“Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭ASV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is works. The definition of work is an activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. In our key verse, we are instructed to let our light shine through our good works. More importantly, it says we are to glorify God. Now take a look at Ray’s photo. This is his view of a Sunday morning service being live streamed from Pawleys Island Community Church. What do you see? I see cameras and monitors pointed toward worship.

Often you will read or hear us text or say; SDG. This means Soli Deo Gloria, to give God glory alone. Each time we complement our works, we recite SDG. Why do we do this? It keeps us focused on God and keeps us humble. Take a look at your week ahead and think of how you can make your work pleasing to Him. I leave us today with a blessing. I pray this benediction from Hebrews 13: 20-21 NIV over all of us.

Now go and may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip us all with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Now go and worship through your works with “Soli Deo Gloria” by Influence Music.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalms 105‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is revealed. Our key verse instructs us to look to the Lord for our strength. Now, look at Ray’s photo of the flowers. There are several that have revealed their beauty. There are also several waiting to be revealed. Just as we seek God’s face, we can look for His beauty to find strength. I created an acronym for strength.

Seek To Reveal Every New Gift Through Him

I chose this because of the promise from Philippians 4:13 NIV: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Everything God equips us to do is a gift. If we look to seek God’s face and bring Him glory in all that we do, we will find all the strength we need. Where are you looking for strength? It is good to rely on friends and family for support but eventually, someone or something will fail. How can you find strength from these delicate flowers? Have you ever thought about how we give and receive flowers for all occasions, both joyous and sad? God’s beauty is a vital source of our strength.

Take a moment to think about the goodness God has recently revealed in your life. Are there still areas in your life waiting to be revealed? What has been revealed can give us the hope and strength we need. Let’s pray.

Dear God, I desire to seek Your face and look to You as the source of my strength. Reveal every new gift given through You. I desire to reveal Your glory to the world in all that I do and say. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Now go worship through your day with TobyMac and “The Goodness”.

“Thank You for responding to me; You’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted— let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God—a free and full life!” Psalm‬ ‭118‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today’s Rethink Photo-A-Day word is celebrate. God’s work deserves to be celebrated. In our key verse we most often quote verse 24 NIV: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Take a moment to read The Message version of our surrounding key verses. Jesus was declared flawed just as we use labels today. However, God made Jesus both the cornerstone (the base) and the capstone (the crown) of our faith. We can also celebrate from these verses that our salvation has already been bought for us and is freely given.

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo of stones. According to Merriam-Webster, the capstone is the high point or crowning achievement. Architecturally the capstone is the stone placed on top of a wall as the final stone. In other biblical translations, the capstone is also referred to as the cornerstone. According to Merriam-Webster, the cornerstone is the stone forming a part of the corner or angle in a wall along the foundation. Architecturally the cornerstone is the first stone set and every other stone is placed in reference to it. God is the rock of our salvation. He is the foundation of our faith and the one who reigns at the top receiving the glory.

Today as you go to your places of worship, celebrate this day, your salvation, and the work of God’s hands. Let’s use Psalm 62:1-2 in a prayer.

Dear God, Truly my soul finds rest in You. My salvation comes from You. Truly You are my rock and my salvation. You are my fortress. I will never be shaken. Today I celebrate this day, my salvation, and the work of Your hands. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“And then God answered: ‘Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.’” Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Join me for See You Saturday as I talk about vision.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Dear God, You who are sovereign, You give me strength. I trust in Your faithful promises. Forgive me when I question Your plans. I can see Your past faithfulness in Your word and the story of Your son, Christ Jesus. Although I can’t see what is ahead, I trust in the vision you have for my life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Below are the photos shared with Water Walkers this week. If you would like to share your Rethink Photo-a-Day with us, you can do one of the following:

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We want to hear and see from you!

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is alone. Solitude is the state of being alone. Did you know that bears prefer to live in solitude? Other than mating and raising cubs, they are known to be the loneliest carnivores. Although Jesus didn’t prefer to live alone, He did like to pray in solitude. In our key verse, He instructs us where we should go and pray. I have included two instances where the Bible illustrates Jesus retreating in solitude to pray.

Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV: “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,”
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Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬: “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’”

I encourage you to read two more instances on your own, Mark 1:35 and Luke 22: 39-41. It isn’t always easy to be alone on this earth. The truth is, with Jesus, we are never alone. Next time you find yourself in solitude, I encourage you to take the opportunity to just sit in His presence. Let’s pray.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is overcome. This photo could symbolize different things. I was able to overcome the challenges of a run. If you live in our area, you may have or have not overcome the pollen. Jesus overcame His journey to the cross. In our key verse, Jesus is talking to His disciples. He is acknowledging the trials we will experience here on earth. He is also saying to “take heart” which means courage and confidence because He overcame the world. I encourage you to read the full passage; John 16:16-33. I also encourage you to take a moment to listen to the Story of the song “Overcome” by Jeremy Camp. Some of the lyrics sing: “We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.”

A testimony comes from a test. Jesus knows the trials and tests we are facing. What trial are are you facing today? Do you feel like running from it? God has not abandoned you. What if we courageously ran towards our trial with God? In the message version of verses 31-33: “Jesus answered them, ‘Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.’” Let’s pray.

Dear God, I am so thankful You have never left me. Help me to see, even through my trials and tests that You are right beside me. Forgive me for running away. Give me the confidence I need to run towards my trial because I know I can do all things through You. I worship the one that has conquered the grave. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

“While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ ‭ASV‬‬

Today’s Photo-A-Day word is beloved. In our key verse, God refers to Jesus as His beloved. According to the dictionary beloved means dearly loved. Notice Ray White’s beautiful picture of the sun setting over a church. As you look at this picture I want you to be reminded that we are God’s church and we are His beloved. In 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭ASV‬‬ we read: “Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Now read the key verse again. Notice there is a call to action. As His disciples, we are asked to hear God. Hearing involves a relationship with God. Keeping in mind that we are His beloved, I encourage you to really listen to the words of the song, “I Am Your Beloved” by Johnathan David Helser and Melissa Helser. Some of the lyrics sing, “I am Your beloved, You have bought me with Your blood and on Your hand, You have written out my name. I am Your beloved, the one the father loves. Mercy has defeated all my shame.” Let’s pray.

Dear God, I come to You today as Your beloved child. I desire to hear Your voice. Thank You for defeating my shame and loving me. I lift up all those that do not know You. May they see Your love through me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.