Do you like your passport photo? It seems like not many people do. In Genesis, we hear how God gave Abraham and Sarah a brand new names and a whole new identity. It was part of the covenant, the promise, that God made to Abraham. Through faith, the Savior who was born from Abraham and Sarah's line and has set us free from sin, reveals how He now sees you and me. And it's a great picture!

The phrase “on the same page” is often used to describe being in agreement on what should be done or how it should be done. There was a time when Peter found himself not on the same page with Jesus. And there are times when, like Peter, you and I may not be on the same page with Him either. We may find ourselves looking wrong place for indications of God's favor and evidence of Jesus' at work in our lives.

Do you know how many stars there are in the night sky? Have you ever tried to guess how many grains of sand are on the beach? Here's the vivid image God used in the promise that He made to him. However, what makes this promise so amazing, is not simply the inconceivably large number of Abraham’s descendants – the man who once thought he would have none – but also who would be among that line.

If I was with Peter, James and John, and saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain, I would be practically jumping out of my skin. I would want to tell everyone! So why would Jesus not allow the disciples to tell the others about what this until after the resurrection?

Mark tells that Peter, James and John watched as Jesus was transfigured before them. The Greek word used here is the same one from which we get our English word, "metamorphosis."  It means to “transform.” On the mountain this day, Jesus gave the disciples a glimpse of His eternal glory. Why did He do this? Well, what they would soon see would appear to be the exact opposite.

For the disciples, this didn’t make any sense. Why leave Capernaum? Jesus was a hit. Everyone was coming to see Him. This was … comfortable. But Jesus had a good reason for doing it. And there are times when it's useful for you and me to step of our comfort zone as well.

Have you noticed how easy it is to get caught up in "rat race" and chasing after prizes that don't last? Paul focuses draws our attention instead to "a crown that will last forever."