Cultivate Connection - Christ Centred Meditation

Love Fully ExpressedFear NotImagine, God’s love fully expressed in us and through us! What does that even look like? Now, more than ever, we have an immense gift… a “get to” of sorts, to demonstrate the love of God to ourselves and those around us. When the time comes to reflect back on these days, what will have been our response? To love of course!Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life! No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor. But if we love one another, God makes his permanent home in us, and we make our permanent home in him, and his love is brought to its full expression in us. - 1 John 4:11-12 (TPT)Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through hi

This is Real LoveFear NotSome say love is a verb, as it bears fruit through words and deeds. Yet, there is something more to it. Mere words and deeds can be empty and meaningless without a heart of love behind them. So how do we love authentically?We believe Jesus is the answer to that question. Not only does He demonstrate the heart of the father, His sacrifice paved the way for us to have direct access to the spirit of the living God within us, filling us with His love to pour out into this world… just like Jesus did.Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. - 1 John 4:7-10 (NLT)What does it look like in this season to lo

I Am With YouFear NotIn this series titled ‘Fear Not’ we’re faced with the question of how to walk without fear. Perhaps it is the simplest answer in which the key is hidden away in the depths of faith.In this journey to overcome fear there is a mountain of safety before us. The only thing separating us is a small creek; small enough to leap over. Will you take that leap today? The leap of faith in knowing God is not only there to catch you, He wants to hold your hand while you cross over. What awaits on the other side is rest, in His arms.But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, “You are my servant.” For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41:8-10 (NLT)For I hold you by your right hand — I, the Lord your God. And I say to

April 2Trust in My NameIt’s easy to get caught up in fear or in the vibrations of anxiety around us. It’s also perfectly normal to take on burdens, or have stress enter into our lives during these unprecedented times. In the end, it’s how we respond to it that really matters.What is your current state that you’re living in during these difficult times? What vibrations are you picking up on? Are you resonating peace? Can you confess these feelings to the Lord? Last week, in our email, we spoke about King David’s beautiful ability to do this and how it always leads us into God’s presence.The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” - Psalm 91:14-16 (NLT)As we take little breaks today, may we draw nearer to Jesus. Our prayer is that we will see the amazing opportunity we have right now to be a light in th

Do Not Be AfraidFear NotRight now, each and every person on the planet needs Jesus more than ever. In the midst of tragedy all around us, who or what are we looking to for our refuge and shelter?David, in the midst of his own tragic times, was always able to express his grief and then worship afterwards. Whether it is a loss of income, sickness, or even death of a loved one, processing our grief is healthy and normal. But in doing so, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.Through it all, the hardship and struggle, worship will always be the response when we see Jesus rightly. He is here and He is with us during these times. Once we’re able to see Him in it all, we can’t help but NOT worship. He is just too beautiful, too lovely, too powerful, too almighty to have any other response than to worship Him.This week and this season, lay down anything preventing you from coming into that place of worship. Do not be afraid to allow God’s conviction to show you where your gaze is misplaced. He always convicts to se

God Alone is My RefugeFear NotWhat not a better time than now to introduce a new series, and what not a better title than Fear Not?As Christians we have the privilege of being a light into the world, bringing peace into any and every situation we encounter. With so much opportunity for fear and panic at our doorstep right now, there is also the opportunity to calm many storms. Whether it is in your workplace, your grocery store, or under your own roof, you carry God’s peace within yourself just waiting to be released.Jesus demonstrated how we are to face all storms - from a posture of rest. There is a quote by Bill Johnson which we quite enjoy, and is so appropriate for this current season:“You have authority over any storm you can sleep in.” - Bill JohnsonWhen life is uncertain, we can be sure that God is with us and He is for us. He is the God who never changes; the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare

ClarityYour Words for 2020Welcome to this week’s word, Clarity. If there is one universal thing we can all agree on, it’s that no one enjoys being confused. We crave clarity and thrive when there are clear instructions given. The best part, God is clear in His commands to us.He delights in us when we follow in His footsteps, and when we ask for His help in doing so He teaches us what is good and leads us along paths that bring life.Using three scriptures to highlight this, as you meditate on them ask yourself if God’s desires for you seem clear or confusing. Invite Him in to bring clarity where needed.The steps of the God-pursuing ones follow firmly in the footsteps of the Lord, and God delights in every step they take to follow him. - Psalm 37: 23 (TPT)Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.Turn my heart toward your statutes and no

