Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Antioch International Prayer & Fast (Genesis 12:1-3)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, The Antioch movement of churches around the world are joining up for an international prayer and fast from February 26-28. During this prayer & fast, we will be asking God to bless us to be a blessing to people of all nations.  (Genesis 12:1-3). Here are two lists you can use for how we’ll be praying together:

• 3 Big Prayers

• 9 Regional Prayers for the Nations

Have questions about fasting? 

• See this resource: Encounter God Through Fasting

Want to pray for our international church planting teams year-round?

• Go to Nationsprayer.org

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 10
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…
You may have heard before that God doesn’t look at outward appearances, but the heart. Typically, we take that to mean that what is inside a person is more important than their looks, talents, etc. And while that is true, there is another way to think about this. God doesn’t just look at our actions - God looks at our heart in them. Put another way, it’s not just what we do - it’s why we do it that matters. More than that, we sometimes confuse what we do with who we are. It’s possible to maintain the outward appearance of serving God while our hearts are actually far from it. Keeping up appearances may impress other people, but God sees straight into our hearts. Reread verses 12 and 13. What part of your life, service, love, or obedience needs to change? In what ways are your heart and actions out of alignment? Recommit today to love and serve God with all of your heart and life. Regardless of appearances, you’ll begin to live a new way – abundantly, righteously, genuinely. Remember, faith isn't just about rituals or rules, but about truly connecting with God's heart! - Dave Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Antioch International Prayer & Fast (Genesis 12:1-3)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, The Antioch movement of churches around the world are joining up for an international prayer and fast from February 26-28. During this prayer & fast, we will be asking God to bless us to be a blessing to people of all nations.  (Genesis 12:1-3). Here are two lists you can use for how we’ll be praying together:

• 3 Big Prayers

• 9 Regional Prayers for the Nations

Have questions about fasting? 

• See this resource: Encounter God Through Fasting

Want to pray for our international church planting teams year-round?

• Go to Nationsprayer.org

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 9:13-29
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…
In today’s focus scriptures, we read that the Israelites had provoked God to righteous anger.  The Israelites were referred to as a stiff-necked people, meaning that they were rebellious, full of pride and stubborn.  They had quickly shifted away from what the Lord had commanded.  God promised that he would go before them and help them conquer their enemies by being a consuming fire. Instead of believing in God, they constructed an idol in the shape of a calf.  God told Moses he was going to destroy them and blot their names out of heaven. Moses began to intercede in prayer on behalf of the Israelites.  He fasted for forty days and forty nights, pleading with God.  Deuteronomy 9:19 (NIV) “I feared the anger and wrath of the Lord, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the Lord listened to me."

As we reflect on this text, I want to expound on two points.  The first point being God’s righteous anger toward unbelief, rebellion, pride and stubbornness. Unbelief causes a trickle down effect and can lead to many sins. If the Israelites had held fast to their faith in God, they wouldn’t have resorted to constructing an idol.  If they had simply remembered the strong right arm of God brought them out of Egypt, they would have not turned in pride towards the idol they built. The second point was the intercessory prayer of Moses, which God listened to and relented. This prayer by Moses should serve as a beacon of hope to all of God’s children.  The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. Like the old adage says “prayer changes things and prayer changes people." - Colleen Payton

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Antioch International Prayer & Fast (Genesis 12:1-3)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, The Antioch movement of churches around the world are joining up for an international prayer and fast from February 26-28. During this prayer & fast, we will be asking God to bless us to be a blessing to people of all nations.  (Genesis 12:1-3). Here are two lists you can use for how we’ll be praying together:

• 3 Big Prayers

• 9 Regional Prayers for the Nations

Have questions about fasting? 

• See this resource: Encounter God Through Fasting

Want to pray for our international church planting teams year-round?

