Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.

WORSHIP | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
Start by playing some worship music you love, or choose from one of our Spotify Playlists.
Journal or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
Going Deeper: Pray Amos 5:14-15. Focus on one truth about who God is & thank Him for it.

PRAYER | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Start praying for yourself using the Lord’s Prayer or pray for others using a Ripple Prayer.
Going Deeper: Learn more about prayer & try out a practice at paradoxchurch.com/pray.

SCRIPTURE | 5-25 Minutes
Our scripture focus for this study is Romans 3:23-24. Try memorizing it!
Today’s reading is from Romans 15
Ask the following SOS Questions & journal your thoughts…
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?
Going Deeper: Read 2 Samuel 22:50-51, Psalm 117

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING
In reflecting on this chapter, the Apostle Paul exhorts the believers in the personal conduct of self-denial on behalf of others. Paul made a very immediate and applicable statement that those in the Body of Christ who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
That is exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for Himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but stepped right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled.” is the way Scripture puts it.
I find it very interesting that Paul has interwoven the multi-attributes of God throughout this chapter. In v. 5: “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.” Then in v. 13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And again, in v. 33: “Now the God of peace be with you all.”
When we extend ourselves to the building up and strengthening of the members of the Body of Christ in our local assembly and abroad; the God who is more than enough will refill and refresh us again and again. May we continue to be faithful in our service to God our Father and to our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, our Lord. - Lawrence Payton

SHARE | 1-5 Minutes
Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
Going Deeper: 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!