Comfort is an Excuse for Less – The Adventure of You

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My cousin said, “We’re going skateboarding down Danger Hill.” My brothers and I were up for the challenge, but before long, I limped back to the house with a bloody knee, a chipped tooth, and a scratched-up pair of new glasses, all courtesy of a parked car. Not bad for my first trip to Washington, D.C. The nickname given to the street is the first indication of trouble to an adult, but kids only see the adventure that awaits them.

This weekend, Pastor Ben defined adventure this way.

Adventure: A bold undertaking, usually involving danger and unknown risks, that leads to exciting new experiences.

My adventurous nature continued through my adolescent years—up to the moment I had a fully developed frontal lobe. Some antics will remain unspoken, while others are looked back on with Kevin Harlan’s voice in my head saying, “with no regard for human life.” But something happened. I got older and lost my desire for the hero’s journey.

There was comfort in my complacency. Whenever fate suggested something more, I made excuses to hold onto my comfort. I hid from the idea of needing more, allowing others’ expectations of me to disqualify my capacity of God’s intended purpose. Years spent hesitating out of fear and a lack of self-worth kept me from jumping into God’s adventure.

That all changed when, as an adult, I reacquainted with a friend who became my wife, and together, we started the best adventure. I finally had the courage to continue the story God planned for me. I erased the fear of discomfort by leaving my job, getting married, becoming an instant father, and moving from Ohio to D.C. (the place of one of my favorite childhood adventures). Everything happened in less than five months!

Our new series teaches us to push past the voice in our heads that demands comfort and questions our capacity to get to the next step in our lives. Adventures aren’t easy, and sometimes, we need to step out in faith to get started. Eight moves and 13 years later, my wife’s and my adventure continues through our trust in God.

Questions:
Read Luke 5:1-11. When do you see Peter step out of his comfort zone in this story?

What’s keeping you stagnant in your life, or what has kept you in the past? Are you ready to surrender to God? Do you know what God is asking you to do?

Next Steps:
Stop making excuses for not growing in faith and life. Pray for guidance if you aren’t sure what’s next. Take GrowthTrack to help discover your purpose. Retake it if you’re stuck in a season of uncertainty.

Prayer:
God, thank you for keeping me safe when I was reckless with the trust you had in me. I pray that I continue to move forward with faith when the uncertainty of the present pulls me back. Remind me that great things may result from taking risks, and that I’m not alone should I stumble. Amen.

This post was written by Jaron Camp, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study.

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Give It (Control) Up! – The Adventure of You

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It is impossible to fully know the adventure God has planned when stepping onto a path he has arranged. Were the entire adventure revealed upfront, the likelihood is great that many would choose to take a seat and wait for another option. No doubt, I have cowardly failed to experience some adventures he planned, but I do vividly recall several life-changing adventures he arranged.

One such adventure began in 1998—his answer to one simple, heartfelt prayer offered upon my graduation in 1996. It clearly was according to his timetable, not mine. In record time, the wisdom in fastening my spiritual seatbelt and fully placing my trust in Jesus became apparent—no doubt about it. There was no room for fear or doubt on this trip, only faith—genuine, unwavering faith in God.

Were it not for the assurance that he had arranged the career path I entered, the adventure would have easily ended before its time. Much like Peter availing his boat to Jesus, there was no way of knowing the adventure God had in store for me. Yet, knowing he was with me in the adventure made it possible to stay for the long haul, even in the midst of intense discomfort.

Had I bailed on this adventure, I also would have abandoned many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. A quick look in the rearview mirror brings into clear focus that his plan for me was good—in every challenging situation that arose! Leaning into the reality of needing God’s strength daily is never wasted.

This weekend Ben Snyder shared 4 things that kill our adventures. These “Adventure Killers” include: complacency, control, comfort and capacity.  Focusing on the second one, control, it indeed can be deadly. Giving up control and trusting him daily became my defining moments. Often, it was only when I gave up control and got out of his way that he led me to the path I never noticed. At times, that path required me to respect, honor, and follow direction, even when I disagreed. Other times, that path required me to speak up, making known the obstacles around the bend. I can honestly say there was never one moment of boredom on that adventure—for that I give him praise! When the time came for it to end, he made it abundantly clear. My last weeks of employment were bittersweet as I reflected, with deep appreciation, on the amazing adventure God had arranged!

