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 2:8-9 & 15-17, Genesis 3:1-6 & 22, Genesis 6:5-6, Psalm 6:6, Psalm 39:12, Revelation 21:4-6 & Revelation 22:1-3
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…
Healing is something that is only needed or desired when there has been an injury or pain that has caused suffering. The idea of needing healing was something that was non-existent in the Garden of Eden before the fall. God had created a beautiful garden and placed Adam and Eve to live in it and gave them dominion and the charge to care for what He had created. Only two trees are named in the Bible - the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil - and only 1 was forbidden for them to eat from. There was no need for them to eat from the Tree of Life because there had been no sin. They essentially would have lived forever as the penalty for sin is death. So, of course, they were tempted by Satan to eat from the one they were told not to resulting in the first act of sin and the entrance of sin into the world. Sin is ugly and causes pain, brokenness and suffering. Death would now be the penalty for all of our sin. Suffering became a part of man’s everyday life when it had been prior to this. We now needed saving, rescuing - a healing of this sickness of sin and disobedience. Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden so they wouldn’t eat from the Tree of Life and live forever which at first may seem like a heartless act but as I read more into this passage I came to see the mercy and kindness of God that would prevent us from living eternally in a broken world and perpetual cycle of pain and suffering in these mortal bodies. He had a plan from the very beginning to break the curse of sin and death giving us a new bodies in an eternal state with Him being able to partake from the Trees of Life in Heaven that will continually heal us as He wipes away every tear form our eyes and removes pain and sorrow far from us. These things are trustworthy and true!!

I can relate to the Psalmist as he describes soaking his bed with tears and crying for God to see and remember him. Many of you have probably cried enough tears in one night to wet a pillow. I remember when I was a teenager and my relationship with God had become very real and I was beginning to walk closely with Him. My mom had chronic illness that caused a lot of pain and other difficulties. I would literally cry so many tears at night crying out to God to heal her and take away her pain and suffering. When she passed last year, God comforted me with these verses in Revelation of now removing every pain - her tears and sorrow were no more and mine one day would also be gone. I know I’m not alone either in personal suffering or seeing someone else you love dearly suffer. I know God heals and performs miracles - sometimes this miraculous healing is on this side of heaven and sometimes it’s in His presence. God, who is called Alpha & Omega, the Beginning & the End, has always existed and was there from our very beginning and will be there till the end. He is the one who supplies our healing and fullness of life making all things new. One day it will all be finished. My prayer for myself and our church family today is that our hearts would have faith to trust God and believe that what He has said about the future, the curse He has freed us from and the hope of Heaven He has called us to would be something we can confidently say is ‘trustworthy and true’ giving us hope and comfort in the kids of suffering for the beautiful healing that is coming. - 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!