“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is dazzling. According to the dictionary, this means extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily. Similar words are extremely impressive, beautiful, or skillful. Have you ever looked into the sun a little too long and then tried to come inside? You start to see spots and are almost blinded for a few minutes. Notice this picture from Ray White. There is a surfer who appears to be staring into the sunrise. If you ask me that is a pretty dazzling place to watch the sunrise.

Over Jesus’ journey on earth, the Disciples had a dazzling view of His life. From His teachings, healings, transfiguration, last supper, death on the cross, and when the Son would rise from His grave. Can you envision the Disciple’s view of Jesus’s transfiguration? This took place just six days after Peter’s declaration of faith in Matthew 16:16 NIV: “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’” How close is your view of Jesus? Are you on the mountain watching His transfiguration with the Disciples? Are you declaring your faith like Peter? Make today transfiguration Tuesday and be dazzled by Jesus’ light. Let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank You for desiring to have a close relationship with me. Forgive me for the times I have missed seeing and shining your glory. I declare my faith in You. I desire to be so close in relationship with you that I am dazzled by your light. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is shone. This is past tense for shine. Notice the photo by Ray White. A view of the sun rising from a rearview mirror. Rearview mirrors are a great tool for safe driving. However there still can be a blind spot. We might have to turn our heads to the right or left to change lanes. We also have blind spots in our lives where we are trying to connect the dots in the past to understand or figure out what’s next. Good news, we can look to our right and our left with God in Isaiah 30:21 NIV: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Looking back at our key verse, we are the Israelites. God has already shone His light on us. He has also given us a new identity in Christ Jesus by putting His name on us. In this season of lent, we are looking back on Jesus’ journey. We are also looking back on our journey. Yes, our past shapes our tomorrow but it doesn’t have to define it. Are you looking to the right and to the left? Are you receiving the grace and peace that only God can give? God has shone His light on our faces. Let’s walk in it and receive it. Let’s go to God in prayer.

Dear God, Thank you for Your light that has shone and continues to shine. Forgive me when I have not looked to You for Your perfect will. I receive Your grace and peace. I make the choice today to walk in it. I will go forward confidently in Your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is test. Did you always know all the answers on tests in school? Could you predict what the end result of your test would be before you received the grade? I am guessing the answer to both those questions is no. The same principle applies to our everyday lives. You and I cannot see what awaits us at the end of tests and trials. We don’t know what is around the corner or at the end of the tunnel.

So what do we do? We present our requests to God, we trust God, and He sends us peace. Even in the middle of trials, we can count on the promise of peace.

Dear God, Help me to feel Your presence as I endure times of testing. May I hold on to Your promise and trust that Your peace will come. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is wilderness. As you can see in the pictures I chose, I have 2 thoughts about the word wilderness.

First, a wilderness can be barren and mangled with many twists and turns. Often there is no clear path. If you look closely at the top picture there is a lantern hanging on one of the limbs. To me, that represents the light of Christ among a place of confusion.

Secondly, I have come to learn that when I am in a wilderness, God grows beautiful fruit for His glory. Prior to His ministry here on earth, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Are you in a wilderness today? Are you caught up in a tangled mess? Look for the light of Christ among the chaos. Watch for ways God is growing fruit in you.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for making a way in the wilderness. Thank you for making new things in and through me! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Today we kick off the Rethink Church Photo-A-Day challenge. The challenge is to post a picture that represents the word of the day to you. Julie, Ray, and I will write an explanation of the picture we post and we would love for you to either post your pic under our post or tag #waterwalkers in your post. Click here to watch a video of Julie and I explaining the Photo-A-Day challenge.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This picture of fire represents the word consume to me. A fire envelops and consumes all that is around it. As we enter this season of Lent I want to be consumed by the Holy Spirit.

Click here to read more about Lent.

Click here for some meaningful ways to observe Lent.

Dear God, May I be consumed by Your loving presence throughout this Lenten season. May Your presence be reflected in my words and actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.