It is my sincere hope that you, too, can embrace this week’s bottom line: See YOUR PLACE in GOD’S STORY.

Questions:
Read Luke 5:1-11. At what point in the story did Peter give up control to Jesus?

What keeps you from trusting God with your future? Are you afraid to relinquish control to him?

Next Steps:
Choose to consider opportunities to step into the adventure God has planned for you. Participate in GrowthTrack to understand how God has wired you for his purpose. Attack any “control” factor by renewing your mind with the Bible and its truths/promises. Increase your trust in him and the plan he has for your life by growing your relationship with him. Surrender to him and trust him in all things!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for always being available when I come to you in prayer. Forgive me for taking a step toward you and then taking two or three steps away from you. I choose, this day, to trust that you have another adventure for me to take. Give me the courage to leave my ideas and plans at your feet, trusting you will reveal the next adventure you have planned for me. Give me clearness of vision as you reveal your perfect will and perfect plan for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Karen Peck. Karen retired in March 2018 from Lucas County Information Services. She has been married over forty years. Karen rejoices over God’s faithfulness and God’s patience in her life and in her marriage. Nothing matters more to Karen than her relationship with God and her entire family. Her immeasurable faith in Christ and His ability to restore the broken runs deep within.

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Never Too Late – The Adventure of You

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So far this week, we have learned about what a life adventure with God is. Today, I want to explore when Simon Peter first met Jesus—what seemed like a small request turned into a life-changing adventure Simon Peter could never have imagined (Luke 5:1-11). And I’d like to share my own story as well.

Jesus was preaching at the Sea of Galilee when he saw a couple empty boats and thought he could best address the crowd from the water. When Jesus first stepped into Simon Peter’s boat and asked to be pushed out into the water, Simon Peter had no idea what he was saying “yes” to. As Jesus finished teaching, he told Simon Peter to go to the deeper water and let down his nets. He followed Jesus’ instructions, and his nets overflowed with fish. At that moment, his eyes were truly opened to who Jesus was.

Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter realized what had happened he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”

Luke 5:10b
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”

And just like that, Peter stepped into the adventure of God’s story. Note that it was not Peter inviting Jesus into his life, but rather, Peter left everything behind to follow Jesus and take on the life-changing adventure that God had planned for him.

I have no idea how old Peter was when this event took place, but it was truly a line in the sand moment from which he never looked back. All along the way, God kept inviting Peter to participate in his story.

He is asking you too. You see, the opportunity hasn’t passed no matter your age. Lead Pastor Ben Snyder referred to it this weekend as, “If you’re not dead, you’re not done.” This brings me to my story.

I was raised in an Evangelical United Brethren Church. I first accepted Christ into my life at age 10, and I spent most of my life afterward kind of going through the motions of being a Christian, with maybe a small adventure here and there. It wasn’t until after I started attending CedarCreek that I began to realize what a true life-changing adventure with God was. Now, at the age of 67, I have completed GrowthTrack, joined a couple of Groups, been baptized, joined the Prayer Team, and write for LivingItOut. Next, I’m planning to lead a Group! I never saw myself doing most of these things, and even though I am occasionally taken outside of my comfort zone, I have never felt more connected in my faith. And I am enjoying the peace that comes from stepping into the story that God had planned for me all along.

He is calling you too, inviting you to discover the Adventure of You and the purpose he has for you. How you respond to the invitation will make the difference between living the adventure God has for you or missing out on it.

Questions:
Have you truly stepped into a life-changing adventure with God? If so, are you living that adventure to its fullest challenge?

Next Steps:
Continue engaging in this new series, The Adventure of You. Share your adventure story with others.

Prayer:
Loving God, I am so thankful and grateful that you openly invite me into a full, life-changing adventure with you. Thank you for never giving up on me and keeping your invitation open at all stages of my life, no matter my age. God, open my eyes so that I might see all you have in store for me and encourage me, as Peter did, to say “yes.” I know that what may seem small at the moment has the potential to lead me into the purpose you have planned for me—all for your honor and your glory. Amen.

This post was written by Ned Miller, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study.

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Everything You Need – The Adventure of You

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All through the Bible, we see the story of God’s love for humanity. He created us, invited us to be in relationship with him, rescued us when we strayed away, and now he’s inviting us to play a part in his story of love for the world.

