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 | Diligent Teaching (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
Pray for our generation. Pray that we would be a generation that loves God, holds His commands in our heart, & teaches the next generation to follow Him. Is there a step of obedience God is inviting me to take?
Note: This past weekend at Paradox, we created reminders of the choices we’re making to remember God’s faithfulness and respond in faith. If you missed it, watch the message and learn how we’re responding.
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 31:1-13
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…
The Israelites are now standing at the edge of the Promised Land, after wandering in the wilderness for the past 40 years. Moses addresses them, explaining that he will not be crossing over into the Promised Land, that Joshua will be leading them across the Jordan. The Israelites may have believed that it was Moses who had been leading them all these years, when in reality they were being led by God. Moses understood this completely, and in verse 6 he tells them, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Moses is referring to the Israelites being in fear of the people that were occupying the Promised Land. The Lord promises to go before them and to remove or subdue these people. These words of encouragement and reassurance are repeated throughout this passage - it is reiterated in the next passage - “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
The words are for us in these uncertain times as well. We need to remember the the Lord our God is with us always - He goes before us and makes a way in the “desert moments” of our life. He has our best interest at heart, to provide our needs and to keep us safe. We need to remind ourselves especially in times of stress and troubles, the He is with us and that He will never leave us or forsake us. We need to stand strong in our faith and not become afraid or discouraged. Remember to pray, asking for His guidance and clarity. He will surprise you with what He has in store for you. I am thankful for our Lord’s guidance and support my whole life, even when I didn’t realize He was working all things for my good at the time, I can look back over my life and say with confidence, “Thank You Lord, I see your hand in it all.” Amen - Dawn Custer
REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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!