• Go to Nationsprayer.org

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 9:1-12
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…
Are you facing giants in your life? “KNOW THEREFORE TODAY YHAT HE GOES BEFORE YOU AS A CONSUMING FIRE IS THE LORD YOUR GOD. HE WILL DESTROY THEM AND SUBDUE THEM BEFORE YOU.” (verse 3) The Bible reminds us over and over again of the faithfulness of our Jesus! He is our strong tower, our ever-present help in times of need. There is nowhere we can go, and he is not already there! He goes before you. There is no giant too big that cannot be conquered with and in Jesus! Amen! My heart beats hard with this truth! It’s electrifying until I face my giant. Then, my heart will sometimes quake for other reasons. Doubt. Fear. It is then I must lift my eyes to heaven, pray, and then intentionally remember the faithfulness of the Lord. It is through these intentional steps that peace and strength are restored. The Holy Spirit whispers the hope of truth through scripture, songs, or those who love me. Take heart because Jesus is faithful to His covenant with His children. His promises are true! Children of the Lord, stand!! Face your giants! Defeat the enemy! Breathe…celebrate…believe. Warning: When the victory comes and the adrenaline subsides, guard your hearts and remember this victory is the Lord’s. All glory and honor belong to the King of kings. - Renee Richter

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Antioch International Prayer & Fast (Genesis 12:1-3)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, The Antioch movement of churches around the world are joining up for an international prayer and fast from February 26-28. During this prayer & fast, we will be asking God to bless us to be a blessing to people of all nations.  (Genesis 12:1-3). Here are two lists you can use for how we’ll be praying together:

• 3 Big Prayers

• 9 Regional Prayers for the Nations

Have questions about fasting? 

• See this resource: Encounter God Through Fasting

Want to pray for our international church planting teams year-round?

• Go to Nationsprayer.org

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 8
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…
Sometimes I joke with my kids that part of my job as a parent is to mess up so that they’ll know their need for a their Heavenly Father. While I’m mostly joking, there’s some truth to this. Throughout the wilderness, God provided food, water, shelter - the Israelites’ shoes didn’t even wear out! He sustained them and fulfilled their every need. The wilderness and wandering was far from a wasted season - it was intended to show them their need for God - a reality they (and we) forgot time and time again. When we forget God’s love, faithfulness, and provision in the past, our faith fades in the present and for the future. God’s faithfulness to the Israelites (and us) in the wilderness years are a reminder that God doesn't just bail on us when things get tough; He's right there, looking out for us, teaching us lessons along the journey. Sure, the wilderness can be humbling - but it’s only when God allows us to be hungry that we learn we don't live on bread alone but on every word that comes from God's mouth. The struggles of life will never be too far away. Remembering the ways God has taken care of us before is the best way to get through today’s difficulties. How has the Lord provided for you in the past? What did you learn in those moments of desperation? Remembering those lessons will strengthen your faith and keep you reliant on the Lord. The next time you’re tempted to focus on your struggle, remember that God is your Provider and Protector - yesterday, today and always. - Dave Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Antioch International Prayer & Fast (Genesis 12:1-3)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, The Antioch movement of churches around the world are joining up for an international prayer and fast from February 26-28. During this prayer & fast, we will be asking God to bless us to be a blessing to people of all nations.  (Genesis 12:1-3). Here are two lists you can use for how we’ll be praying together:

• 3 Big Prayers

• 9 Regional Prayers for the Nations

Have questions about fasting? 

• See this resource: Encounter God Through Fasting

Want to pray for our international church planting teams year-round?

• Go to Nationsprayer.org

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 7
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…
You know, every time I read the Old Testament I feel a couple things…the first that God feels so intensely, and extremely, and the second being that the intensity I read about in these scriptures is a picture of the immense and intense love he has for his people! His love is unrelenting and that is depicted so well in Old Testament scripture. As I read this chapter it was tempting at first to focus on the violence that God was instructing them to perform but then verse 4 really struck a chord in my heart “for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.“