That’s right. No matter who you are or what you have done, you have a place in his story. We were created on purpose for a purpose.

Personally, God has placed me in the role of father to three beautiful little girls that are growing up quickly. As their dad, it’s my place to teach them about God, share his love with them, continually point to him, and show them what it looks like to follow him.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9
5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Often, I feel like I don’t have enough time, wisdom, or energy to teach my girls well, and I start to believe that I can’t live up to what the role of a parent requires. This past weekend, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder shared an encouraging verse to help us see that God doesn’t just give us a place in his story and say, “Good luck with that.” He wants us to succeed and gives us everything we need to accomplish what he asks us to do.

2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

No matter what place God has given you in his story, he gives you divine power to live a life that will point others to him. You can know and live out the purpose he has for your life by knowing him.

As a dad, all my successes come from knowing God. As I understand who he is and the love he has for me, I am able to show my girls who God is and the love he has for them. And as I know him more, I can have the power to live a life that points them to him.

Questions:
Do you know your place in God’s story?

How does knowing that God gives you the power to live out the life he calls you to live change your perspective?

Next Steps:
Take one of these next steps to know God more: Attend the weekend service each week. Commit to reading the LivingItOut regularly. Read your Bible daily. Have intentional conversations with others about what you’re learning.

Share your story of what God’s been doing in your life! Go to CedarCreek.tv/adventure for more information on how to share your story with us.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for giving me a place in your story and for giving me everything I need to live out the adventure you have for me. Help me to know you more and grow closer to you today. Reveal the next steps I need to take on my adventure and help me love others well along the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Ben Bockert. Ben is a proud husband and father of three beautiful daughters. He is honored to serve as the Director of the LivingItOut Bible Study.

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Living the Adventure – The Adventure of You

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Our mission at CedarCreek Church is to introduce people to Jesus and the life-changing adventure with him. Maybe you’ve been around CedarCreek for a while and that sentence has become familiar. Or maybe that word “adventure” catches you off guard—you don’t really associate Jesus and church with adventure.

At CedarCreek, we truly believe the Christian life is meant to be an adventure—that God has a wild, exciting, fulfilling story he wants you to be a part of. So I want to ask:

Are you living that adventure right now? And if you aren’t, why not?

Many of us don’t want to step into God’s adventure because we’re scared. One way to define adventure is “a bold undertaking, usually involving danger and unknown risks, that leads to exciting new experiences.”

That’s right—sometimes the life God calls us into is risky, maybe even dangerous. And to some of us, the risks just don’t seem worth taking. So we run from the life God is calling us into. We tell ourselves God’s adventure isn’t for us. We look for adventures without risks, sometimes trying to live vicariously through someone else’s adventure …

… And we miss the deep, bold, fulfilling, exciting story God wants us to experience.

I truly believe God has a life-changing adventure he wants you to be a part of, but you’ve got to have the faith and courage to take the first step. Some of you aren’t scared, but you’re not really sure how to step into this adventure. If that’s you, start by engaging with the weekend message and reading the LIO. Over the next four weeks, we are going to continue unpacking the adventure God wants to invite you into.

But first, you must decide if you’re ready to step into it. Are you?

Isaiah 43:19
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Questions:
Do you feel you’re living the life-changing adventure God has for you? If you are, what does that look like? If you aren’t, why not? What would stepping into that adventure look like?

Next Steps:
If you’ve never taken that first step in your adventure by accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, now may be your time!

If you’ve been on this adventure for a while, consider sharing your story of what God’s been doing in your life! Go to CedarCreek.tv/adventure for more information on how to share your story with us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful for the adventure you call each of us into. Thank you for the bold, exciting, purpose-filled life you want me to experience! Help me to step into that adventure, overcoming my fear through my trust in you. May your will be done in me and through me. Amen.

This post was written by Payton Lechner. Payton is currently the apprentice copywriter at CedarCreek. In her spare time, she freelances as a writer and editor. Besides the English language, Payton loves swimming, cats, and a good cup of tea.

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Will You Step Into the Light? – Easter Weekend

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I love spring and Easter. It is a time of rebirth, sunshine, and beauty. It fills me with hope and makes me feel courageous and ready to step out of my comfort zone, even though it’s sometimes easier to just get by and hide in the shadows. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for an adventure. Lead Pastor Ben Snyder spoke about Jesus inviting us to step out of the darkness and into the light. The big question is:

“Will you step into the light?”

