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 12:12-31
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…
Have you ever stopped to think about what really brings people together? What unites people? Think about it - from fans of a team to citizens of a country to members of a family, the strongest bonds are not formed around physical things. Rather, they are ideals, values, and love. As a church, our unity comes not from anything physical - but from the Spirit. It’s the greatest, most transcendent unity of all. We are united as different, individual parts (or members) of a body. In a culture that pursues independence and values the unique above all else, we are divided more and more. Ironically, unity actually makes each unique, individual part MORE beautiful and significant, not less! We need each other! When we recognize we are part of a greater, unified whole, we recognize that the honor truly belongs to everyone. Not only are we not designed to “go it alone,” we can’t! And if we’re all winning when one part is winning, then when one part is hurting, we’re all hurting. That’s the kind of commitment to one another that makes sacrifice possible and even desirable! Your good doesn’t come at my expense - your good is tied to mine (and mine to yours.) We are not responsible for each other in unhealthy co-dependence. We are responsible to each other in healthy love. Desire for individual honor and greatness can be unhealthy when it comes as the expense of others - which is what makes today’s closer so powerful: we are encouraged to desire greater gifts. We often desire greater honor, but when our desire is for greater gifts (which are for serving and building up the body and often bring greater responsibility and sometimes even greater suffering) our heart is in the right place. The body is unified, and we all win. Thank you, Jesus, for the church! Who/how can you serve today? - 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!