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 Rom 6:1-14 & 1 Pe 4:1-5

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…
Too many of us live like zombies. According to TV and movie lore… zombies are people who died, but continue to walk the earth with one purpose: to feed their flesh. In today’s reading from Romans, Paul reminds followers of Jesus that when we accepted him as Lord, “'we were buried with him by baptism into death.” All people will die, but those who are “buried with Jesus” have their sins covered by him. Jesus’ sacrifice absolves our sins. For those choosing not to die with Jesus, they are buried alone, and they will be accountable for their sins before God.
Paul goes on to say: “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” Should we interpret this to mean that just as Jesus ascended to heaven after his death, we will share the same fate by God’s glory? Yes! But, I think there is another level to what Paul is saying…
In this life, before we physically die, we should be dead to sin, and seek to live a righteous life before God. Or as Peter says: “live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.” Could we continue to live in sin, and would those sins be covered by the blood of Jesus if we share in his death? Yes, but why would we do such things? If we have aligned ourselves with Jesus, we have God’s Holy Spirit to show us what righteousness looks like in all situations, and to give us the strength to resist sin, flee the Devil, and do the things that lead to life.
Paul says: “those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.” So what will you choose? You are alive from the dead because of Jesus, so will you continue to live a life focused on pleasing you, aka be a zombie? Or…inspired by Jesus sacrifice and thankful for God’s grace, will you forego you own temporary, earthy desires to live a life of service to Him? Let’s call it, being a zomgie (copywrite pending). The “g” can stand for grace, good, or simply God, but zomgies know they are dead to sin, alive in Christ Jesus, and they desire to do His will so long as they continue to draw breath.
Join the army of the son-dead (copyright also pending), and be zomgie today!!!
- 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!