“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.

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The pumpkins in today’s photo are carrying seeds wherever they are taken. Are you carrying seeds with you wherever you go? Are you eager to sow Christianity or are you an apprehensive farmer worried about frost? As Christians, we do not have to fear the chill of a frost killing the seeds we sow. Instead, we can be ready and willing to scatter the seeds of Christ at any time! So don’t become weary or fear the chill in the air! Keep sowing!

Dear Master Gardener, Give me courage to eagerly sow Your seeds. Water and shine Your Son on the scattered seeds I spread. May they grow all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Complete: adjective-having all the necessary or appropriate parts

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day is complete. Look at today’s featured photo. Do we have the complete image? How many words could we type with only the keys we can see? Could we write a story with just this part of the keyboard? From what I can tell, the only real word we could type is “sad.”

Often, you and I try to write our story or our opinion of someone else’s story, without having the complete keyboard. That is also sad. Only God can see every key and can type every stroke.

Today, examine your viewpoint of others. Are you making judgments of another about a situation? Are you allowing your judgments to affect your actions towards other. Carry the image of this partial keyboard with you today. May God remind each of us that only the Creator sees the entire picture and completes each story with His heavenly keyboard.

Dear Creator, Soften my heart to others. Help me to realize only You can complete my story and the story of others. May my words and actions be non-judgmental and compassionate. May I show the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

“Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. ‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples. ‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!’” Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Harvest: to gather in a crop.

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is harvest. I like the Message version of today’s featured scripture. Re-read it now and prayerfully examine your hands. Do you have harvest hands?

As I prepared for today’s blog, I searched the internet for information on picking cotton. Harvesting cotton has come a long way. Click here to read an article written by Ron Smith recounting some of his experience with picking cotton.

Prior to the invention of the cotton picker, harvesting cotton was all done by hand. I imagine the hands of those picking cotton were rough, tough, and calloused from the hands-on work. I imagine their hands were a true visual of “harvest hands.”

When it comes to harvesting for Christ, how do your hands look? Do you have hands that are working for the Lord? Are your hands actively involved in the harvesting? Are your hands rough, tough, and calloused? What can you do today that is an example of using your harvest hands?

Dear Creator, Thank You for allowing me to help with Your harvest. Show me ways that I can use my harvest hands for Your glory today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s Rethink Church Photo-A-Day word is spring. What does the word spring bring to your mind? Spring makes me think of newness. Spring brings flowers, new growth, and change.

Today’s 2nd photo shows a beautiful flower blooming. However, prior to that flower blooming there had to be a time of pollen-filled puddles. Pollen is an aggravation as it covers our vehicles and porches with a yellow dusting. Pollen is a nuisance as it aggravates our sinuses. However, without pollen, there would be no beautiful flowers. We have to endure a time of hardship dealing with pollen to be able to enjoy the beauty of flowers.

Likewise, life is filled with pollen filled puddles and times of difficulty. However, on the other side of difficulty is a bouquet of beautiful blessings.

Dear God, Thank You for spring and all the newness it brings. Although pollen is an aggravation, I will allow the yellow-stained puddles to remind me of the new and beautiful things You bring. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.