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 21-22 & Deuteronomy 12:1-5
THINK. A Thought from Pastor Dave…
Counting people seems innocent enough, right? Sometimes sin isn’t simply about the action - it’s about the motivation of our heart. Not simply the “what,” but the “why.” David had someone in his life that asked him the hard question - “Why do you want to do this?” If only he had listened… so much pain could have been avoided. So the first question today is this - do you have someone in your life that knows you well enough to ask you hard, “heart-motivation” questions? Do you trust them enough to listen? More importantly, is that person as concerned with your relationship to God as Joab was for David? There are always going to be consequences for sin. It’s interesting that when given the choice between a “natural” consequence, and consequence from people, or a consequence from God, David chose to deal with God. Why? Because David knew (1 Ch. 21:13) that God is merciful. THAT was his core conviction. David knew that God’s mercy was greater than the consequences of his sin. So he didn’t have to run or hide… he dealt directly with God. Truth: we all sin. The question is, what do you do with it? Learn from David’s mistake - have people that can check your heart. But when you mess up, go directly to God. His mercy is greater than your sin. There will always be a cost (1 Ch. 21:24) - the beauty of lent, Good Friday & Easter is that God pays it himself in Jesus. Jesus is God dealing mercifully with us. Jesus took our consequence. His death was God’s “enough.” (1 Ch. 21:15) I love that the place where the cost of David’s sin was covered became the place where Israel would worship - the temple. Jesus is our offering - God mercifully covering our cost. And in that place, David would have to remember that cost. God had to do something in David before he would do something through him - and it would take David’s entire life. Today, remember the cost of your sin, and thank God for covering it. When you worship God from THAT place, the impact will last for generations.
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!