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: N/A
+ 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 147:1-6
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 Luke 1:5-25 & 58-80 , Matthew 11:1-15 & Hebrews 1:1-2
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…
Sometimes, waiting can feel unbearable. Whether it’s waiting for a prayer to be answered, a dream to come true, or simply for clarity in a difficult season, the silence can be deafening. Zechariah and Elizabeth knew that kind of waiting. For years, they prayed for a child, and as time passed, it must have seemed like God had forgotten them. But in Luke 1, we see that God’s timing is always perfect. Not only did He answer their prayer, but He gave them a role to play in God’s story. Their child, John the Baptizer, would be a child with a mission to prepare the way for the Messiah. Their story reminds us that God is never late—His plans unfold in His time, for His glory, and for our good. I have to believe that Zechariah and Elizabeth shared their story of waiting, doubt, frustration… and God’s goodness with their son John as he grew up. Later, John would wrestle with his own doubts while waiting in prison. In Matthew 11, John sends his followers to ask Jesus if He truly is the One they’ve been waiting for. I love that Jesus doesn’t respond to John’s wondering-in-the-waiting with frustration. Rather, Jesus points John once again to what he’s seen in the past to reassure him for the future. Like John, our doubts don’t disqualify us. Instead, they’re meant to bring us closer, remind us of God’s faithfulness in the past, and give us an opportunity to understand more fully who Jesus is. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, wrestling with doubt, or simply seeking reassurance, know this: God sees you, His timing is perfect, and He is always faithful to His promises. Keep trusting, keep hoping, and let Jesus be your anchor. - 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!
