Tuesday, August 19, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Mark 12

Have you ever felt empty, or as if you are just going through the motions in your life? Personally, I have felt a lack of fulfillment and growth in my life. I realized that I was living unintentionally and had fallen victim to putting my personal desires and what I thought was my purpose for my life before God’s. I stopped serving and intentionally living out my faith. This only left me feeling drained, unfulfilled, and lost.

Then, recently, I began serving in the student ministry here at CedarCreek. I can already feel God working in my heart and using me as a vessel to share his glory with others. I’ve noticed the more I do work dedicated to God, the more fulfilled I feel.

John 4:34
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

However, it isn’t just through serving at the Church on Sundays that we can share in Jesus’ nourishment. We can experience it by living each day intentionally and by encouraging Christ’s love and light to shine through us. How can we do this? Practically, this is unique to everyone. It could be through random acts of kindness, being there for a friend in a time of need, or inviting people to church, among many more examples.

It is when we do this that we find spiritual clarity. Doing the work of God not only grows others in their faith – it draws us nearer to God. There is something so holy and intimate about dedicating ourselves and our time to God. We must align our desires and how we live our lives to be more like Jesus.

I encourage you to pray earnestly to God and ask for discernment into how he is calling you to fulfill his purpose. We as humans were designed to fulfill the work of God – it has been this way since the very beginning of time. Just as Adam and Eve were given a purpose from God – to tend to his earth - we are meant to tend to God’s most cherished creations – his children. Then, you will begin to see the fruits of the Spirit develop into your life.

Questions:
What is God’s unique calling in your life?

How can you use your calling to serve God and others in your everyday life?

Next Steps:
Attend GrowthTrack to discover your spiritual gifts and find the areas where you are called to serve God and others.

Through prayer, ask God how you can grow closer to him and find spiritual nourishment in your life.

Prayer: 21 Days of Prayer - Day 16
Dear God, I pray for individuals to understand God’s vision for their lives and grow in the life-changing adventure to know you, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. I pray for the courage to take the next step you have for me, and I pray for others — that they would see the next step you have for them to move forward on their spiritual journey.

Series Theme Verse:

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life,

    granting me the joy of your presence

    and the pleasures of living with you forever.

This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.