Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.

WORSHIP Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
Play some worship music you love, or choose from one of our Spotify Playlists.
Say or journal what you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
First Step: Start by playing or singing 1 song & writing 1 thing. Grow to 3-5 from there.
Next Step: Read Deuteronomy 10:12-17. Focus on one truth about who God is & thank Him for it.

PRAYER Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Start praying for yourself using the Lord’s Prayer or pray for others using a Ripple Prayer.
First Step: Start by praying for 2 minutes. Then, work your way up to 5, 10, or 15 minutes.
Next Step: Learn more about prayer & find help at paradoxchurch.com/pray.

SCRIPTURE Our memorization & meditation focus for this study is Romans 3:23-24.
Today’s reading is from Romans 2:17-29
Families: Get Focused together using the Parent Cue app.
First Step: 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?
Next Step: Dig deeper in Bible Study & discuss your answers with a Lifegroup.
Read Matthew 23:1-7. Who does Jesus call hypocrites? Why?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING
As I As I was meditating on this passage of Scripture from Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, to the believers in Christ in Rome, the words “circumcision” and “heart” stood out to me. The literal meaning of “circumcision” is a “cutting around” or “a removal from.” In Proverbs 4:23, it states, “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.” (CJB). The Lord Jesus in His earthly ministry declares in the gospel of Mark 7:20-21, “that which proceeds from the heart, defiles a person.” God does not look at the outward appearance, conduct, or behavior of a person; but God looks at each individual’s heart. A believer in Christ is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart receives praise from God, not from people. (Rom. 2:29). So let our prayer focus today be, Lord search my mind and my heart; and when you find something that is not like you take it out. “Circumcise” and strengthen me. Then we can proclaim like David in Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. O Lord, my rock and my redeemer" (NLT) - Lawrence Payton

SHARE The good news comes to you on its way to someone else.
First Step: Share a thought/question or send an encouraging text from today’s reading.
Next Step: 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!