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

WORSHIP | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
Start by playing some worship music you love, or choose from one of our Spotify Playlists.
Journal or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
Going Deeper: Pray Amos 5:14-15. Focus on one truth about who God is & thank Him for it.

PRAYER | 5-15 Minutes
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.
Going Deeper: Learn more about prayer & try out a practice at paradoxchurch.com/pray.

SCRIPTURE | 5-25 Minutes
Our scripture focus for this study is Romans 3:23-24. Try memorizing it!
Today’s reading is from Romans 14
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?
Going Deeper: Read 1 Corinthians 8:8-13, Colossians 2:16-17

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING
SAY | Jesus cares that His church is unified, and gives specific instructions on how to help us live in unity with each other.
OBEY | I will assume the best of my brothers and sisters in Christ and not judge or condemn them when they don’t do things exactly as I do.
SHARE | As I was reading this chapter, though the word ‘Unity’ is not present, I felt like Jesus was showing me that this is what he is trying to weave throughout this text. He truly wants us to love one another in the body of Christ and ‘pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.’ He even encourages us, when we have specific beliefs on disputed matters (which just means areas where the Bible does not give a clear directive) to ‘keep them between yourself and God.’ I know for me, when Jesus is working in my life and showing me things to lay down and surrender for Him, it can be REALLY easy for me to think that everyone should do what I am doing. It can be easy for me to start thinking of the things I laid down as sin- but it doesn’t mean that it is sin for everyone! It also can be easy for me to think that someone else is going too far in what they’ve laid down for Jesus, but this text is clear that I need to love my brother and sister and not cause them to stumble! In verse 17, he says that the kingdom of God is simply about ‘righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ So ask yourself today (as I am), am I doing everything I can to pursue righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit? Is there an area where I am condemning others for not following Jesus exactly the way I am- publicly or in my heart? Is there an area I’m causing my brother or sister to stumble? Then ask God for the grace to live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ- we can’t do it without Him!
- Gwyn Kubiak

SHARE | 1-5 Minutes
Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
Going Deeper: 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!