“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.” Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is celebrate. Easter Sunday is a day of celebration that Jesus has risen and is alive. How do you celebrate? For me and my family it has changed over the years as family has gotten older and many have passed away. For many years now we have gathered in a family member’s home for an early evening potluck with all the family favorites. Take a moment to think about what an empty grave personally means to you. How is this a celebration in your life? In verses 5 and 6 to follow you will read a personal invitation to see Jesus’ empty grave; “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’” This week we will be talking about different personal invitations we receive from our Risen Lord.

Take a moment to enjoy Ray’s photo. With every rising sun, we are blessed to receive an invitation to celebrate our Risen Lord. I encourage you to celebrate with the song, “Empty Grave” by Zach Williams. As you listen, pause and watch the very powerful video. Imagine the angels singing in Jubilation. You can read today’s full passage in Matthew 28: 1-10. Our Risen Lord gives us an open invitation to prayer in Psalm 145:18 NIV: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Let’s pray.

Dear Risen Lord, May every creature praise Your Holy Name. Thank You for my personal invitation to Your empty grave. I shout with jubilation that You conquered death for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video.

“It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed. You were like sheep that had lost their way, but now you have been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭GNT‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is carried. What a perfect word for Good Friday. Today we remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Click here to read or watch a short video explaining why this Friday is called good.

Click here to read the scripture that tells of the crucifixion of Jesus. Today I encourage you to spend some time mourning the death of Christ. Reflect on the reality that Jesus suffered and carried your sins to the cross. What does that mean for you? Do you live your daily life in a way that exhibits your appreciation for this gift from Jesus? Have you shared the gift of Christ with someone else?

Dear God, Thank You for Good Friday. Thank You for sacrificing Your only Son for me to have eternal life. Keep the image of the draped cross in my mind today so I may experience a small portion of Your grief. May all that I say and do today reflect the love of the cross. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Photo-A-Day word is hold.

Look at today’s photo by Ray White. The piece of wood appears to be old. It has probably weathered many storms in its life. A tree has roots to hold it in place and keep it grounded as it endures harsh weather or storms.

To what are you holding? Do you have roots holding you in place and keeping you grounded? Today’s scripture reminds us to hold on to the hope we have in Christ.

Today is Maundy Thursday. Have you heard this term before? Do you know what it means? Click here for an explanation of Maundy Thursday. Click here for an example of why the word Maundy is used.

As you go about your day, reflect on the events that happened thousands of years ago. Remember the promises Jesus made to us and hold on to the hope we have in Him.

Dear God, Thank You for the hope I have in Christ. Guide my thoughts today as I remember the events of the Last Supper. Continue to usher me through the events of Holy Week that ultimately lead me to eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is looking. The definition of look is “direct one’s gaze toward someone or something or in a specified direction”. Which direction are you looking and for what are you looking?

Jesus preached that we should be looking towards God. Over the next few days we will walk with Christ through the events that led up to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. I invite you to be looking closely at the face of Christ as He walks towards the cross to die for you. Seek God’s insight and wisdom as God also watches His only Son suffer. As you give thanks, step out of your personal comfort zone and share the Good News with someone in your life. As you walk on water today, be looking towards the cross of Christ for courage and strength.

Dear God, May I always be looking at You. Thank You for what this Holy week means to me as a Christian. May I continually seek Your strength as I step out and share Your love and mercy with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remove: eliminate or get rid of.

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is removed. Today’s scripture exemplifies how Jesus is in the removal business. As He walked the earth He worked to remove barriers and obstacles.

Often in life, we must have something removed before we can truly see. The story of Paul is an example. Take a moment to learn about this conversion. Click here to read.

As we wind down this season of Lent I ask you to reflect. Did you “give up” or remove something from your life? When you removed it, did you use the loss to remind you of the sacrifice Jesus made for you? If not, it’s not too late. Today ask God to reveal to you a distraction or obstacle that is prohibiting you and your witness for Christ. Ask God to give you the guidance needed to have that distraction removed.

Dear God, Thank You for the sacrifice You gave for me. Open my eyes to any distractions or obstacles that need to be removed. Guide and direct my actions and attitudes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is early. What do you think of when you hear the word early? Do you think of completing a task prior to the expected time? Do you think of arriving somewhere before you actually need to be there? The word early reminds me of the beginning of each day. Unlike many people, I truly enjoy early morning because that is the hour that I spend in prayer and devotion with God. Do you think Jesus liked the early morning hours when He was here on earth?

I chose today’s photo because the beautiful sunrise reminds me of my love for early mornings as well as my love for the beach. Today’s photo also happens to be the first photo from Ray White that I have saved in my album of his photos. It is a reminder to me of the early days of our partnership and the blessings that have resulted.

Today, spend some time reflecting on what the word early means to you. I also encourage you to remember the early days of your faith and give thanks.

Dear God, Thank You for all the blessings that come from being early. Thank You for the early days of my faith and the blessings that have grown from those early days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.