“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s invitation is to come and drink from God’s Living Water. We are blessed with the promise to never thirst again. We all go through seasons where we either feel well-watered or parched. What season are you in today? Are you overflowing with God’s living water? Or are you in need of renewal? Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo above. Now imagine God’s Living Water renewing your spirit.

The picture below is of our daughter, Kendal. This past week she was invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in College. We are so proud of her as this invitation is given based on grades. Aren’t we glad that God’s invitation to drink from the fountain is for everyone! Our Heavenly Father is proud of us too. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have accomplished, we are all invited to come and drink.

I encourage you to listen to the song, “Living Water” by Anne Wilson. Really listen to the words. We aren’t strangers to God, but now His sons and daughters. Let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank You for Your Living Water. I desire to experience a renewal today. I humbly come before You to receive Your cleansing Spirit so that I can overflow Your Living Water to those around me. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

“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.

“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.