I feel the heart of the Father in this verse. His instructions feel a bit over the top but it’s because his heart and his intentions are that his people would not turn their hearts away from him! He loves them too much to allow them to be deceived by others to follow and worship other gods. He instructs them on what to do and then makes a promise to them stating that if they follow his instructions and laws that he has given them then he will keep his covenant of love with them. Wow. We usually talk a lot about a relationship with God and reference the New Testament but there’s so much to learn from these scriptures about having a relationship with God. It takes both parties, you and God, to unfold all that God has for you on this side of heaven. God is looking for and longing for our obedience to him because he LOVES us and knows that his ways lead to life, and life everlasting. Maybe there’s an invitation God keeps bringing up in your prayer time with him that might feel a little scary or seem totally out of the blue but when we are obedient to take that step of faith with him he is faithful to meet us and do the rest. Take some time to ask God where he’s leading and inviting you in your relationship with him and how you can take the next step with him remembering the covenant of love he has promised to you! - Cecelia Thapa

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Demonstrating Love (Malachi 4:4-6, Psalm 103:17-18)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, pray that hearts would be restored to the Father, families would be healed, and generations would be united in love. We’re praying God would allow us to be part of 40+ Baptisms at Paradox in 2024.
Ask, Who am I praying for healing/reconciliation with? Who am I praying would start or restart a relationship with their Father God in 2024?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 6
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…
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise.” - Deuteronomy 6: 4-7

I grew up knowing this verse - maybe you were too. It is part of the Jewish daily prayer called the Shema. The word Shema means to hear, just as this passage begins with Moses telling Israel to listen carefully to what God has to say to them, it is also to remember all that the Lord has done for them. The Lord delivered them from slavery, and brought them into the land that He promised them. The Lord was very visible to the Israelites during their time of deliverance, He knew that once He was not constantly visible, it would become an issue of “out of sight, out of mind.” Therefore He commanded that we constantly talk about how He has saved us from bondage. But most importantly He commanded us to teach our children all about Him.

Today this commandment is for ALL of us, not just parents. You see Moses was speaking to ALL of the Israelites, therefore, all were responsible for spreading the Word and teaching about the wonders of our God. I was a youth leader for 20 years, and my most treasured times were those spent with my group studying the Word of God. I loved sharing His wonderful news, that we are loved beyond measure, and if we put Him first in our lives, when we look back, we will see His hand all over our lives.

Deuteronomy 6 is a reminder of who God is, all that He has done for us, and how we can respond in love. We are reminded to tell God’s story to all of His people, but especially to His children. So remember to tell God’s story well, tell it to your children, tell it to all children, tell it often, tell it a million times, tell it with your words, but most importantly, tell it with your life. - Dawn Custer

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Demonstrating Love (Malachi 4:4-6, Psalm 103:17-18)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, pray that hearts would be restored to the Father, families would be healed, and generations would be united in love. We’re praying God would allow us to be part of 40+ Baptisms at Paradox in 2024.
Ask, Who am I praying for healing/reconciliation with? Who am I praying would start or restart a relationship with their Father God in 2024?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 5
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…
This chapter is not just about rules to keep, but it is about a loving obedient relationship between God and His people. The Ten Commandments are not merely drudgery obligations but guiding principles for a flourishing community. As we endeavor to live by these eternal truths, we are mindful that a heart committed to God’s ways is the true path to prosperity and blessings. These commandments deal with our personal, ethical, and moral relationships with God (commandments 1 through 4) and with our neighbors (commandments 5 through 10). Any infraction of these commandments is considered violation of our relationships with God and our neighbors; when this happens we must apply the remedy of repentance. There are a total of 613 commandments and the ten commandments are only the first 10; but the greatest and most important commandment of ALL is; “Hear/Listen, O Israel (people of God)! The Lord our God is the One and only Lord, And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mk 12: 29-31 NLT). Love God and love others, let these principles rule your thoughts, decisions, and actions. When you are not clear about what to do, ask yourself what course of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others.

