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. Our memorization & meditation focus for this study is John 1:12-13.
Breathe in & out slowly. Pray, Jesus, I receive you. God calls me His child.
THANK. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
WORSHIP. Read Genesis 45:4-10. 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 Genesis 29:31-35, Genesis 37:1-28, Genesis 42:5-21, Genesis 43:1-33, Genesis 44:1-34 & Genesis 49:8-10
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 Jessica Glenn
Judah was the fourth born son of Leah and Jacob. I’ve always loved the name Judah because of its meaning: “praise”. Judah definitely had some low moments throughout his life which we read about today. Yet, our last passage is the prophetic words and blessing spoken over him by his father Jacob stating that he is a lion and that kings would come from his line. We know that ultimately Jesus was born from the tribe of Judah, the King who will reign forever and ever who is called the Lion of Judah. This blessing is usually given to the firstborn son, not the fourth. And Judah in the beginning definitely didn’t behave as a leader or demonstrate leadership qualities. But at the end when he comes back to Egypt and is the main communicator between Joseph and his father we see remorse and humility in his pleading with Joseph to not take his other brother. We see Jacob looking to him as a leader in sending him first to meet Joseph, all things that may have been done by the eldest brother. God worked in this story to transform a man who demonstrated passivity, jealousness and cowardice into a leader described as a lion whose descendants would rule and lead the nation of Israel always. This is so encouraging to see how our God uses the weak things of this world and transforms them for His glory and His story. If He can do this in Judah’s life, how much more can He in ours!
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!