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.
Further Focus: Read 1 John 1:5-10. 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.
Pray Psalm 130:1-4 using the P.R.A.Y. acronym.
Pause to be still, Reflect on the verses, Ask God for help, and say Yes to Jesus.
Further Focus: Reading and praying scripture to hear God in this way is called Lectio Divina.
Learn more about Lectio Divina here and practice using one of these apps.

SCRIPTURE | 5-25 Minutes
Our scripture focus for this study is Ezra 3:11. Try memorizing it!
Today’s reading is from Ezra 9
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?
Further Focus: One of the best ways to learn more about the Bible is by discussing it with others.
Work through this week’s Discussion Guide and meet up with a Paradox Lifegroup. *Coming Soon!

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING
In Chapter 9 of Ezra, we read about Ezra’s reaction to the sins committed by the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem out of Babylonian exile. Ezra was focused on teaching the Israelites how to worship God according to the law.  Unfortunately, after some time had passed; the Israelites began to enter into idolatrous intermarriages with the people of the land and their abominations. When Ezra learned of this, scriptures say he  was so grieved that he tore his garments and pulled hair from his head and beard. These were the sins that caused the Israeites to be exiled originally.  After God delivered them and allowed them to successfully rebuild the temple, they reverted back to sins of old. This was quite a disappointment to Ezra.  He interceded by fasting and praying to God for the inequities of the people.  As Ezra prayed to God he stated that he was ashamed of their actions that had led to impurity of the land once again.  I too would have felt shame in bringing this petition back to the Lord after He had given them victory! When we break God’s covenants and compromise on his statutes, it results in pain, guilt and disappointment.  How many times has God brought you and I deliverance and somehow we return to that condition of sin?  Maybe you find this passage relatable to a past or present situation. If so, we can do what Ezra did and that is REPENT and ask God for strength to resist temptation. - Colleen Payton

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!