The book of Deuteronomy is considered to be a book of remembrance or remembering. The term remember is used 15 times in Deuteronomy, it is used 352 times in the Scriptures. When its variants are counted, that number grows to more than 550. The root of remembering is to keep in mind or to be mindful. The Lord constantly reminded His people to keep His Word and walk in His ways for humanity has the propensity for forgetfulness. This chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to the Lord and the rewards that come along with it and then teaching these life changing principles to multi-generational people. Let us always remember to never forget the Lord our God. - Lawrence Payton

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Demonstrating Love (Malachi 4:4-6, Psalm 103:17-18)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, pray that hearts would be restored to the Father, families would be healed, and generations would be united in love. We’re praying God would allow us to be part of 40+ Baptisms at Paradox in 2024.
Ask, Who am I praying for healing/reconciliation with? Who am I praying would start or restart a relationship with their Father God in 2024?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 4:15-49
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…
It’s clear in reading this passage that God really takes idolatry seriously. What is idolatry? Simply stated it’s putting something (or someone) above God in your life. I think it’s really easy to read the scriptures, including this passage, and inwardly laugh at the notion of making an idol for ourselves. Let’s take a step back and look at our culture and everyday lives. We too, have done this, but in different ways. Sure, maybe we wouldn’t build a tower or image to worship. But let’s stop and think about the things we value most, the things we get really uncomfortable if we feel like are threatened. Maybe it’s simply comfort. A certain lifestyle. Financial security. Our job. Our homes and possessions. Maybe it’s food, or alcohol, or relationships. Maybe it’s an addiction. Maybe it’s even something that we’d consider a good thing- like our kids or family. Are you squirming yet? Sometimes we have to be reminded that it is so easy to look to other things for comfort and satisfaction before we look to God. If you find yourself here, remember that Holy Spirit speaks through scripture to help us stay with him- because He loves us! That’s why God used Moses in this passage to warn us not to worship other things. Take a minute to reflect and ask Holy Spirit to show you if there is anyone or anything you’re putting above Him. As he shows you, confess and cry out to him for help! Share it with another person who loves you and Jesus. When it’s brought into the light, it loses its power over you! Remember the promise in verse 29- “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.“ What hope we have in Jesus, even when we’ve put other things ahead of him. It’s never too late to seek Him again. - Gwyn Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Demonstrating Love (Malachi 4:4-6, Psalm 103:17-18)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, pray that hearts would be restored to the Father, families would be healed, and generations would be united in love. We’re praying God would allow us to be part of 40+ Baptisms at Paradox in 2024.
Ask, Who am I praying for healing/reconciliation with? Who am I praying would start or restart a relationship with their Father God in 2024?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 4:1-14
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?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Obedience to God’s commands was not optional if the children of Israel wanted to enter the Promised Land. Moses knew there were no exceptions, so he warned the people about adding to or subtracting from God’s words. He reminded them of the day they stood at Mount Horeb and heard the voice of God declaring the Ten Commandments. Remembering what God had done and who He is was crucial to their continued success. By examining their lives and training future generations to respect God’s laws, the people would experience the benefits of a close relationship with God. Knowledge plus obedience is the perfect formula for spiritual success. When you study God’s word and apply His principles, you’ll make wiser choices and avoid the pitfalls that occur when you try to live your own way. It’s easy to twist God’s truths until it fits what you want, but doing so will set you up for difficult consequences. What principles from God’s Word do you need to apply to your life? What changes do you need to make? How can you share these life lessons with your family? When you rely on God’s strength, He will enable you to make the necessary changes to create a lasting legacy for future generations. - from Obedience: A Study in Deuteronomy

