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.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is need. The beauty of the word need is that the Lord already knows what we need before we ask him. Take a look at Ray’s picture of the beautiful roses. Not only were flowers created by God but he also created the soil, rain, and sun to give them what they need.

What is your need today? Do you feel overwhelmed about where and what to pray? I encourage you to sit in a quiet place, away from people and distractions. Close your eyes and think about the beauty of the roses. Take your need and surrender it to the Lord who gives us all the tools we need for how to pray through Matthew 6:9-13. Let’s pray it together.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. 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’s Name we pray, Amen.

You can also worship with the song “The Lord’s Prayer” by Matt Maher.

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is disciple. According to Merriam-Webster, a disciple is one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. Before you read today’s key verses I want to ask; what is a disciple to you? Do you consider yourself a disciple?

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” Mark 1‬:‭16‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To be a disciple doesn’t always mean you leave everything behind. For me, it means I am ready to follow God’s call. It may be to start a blog, write a book, or speak at an event. Like this woman on the shoreline, I am looking curiously at the horizon for what is ahead. I leave you with a mantra, “stay curious for Christ.” Now let’s pray through Isaiah 6:8.

Dear God, I desire to stay curious on the shoreline for Your call. When You ask, “who shall I send,” I want to boldly respond with, “send me.” In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is celebrate. I chose a picture of the American Flag. Although many of you are from the United States of America, we have readers from all around the world. If you read our key verse from Galatians, no matter all the different backgrounds, we are all one in Christ Jesus. That is something to celebrate.

Although we are all one in Christ, we are all uniquely made by God. In Psalm 139:13-14 NIV we read: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” If you were to unwind all of the DNA in your body and link it together end-to-end it would stretch over 110 billion miles. To put that into perspective, your DNA could stretch from the earth to the sun and back 600 times! That is 600 round trips to the sun! That is something to celebrate. Let’s pray through Isaiah 64:8.

Dear God, You are our Father. We are Your clay. You are the potter. We are all the work of Your hands. Thank you for making us unique. May we all celebrate together that we are one in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is live. Reread the scripture above and focus on the word live. Do you believe this promise? Do you live your daily life in a way that reflects your belief in Christ and in your promise of everlasting life? Are you sharing the Good News so others can also have eternal life? Spend some time today praying about ways you can share with others the road to everlasting life.

Dear God, Thank You for your Son who gave His life so I can live forever. Show me opportunities today that I can share the Good News with others so they too can live forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”. Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is give. Monday, as I traveled to Mount Pleasant towards uncertain circumstances, I prayed for God’s strength and comfort. As I glanced up at the sky I saw that the sun and clouds were creating a glimpse of a rainbow. For me it was a gift of hope to remind me of the promises of God. I was reminded of the grace and mercy God so freely gives you and me.

What do I give? What do you give? Today, look for reminders of the grace and mercy God gives you and in turn, examine ways that you can give in His name.

Dear Heavenly Giver, Thank you for the grace and mercy You continuously give me. Open my eyes to ways I can give and reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.