“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’” John 14‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s invitation from God is to come to Him through His Son Christ Jesus. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to live in your heart? Have you professed your faith? We just went through Holy Week and we’re able to experience life on Earth with Jesus. Such a beautiful gift we have. Like in Ray’s picture above sometimes our way seems treacherous, but we have a clear path through Jesus. He is the Way, Truth, and Life.

The picture below is of Kendal and Trevor at their confirmation into the church. This was an invitation for our children to join the church and profess their faith since their infant baptism. What is your salvation story? It doesn’t have to be some grand story. Your invitation from God is personal and unique to you. I encourage you to share that gift with someone this day. I also encourage you to take a moment to pray for our children. We live in such a cruel world and many have not been fortunate to grow up in Christian homes. Let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank You for the gift of Your son, Christ Jesus. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins and the eternal life that You invite me to. I pray for our Youth that they will all get an invitation to follow You from someone like me. Give me the courage to share that gift with someone today. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week we will talk about the different invitations we receive from God. Today’s invitation is to remain in God. Each sunrise is a fresh start to remain. How can we remain in Him? We can remain in Him by staying in tune with God through His word and prayer, daily taking up our cross to follow Him, and by surrounding ourselves with fruitful friends and family. Who do you surround yourself with?

The picture below was an invitation to gather with some of my dearest friends and family at the movies. Although this would be a highlight reel for me, I can call on them when I am struggling to produce fruit. You can find the full passage in John 15:1-17. I encourage you to meditate on these verses as you sit and remain with God. Let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank You for Your invitation to remain in You. Help me to bear much fruit so that I can be a fruitful friend to others. Guide me to share Your invitation with those in my path. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“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.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is blessed. Our key verses today are called the Beatitudes Jesus had given these blessings to His disciples during the Sermon on the Mount. There is a scene in the Netflix series, “The Chosen” where Jesus gives the Beatitudes to Matthew. He refers to them as directions to find Him. Jesus lived on the Earth and experienced the same trials we face today. These red letters found in Matthew are meant for us to find comfort and blessings in Jesus.

Notice the sky reflecting on the beach. We are blessed to have the word of God reflecting on our path as a road map to find and seek Him. The song “Red Letters” by Crowder is a great way to depict just how Jesus’s red letters bless us today. Let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank You for Your red letters to guide and bless me today. I find comfort and peace in Your unfailing word. Thank You for the Community I have with fellow believers. May we all join together to be the salt of the earth and shine Your light so that we may be a blessing. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is humble. This past Saturday I ran the Bridge 2 Bridge 12k race in Georgetown, South Carolina. The two US HWY 17 bridges cross the Great Pee Dee River and Waccamaw River, respectively, with a beautiful view of Winyah Bay. They may not seem steep by car but as a runner who is used to flat country, they are very humbling. The picture you see here is taken from my view of the sun rising over one of the bridges.

In today’s verse, Jesus is talking in parables to the workers in the vineyard. I encourage you to read the entire passage found in Matthew 20: 1-16 NIV. In this parable, it doesn’t matter how long we have been a Christian or how much service we have completed, but rather that we as Christians will all receive the same inheritance into the Kingdom of Heaven. For me as a runner, it doesn’t matter that I receive a prize but that I finished the race. It is very humbling to have other runners speed past you or like myself run up the bridge at turtle speed. It is also very humbling to work and serve the kingdom of God. For our accolades are not race medals but the crown of salvation. Let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank You for the blessings I receive when I humbly serve You. May I always stay humble for Your glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is prophet. Before reading our key verses I want you to look at Ray’s photo. You will see two people riding horses on a trail. Although Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was on a donkey, I imagine the scenery something similar to this. As you read the verses notice all the preparations the Disciples were instructed to do.

Matthew 21:1-11 NIV reads:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Normally this would be Water Walking Wednesday so I ask, as a disciple are you preparing the way for the Prophet? Are you publicly sharing the good news of Jesus? Are you giving God the highest praise? Our church celebrates Palm Sunday. As we enter the church we will be carrying in and waving the palms before placing them on the altar. We will be singing Hosanna in the highest which is an exclamation of praise. I encourage you to listen to this beautiful song “Hosanna” by Isaiah Templeton. Now let’s go to God in praise.

Dear God, Hosanna in the Highest. Thank You for both Your gentleness and Your triumphant presence in my life. I desire to be Your disciple; leading the way, and sharing the good news. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.