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Demonstrating Love (Malachi 4:4-6, Psalm 103:17-18)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, pray that hearts would be restored to the Father, families would be healed, and generations would be united in love. We’re praying God would allow us to be part of 40+ Baptisms at Paradox in 2024.
Ask, Who am I praying for healing/reconciliation with? Who am I praying would start or restart a relationship with their Father God in 2024?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 3:23-29
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…
Disobedience has consequences. After Moses had disobeyed, God told Moses that he would no longer be able to enter the Promised Land. We don’t know exactly why, only that there are real consequences - the future seems to change depending on the obedience or disobedience of people. And yet, Moses’ love for God (and God’s love for Moses) remained unchanged. How do you respond when things don’t go your way? When you’re disappointed? When the answer is “no”? Scripture says Moses “begged” God. (Side note, is that a word that could describe your prayer life?) Moses boldly entered the throne room of God to present his request in prayer. He accepted the answer, though difficult. He respected God’s authority in His life. And in abandoning the outcome to God, Moses was able to receive God’s love despite not receiving the answer he had hoped for. Moses was also free to release, empower, and bless the next generation to go further that he would. That’s my prayer for my kids and the next generation of disciples at Paradox - that those that come after me would know and love God more than I did, and go further with Him than I ever could. I invite you to make that your prayer today too. Bring the next generation to the throne room today. Don’t judge, criticize, or give up hope. Beg God to do a mighty work in and through them. Think of at least one person from a different generation that you can specifically pray for today. - Dave Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Remembering God’s Faithfulness & Responding in Faith
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, reflect on where you have experienced God’s goodness. Write all the ways you’re thankful for God’s faithfulness in your life. What area of your life or situation do you need God to increase your faith?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 3:1-22
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…
Have you ever known someone who got a “big head” after achieving a little success? It can be easy to forget who we are, where we came from, and how we got where we are in the first place. It’s often in times of victory and success that we’re most susceptible to forgetting who we are. In today’s reading, Moses reminds the people of Israel where the true source of their strength and victory has always been. Their success came only when they remained close to God, followed His lead, and depended on His power. Life is full of “battles.” But Moses’ final words ring just as true to us today as they did to the people of Israel - do not be afraid… for the Lord your God will fight for you. I love the way this reading from the Bible App puts it - “No matter what we are facing, if we want to overcome enemies or adversity, we must not try to do it alone. Find your confidence in God’s strength; He already knows what’s ahead of you. The challenges will be real, but there is no enemy or situation too big or too strong for the Lord. What adversity are you facing right now? In what practical way can you let God’s strength be your strength? In what ways have you already seen God fight your battles? You may be outnumbered or lacking in strength – but God is not!” - Dave Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with 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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Remembering God’s Faithfulness & Responding in Faith
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, reflect on where you have experienced God’s goodness. Write all the ways you’re thankful for God’s faithfulness in your life. What area of your life or situation do you need God to increase your faith?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 2
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…
Deuteronomy 2 describes the Israelites journey in the wilderness. God gave Moses directions, and provision for the Israelites while they traveled through land not meant for them. I can imagine the frustration at passing through areas that were someone else’s given land. Maybe there was some jealousy at times. There were probably times when it seemed like the wilderness would never end. After all, the Israelites were not yet in possession of their promised land. I get it. I can think of times where it feels like I’m working through the same problem over and over just going in circles. Toward the end of the chapter God instructs Moses to lead His people into battle with the Amorites, and King Sihon of Heshbon. Twice before in this chapter the Israelites had passed through land that was not meant for them. They were obedient to God when they peacefully made their way through foreign territory as instructed.

This last time would be different. God told Moses they would take possession of the Amorites’ land. Moses still started with peace by sending a letter to the King asking for the same peaceful passage through in the same way God had instructed before. The request was denied by King Sihon, and the Israelites then defeated the Amorite’s in battle completely wiping them out and taking possession of the land. Exactly as God said they would. Moses was a faithful leader. He led his people with patience, first exercising what was learned through listening and obeying Gods instruction in the wilderness.

God is faithful in His promises. He’s with us wherever we go. In the wilderness, in battle or in the promised land. A takeaway for me is the importance of practice. Conditioning myself to listen and respond to what God is saying first so that I can act boldly and faithfully in the wilderness or otherwise. I encourage you today to practice what God wants to condition in you. - Rachel Hood

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with 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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Remembering God’s Faithfulness & Responding in Faith
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, reflect on where you have experienced God’s goodness. Write all the ways you’re thankful for God’s faithfulness in your life. What area of your life or situation do you need God to increase your faith?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Genesis 6:11-22, 7:11-16, 8:1-22 & 9:12-17 & Ephesians 2:8-9
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…
You may have heard the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" before, and while it may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, it is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Genesis 3:19, we read, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." This verse reminds us of our mortality and the fact that our physical bodies will eventually return to the earth. Abraham, in Genesis 18:27, acknowledges his humble position before the Lord, saying, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes." Job, in his lamentation, speaks of being thrown into the mud and reduced to dust and ashes (Job 30:19). These verses serve as a reminder of our frailty and insignificance in the grand scheme of things. Ecclesiastes 3:20, as declared by Solomon, further reinforces this idea by stating, "All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." It is a humbling thought, but one that also reminds us of the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness. We are, after all, ashes and dust… but for God’s grace received by faith.

