Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Remembering God’s Faithfulness & Responding in Faith
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, reflect on where you have experienced God’s goodness. Write all the ways you’re thankful for God’s faithfulness in your life. What area of your life or situation do you need God to increase your faith?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Genesis 6:11-22, 7:11-16, 8:1-22 & 9:12-17 & Ephesians 2:8-9
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…
You may have heard the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" before, and while it may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, it is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Genesis 3:19, we read, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." This verse reminds us of our mortality and the fact that our physical bodies will eventually return to the earth. Abraham, in Genesis 18:27, acknowledges his humble position before the Lord, saying, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes." Job, in his lamentation, speaks of being thrown into the mud and reduced to dust and ashes (Job 30:19). These verses serve as a reminder of our frailty and insignificance in the grand scheme of things. Ecclesiastes 3:20, as declared by Solomon, further reinforces this idea by stating, "All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." It is a humbling thought, but one that also reminds us of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness. We are, after all, ashes and dust… but for God’s grace received by faith.

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season - a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Easter. Traditionally on this day, many Christians would receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of our mortality and need for God's grace. It is a powerful visual reminder that we are called to turn away from sin and live in alignment with God's will. As we embark on this 40 Day Lenten journey, take a moment to remember God’s faithfulness and mercy, and embrace this opportunity through faith to draw closer to God, seek forgiveness, and strive to live more fully in His love. - Dave Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy or joyful? What made you 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.
Reboot = Commit to walk with Jesus tomorrow. Ask for grace to see His presence more clearly.
*For help or an audio prayer version, use the Lectio 365 app.

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!