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: Leviticus 9:1-7, 16:29-34
+ 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 139:17-24
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 Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1-10, & 10:10-14
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…
If Jesus is the ultimate priest and is appointed on our behalf to be our go between with God, why do I hesitate to give all my sin to Him? I know that sin disturbs our relationship with God… and yet I still am reluctant to speak out all of my sin (confess).

If there was anyone I should be going to with my sin, it is Jesus. He has been through the same things that we have. Yet somehow, unlike us, Jesus was able to have these same experiences and not be swayed by the tempter. Jesus has walked the same walk that we have and came out the other end sinless. Because Jesus has had the same temptations we have, He has three things:

First, His experiences gave him sympathy for us as we walk in our temptation. This is an understanding of where we are at and why we are there.

Second, Jesus has mercy for us. Because Jesus goes before us, we can approach God’s throne and find mercy and help - not punishment - for our sins.

And third, having the same experiences provides Jesus with the ability to help us out of our struggles. There is nothing better when you are struggling than to have someone come alongside you and actually be able to help you.

We might as well speak it all out, He already knows what we’ve done, said or thought. Since we’re not going to hide it, we might as well get rid of it. Getting our sins out in the open with Jesus helps us to get our walk with God back on track and begins the process of repairing our relationship with God. Remember, God Loves You and So Do I - Scott Rose

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!