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.
Simply pray the prayer Jesus taught his followers: the Lord’s Prayer, or pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Acts 2; Joel 2:28–32; John 7:37–39
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…
Blood is amazing. It carries oxygen and nutrients to every cell in our bodies, and contains healing antibodies to fight viral intruders. It keeps us powered and healthy. If the blood stops flowing, we’re dead. It is the literal lifeblood of our physical bodies.
In much the same way, the Holy Spirit is the lifeblood of our spiritual bodies. He delivers power and healing, and without him our spirit is dead.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as living water, flowing from within us. I love that he didn’t say ‘flowing within us”, but rather “flowing FROM within us”. When we accept Jesus as Lord, as many did the day we read about today in Acts, a spiritual valve is open, and the very spirit of God himself flows through us. He doesn’t just power and heal OUR spirits, he flows THROUGH us, and is able to connect with others through words and actions that he empowers us to deliver. It is an honor and a privilege (and a mystery) when God uses us to accomplish his will to reach and save more souls.
Please take a minute and go re-read Acts 2:42-47. THIS is what happened when a community of believers allowed the Holy Spirit to flow freely through them and guide their decisions and actions. I pray that for Paradox Church, and all bodies of believers everywhere, that we would fully open our “spirit valves” and allow God’s living water to flood through our midst. What an amazing deluge of love that would be. - Mike Nank

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!