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 & let it play in the background.
FOCUS. Breathe in & out slowly. Pray, because of Jesus’ resurrection, I have hope today.
THANK. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
WORSHIP. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27, 1 Peter 2:24-25 & Galatians 3:27. Focus on one truth about who God is & thank Him for it.
PRAY. Pray the Lord’s Prayer, a Ripple Prayer, or find more at paradoxchurch.com/pray.
READ. Today’s reading is from Romans 6 & Galatians 2:20-21
ASK. After reading, ask the following SOS Questions & journal your thoughts.
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?
THINK. A Thought from Renee Richter
Because He Lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
This hymn played in my head as I read today’s reading. Because Jesus lives, I can face tomorrow. All my fear is gone because He holds my future. What beautiful words these are to read and sing. We have been set free of fear, all fears. But this really resonated with today’s readings. Overcoming sin can be frightening. Sometimes I get caught in perfectionistic thoughts and determinations, and fear of failure takes over. These passages are so reassuring because all of our sin has been crucified with Jesus. Sin and the power of sin is dead! We have nothing to be afraid of anymore. We will fail. We will sin. Forgiveness, mercy, and grace abounds and lives in the person and King Jesus. He is perfect and is the only one to ever be perfect. While we were sinners Christ died for us. Our faith in His act of generosity is all that is required and all sin is wiped clean.
Like we read in Romans 6, it doesn’t mean we have free reign to just sin and sin because His mercy is endless. Nope. That is not His best for any of us. But when we come to the Lord yet again for the 1000th time asking for forgiveness we can fight the lie of perfectionism, the lie of failure, and remember we are the children of the Most High God. Our sin has been paid for and He gives each of us the power right now and today to conqueror that sin. Forgiveness doens’t have an expiration date. Nope, it is eternal.
Make your list of truths today and keep it somewhere you’ll remember. On a day you are struggling with sin and your ability or right to ask for forgiveness, pull out those truths and pray. Praying Biblical truth is your sword, your weapon against sin and the attacks of the enemy. And did you catch the reference to home in 1 Peter 2:25? We were once going astray but we have now returned to the Shepherd. We have come home to Jesus. We have nothing to fear. Jesus lives and we are home with Him.
TALK. That was our take - what’s yours? Share thoughts & 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!