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 Genesis 1:3-25, Romans 8:19-22 & Revelation 21:1-2, 5, 9-27
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…
Today we read the words that Jesus claims for himself - the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. In Genesis, God creates the world and everything in it. And God repeatedly says that His creation is “good.” And yet, when we fast forward from the garden to the city in Revelation, I can’t help but think that somehow this is even better. We typically think of new as a starting point. In our limited understanding of how “newness” works, things begin new and go downhill from there. They get used and less valuable. But somehow God seems to work in the opposite. In the beginning, God makes everything and gives people a “mandate” to be fruitful and multiply, to continue God’s work of creating and ruling with Him on the earth. What was lost in the first “Adam” is not only restored in the second (Jesus), but it seems that what God sets into motion is even better. We’re not going back to good - we’re moving forward to new. Today as you read, find hope in this glorious portrait of the future in God’s kingdom. You don’t have to go back to good. God’s not simply “undoing” your past… in Jesus, God is redeeming your future. Jesus is making all things better. New lies ahead. The best is yet to come. Look forward with eager anticipation, as Romans 8:19-22 says, through the pain and the struggle to the glorious, free “new” day ahead. In Jesus, you are a new creation, and today is a new day. - 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!