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 Deuteronomy 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…
Deuteronomy 2 describes the Israelites journey in the wilderness. God gave Moses directions, and provision for the Israelites while they traveled through land not meant for them. I can imagine the frustration at passing through areas that were someone else’s given land. Maybe there was some jealousy at times. There were probably times when it seemed like the wilderness would never end. After all, the Israelites were not yet in possession of their promised land. I get it. I can think of times where it feels like I’m working through the same problem over and over just going in circles. Toward the end of the chapter God instructs Moses to lead His people into battle with the Amorites, and King Sihon of Heshbon. Twice before in this chapter the Israelites had passed through land that was not meant for them. They were obedient to God when they peacefully made their way through foreign territory as instructed.

This last time would be different. God told Moses they would take possession of the Amorites’ land. Moses still started with peace by sending a letter to the King asking for the same peaceful passage through in the same way God had instructed before. The request was denied by King Sihon, and the Israelites then defeated the Amorite’s in battle completely wiping them out and taking possession of the land. Exactly as God said they would. Moses was a faithful leader. He led his people with patience, first exercising what was learned through listening and obeying Gods instruction in the wilderness.

God is faithful in His promises. He’s with us wherever we go. In the wilderness, in battle or in the promised land. A takeaway for me is the importance of practice. Conditioning myself to listen and respond to what God is saying first so that I can act boldly and faithfully in the wilderness or otherwise. I encourage you today to practice what God wants to condition in you. - Rachel Hood

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!