“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.

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!’” John‬ 12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is celebrate. Today many of us will be celebrating Palm Sunday. Click here to read an explanation of Palm Sunday. As you read in the link, some people who were present that first Palm Sunday didn’t understand the significance of Jesus or the significance of the day. We have the privilege of knowing the full story and for that, we can celebrate. Let us celebrate Palm Sunday today and let us celebrate each day of this Holy Week that will lead us to Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this Palm Sunday. May I be mindful of Your presence as I celebrate this special day that will lead me to the ultimate Good News of Easter. 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.