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.

WORSHIP FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
1. Start out by writing or saying out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for.
2. Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
Today’s reading is from John 20:19-29, Luke 24:36-43, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 & 1 John 3:2
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
If you take each of these scriptures in today's reading separately, they are each wonderful and inspiring. As you read them all - allow God to paint the beautiful picture for you that he weaved throughout them. Jesus went to the cross for us, to pay the penalty for our sins, so that we could have a relationship with the Father. Not only that, when Jesus rose from the dead, he was given a new body - a heavenly body. You can see in the scripture accounts in John and Luke that his new body had some similarities to his earthly body, but also was different. His new body wasn't like a ghost, and it was clearly something that his followers had never seen before. I love in 1 Corinthians 15:36 where it says "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies." This is so counter-cultural to us, as in order for us to truly live, we would never consider dying. In our world, death is the end - it's the finality of everything. But in the Kingdom, Jesus shows us that death brings life. He shows us that through his new heavenly body and his new heavenly life. It can be so, so hard in our everyday lives to remember that our lives here on earth are NOT everything there is. That our lives in heaven will actually outlast our lives here. That doesn't mean that our lives here aren't important. God is using our earthly lives and earthly bodies to prepare us for our heavenly life. Jesus didn't just come to get us out of hell and into heaven when we die! In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." It doesn't say "If anyone is in Christ, they will be a new creation in heaven." Those in Christ are a new creation - now. Yes, God is still at work in us throughout our lives- making us more like Jesus. But he doesn't wait until heaven to call us a new creation. Our heavenly life will be the culmination of all God wants to do in us. We will be like him - because we will see him as He is (1 John 3:2). It's because of all of this that we can truly say, "O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" - Gwyn Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
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 | 1-5 Minutes
1. Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
2. Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!