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 2 Chronicles 19-21:1 & Ezra 8:21-23
THINK. A Thought from Pastor Mike…
I LOVE THIS STORY!!! What an amazing template of what to do when faced with hardship and what a powerful example of God’s care for his people.
What happened? A giant army came to fight God’s people. They cried out to him. He spoke and proclaimed victory. They believed him and did what he asked them to do. God came through. The people rejoiced.
What does this say about God? He listens! He is willing to help us when we cry out to him. The people of Judah were doomed! There is no way they could have overcome the odds stacked against them. Had they marched out under the banner of their own confidence or a false God they would have been crushed. Only the Lord, the one actual God who created the universe, could deliver them. He is mighty to save.
What does this say about us? We need God. When calamity comes, and it will come, we will need the one mighty to save. There are giant problems in our life we will not be able to beat under the banner of our own confidence. I love King Jehoshaphat’s honesty when praying to God in v12: “We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” Here is something true about we humans…we are creatures of habit. The reason Jphat <thanks Dave> and all the people of Judah turned to God in their time of need is because they had been doing it already. Jphat had worked hard in the kingdom to turn the people back to God, putting leaders and practices in place over the years before this attack. Building relationship with God EVERY day will position us to have faith in him to save when the WORST days come.
Three quick observation…
1) When God declared through Jahaziel that victory would come, the people celebrated as if it had already happened. That type of faith is only possible from people who are walking with God and have already seen/felt his presence in the smaller things.
2) The people obeyed. God declared he would bring victory, but the people still needed to march out and face their problem. Because they marched out, they got to experience the victory AND the spoils of that victory.
3) The people praised God after he delivered them. We humans also have short memories. When God does deliver for us it can be easy to just breathe a sigh of relief and look ahead to the next problem. It is right for us to be like Jphat and jump for joy, praising God when he delivers.

PRAY. Join Paradox in Prayer & Fasting this Lent. Learn more at paradoxchurch.com/lent.
Use the Daily Prayer Guide after each day’s reading. Ask the following SOS Questions & journal your thoughts.
S = Say. What does it say? What is the main point? What does it teach you about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can I obey? What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. What truth can I share? Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
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!