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 Isaiah 2, Isaiah 24-25 & Isaiah 43:16-19
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…
They say God is old fashioned. God’s ways are old school. Heck, God’s Law is found in the Old Testament - and old stuff is, well, old. But the longer I live the more I see that everything old seems to get new again. Isaiah 2 starts out with this call to go to God so that He may teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths. What stands out to me here is this - we don’t know the way. We need God to teach us how and where to walk in this journey called life. Here, at the beginning of a new year, many of us already feel like it’s the “same old-same old.” Same old routine. Same old results. Same old bad habits. Same old person. We get stuck and continue doing the same old things, traveling the same old, worn-out dead-end paths we travel every day of every year. That’s how habits form - old pathways of pleasure form in our brain, and we keep traveling down them expecting more but experiencing less. They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Humanity has a long track record of doing the same old thing - like a broken record. In fact, Isaiah 24:19 says the earth is “utterly broken.” Beyond repair. Old. But God has an old plan to do something new. (I love the contrast between Isaiah 24 & 25!) God calls us in Isaiah 43 to Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Your old ways? How are those working out for you? Forget about ‘em! If you’re tired of old ways producing the same old results, it’s time to try something new! Walk up the mountain. Sit at God’s feet. Learn a new way from God’s law… you’ll find the result is something new too. God is working His old plan to make the world new again. Why not get ahead of the curve on try something new today? Here’s how God can make things new in your life today on a practical level - allow God to give something "old” in your life a new purpose. Find one “sword” (something that has been used to bring brokenness, pain, and destruction in your life or the lives of others, see Isaiah 2:4) and invite God to turn into a tool for goodness, productivity, beauty, and peace today. - 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!