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.
Choose one of the Names of God using this guide. Take time to Thank God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in the past, Worship Him for it today, and Intercede (pray for) that truth for yourself and others.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from 1 Corinthians 5
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…
As we look at this chapter, I think it will help us to back up to chapter 4, where Paul says in his letter to the Corinthian church that he is a father to them, basically saying that he will correct them in love - to protect them. Chapter 5 starts with Paul addressing an issue of sexual sin that is happening in the church- a man sleeping with his father’s wife. (This does not seem to indicate that she is his mother, but likely his step mother). He is calling out the sin, but more than that, he is calling out the church for not addressing the sin that is happening among them. He encourages them to mourn this sin, but even more - to remove the member of the body who is doing this. In verse 9- he reminds them that he taught them to not associate with people who are walking in sexual immorality, greed, swindling and idolatry WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST. He further reminds them that he is NOT talking about those outside of the church, but rather, those that would call themself a brother (or sister) in Christ. He goes on to say that the church needs to “deliver this man to Satan” so that “his spirit may be saved.” He ends this portion of his letter by saying that it is the church’s role to judge those within the body of Christ, and God’s role to judge those outside of it.

There’s a lot in there, so I will break down a few things. First, God’s definition of sexual immortality laid out in scripture means any sex outside of the covenant of marriage between husband and wife. Next, Paul is NOT talking about a member of the body of Christ who has sinned and is repentant (confessing their sin and walking in the other direction), but rather, someone in the body who is continually walking in sin. When he says that this man needs to be removed and turned over to Satan- it is because sin is serious, and those who are in Christ need to take it seriously while being loving. He goes on to say that the reason to remove him and turn him over to Satan is ultimately so that he will see his sin for what is is, and have the opportunity to repent. If he were to stay in the body and have brothers and sisters in Christ not point out his sin- THAT is what is unloving- because sin separates us from God. Lastly, when Paul talks those in the world, this means those who are outside the church. He points out that it is not our role to judge them- it’s God’s job! He tells us that the people we are to not associate with are those in the body who are continually walking in sexual immorality- not those outside of the body. I think often in the church we can be quick to tell the world how sinful they are, but stay quiet within the body- but Paul is telling us to do the opposite. So today, let’s ask Jesus how we can love the body of Christ, and how we can share his love with the world. Let’s also ask Jesus to lovingly point out if there is any sin in us that we are continually walking in, and give us the grace to confess it to him and the body of Christ. - Gwyn 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!