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 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Galatians 6:9-10 & 1 Peter 2:9
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…
Oh my goodness! I really hope you had an opportunity to soak in the meaning of these scriptures! There is so much encouragement and hope in these truths Paul laid out. Thousands of years before these letters, God told Adam and Eve of a future restoration of their relationship with Him in the Garden. He would not forget them or abandon them. Sin had entered the world and put a barrier between them and God. Then, each person would be born into the sin-made barrier. The consequence of their choice is handed down to each person. Yet, God had a plan to reconcile each person back to Him, eliminating the barrier caused by sin.

How often have you heard of an opportunity that seems too good to be true? At first, you’re excited; it’s unbelievable, and then you pause. This is too good to be true. What do I have to do before I can have this amazing thing? Many good things require work, money, or time. We have to give something of ourselves to get this amazing thing. Have you approached this topic of reconciliation with the same skepticism? A barrier-free relationship with the Most High God must require something of me. But the truth we have read here today is just the opposite: God has provided it all. It was His plan prior to creation. He knew we would sin against Him and reject Him, but He had a plan and started it all anyway. Jesus was always the vessel of reconciliation back to God. All we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sins and came back to life on the third day. Today is the day to believe this and receive the gift of salvation and a renewed relationship with God.

But how? How do we live this new life? Through the same power that brought Jesus back to life, the power of the Holy Spirit living in each believer. We become a new creation with the decision to believe, and the Holy Spirit gives us the power and ability to live out this new life.

What is this new life? That will take all of eternity to discover, but Peter tells us right now, at the moment we believe, each of us becomes royalty and priests!! We are adopted into the family of God, making us royal, but we also become priests to declare and live out the gospel to everyone around us. This gift of God is too good to keep for ourselves. In 2 Peter 3:9, we read that God wishes that none should die, but all come to repentance. Each believer becomes a priest to participate in this plan to bring eternal life to everyone. What a privilege and honor to work alongside God in this way. Take some time to soak this in a bit today. - Renee Richter

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!