Focus: How One Word a Week Will Transform Your Life

by Cleere Cherry Reaves

Imagine if a word like joy or worship or release flowed through your life for seven days straight? What if you quit worrying about where you fall short and aspired instead to one simple truth per week, for seven straight days. Then focus on one word from God's promises for the entire year. You'll grow closer in your connection with God and be more attuned to your love for God and for others.

Through the 52 short, mind-renewing devotions in this devotional gift book, Cleere challenges you to exactly this type of transformation a challenge she accepted herself not so long ago. The only way to live a full purposeful life is by shifting your mindset, planting your feet, making your hands available and positioning your heart towards Heaven. Each week, you'll dig into one word and see the power, importance, and relevance of that word in Scripture. There is a ''Focus Tip'' after each weekly devotion offering practical wisdom for personal application each day, additional Bible verses for deeper Bible study, and a short prayer you can remember so you can pray your word every day to help keep your focus. Then at the end of each month you'll find reflective questions, or ''Taking Inventory,'' to help you see how much you've grown by focusing on each of the four words that month followed by a guided gratitude prayer.

Don't lose another day to distraction, now it's time to Focus and know that you are loved and significant, and with Jesus, you can change the world!

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Emma Talley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it everyday instead of one a week. It was an amazing book that I needed in a time of transition. Would recommend this over and over again!

[Julie Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did this one weekly and focused on each word a week at a time. Was a great, simple way to stay in the Word ans apply it to my life weekly!

[Madison Everette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I brought this devotional with me this week on my vacation to Montana and I’m so happy I did! This content is rooted in scripture, easy to read, but also challenges you. If you’re looking for an intentional way to approach each week with a new word to apply to your life, this is the book for you. Even though I’m on vacation, I have found ways to focus on this weeks word, which is “diligent” and I’ve seen God work in me. I REALLY had to focus on diligence towards the middle and especially the end of our about 9 mile hike (total distance). It was a long and tough trail. My change in perspective allowed me to delight in the task. That change would not have happened without God’s help.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional is set up for you to read one devotional each week and then to memorize scriptures that are listed at the end of each devotional. After four devotionals, there is something called “Taking Inventory”. This is to help you figure out how you are doing with growth. I have heard of doing word studies before and that is one of the things I thought of when I heard about this devotional. I loved the different words that Cleere chose to use for this book and that she puts scriptures that relate to that word at the end of each devotional. I also love that she puts focus tips in there to further help with application of each word to our life and walk with the Lord. The other thing that makes this devotional unique is that Cleere is doing a podcast to go along with it called “Let’s be Cleere”. I highly recommend this book and the podcast. And I myself am looking forward to further digging into the devotional and listening to the future postcast episodes (I have listened to the introduction episode).

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful idea to help you grow in your faith and to zero in on the specific ways and actions you can take each day to be actively living and delivering as a Christian. One word a day is not overwhelming (as some devotions may sometimes seem), but it keeps you centered on how that word is demonstrated in God’s word and how we can live that word through every action/thought in our daily lives. Such a beautiful and inspiring guide!

I am thrilled to be a part of the launch of this wonderful new devotional!

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful devotional that really helps you slow down and Focus. It is designed to study one word per week. Cleere gives practical tips each week and several scripture references to focus on each week. Taking one week to really dive deep into each topic and the associated verses really helps your understanding, and also gives time to really apply what you’ve learned in your every day life. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes word studies and wants to really dive deep into the word. This is a great tool to help do so.

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 2-page entry each week, for 52 weeks. At the end of each entry, there’s a “Focus Tip,” to work through/focus on for the week.

I read the final entry today. It’s been a worthwhile, year-long journey through some topics that really made me think about how I’m doing life, simple & gentle reminders to think about these topics and then ease in with application - relatable & relevant.

If you’re looking for a way to “bookend” your day with something meaningful, I can highly recommend this little book. She has a new book out; otherwise, I’d read this one again! 📕🤓

[Gina Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a blessing in a small book! Cleere gives the readers weekly devotionals based on one word. She includes multiple verses and a focus tip for the week. I recommend this book to women who feel like they don’t have time to deep dive into a four hour long devotional time everyday because life is crazy. This book is one that can be reused over and over again and shared amongst friends and other women.