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone for Jesus?

Several years ago, I was sitting at the Perrysburg campus listening to a sermon about serving. I felt Jesus tapping me on the shoulder and telling me that I needed to sign up to serve during the Sunday service. I will admit I argued a bit with Jesus in my head. “Lord, I already serve. I’m a Group Leader.” Jesus reminded me that I was a Group Leader who wasn’t attending church on a regular basis. (Ouch!)

I felt convicted. After all, serving at the Sunday morning service would help me hold myself accountable to going to church weekly. I went out and signed up. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this changed my life. I met wonderful Christian mentors who challenged me to grow in my faith. I cannot believe the wonderful and amazing adventures I have experienced since I chose to obey God. I am amazed by all the people I encountered who showed me the light and love of Jesus. I pray that Jesus’ light shines through me and makes others feel his amazing love.

I encourage you to be brave, step out of the shadows, and step into the light. For some of you that may mean putting your faith in Jesus for the first time. (If you have just done that, Praise God! I am praying for you.)  For others, you are followers of Jesus but have been in the shadows. Make today the day that you make a commitment to step into light. (Praise God—I am praying for you!) For those who serve, thank you for making a difference and being a light to others.

It was ten years ago that I made the decision to step out of the shadows, and I cannot begin to tell you how much God has blessed me. I have experienced his love, peace, and joy so deeply that it overwhelms me in gratitude. I invite you to step into the light! God has a beautiful plan and adventure for your life.

John 8:12b
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Questions:
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, why? If your answer is yes, how are you being a light to others?  What is Jesus calling you to do?

Next Steps:
Commit to attending church during our next series, The Adventures of You. Take GrowthTrack. Join a Group. Read the Bible daily. Pray. Serve.

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the light in this dark world. You are my Savior! I love and adore you. Help me to reflect your light and love to others. I deeply want my life to bring you glory and honor. I trust you and surrender my life to you. Amen.

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.

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The Best is Yet to Come – Easter Weekend

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This week, we reflected on what Jesus has done for us—giving up his life and taking the punishment for OUR sin (THANK YOU, JESUS) and celebrating the resurrection three days later. It’s the resurrection that shows that he is not dead, but alive. He went from darkness to light so that we might go from darkness to light in this life. And not only that, Jesus gives us a promise that the best is yet to come.

Because he rose again, we worship him. Because he rose again, we know that all authority in heaven and on Earth is his. While we have seasons of darkness, because Jesus rose again, we can walk in the light. In John 12, Jesus said, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” (v. 46). This doesn’t mean that more seasons of darkness will not come our way, but rather, through them, we can put our trust and hope in Jesus. He is a light to our paths. He is a beam of HOPE in the darkness. With Jesus, we’re not forgotten, and we’re never without hope.

This hope that we have in him carries us through this world and is our hope for the future. In John 14:1-3, Jesus says,

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (emphasis added).

When we place our trust in Jesus for salvation, we have hope to never walk alone while traversing this Earth. We also have the hope of eternity in heaven with him—God the father. Where there are no more tears, no darkness. Where we will forever be out of the darkness and eternally in the light. He’s preparing that for us right now, and that provides yet another ray of hope for us when we trust in him.

Questions:
Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? If so, are you trusting him through the dark spots of the journey?

Next Steps:
If you’re walking in a dark season, turn to Jesus. He’s waiting for each one of us turn to him—for the first time or to return to him. He wants to be the light in our darkness. Hold on to the HOPE that we have in him, because of his sacrifice, because he rose again. Invite a friend to walk alongside you for encouragement. Consider joining a summer Group to be connected to others who are walking through struggles and be encouraged by the hope that seeking God together can bring.

Prayer:
Jesus, I continue to thank you for your great sacrifice for me and my sins. Thank you for the hope that I can have in you, not only in this life but also for eternity. God, I long for the day that I am with you in your glorious presence, but in the meantime, help me to trust you along every step of my journey here on Earth. In darkness, be my light. In my despair, be my hope. I love you and trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Kendra Grubinski. Kendra is passionate about her relationship with Jesus and loves studying and sharing God’s Word. During the week, she is a Spanish Teacher at Findlay High School. She also enjoys spending time with her family and pups, reading, traveling, drinking good coffee and being active outdoors.

