How old were you when you realized what you were meant to do or who you were meant to be?

I was 21 when it happened, but it took years before I figured out it was OK to embrace that part of me. Society does a great job teaching us its expectations for who we should be according to American standards. Sometimes, it feels as if the people in charge (parents, teachers, politicians, etc.) provide a guideline on how to put us together. Too often, the results produce a desire to “keep up with the Joneses” or place people where poor instructions breed mediocrity. Both make you wonder if there is a reason why you’re here—or, if perhaps, you’re where you are by accident.

Sometimes, you’re where you are because it’s what you chose. But sometimes, you just haven’t discovered (or been taught) the life-giving answer yet.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Lead Pastor Ben Snyder said, “You have to start with the truth that you have been put here on purpose. You’re not an accident.” This concept isn’t always easy to accept. I heard those words for a long time, but I didn’t always listen to the message. It’s different for everyone, depending on where you are or where you were in life when the call came through.

If you’re living out your purpose, then congratulations! I genuinely mean that. But if you’re reading this, and you’re finding it hard to see your place in God’s masterpiece, then I urge you to keep seeking him.

You are uniquely designed, which means you don’t fit the mold meant for someone else. In the movie Finding Forrester, the character Jamal is ready to take a path toward becoming his true self with the help of a mentor. Jamal asks his mentor, William Forrester, what it feels like to write something that influenced so many. Forrester said, “Perhaps one day you’ll find out.” The response was powerful because Forrester understood what it meant to achieve his purpose.

Take time to determine yours!

Questions:
Have you moved toward a life of purpose? Do you encourage others to find what they are meant to do? What’s stopping you from doing both?

Next Steps:
If you have experienced GrowthTrack, then tell others what you learned. If you haven’t, sign up to discover your purpose. A new class starts every first weekend of the month.

21 Days of Prayer

Day 17 Focus – To Express My Faith in God’s Ability (Jeremiah 32:17)

Dear God, nothing is too hard for you! Through your great power, all things are possible. All authority is yours, all might is yours, and I know that your victory will be complete. You are amazing, and I worship you. I glorify you for your power and presence in my life. You are my God, and you are worthy of all praise. Amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer

This post was written by Jaron Camp. Jaron is a storyteller and a professional ghostwriter who enjoys using his gifts to write for the LivingItOut. When he’s not developing fictional worlds, researching, and writing, Jaron enjoys watching sports, participating in family game night, and spending time with his wife and four kids.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

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Lead Pastor Ben Snyder gave an amazing sermon titled “Your Motivation – What Are You Reaching For?”

Do you need to be replenished? Maybe you’re confused about what that even means. The definition of replenish is to restore or repair.

“My Jesus” by Anne Wilson
Are you past the point of weary?
Is your burden weighing heavy?
Is it all too much to carry?
Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus.

Are you feeling weary, heavy, or overwhelmed? This past weekend, Ben’s bottom line was “Reach for what replenishes the whole you.” Because we are physical, mental, and spiritual beings, we must focus on all three areas to be fully replenished.

Physically, I am replenished by eating well, exercising, laughing, resting, and stillness.
Mentally, I am replenished by spending time with family and friends, reading good books, and cooking.
Spiritually, I am replenished by spending time in Bible study, meeting with my Group, praying, meditating on verses, listening to worship music, and practicing gratitude.

I believe we need to do our part to be replenished, but Jesus is the only one who can truly replenish, restore, and repair us. It is Jesus who replenishes us when we put our hope and trust in him.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
⁷ “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. ⁸ They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep in the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.”

The last two years have been so tough. I think we have all struggled with hopelessness and fear. Jeremiah 17:7-8 fills us with hope and confidence. We can trust in the Lord and be changed for the better during these tough times. Jesus can replace our fear and worry with his love and hope. He can make us fruitful during difficult times. Will you let him?

Keep reading the LivingItOut Bible Study this week as we dig further into “counting the cost,” our purpose, replenishing our physical and mental beings, and focusing on Jesus for our spiritual replenishment.

