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

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 by journaling or saying out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
2. Play or sing some worship music you love, or choose from one of our Spotify Playlists.
Further Focus: Declare what God’s Word says is true about who you are in Christ back to Him.

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 Judges 16
*Focusing as a Family? Find Paradox on the Parent Cue App
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?
Further Focus: One of the best ways to learn more about the Bible is by discussing it with others.
Work through this week’s Lifegroup Discussion Guide and meet up with a Paradox Lifegroup.

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING
Ahhhhh the story of Samson and Delilah, a story I remember from my childhood. Samson was like Superman! He had superhuman strength, killing a lion with his bare hands, taking and lifting a cities huge gate off its hinges, and he beat so many evil Philistines with his bare hands too! All the boys in my Sunday school class wanted to be Samson. As a young adult, my take away from this story is the old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Samson was not only fooled twice by Delilah but four times! Spending time rereading and dwelling on this story, I have come to realize a few things I had never thought of before. One is that Samson was filled with pride, he was disobedient to the Lord and had sinful relationships with women. I realized though physically strong, Samson was morally weak. Luckily for Samson, despite his disobedience, the Spirit of the Lord would fill him, allowing him to accomplish incredible feats with his superhuman strength. The second thing I realized is that Samson was attracted to Philistine women, he basically “idolized” them. By lusting after these forbidden women, he took his eyes off of God. After Delilah finally convinces him to give her the secret of his strength, the Philistines are able to capture him. The first thing they did was blind him by taking his eyes. I wasn’t sure why they did this, but then it hit me, if he was blinded to his lusting for the things of this world, then he could focus on God. In the end Samson realized where his strength truly came from. In (16:28) Samson “called to the Lord and said, ‘Oh Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God.” At that prayer his strength returned and he was able to collapse the pillars he was tied to, causing the roof of the temple to fall and crush everyone underneath it. In his death Samson conquered more of God’s enemies than he did while he was alive. Samson is listed in Hebrews 11: 33-34 as one who was made strong out of their weakness. In the same way, all of us who acknowledge our weakness and put our hope in Jesus, we will find our strength restored and we will be saved in Jesus’ name. - Dawn Custer

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
If you’re just starting out, try praying through a Ripple Prayer.
Further Focus: Use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations and those serving them.

SHARE THE FOCUS | 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!