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 20:22 - 21:16
+ 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 137
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 19:25-37
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…
This was a heavy passage to read. We start off with Jesus on the cross –he had been tortured and hung on a cross, and was very near the end of his life. “Near the cross of Jesus, stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” What struck me is that, even in his deepest suffering, Jesus gave his focus to his family and friends. He said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” He was physically and emotionally in excruciating pain, yet He still showed the heart of a loving Savior, ensuring that those left behind would have each other for support. It’s a reminder that community is essential, even—especially—during times of deep grief and sorrow. He knew that those He left behind would be mourning and need to lean on each other. I think it can be very easy for us to isolate ourselves when life gets overwhelming, or when our emotions are challenging. But the desire God has for us is to be in community with each other. Galatians 6:2 says: “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Through vulnerability and sharing our lives with others, we create opportunities for mutual healing. The act of reaching out, even when we feel we have nothing to offer, can be a source of hope and encouragement for others, just as much as it is for ourselves. Being in community isn’t just about what we can gain from others, but also what we can give. Shame can sometimes keep us from believing we have anything to offer others, but that is not what God says, He has given each of us gifts to share with each other. I would challenge you the next time life is overwhelming, or shame tells you, you have nothing to offer others, to press in anyway. Jesus doesn’t ask us to be perfect, just to show up. Resist the urge to do life alone, or isolate yourself, but instead reach out to others. - Liz Holland
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!
