Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

GET FOCUSED | Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
Spend a few moments in silence, meditating on scripture, or writing/saying 3-5 things you’re thankful for.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Use the PRAY acronym to guide your prayer this 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.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from John 3:22-36
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
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 line we read today in John 3:30 is one of my favorite in all of Scripture - “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It’s also one of the most difficult to live out. When faced with the reality that his ministry was starting to decline (read popularity, influence, success, power, etc), John’s response was to say that is exactly what is supposed to happen. Not only was it inevitable - we’ll all be “past our prime” someday, our moment in the sun will fade, our 15 minutes of fame will be up, seasons will come to an end, and so will our life (John’s was actually about to) - but John said it wasn’t just that his role was complete, his JOY was complete. Translation - the thing that made him happiest in the world was that Jesus would get more glory, fame, recognition - and that the kingdom of God would grow. Not just his ministry. How do you and I feel/respond in light of this same reality? Are there areas of life where the importance of “I” must decrease, so that Jesus might increase? Are there things or people that I hold onto tightly? Remember Jesus’ words about these things being like sand - the more tightly we hold on to them, the more they slip through our fingers. One of our values at Paradox is living “open-handedly.” It is being willing to hold every good gift that Jesus gives us - from relationships to career to finances and health loosely, with open hands, ready and willing to give every one of them back to God that His glory might increase. God gives and takes away. I pray my joy would be like John’s, and that even in decrease I would seek Jesus’ increase and say He is above all. - Dave Kubiak

EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by praying a Daily Examen each evening.
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.
Refocus = 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. 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!