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season - a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Easter. Traditionally on this day, many Christians would receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of our mortality and need for God's grace. It is a powerful visual reminder that we are called to turn away from sin and live in alignment with God's will. As we embark on this 40 Day Lenten journey, take a moment to remember God’s faithfulness and mercy, and embrace this opportunity through faith to draw closer to God, seek forgiveness, and strive to live more fully in His love. - Dave Kubiak

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with 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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Remembering God’s Faithfulness & Responding in Faith
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, reflect on where you have experienced God’s goodness. Write all the ways you’re thankful for God’s faithfulness in your life. What area of your life or situation do you need God to increase your faith?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 1
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…
I am guilty of judging the Old Testament Israelites pretty harshly, especially those who walked through the Red Sea with Moses. Armed with millennia of hindsight, and the words of Jesus that they didn’t have, I throw my hands up in disbelief at how they could have so little faith most times. Sadly though, we are a lot more like them than I would like to admit.
In today’s reading Moses reminds the Israelites of the events around their failed attempt to enter the land God had promised to them and was trying to deliver them into. I’m sure it was very hard for them to hear this. We do not like to recall our failures. It is not fun to look back and see where we made a now-obvious blunder, especially when we had wise, Godly, contrary advice at the time of the decision. However, we can learn from these mistakes! When faced with the next decision, we can seek Godly wisdom and LISTEN to it. We can also remember how God did not disown us when we went against his guidance in the past. When Moses’ generation opted not to trust God, he was true to his word and he did not help that generation enter Canaan. However, he did go back to the wilderness with them.
I believe God has amazing opportunities for us. Armed with painful but helpful hindsight from past failures, and the knowledge that we are God’s precious children no matter what, we can confidently follow him into any adventure. - Mike Nank

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with 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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Remembering God’s Faithfulness & Responding in Faith
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
This week, reflect on where you have experienced God’s goodness. Write all the ways you’re thankful for God’s faithfulness in your life. What area of your life or situation do you need God to increase your faith?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Genesis 17:1-19 & Romans 4:20-21
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…
’Zakar’ is the main Hebrew verb used in the Old Testament for concepts related to remembrance and memory. While the word doers mean to recall the past, it also carries a greater weight - zakar involves doing something with our memories, using the past to inform our present thoughts, feelings, and actions. The New Testament uses the Greek word ‘mimmneskomai’ to communicate the similar idea of allowing a past truth or reality to inform present action. Most of us have a chronic case of spiritual amnesia - we all too easily forget who God is and what He has done. But what exactly is at stake if we forget? As we will see in our readings throughout the book of Deuteronomy (which is a review or remembrance), God knows how our forgetfulness takes away from the abundant life that He alone can give. When we forget, we can more easily drift away from His Word and ways, stumbling headlong into disobedience. We settle for what the world offers instead of a life of flourishing with God. There is a discipline to remembering, though. It is a daily choice to let God’s past faithfulness shape and steer our thoughts, prayer, habits, affections, decisions, and relationships. And when our reality feels unstable and uncertain, there is a solid, steadying weight in remembering that helps us see Him more clearly in the present. Father God, we look back and remember your faithfulness this Lent. Give us faith to move forward. - from He Reads Truth

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
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.
Reboot = 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 | 1-5 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!

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.

