Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Play or sing some worship music you love, or use a playlist from Paradox on Spotify.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first.

WEEKLY 40 FOR 40 FOCUS | Developing Leaders (Genesis 12:1-3 & 2 Kings 13)
Over the 40 Days of Lent, add 40 minutes of prayer to your week - either 1x/week or 7 minutes/day.
Pray that we would raise up the next generation to impact the nations and expand God's kingdom. Pray for 40+ "Missional Arrows" from Paradox in 2024 and an additional $40,000 in our budget to fund them.
How have I been blessed to “be a blessing” and build God’s kingdom through serving & giving?

DAILY PRAYER FOCUS | Use the PRAY acronym each morning. 
P = Pause. As you start your time of prayer, begin by pausing and being still before the Lord.
R = Read. Read the Scripture Focus slowly and focus on words/phrases the Holy Spirit highlights as you read.
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.
Begin your prayer with “Father, I remember your faithfulness to…” and respond with, “Give me faith to…”

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Today’s reading is from Deuteronomy 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…
A few years ago we drove our family down to Texas. It was a really beautiful experience all around. There was so much excitement, and planning beforehand. I don’t remember much from the drive down there outside of the fun stops we made. The car ride itself was kind of awful with 3 small children, and all of our luggage. I remember some of the frustration, and bickering between the kids in our packed little car. When we arrived our mood completely shifted. We were finally there, and could enjoy all that God had in store for that week.

When reading Deuteronomy 26 I kept thinking of how different it came across then in previous chapters when the Israelites were in the wilderness with all of the frustrations, and problems. All of the lessons, and conditioning God was teaching His people leading up to these next few chapters.

This chapter recants all that God did for them while they journeyed through hard things toward the promised land, and how they should continue to be disciplined. Continuing to bring Him praise once they got there. None of the details from the struggles were really included here. I think because it no longer felt like that’s what mattered. The promised land was actually in sight for them.

This chapter is filled with thankfulness, and praise showing us how to see all of Gods goodness that happened in those hard places. Today I would encourage you to look into difficult things going on in your life, and see how God is working in that on your behalf. Invite Jesus in to show you where, and how He is leading you to His promises. Ask Him how you can continue learning, and growing. I pray you can see those things clearer, and sing praises to His name. - Rachel Hood

REMEMBERING PRACTICE | (Optional) Practice remembering with a Daily Examen each evening.
The Examen prayer was made popular by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). It has helped Christians for centuries to re-center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of long days. We are using a variation creat-ed by Pete Greig from his book, How to Pray, to help us remember Jesus at the close of our days.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy or joyful? What made you anxious or burdened?
Rejoice = Give thanks to God for the small and the significant things from the day.
Repent = Ask God for forgiveness where you need. Receive His forgiveness afresh.
Reboot = Commit to walk with Jesus tomorrow. Ask for grace to see His presence more clearly.
*For help or an audio prayer version, use the Lectio 365 app.

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!