Questions:
What replenishes you?

Why is it important to look at your physical, mental, and spiritual self?

How do you trust Jesus during tough times?

Next Steps:
Listen to the song “My Jesus” by Anne Wilson, and meditate on the words.

Join a Group or attend GrowthTrack.

21 Days of Prayer

Day 15 Focus – Dependence on Him (Psalm 121:1-2)

Dear Lord, when things become difficult, I know you walk beside me. You will cross the desert with me and weather any storm with me. When things become unbearable, I know you will carry me to the other side. Today, I declare my dependence on you. You give me my strength and are the only one who can truly replenish my weary soul. Amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer

This post was written by Marsha Raymond. Marsha has been happily married to her husband, Jeff, for 30 years. They have two grown sassy and fearless daughters. She loves spending time with God, her family and friends, reading, riding bicycles, yoga and walking.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

The LivingItOut Podcast is released every Wednesday morning. It discusses key takeaways and principles from the weekend message. Listen to the weekly podcast in your car, during your lunch break, or any other time that works for you. You can find the latest podcast here.

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We would love to hear how the LivingItOut is making a difference in your life. Let us know how today’s post inspired, challenged, or encouraged you by leaving a comment here.

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In 2004, I was at a New Year’s Eve party with my core group of friends, but I felt more alone than I had in a long time. My night ended around 10:30 with me in my apartment by myself. For the next six months, I continued the trend of leaving early when hanging out with my friends. They were good guys, but I had grown tired of going nowhere with my life. I wanted them to join me in reaching for more, but the conversations never moved beyond music, girls, and basketball when I tried to have more productive relationships with the crew I had known for years.

Things got to the point where we only hung out on the basketball court or while catching a football game together. I told them why the change had to happen, and they accepted our decreased interaction. However, the loneliness didn’t disappear, so I realized I needed to prioritize life-giving friendships while growing into a person I could be proud of.

Ecclesiastes 4:12
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

As I added more of the right kind of people to my life, the conversations turned from entertaining to purposeful. The relationships went from friendly to family.

A flood destroyed my car that I had just finished spending $2000 to fix. The fire department had to evacuate me from my apartment due to the flood. I stood at the safe zone with nowhere to go, so I called one of the friends who I had known since high school. He didn’t answer. I called another one. No answer. It was time to call one of the new friends who had only been around for seven months. I hadn’t even asked the question before he offered for me to stay with him and his wife until the flooding conditions changed.

Over the years, I’ve made a point to connect with more people in the different cities and states we have lived in. I joined my first small group in Virginia back in 2014. The life-giving relationships created there turned into our youngest daughter having godparents and me finding a friend who is like a lifelong brother.  As Lead Pastor Ben Snyder said, “We all need a group of people around us helping live out what God is inviting us into.”

Questions:
Are you going through life alone? Have you tried to find a life-giving Group? Do your friends have purposeful desires and goals?

Next Steps:
Go to the CedarCreek Groups directory and find your Group for the new semester.

Sign up for the relationship strengthening Marriage Event that takes place in February.

Don’t be afraid to change up lifelong relationships if they are life-draining.

21 Days of Prayer

Day 11 Focus – My Freedom (Galatians 5:1)

Thank you, God, for freeing me! You have freed me from sin and from shame. You have freed me from the law and from striving to earn salvation. You have freed me from death itself! For all those things and more, I praise you. Help me to live as someone who is free. Don’t let me fall back into the posture of a slave, to fall back into serving the things that used to control me. May you be the only one I serve, for you bought my freedom and loyalty at a high price on the cross. In gratitude I ask, may your will be done in my life. Amen.

Todays Parent Prayer

This post was written by Jaron Camp. Jaron is a storyteller and a professional ghostwriter who enjoys using his gifts to write for the LivingItOut. When he’s not developing fictional worlds, researching, and writing, Jaron enjoys watching sports, participating in family game night, and spending time with his wife and four kids.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

The LivingItOut Podcast is released every Wednesday morning. It discusses key takeaways and principles from the weekend message. Listen to the weekly podcast in your car, during your lunch break, or any other time that works for you. You can find the latest podcast here.

