember Jesus’ steadfast love for you. His grace is greater than our failures, and His truth is worth standing for. - Dave Kubiak
EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by returning to prayer each evening.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy, joyful, 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 = Ask to see God’s presence more clearly & walk w/ Him more closely tomorrow.
+ 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.
SHARE THE FOCUS |
+ Pray a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations & those serving them.
+ Text someone an 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.
+ Who can you share what you’re learning with today personally?
That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!
