“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Love: an intense feeling of deep affection

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is love. Think about someone you love here on earth. In fact, think about the person or persons you love the most. The love God has for you and me is even greater. Have you shared the love of Christ with your loved ones? Do they know how much God loves them? How about your friends? Your coworkers? Be intentional today about sharing the love of Christ with someone you know.

Dear God, Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your son to die for me. Give me the courage to share Your love with others today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day is message. What message are you sharing? Are you answering the call by Jesus to spread the gospel? Are you sharing the Good News in dark places?

Take a moment to read all of Mark 16. May God give you a renewed fire for spreading His message.

Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son to save each of us. Renew the spark within me to go out into all the world and spread Your message of love, forgiveness, and everlasting life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is celebrate. Have you noticed that celebrate has been the word each Sunday? Why do you think we are reminded to celebrate on Sundays ? As Christians we are called to corporate, communal worship.

“‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’” Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Each Sunday, we have the opportunity to join together in the presence of Christ. What a reason to celebrate!

Today, I encourage you to join in a corporate worship service. Be aware of all that occurs, thank God for the opportunity to gather together, and celebrate!

Click here for reasons Christians need to participate in corporate worship.

Dear God, Thank You for the promise of Your presence when I am gathered with others in Your name. May we all celebrate, praise, and honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The pumpkins in today’s photo are carrying seeds wherever they are taken. Are you carrying seeds with you wherever you go? Are you eager to sow Christianity or are you an apprehensive farmer worried about frost? As Christians, we do not have to fear the chill of a frost killing the seeds we sow. Instead, we can be ready and willing to scatter the seeds of Christ at any time! So don’t become weary or fear the chill in the air! Keep sowing!

Dear Master Gardener, Give me courage to eagerly sow Your seeds. Water and shine Your Son on the scattered seeds I spread. May they grow all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Complete: adjective-having all the necessary or appropriate parts

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day is complete. Look at today’s featured photo. Do we have the complete image? How many words could we type with only the keys we can see? Could we write a story with just this part of the keyboard? From what I can tell, the only real word we could type is “sad.”

Often, you and I try to write our story or our opinion of someone else’s story, without having the complete keyboard. That is also sad. Only God can see every key and can type every stroke.

Today, examine your viewpoint of others. Are you making judgments of another about a situation? Are you allowing your judgments to affect your actions towards other. Carry the image of this partial keyboard with you today. May God remind each of us that only the Creator sees the entire picture and completes each story with His heavenly keyboard.

Dear Creator, Soften my heart to others. Help me to realize only You can complete my story and the story of others. May my words and actions be non-judgmental and compassionate. May I show the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

“Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. ‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples. ‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!’” Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Harvest: to gather in a crop.

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is harvest. I like the Message version of today’s featured scripture. Re-read it now and prayerfully examine your hands. Do you have harvest hands?

As I prepared for today’s blog, I searched the internet for information on picking cotton. Harvesting cotton has come a long way. Click here to read an article written by Ron Smith recounting some of his experience with picking cotton.

Prior to the invention of the cotton picker, harvesting cotton was all done by hand. I imagine the hands of those picking cotton were rough, tough, and calloused from the hands-on work. I imagine their hands were a true visual of “harvest hands.”

When it comes to harvesting for Christ, how do your hands look? Do you have hands that are working for the Lord? Are your hands actively involved in the harvesting? Are your hands rough, tough, and calloused? What can you do today that is an example of using your harvest hands?

Dear Creator, Thank You for allowing me to help with Your harvest. Show me ways that I can use my harvest hands for Your glory today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.