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We would love to hear how the LivingItOut is making a difference in your life. Let us know how today’s post inspired, challenged, or encouraged you by leaving a comment here.

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This weekend, we continued our series At Your Best as Lead Pastor Ben Snyder unpacked the parable of the sower. This is one of the best-known parables and could possibly have been the first. Pastor Ben said that parables are like stories with a  purpose. The Jewish leaders were frustrated that Jesus  did not quote the Torah—the Jewish scriptures—more. Instead he used stories to communicate the practical meaning of the Torah’s teachings.

In this parable, Jesus used the illustration of a farmer sowing seeds to teach a large crowd of common people that had gathered to hear him speak. This story takes place in the land of Palestine, where farmers would sow expensive seeds by hand in a specific way to maximize the harvest. For them, a large harvest meant a better life.

Pastor Ben explained the four different environments this parable is referring to: the path, the rocky soil, the thorns, and the good soil. He made three observations about this list. First, not all soil is good soil. You will not be able to thrive in every environment, regardless of what you think. Second, only one out of four soils is good, so the majority of your environments are not going to lead you toward your best. Third, all these environments can be made good, but you will need to amend them to create a life-giving environment.

Matthew 13:3-4
³ He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. ⁴ As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.”

This environment is the path, and it symbolizes a resistant or stubborn posture. You are not willing to let anything in.

Matthew 13:5-6
⁵ “Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.”

This environment is the rocky soil,  which reflects a shallow and emotional state. Pastor Ben used the word  “superficial.” On the surface it looks good, but it doesn’t last long.

Matthew 13:7
“Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.”

The thorns stand for a distracted and divided environment. You have some good things going, but you also have other less beneficial things that are in competition with the good.

Matthew 13:8-9
⁸ “Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! ⁹ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

The good soil represents a receptive or productive environment. Pastor Ben highlighted the theme of productivity and the huge difference in yield from this environment. The good soil is the only environment where Jesus talked about crops producing thirty-fold, sixty-fold, and even a hundred-fold of what was originally planted. This goes to show that the person at their best is not the one on top, but the one that is being fruitful.

Questions:
What environment are you currently in? Do you identify with the path, the rocky soil, the thorns, or the good soil?

Do you have ears to hear? Are you willing to receive the word of God and live out his invitation for your life?

Next Steps:
Take time to explore and be aware of your environment. This is an invitation to get clarity on how God wants to move you toward good soil.

Participate in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting by texting “21Days” to 419-419-0707 You will receive prayer prompts each day for 21 days to help you move toward good soil.

21 Days of Prayer

Day 9 Focus – To Live Confidently (1 John 4:16-17)

Father in Heaven, thank you for loving me. I know I can trust you with all I am. I am confident in the salvation you have given me. Help me to abide in you, to become more like your Son every day. Show me how to live like him, according to your will, working for your kingdom in all I do. May my love for you and others be perfected through your love for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer

This post was written by Jennifer Macke. Jenn has a son, daughter, granddaughter, and grandson, and she thanks God every day for them. She is enjoying retirement and feels blessed to be writing for LivingItOut. She was raised in an Evangelical Church, but her spiritual life awakened when she started attending CedarCreek.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

The LivingItOut Podcast is released every Wednesday morning. It discusses key takeaways and principles from the weekend message. Listen to the weekly podcast in your car, during your lunch break, or any other time that works for you. You can find the latest podcast here.

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We would love to hear how the LivingItOut is making a difference in your life. Let us know how today’s post inspired, challenged, or encouraged you by leaving a comment here.

Want to be a part of the LivingItOut team?

We are always looking for people who are passionate about writing and proofing to serve on the LivingItOut team. If you are interested, email LIO@cedarcreek.tv today!

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Have you noticed how in stories and movies, sisters have a problem with perfectionism? One is often extremely beautiful, smart, and obedient, while the other sees herself as plain and is always getting into trouble.