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 a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

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 Matthew 8:11-12, John 10:16, Acts 10, Ephesians 2:10-15, Galatians 6:15 & Galatians 3:27-28
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…
I love this story. Our culture (rightly) celebrates diversity so well - and yet in many ways we feel more separate and divided than ever. People naturally seem to stick with people who are like them, to identify “us” and “them,” and avoid (if not outright hate) the “other.” The story of Peter & Cornelius puts the “difference” to rest. This new life that Jesus came to bring is for everyone. Jesus is doing a new thing. He is creating a new people, a new humanity. For us to live into it and live out our call as part of this new family, we are to be “other-oriented.” Peter is in prayer when God uses a vision of food to teach him a lesson about people - don’t consider someone an “outsider” who God has created to be an “insider.” There are no limits to God’s love. It extends to all people. Cornelius is a good man - scripture refers to him as devout, God-fearing, upright, charitable, and even a man who prays. And yet, he doesn’t seem to know much at all about Jesus. Peter obeys Jesus, goes to Cornelius, associates with him, sees God’s heart for him (God has been at work in this man’s life long before Peter arrived), and concludes in Acts 10:35 that God loves him… just as he is. But God also loves us so much that He doesn’t let us stay there. Peter proceeds to share the gospel with Cornelius - the truth, the fullness, the life - that Cornelius had only seen, heard and experienced in part. God didn’t keep his distance from us. He sent Jesus. He got close. He associated with us. Sinners. Scripture reminds us that’s what we once were… and then calls us to be like Jesus and do what Jesus did. Go. Love. Share. Ask Holy Spirit today, is there anyone you’ve been keeping at a distance? Are there people (groups or individuals) that you might refer to as “they” - meaning different/other? Take some time to pray for “them” today. Ask God to give you vision like Peter - to help you see “them” as He sees them. Who is someone different than you that God might lead you to befriend? - Dave Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Pray through a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations and those serving them.

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!

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.

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 a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

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 Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 7:36-50, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 14:15-24 & James 2:1-13
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…
Jesus invites us into ministry opportunities all the time. But when we feel/hear the invite, we sometimes ignore it or shrug it off because we don’t feel like we heard the call clearly. We sometimes shrug off because we don’t feel that we are qualified. I even know someone who dodged the invitation because they couldn’t bring themselves to enter the space Jesus was inviting them into because they didn’t want to be with the group of people in that room. Jesus invited Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him. A tax collector? One the most despised people of that time. How is a tax collector going to get people to come listen to what Jesus has to share in his teachings? Wouldn’t you think someone with that background might even drive people away? I believe this is another example of Jesus “Qualifying the Called”.  Matthew had skills that most people at that time didn’t have. Matthew could read and write. What if Matthew’s invite was because he could function as a scribe documenting the ministry of Jesus? Matthew’s notes turned into the first book of the new testament. When we think Jesus is inviting us to “follow him,” there’s a reason. It may be because he knows we have a skill that is important to where he is inviting us or that he is inviting us somewhere to introduce us to someone who can mentor us and walk alongside us as we try to navigate our current season of life. On the other side of that, we could also be invited to walk alongside someone, supporting and encouraging them as they struggle through a season of life. I think sometimes he throws things at us to get us to get up and move away from the things that are holding us back. These are the times we should be grateful that Jesus is the head of a ministry of many chances. He knows we get stuck or something shakes our faith and he is good with sending you one of those odd ball invitations to get your attention. Mine came during a VBS planning meeting as they were struggling to find teachers. The words dropped out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying. “I’ll be one of the teachers.” My play was just  trying to stay off to the side out of everyone's sight so I didn’t get asked. I would have never volunteered had Jesus not invited me out of the shadows. Not sure what impact I may have had but I still get stopped out in town by some of those kids to talk about the good times we had starting with that VBS. Last night I even got to watch one of those kids get baptized! She’s in high school now but I’d like to think that maybe somehow the ministry teams I worked with may have helped her to make the choice to accept Jesus’ invitation to become a part of his kingdom. It was one of those times that really reminds us of why we accept the invitation.  We may not think we are qualified but God knows and also knows when we are the best one for the job. God Loves You and So Do I. - Scott Rose

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Pick a Psalm to pray using P.R.A.Y. Pause to be still, Reflect on the verses, Ask God for help, & say Yes to Jesus.
Reading scripture in this way is called Lectio Divina. Learn more here and practice using one of these apps.

