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 Daniel 7:9-14, James 5:7-8, 2 Peter 3:13, Titus 2:11-15, Hebrews 6:19 & Hebrews 10:23
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…
Happy New Year! “The best is yet to come.” It’s a phrase you’ll hear me say often - it’s even hung on the walls of my home. And yet, it’s a hard one for me to believe. I actually love old stuff. I love old music. I love antiques. I even love complaining to my wife that “they just don’t make things like they used to” and long for the good ‘ol days. (She doesn’t love that as much.) From phones and social media to entertainment, the lack of trust in institutions and loss of time-honored traditions… the world just isn’t the way it used to be - in fact, it feels like things are getting worse - and I long to go back to a time when things were better. Inside of every human heart is a deep-seeded recognition of this reality: the world is not as it should be. Something is wrong. Broken. And there is a longing for things to be made right. But here’s where we get it wrong - the answer isn’t in “going back.” It isn’t in eating, drinking, and being merry today. And it isn’t even in trying to build a better tomorrow. We can’t. We don’t. Progress might be made, but used and broken things can never be made new again… or can they? In Revelation 21:3-5, Jesus says that’s exactly what He did and is doing. Making everything new. It’s hard to believe the best is yet to come - especially when we live in a world so full of pain, sorrow, sickness, and injustice. Even if we believe it, we hold out hope for a whole new “replacement” world in heaven. But what if the promise of everything new is not just our hope for eternity? What if it is hope for us here and now? The renewal of all things has already begun. The pains we experience are real. But so is our God and His already-underway plan to set every single thing right. As we begin this study, take some time to identify areas of longing for all things to be made new in your life. Think and pray through areas of grief, relational conflict, uncertainty, loss, disappointment, failure, unmet expectations, physical ailments, depression, anxiety, and unfulfilled desires/dreams. And hope in the promise that God is indeed making all things new. The best is yet to come. - 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!