In Little House in the Big Woods, Laura is jealous of her golden-haired, quiet sister, Mary. In Ramona and her Mother, an ornery Ramona is constantly comparing herself to her practical, older sister, Beezus, who always gets A’s in school. Frozen tells the story of Elsa, who is always trying to keep it together, and Anna, who dreams of  falling in love and going on adventures. Even in the new Disney movie, Encanto, the main characters struggle with not being enough, or exerting themselves to be “perfect.”

Every time, the responsible sister ends up frustrated that she never gets to have fun, and the carefree sister is angry that she never seems to measure up. And just like all of those girls, we also become ensnared. We get stuck comparing ourselves to others, or even imagining what we should be like. We set expectations that are way too high. And we are inevitably disappointed when we can’t achieve what we want and stressed when we never find time to have fun.

The lyrics to this song by Hillsong offer a different approach, telling us what God has already done for us.

“Ready or Not” by Hillsong

He’s already bought our freedom
He’s already paid our debt
He’s already done the miracle
He’s already conquered death
He’s our light and salvation
He’s our rock solid hope
He’s already done enough for us
He’s already doing more
He’s already seen the ending
He’s already seen us through
He’s already breaking out of us
He’s already on the move
He’s already won our battles
He’s already paved the way
He’s already gone ahead of us
And he is ready when we are

God has already come to us. This is what we celebrated at Christmas—Jesus, Immanuel, coming as a human to be with us. God is here, reaching out, and all we need to do is trust. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect; he only asks us to take his hand and follow where he takes us. God sees our mistakes, and he loves us anyway.

Romans 5:6-8
⁶ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (emphasis added).

Questions:
Which line in Hillsong’s “Ready or Not” speaks to you the most? Can you identify your over-the-top expectations or the ways you compare yourself to others? How can you remember what God has already done for you?

Next Steps:
Listen to “Ready or Not” by Hillsong. Consider playing it on the way to work or when you’re dropping your kids off at school. If you haven’t chosen to yet, take the hand God is offering you. He has already done so much with you in mind—he only asks that you trust him. And if you have let go, reach out again. God is already here.

21 Days of Prayer:
Day 5 Focus – Search My Heart  (Psalm 139:23-24)

Heavenly Father, as I come to know and trust you more, help me reflect your love through my thoughts and actions. Search my heart. Find any- thing in me that is offensive to you, and help me remove it from my life. Lead me to live a life that draws people to you. Help me live my life on Earth in a way that impacts eter- nity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer

Saturday: Day 6 Focus – To Listen to Him  (John 10:4)

Dear Father, I am so grateful to have you near me, guiding me with your voice. Give me the faith and patience to listen, so that I will not stray from the path you have planned for me—the path that I trust will keep me safe and bring me closer to you. Amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer

Sunday: Day 7 Focus – To Worship God’s Great Name  (Proverbs 18:10)

God, I am in awe of you. Your name is a strong tower, a place of protection and safety for me. I praise you as my healer, my shepherd, and my hope. You are my peace, my provider, my righteousness, and my joy. Your name is great, and I worship you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer

This post was written by Lydia Snyder. Lydia has been a story-lover for as long as she can remember, often found reading books or writing. She is thrilled to be making a difference by inspiring others to take part in the best story ever – God’s story. Lydia lives with her three wonderful siblings and two amazing parents.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

The LivingItOut Podcast is released every Wednesday morning. It discusses key takeaways and principles from the weekend message. Listen to the weekly podcast in your car, during your lunch break, or any other time that works for you. You can find the latest podcast here.

Leave a Comment?

We would love to hear how the LivingItOut is making a difference in your life. Let us know how today’s post inspired, challenged, or encouraged you by leaving a comment here.

Want to be a part of the LivingItOut team?

We are always looking for people who are passionate about writing and proofing to serve on the LivingItOut team. If you are interested, email LIO@cedarcreek.tv today!

Printable version of this week’s LIO study:

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More Resources

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John Reading Plan