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: Proverbs 15
+ 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 68:1-6
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 1 Corinthians 16:12-24
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…
In today’s readings, God gives a beautiful picture of what a church community is to be. In verse 6 of Psalm 68, it says that God puts the lonely in families. In 1 Corinthians, we are told to “do everything in love”. Paul also shows an example of how others can help supply what is lacking, and the body of Christ (the church) can refresh our spirits. In Proverbs 15:31, we are told that “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.” All of these things, when present in the church community, are beautiful and needed! Whether you are currently experiencing them or not, I encourage you to ask Jesus if there’s a step he is inviting you to take into even more of what he has for you in the church community. Perhaps you have been sort of floating by in the church, not really engaging in any of these things - maybe he is inviting you to step into a life group so that you can receive family, care and refreshment! Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of these things and he is inviting you to show others love, refresh others, or provide a place of family for the lonely. Maybe you’ve been pouring out but not allowing others in, and he is inviting you to reach out and receive from others. Perhaps you’ve received lifegiving correction but have not followed it - maybe he’s inviting you to step into that. Maybe you’ve been avoiding the church because of sin and he’s calling you back. The beauty of the church is that it’s intended for all of us to both give and receive what God is offering through one another. :) - Gwyn 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!