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Come Into the Light – Easter Weekend

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Last weekend, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder unwrapped for us that without Christ, the true light of the world, we merely live in shadows. We bury our pain, lie about our failing, and/or blame others for them rather than admitting how flawed and unremarkable we are.

I am a sinner saved by faith and grace. Consequently, I accept that the pain, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ was for me. He was sent by the Father to shine a glorious light into the darkness of the unhappy life I was living. Ben talked about how shocking that brightness is after living in shame and hiding in the shadows of self-delusion. I spent my entire life trying to impress and be admired by others, all while hiding shame, self-loathing, and fear.

So what did God do? He used people and situations in my life to open my heart and move me toward him, the only true real light of the world.  Unfortunately, my fear and shame kept me on the throne of my own life instead of Jesus. The result was very similar to this story from Matthew:

Matthew 6:22-23
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

And it was, oh so dark.

Thankfully, when I gave up “my throne” in 1984, the Holy Spirit kept teaching me to trust God and seek his ways, through every success and failure. God never left my side no matter how far I tried to wander from his path for me.

Even though I belonged to God, I was still full of guilt and shame. I had a secret sin I didn’t want to confess as it would hurt many people. Unfortunately, this kept me living in the shadows long after I was saved.

Thankfully, God kept leading me to himself and his light. It was a self-inflicted, hard journey, but he loves me so much that he didn’t let go of my hand during the 34 years it took to get me out of darkness and shame. Through Celebrate Recovery, I finally confessed out loud in the presence of a trusted friend the darkness that had held me captive. Ever since my declaration, the light of Christ shines ever brighter in my life—every minute of every day—through danger, sickness, fear, pain, and death.

I cannot fathom the pain and horror Jesus endured on my behalf so that I could confess my sin and truly know freedom. I welcome a life devoted to the glory of God and serving others, in every mundane and exciting moment. I urge you, if you haven’t made a decision yet to stop being the captain of your own ship, please, do so. It’s time to begin a life of grace, peace, and real prosperity in Christ.

Questions:
What is your secret sin? How has or does it control your behavior?

Are you ready to let go of your imaginary control?

Next Steps:        
If you are sick of living a lie and hiding in the shadows, tell God you are genuinely sorry and name your sins. Ask for Christ’s sacrifice to be used for your redemption, then seek out one of our loving pastors. They will help lead you to the next step in your new life journey.

Prayer:
My dear, sweet Father God, Creator of all things and lover of my soul. Thank you for your patience and love, and thank you for your forgiveness, if I only ask it of you. Thank you for your salvation and the miraculous life that exists for me and all who turn their journey over to your loving care and guidance. I pray for your help to be brave and humble so that I might commit the rest of my time here on Earth and throughout eternity to you. In Jesus’ powerful, precious name I pray. Amen.

This post was written by Martha Smith, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study. Martha describes herself as a lover of Christ who likes to share faith with others.

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You Are a Masterpiece – Easter Weekend

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This past weekend, we listened to Lead Pastor Ben Snyder talk about stepping out of the shadows and into the light. This is not something we do on our own or from our own power. It is only possible because of Jesus’ resurrection. Ben shared that Jesus is the light (John 8:12): “He wants to bring you out of the darkness. He wants to change the way you see your life and the world around you.”

One of the ways that God leads us out of the darkness and into the light is by revealing purpose in our lives. Often our mundane lives echo with the sounds of, “We’re not enough.” We’re not successful enough, not fast enough, or not rich enough. All of this background noise prevents us from finding peace in our lives. Peace you can find only by following Jesus as your true savior. When we step out of the shadows and into the light, Jesus gives us purpose in the mundane. He relates to our ordinary lives on Earth.

I think the story of Peter’s denial of knowing Jesus is a good example of living life from a place of “I am not enough.” While Jesus was being questioned, Peter was not far away. He stood taking in the warmth of  a small fire in the courtyard when someone saw him and pointed out that he was one of Jesus’ followers. Peter denied it, and within a few hours, denied Jesus twice more. After realizing his failure, Peter slipped into the shadows of discouragement.

During our own walks in life, very often a major disappointment or setback blocks us from truly stepping out of the shadows and into the Resurrected Life that God intends for us. Jesus wants to lead us back into the light, though.