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!

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.

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 a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

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 Matthew 7:7-10, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 12:32-34, 1 John 3:17-20, Hebrews 13:3 & James 2:14-19
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…
As believers, we reflect the heart, character and nature of who God is to others. One way we do this is by living a generous life, giving abundantly to those in need around us. When I reflect back on my own life and the things God has done for me and given to me from salvation to my family and everything else in between, I see His abundant generosity in giving me good gifts and not withholding good and His best from me. When we live from this truth and reality of God's abundance towards us, we are able to minister to others from a place of abundance, no lack or poverty or feeling like we will never have enough. Our faith is put into action as we trust God's provision for ourselves even as we give away to others. Ask Holy Spirit to bring to mind a way He has been abundant towards you and then ask Him how He would have you live abundantly towards someone else today - whether with your time, money or resources. "Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8) - Jessica Glenn

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Practice hearing from God by asking questions like, “Father, what do you want me to know about you?” or “Father, what do you want to say about your love for me?” Simply be still and listen, or journal anything that comes to mind. Learn more about hearing from God using the Tending Your Heart guide.

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!

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.

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 one from Paradox on Spotify.

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 John 13:12-17 & 34-35, Philippians 1:27, 1 John 4:7-12, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 1 Peter 3:8-12 & 1 Corinthians 13
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…
There are plenty of days anymore where I say I just feel so… old! The past month, we’ve been studying the new life available to us in Jesus, who makes all things new. But there are still those days where I’m not feeling “new” but “old.” Tired. Worn out. Exhausted. Sore. Like I just don’t have much to give to anyone. Days when you just want to completely unplug from everyone and everything. When I'm feeling “old,” I have a tendency to go into self-preservation mode. I know I’m not alone. I don’t have the energy for (fill in the blank), so I opt for self-care. Something that might make me feel like a new person. And yet Jesus gives us a “new” command in John 13:34 - to love others. 1 John 4:9 says that God sent His Son Jesus so that we might LIVE through Him. Live a full, abundant, NEW life in Him. And that life is actually accessed by loving others. God gave of Himself in love so that we might live. And “if God loved us in this way, we also much love one another.” (v11). Great. So you’re saying when I’m feeling un-loved and un-lovely I need to try to do more to love others? Not quite. Remember, we love because He first loved us. So if you’re running on empty today, make sure you receive love and life from God first (you’re off to a great start!), that way you’ll have some to give away. It’s God’s love that brings life - receive it and give it away today… you’ll find you never run out. - Dave Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
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.

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!

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.

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 a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.

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 Matthew 5:1-10, John 11:25-36, Romans 12:15, Colossians 3:12-13 & 1 John 3:11-24
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…
There’s a phrase I’ve heard from some of my mentors, Bill & Kristi Gaultierre from Soul Shepherding (they will be speaking at Jesus Known on February 24) that has come to mean a lot to me: Wounded Healers. It’s a vision given to each of us as we work through our own woundedness - that just as we receive healing from Jesus’ wounds (Isaiah 53:5), we would be able to offer healing to others in the places Jesus has brought healing in us. Most of us have heard of “church hurt.” But how many of us are willing to receive healing? Or (ad)minister it to others? Jesus was wounded so that we would be healed. It’s been said that God doesn’t waste our wounds. If that’s true (and I believe it is), then there is purpose in the pain. God is making all things new, and even hardship, suffering, pain, and wounds are opportunities for God’s new life to burst forth in and through us. Today, take a moment to ask the same question Jesus asked in John 5:6, “Do you want to be made well?” Is there an area you are sitting in pain? Come to Jesus in it. By His wounds we are healed, made new. Then, think about those who are broken and hurting in our church and in your life. How might God use you to bring healing today? Is there a word of hope or encouragement, someone to grieve with, someone to forgive, someone to pray for or with? - Dave Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
It’s often helpful to look back before moving forward. As you begin a new week, look back over the last one and ask God to meet you in this new one. This kind of reflective prayer is called an Examen.

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!