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 Genesis 11:1-9, Deuteronomy 32:8, Revelation 5:8-9, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 15:1-5 & Revelation 21:24&26
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…
Whenever I heard the “Tower of Babel” story as a kid (Genesis 11), I had a certain picture in my head when I heard the verse: “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” It was a picture of a nervous God worrying that the humans might build a tower tall enough to reach the clouds and find him. When I got older the picture got more sophisticated as I focused on the word “nothing” and thought beyond a tower to what if we built space ships that could go the edge of the universe or better microscopes that could unlock subatomic explanations for creation. NOW when I read this, my focus is on the words: “they plan”. I feel like by confusing languages God was mercifully trying to shift our focus from making our own plans and relying on each other to execute them; to seeking God’s plans and NEEDING HIM to execute them. We definitely find ourselves more reliant on God when the world can’t give us cohesive answers. Even though our world is “smaller” than ever thanks to the internet, cell phones, and apps like Google translate, it doesn’t feel like people are getting more onto the same page. Instead of trying to standardize onto common human ideologies and strategies, I think we may be better off staying more localized in our focus, embracing our differences, but acknowledging God’s authority and leadership within our separate contexts.
There will be a time to come together in one city and with a common voice say: “For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you because your righteous acts have been revealed.” But that will be a city of God’s making and at a time of his choosing.
God wants us to find him, he just knows that man-made plans will have us finding something else. Let’s seek his plans, and then we will find him.
- Mike Nank

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!