Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
ENTER. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
FOCUS. Slowly breathe in… and out. Pray, Jesus, I surrender to you today and trust in you.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from 1 Chronicles 15-16 & Hebrews 13:15
THINK. A Thought from Jessica Glenn…
Today’s reading is such an exciting, long awaited event for the nation of Israel - the Ark of the Covenant - where God chose to reside amongst His people is finally being brought to Jerusalem. Previously, David had wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem after he had been instated as king but he failed to follow the proper procedures God had already outlined for the carrying of His presence with His people which resulted in the death of one individual. The Ark had been kept in someone’s home up until this time. David took special care to make sure that God’s instructions were followed to the letter this time, demonstrating a reverence for God’s presence and honoring His wishes. The Levites were His chosen tribe to minister before Him continually and offer up sacrifices on behalf of the people so they could maintain right standing before Him. This may all seem like a lot or so demanding of God but viewing His instructions through the lens of knowing His great love for us and His desire to be near and amongst His people actually gives me great comfort that He was clear in what was required for us to be near Him and come before Him properly. He left no mystery. This does require sacrifice on our part. It required a sacrifice of livelihood offered to God, but I love what David said in another portion of the Bible. “I will not offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24) This truth is helpful to remember during this time of Lent and as we fast and pray corporately for unity. Many of us have sacrificed food, or other comforts, media, extra minutes of sleep, etc during this time. We no longer live under the old covenant of offering up burnt sacrifices to cover our sin. Jesus has paid the final sacrifice forever. But He is worthy of sacrifices made to draw near to His presence and His voice. As we seek to keep the presence of God central in our lives continually just as the Israelites did in our reading today by taking the Ark to Jerusalem, let’s offer a sacrifice of praise today because we are responding to His immense love and sacrifice for us. Take David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving and pray it back to God, word for word,  as a way to praise Him today.
PRAY. Join Paradox in Prayer & Fasting this Lent. Learn more at paradoxchurch.com/lent.
In this Lent season, we’ll be using the P.R.A.Y. model of prayer.
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, pause and be still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the passage of the day (from the Daily Prayer Guide) slowly and be sensitive to the words or phrases that the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. Yield your life to the words you have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’ way.
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!