Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
THANK. Write down 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
WORSHIP. Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
READ. Today’s scripture reading is from Ezekiel 36:26 & Ezekiel 15-16 (Go Deeper: John 15:1-5)
THINK. A Thought from Pastor Dave…
We’re a couple of weeks into Ezekiel now, and some of this is hard to read! It can be difficult, even painful, to see and read about the reality of our own sin. Remember as we read these pages, God is patient, kind, good, and just. His desire is that no one would continue to live in sin and die apart from Him. Some may ask what the big deal about sin is anyway. If I can simply live however I want and then ask God for forgiveness before I die (assuming we know what that is…) why not just do that? In today’s reading, God answers that question with two portraits of what it’s like when we continue to live in sin. The first is a functional example, the second is relational. First of all, continuing to live in sin is like wood that can’t be used for anything. Even if it isn’t ultimately destroyed in fire (an image that reminds us that “going to heaven after you die” isn’t all there is to knowing God), we fail to be molded into something beautiful and useful by God. Even though we may still be “saved” eternally, sin functionally keeps us from being useful. Continuing to live in it means we’ll never fulfill our intended purpose. Secondly, God uses the image of an unfaithful spouse. Though God acts first, loves, gives, and showers His blessings, provision, protection, and affection on people (His bride), we consistently give our love, affection, and devotion away to others. Our response to God’s love should be thanks, love, worship, and faithful devotion. As a result, God says that if we consistently exchange being useful and taken in for being used and taken advantage of, we’ll get the consequences of our choice. God says in 16:59 that he will “deal with you according to what you have done.” That’s what a contract is. Thank God for the covenant love available to us (16:60). Will we choose to have God deal with us according to what we have done, or what Jesus has done?
LIVE. One practical way to understand and apply the Bible is the SOS method. Ask…
S: What does this passage say about God, and what does it say about me?
O: What am I being invited to obey?
S: What can I share with those around me?
PRAY. Pray for yourself, a family member, a friend, someone who doesn’t know Jesus, and the nations.
CONNECT. Have a question, prayer request, or story? Connect with Us or reply to this text to let us know.
SHARE. Know someone who would love the Daily Focus? Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
LINKS. Learn more about Fasting over Lent and Easter Events, Experiences and Services at Paradox

Run the race with endurance today, and stay focused on Jesus.
Make it a Great One!