Monday, October 20, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Revelation 7
For years, I’ve kissed my kids before school and told them, “Don’t forget to be the light.”
One evening, not too long ago, my son asked me if “being the light” meant he had to be talking about “Jesus things” all the time. That question was then followed up by, “Can I still be friends with someone who doesn’t believe the way I do, or is that being disloyal to God?”
Don’t we all struggle with these questions from time to time? I very gently reminded him that Jesus left the 99 to find the one lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7). The Bible is full of situations where Jesus, who was always about his Father’s business, frequently shared meals with sinners so they could experience his love.
As we heard this weekend, we are called to bring the message of Jesus to everyone in the world. I love how Ben described that CedarCreek Church is preparing a place - a meal - for the confused, the lost, the struggling, and everyone in between to experience the unconditional love God has for them in Jesus Christ.
This isn’t a new idea, it’s the same example we see in Scripture. Paul, too, met people in their mess and invited them to discover Jesus.
Acts 17:2-4 (NIV):
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
Unfortunately, there’s more:
Acts 17:5 (NIV)
But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city.
When we step out to share Jesus with the world, it can get uncomfortable at times, just as it did for Paul. It can be tempting to avoid the mess because the gravitational pull of life is toward comfort not CALLING.
Thankfully, God has given his Spirit to those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and he has equipped us to do anything he calls us to.
Jesus is calling you. Don’t forget to be the light.
Questions:
Are there any people in your life with whom you are afraid to talk about Jesus? Why?
Do you feel you are a safe place for someone to bring their opinions and questions about God? How can you make yourself more open to listening and responding out of love?
Next Steps:
Make a list of 5 people you know who need Jesus in their lives. Then pray for God to open a door for you to talk to one of them about Jesus. Consider inviting someone on your list to Halloweekend or At The Movies! to begin that dialogue.
Journal about this experience, and ask God to respond.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your Spirit who is always with me and guides me into the truth you want me to know. Thank you for listening to my prayers about the people and places that scare me. Help me to work through those fears. Lord, change my heart to love the way you do, so I can help you reach everyone in the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Welcome to the Daily!
We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you’re brand new to reading devotionals or have been following for years, this is a great space to pause, hear from God, and reflect on how his truth meets you right where you are. The LivingItOut (LIO) is a daily devotional designed to help you grow closer to God through Scripture, reflection, and practical steps. Dive deeper through the Daily on the CedarCreek App with gratitude, prayer, and journaling prompts that keep you connected to what God is doing in your life.
Series Theme Verse:
Colossians 1:6
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
This post was written by April Willer, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.