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 1 Corinthians 1:1-15
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 PRAYER FROM TODAY’S READING…
In these past few years since turning 40, it seems I need to be reminded of more and more every day. From reminders on my phone to reminders from my wife, I’m growing more thankful and appreciative of each one with every passing day. But there is no reminder more necessary than the reminder of who I am. No, I haven’t forgotten my name - yet. Paul starts his first letter to the Corinthians with an address - to those "sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." Reminder: you’re a saint. You’re set apart. You’re chosen by God. But here’s the thing - it wasn’t as if “sainthood” was something the Corinthians had earned. In fact, quite the opposite. They had some issues… which we’ll soon find out as we look a little closer. Just like you and me. But that’s where it get’s really interesting. It’s pretty easy for us to define ourselves by our mistakes and generally assume that God gives us a laundry list of things to fix. That’s not where this letter starts, because that’s not who we are. Paul starts by thanking God for them. And today, I’m thanking God for you. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of our flaws, God doesn't just see what we did, what we’re doing, or even who we are right now; He sees who we can become. He sees our potential, our hidden strengths, our capacity for growth. When we become Christians, God sees Christ in us. In one of his other letters to the Philippians, Paul reminds us that God is faithful to complete the work He begins in us. Here, Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) all over again that it's not about how strong or put-together we are; it's about how faithful God is to keep working in us, no matter what. We start becoming the person God created us to be the moment we stop trying to “be somebody” and start allowing Jesus to embrace us in our imperfections and God’s grace to cover them. Remember who you are today, and who you’re becoming because of it. Paradox, you are loved just as you are, not as you should be. But Jesus loves you too much to let you stay that way. - 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!