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: Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-22
+ 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 139:1-6
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 1:1-9, Matt. 4:12-16, Rev 21:23-27
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…
Thanksgiving has passed and it’s getting dark earlier and earlier… both of which mean it’s time to turn on the Christmas lights! The other day, as I was putting ours up, I kept looking outside to admire them - only to see a disheartening reality: they weren’t on. Not a color or twinkle to be seen. Nothing but darkness. Nothing was working, and it was completely and utterly disheartening, and I was losing hope fast! Have you ever been in that kind of darkness? The kind where you can’t even see your hand in front of your face? Darkness can be unsettling, can’t it? But as we search for answers in the dark, even the smallest flicker of light changes everything. Light brings hope.
In John 1:1-9, we’re reminded that Jesus is the Light—the one who stepped into our world to shine in the darkness. And, though there may be times when the light seems dimmer than others, or we can’t quite make it out, Scripture promises that the darkness can’t overcome Him. No matter how deep the shadows feel in your life, Jesus’ light is always brighter. There is always hope. Jesus, the light, brings hope by fulfilling the promise of Matthew 4:12-16, walking with us, guiding each of us in the way we should go, if only we’ll walk with Him. Jesus, the light of Revelation 21:23-27, brings hope. So much so that we can look forward to the hope of a new heaven and earth, where there’s no need for the sun or moon because God’s glory and Jesus Himself are the eternal light. The darkness is already defeated and, one day, will be gone forever. This time of year, perhaps more than any other, reminds us that the light of Jesus is something that each one of us that have Him living in us holds - will we put it on display? Will we turn the light on? As followers of Jesus, we’re called to reflect His light into the world around us. So today, think about this:
Where do you need the light of Jesus to shine in your life?
Who around you needs the hope of His light?
Let’s walk in His light, reflect it to others, and remember that in Him, the darkness never wins.There is hope.
- Dave Kubiak
This week marks 3 years of the Daily Focus and the beginning of Advent, with a focus on hope.
As our gift to you, download these phone wallpapers to fill your season with the Hope of Jesus.
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!
