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: Psalm 131
+ 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 145:17-21
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 Luke 1:26-56, Philippians 2:5-11 & James 4:6-10
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…
The end of 2024 is drawing near. Every year, I reflect on the year that was and ask God for vision and a word to guide me in the upcoming year. This past year, that word was “humility.” Humility isn’t exactly a “crowd-pleaser.” In a world where self-promotion is often rewarded, the idea of lowering ourselves feels counterintuitive. But Scripture paints a different picture—one where humility opens the door to God’s greatest blessings. Take Mary, for example. When the angel told her she would give birth to the Savior, she didn’t respond with pride or self-importance. Instead, she humbly accepted God’s plan, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Her humility became the stage on which God would be put in the spotlight. She was content with the life God had for her.
There’s a difference between contentment and complacency, however. While contentment is receiving everything God has for us and no more, complacency is a false humility that actually leads to receiving less than what God has for us. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:5-11 that Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. And James 4:6-10 encourages us to submit to God, promising that when we humble ourselves, He will lift us up. True humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves; it’s about thinking more of God—His plans, His glory, and His purpose. When we lay down our pride and surrender to Him, we open the door to His transforming power in our lives… no matter where He leads us or what it looks like. Like Mary, when we humbly say “yes” to God, He works in ways beyond our imagination. What might He do through your humility today? - Dave Kubiak
We’d love to celebrate Christmas with you at Paradox Church! Join us Sunday, December 22nd at 10am for our special Christmas service, and don’t miss our beautiful Candlelight Service on December 24th at 7pm. Let’s worship and celebrate the joy of Jesus’ birth together!
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!
