Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
ENTER. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
FOCUS. Slowly breathe in… and out. Pray, Jesus, I surrender to you today and trust in you.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from 1 Chronicles 7-8 & Deuteronomy 33:12
THINK. A Thought from Holly MacDonald…
1 Chronicles 7 references the genealogies of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve tribes bore the names of Jacob’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. The next chapter (1 Chronicles 8) zeros in on the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin, Jacob’s twelfth son, received a blessing in Genesis 49:27, “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” As Jacob prophesied in Genesis 49, this tribe was more inclined toward war. Did you catch those “fighting men” moments throughout 1 Chronicles 7? I love the Lord’s unique promise to the tribe of Benjamin in Deuteronomy 33:12. The Lord promises a fighting tribe rest. Though they are a tribe ready and capable for battle, the Lord promises a land where He will give them rest from their enemies and they will live in safety (Deuteronomy 12:10). Similarly, scripture is filled with God’s promise to us to be our rest, strength, refuge, rock, and shield. Though there is a promised place of eternal rest for us, we get to experience God’s present help on this side of Heaven. Maybe you’re in the middle of a personal battle or struggle right now. What was the first thing you’re tempted to run to? Maybe it is God, and that’s great! But maybe if we are honest, it feels a lot easier to turn first to a good friend for support, a spouse, or maybe a counselor. Maybe it’s even food, entertainment, or social media to numb our emotions. Though all good and wonderful things (even gifts!) in their rightful place, God wants to be the first place you turn. He is ready to give you rest in the middle of the battle, to protect you from your enemies, and give you a safe place to restore you.
PRAY. Join Paradox in Prayer & Fasting this Lent. Learn more at paradoxchurch.com/lent.
In this Lent season, we’ll be using the P.R.A.Y. model of prayer.
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the passage of the day (from the Daily Prayer Guide) slowly and be sensitive to the words or phrases that the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you.
A = Ask. Ask God to come and speak to you. Open up your heart to Him as your heavenly Father.
Y = Yield. We want to yield our lives to the words we have prayed and commit to follow Jesus’s way.
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!