In Peter’s case, Jesus restored him by asking three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). Peter, who previously denied Jesus three times,  now answers him each time: “Yes, Lord … you know I love you.” By asking these questions, Jesus was reminding Peter what was true. He wanted to change the way Peter thought about himself and his place in the world. Ultimately, Jesus reminded Peter of his purpose.

Despite his denials, Jesus gave Peter a new start. The Lord will do the same for you. No matter what failures are in your past, Jesus can redeem them and give them purpose. No matter what you think of yourself, God wants you to know that you are special. And no matter where you are, you have an opportunity to live out God’s plan for your life.

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.

2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Questions:
What is God asking you to do in your life? What’s holding you back?

Is there anything (or anyone) in your life that has stopped you from living the Resurrected Life?

What’s stopping you from doing the good things he planned for us long ago?

Next Steps:
Jesus calls us to new life in him, but we don’t have to wait until our resurrection day to begin a new life. He is faithful. Just as Jesus restored Peter, he will restore you too. Step into the light, forgo the shadow of doubt, and spread the news: Jesus is LOVE.

Prayer:
Abba Father, I pray that you keep me from returning to my old life and guide me to a new life in you. Keep me free from the shadows to live in the light, bringing your love and salvation to others around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

This post was written by the LivingItOut Team.

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Lit up! – Easter Weekend

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The first job I held when I came on staff at CedarCreek was LifeGroup Director. We had just begun formalizing a process that would bring support to our group leaders. So one Saturday morning, we gathered all the leaders at our old offices for training on the new process. As I began introducing it, my boss (who will remain nameless) looked at another staff member and whispered, “Wasn’t she in the meeting where we discussed a different plan?”

Talk about being in the dark! (I did get a nice apology and some beautiful tulips out of it!) It is never good for your employees to be in the dark about your vision for the organization. Our lives are much the same. We need to have a clear vision, but that is easier said than done! Maybe we notice something is off, but we really have no idea what it is or how we can fix it. Often, we find ourselves in a shadow realm and sort of get used to the murkiness of a life that lacks clarity of purpose.

This Easter weekend, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder spoke of how Jesus invites us to step out of the darkness and into the light. Jesus talked many times about being the true light (John 1:9), the light that came into the world (John 3:19), the light of the world (John 8:12), the one who came into the world as a light (John 12:46).

Why so many references to light? Because we need light to find our way, and that light is found in Jesus! As Ben said, stepping into the light can be scary. Some of us have grown comfortable in the shadows, convincing ourselves that hiding is the best life has to offer. This shadow world tells us that our lives are mundane and meaningless. That if people only knew what darkness filled your life, they would understand your depression. That things will never get better.

The light that Jesus brings tells us the truth about why he came. He gives us purpose in the mundane! God is much more interested in the process than the product. Do you really think that he needs us to do anything for him? He wants us to walk with him through our days, depending on him, and trusting in his goodness. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s masterpiece, created by him to do the good works that he prepared in advance for us to do! In other words, we can’t mess it up!

Jesus gives us power in the pain of our days. Ben says that we must come to trust that Jesus is stronger than we think! He endured the cross for our sin! Before he was crucified, Jesus endured a flogging that had killed many others. His strength was on display throughout that day of torture, and it is a strength that we can lean on when life becomes too painful for us to bear on our own.

Through the promise and fulfillment of his resurrection, Jesus proved that the best is yet to come. He overcame death, the payment for our sin (Romans 6:23), and brings resurrection life to our lit-up lives! He brings light, his light, to illuminate our paths as we choose to walk with him.

John 8:12b
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Questions:
How is your vision? Are you viewing your life in the light God offers?

Next Steps:
If you have never invited Jesus to light your way, to lead you in his light, today would be a great day to start! Today could be the spiritual birthday of your new life in Christ! If that is your desire, pray the simple prayer below.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the cross. I accept the sacrifice that Jesus, your Son, made for me. I invite Jesus into my heart to be my Savior and Lord. Thank you that all my sins are gone – past, present, and future. Now you see me in the light of Jesus. From this day forward, I ask you to light my way. Give me a desire to follow you and, please, direct my paths. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Lauri White. Lauri is one of the 25 people that God used to start CedarCreek in the Fall of 1995, and was on staff until 2013. Lauri loves Jesus, and loves helping people, especially women, live out of the truth about who we are in Christ. She and her husband Mike live in Oregon, but now spend winter months in Florida near daughter Kelda and her family.

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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