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 Romans 8:23, John 15:2, John 16:8-15 & Acts 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…
“And we believers also groan [with all of creation], even though we have the Holy Spirit with us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us full rights as His adopted children (Sonship) into His Royal family, including the new bodies He has promised us”. (Rom 8:23 NLT).
In our future glory we will be resurrected with glorified bodies like the body our Lord Jesus Christ has in heaven. “Yet, what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later”. (Rom 8:18 NLT). We do have the “foretaste”, the first installment or downpayment, of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our future resurrection life. The work of the Holy Spirit in the new creation, our sanctification and glorification is a process that is occurring in our lives now, even though we do not see it with our natural eyes. Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the gardener and the Holy Spirit is the pruner; He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it (the believers-branches) will be even more fruitful. Jesus makes the distinction of two kinds of pruning: (1) cutting off branches and (2) cutting back branches. Fruitful branches are cut back to promote growth. The Father will cut back things, flaws or habits in our character and that was stunting spiritual growth and at the same time making us more conducive to abundant fruitfulness. But branches that don’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk not only because they are fruitless but also  they can infect the rest of the plant. So let us yield to the Father’s pruning process,  although it's difficult and painful, “we will bring glory to the Father when we bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples” (John 15 1-2,8 (NIV). Let us be mindful that we all are under “Divine Construction” the Holy Spirit is still at work in us in new creation. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”. (2 Cor 4:16). The process of sanctification and glorification is administered by the Spirit of the living God and is conforming us into the image of His Son. The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of what will come. His ministry in our lives today certifies us that the transformation renovation for our new bodies will be thoroughly completed when we see Christ face-to-face. The Holy Spirit is like the foreman at the construction site (in the believers) each time He reminds you of Scriptures, prompts you to love, show areas we need to repent, to walk in forgiveness, pray for others even for our enemies, we are experiencing His Holy presence. Whether you deal with aches, pains, and even disabling limitations, trust God that He is in the process of renovating and renewing our body and soul for our future resurrected and glorified bodies. - Lawrence Payton

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Pick a Psalm to pray using P.R.A.Y. Pause to be still, Reflect on the verses, Ask God for help, & say Yes to Jesus.
Reading scripture in this way is called Lectio Divina. Learn more here and practice using one of these apps.

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!