[Kylie Fankhauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have felt stuck lately and ended up finding Cleere, the author of this book on instagram. Her page instantly spoke to me and it just so happened this new devotional was coming out. It is just what I needed. I love starting out my mornings reading and then re-reading the focus word throughout the week. Each day I find different mean and use for it in my life. So grateful for this little devotional to help me focus on what really matters.

[Dusty Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focus is a book that simplifies the art of becoming more like Christ. It allows us to focus on one idea, one posture, one attitude at a time instead of having to get it all right, right now! It is a breath of fresh air in a chaotic and busy world these days. FOCUS is something we could all use a bit more of and I'm certainly thankful to have this tool in the crazy year of 2020. I would recommend this book to ANYONE looking to grow closer to Jesus by simply taking ONE step at a time!

[Kalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this devotional! It’s exactly what the busy person needs. Sometimes with my bible studies or devotionals, I get caught up in just trying to keep up and not soak up the word. Focus let’s you spend a week really “focusing” on one aspect of your life and a few verses and I absolutely love that!

[Jayme Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I made a vow to better myself and my faith. Cleere Cherry Reaves new devotional FOCUS is just what I needed. In this devotional she gives you one word a week to read and scripture to memorize. It also gives you a tip on incorporating and thinking about the weeks word. This has really helped me in my journey. This is a devotional that I will use weekly.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new devotional book is a great way to focus our attention on one word per week to help us grow in Christ. She has done it again...writing in an easy-to-read conversational way that allows big truths to come through clearly. What a great way to start each day! I plan to order some for gifts so that others can recalibrate their minds and hearts during these uncertain times too.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want more focus in your day to day life, look no further. I'm a words girl, so the idea that you take a word a week and focus intentionally on how to apply it to your life really works for me. Don't let any more time in this crazy year of 2020 go by without reading this book!

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a beautiful devotional book! I’m always inspired by Cleere’s writing, and this book is no different. Such a timely book given the state of 2020. We can all use a little focus to get us back on track!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concept, and I ended up reading it as an evening devotional versus weekly exercise. I was introduced to this author through her first book, which I loved. I look forward to reading more of her writing.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a great way to slow down, focus on one word, develop your faith, and deepen your prayer life. I used it differently over this year, but realized I really liked it as a bathroom book, to grab a few minutes of truth while otherwise "indisposed." Highly recommend.

[Lindsay Whitty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this, but I just felt like it was kind of boring, repetitive, and basic. I feel horrible saying that, but I dreaded reading it each week. I read it for 5 months (it's a weekly devotional), but I don't plan on finishing it.

[Meri Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

These devotions are short and digestible, great for a quick morning quiet time. I felt like they assumed a lot about the kind of person reading them, though. Very, like, middle-class WASP-y. The "move" devotion is just full of casual ableism. So, I'd say it's not for everyone.

[Connie Kitkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the format of this book. One word. One week. It allows me time to really dig into the coordinating scripture, reflect and meditate on it. I highly suggest you get started on this one!

[Jessica Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving this book. I love the scripture that is in the book. It is helping me during these difficult times.

[Hayley Meijndert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little once a week devotional. Has a word to dwell on throughout the week, and scripture and explanation behind them.

[Kim Phifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! I used to journal and do a Bible study through the scriptures provided.

[jmw0313 Julie Weldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you like spiritual inspiration through focusing on one word a week with a devotional & scripture.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful, interesting devotional that encourages readers to carry its lessons with them throughout their lives. The only thing I didn’t care for was its using the Message version as Scripture.

[Kayleigh Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good little study! I learned so much and really enjoyed reading each week's word.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm one of those people that just consumes books like fire consumes dry wood. I start and finish entire novels within days and devotionals don't last too much longer. This devotional forced me to slow down and actually consider and apply each word to my life instead of just reading and studying non-stop until I was able to count the book "finished" and sit it down.

[Mary George Sowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best weekly devotional focusing on one word each week! Each week includes scriptures and after a month there is a "taking inventory" section asking questions and going back through what you have been through in the past few weeks. A great way to focus on each of the things God intends for us to be with a little word a week at the time. Love this!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of those books that you get out of it what you put in.