Good Morning!
If you’re new here, welcome! Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
WORSHIP FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
1. Start out by writing or saying out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for.
2. Play or sing some worship music you love, or use this Christmas Worship Playlist.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
Today’s reading is from Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25, & Isaiah 7:14
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?
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.
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Christmas - the most wonderful time of year, right? And yet for many of us, there are mixed emotions to say the least. Financial hardship. Emotional and relational pain. Physical suffering and loss. As I read these accounts of announcing Jesus’s arrival to those who would know him well - Mary, Elizabeth, John, Joseph - I’m struck by the wide array of emotion that is present throughout them. Jesus would be arriving, and yet there was trouble. There was wonder. There was fear, joy, misunderstanding, relational tension, and even frustration (Matthew 1:25)… and Jesus is present - even close - in the midst of it all. Jesus, who is Immanuel - God with us - is the sign that God is with us not only in the joys of Christmas, but every day and in all things. I love how English novelist and playwright Dorothy Sayers put it. I’ll leave you with her words…
The incarnation means that for whatever reason God chose to let us fall into a condition of being limited, to suffer, to be subject to sorrows and death—he has nonetheless had the honesty and the courage to take his own medicine.... He himself has gone through the whole of human experience—from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair, and death.... He was born in poverty and suffered infinite pain—all for us—and thought it well worth his while.” - Dave Kubiak
*Note: The Daily Focus will be texted at 8am on Monday, December 25th.
If you’d like your Focus earlier, it will be posted on paradoxchurch.com/focus at 5am.
PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
One simple way to “pray constantly” is to take “breather” moments throughout your day to pray.
Start by practicing one of these Advent Breath Prayers.
SHARE THE FOCUS | 1-5 Minutes
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!