YieldingYour Words for 2020This weeks word is from our contest winner, Travis, who got the opportunity to choose this week’s word, Yielding.As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self - life. - Galatians 5:16 (TPT)What are you yielding to today? Is it to the cravings of your self - life, or is it to the power of the Holy Spirit within you?This yielding is a process, each and every day. The more we turn our attention to Jesus, every problem that seems big, begins to get smaller as we focus on Him.So… are you willing to take God’s hand and trust Him? To yield completely to Him? There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!Thank You!Become a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital.As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect wit

DwellYour Words for 2020Welcome to our 9th week of meditating on your words submitted for the new year. While this was going to be our last week of the series, there were so many great submissions we've decided to extend it a few more weeks. This week's word is Dwell.Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. - 2 Timothy 1:14 (NASB)Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? - 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NASB)For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be fil

WaitYour Words for 2020Week eight of Your Words is here. No need to wait (pun intended). Our word for the week is Wait. It's a word often associated with inconvenience and impatience. As it would seem with so many things in life, this association leans towards the negative end of the spectrum. What does the other end look like? The type of waiting which brings anticipation, hope, joy, and peace among many others?For this is the hope of our salvation.But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have? So because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfillment.And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.God, the se

ExchangeYour Words for 2020Welcome to our seventh meditation on your words submitted for the new year. This week's word is Exchange.We serve a God of the great exchange. He became sin so that we can experience righteousness. Our old life is beyond dead, it’s gone; never to be seen again. It was nailed to the cross as He held it in His hands.The only thing God wants in exchange is for our lives to be lived in union with Jesus. This new life is not empowered by our own strength, it is possible only by the love of God. It can’t be bought, and it can’t be earned. Saying “yes” is all that is required to receive this gift for free.Here’s a few questions for you to consider as you meditate on this great exchange of His:Where does Jesus want to live His life through you?Is your life an overflowing fountain of His loveFor God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him. - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (TPT)

SustainYour Words for 2020Welcome to our fifth meditation on your words submitted for the new year. This week's word is Sustain.Go look up Sustain in a dictionary and you’ll see it’s a verb, not just any verb, a contronym. Same spelling, same pronunciation, two opposite meanings.Sustain is used to describe suffering something unpleasant, especially an injury. It’s also used to describe the act of being strengthened or supported physically or mentally. That’s pretty interesting when you think about it.The very word used for oppression, God comes in and redeems it to bring blessing. It seems so like His nature, to take a bad situation and turn it around for His good. The word rolls off the tongue the same, and yet, it’s the heart condition which leads us to one definition or the other.When we’re suffering mental battles, we can look to Him as our sustainer. When life doesn’t seem to be cooperating with us, we can count on Him as the one who so faithfully sustains us.May you find rest in His sustaining power. He

SeekYour Words for 2020Welcome to our fourth meditation on your words submitted for the new year. This week's word is Seek. How would you describe the word seek to someone that didn’t understand it? That might be a fun exercise, because knowing might help gain a fresh perspective on His love for you.God rewards those who truly seek Him. We bless you to discover where you can earnestly seek Him today, and everyday.And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek him. - Hebrews 11:6 (TPT)I love those who love me; and those who seek me early and diligently will find me. - Proverbs 8:17 (AMP)I will show my love to those who passionately love me. For they will search and search continually until they find me. - Proverbs 8:17 (TPT)Thank You!Become a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating s

TrustYour Words for 2020Welcome to our third meditation on your words submitted for the new year. This week's word is Trust.This is such a good word to describe God; because He is more trustworthy than anyone else. In a world where trust can easily be broken, His trust never fails. This week, allow the Holy Spirit to show you just how trustworthy God is.The Bible is filled with so many examples of God's trust. Here are six specific versus I read from this week. Blessing you to receive all that God has for you in this meditation. Enjoy!You are my strength and my shield from every danger.When I fully trust in you, help is on the way.I jump for joy and burst forth with ecstatic, passionate praise!I will sing songs of what you mean to me! - Psalm 28:7 (TPT)Join me, everyone! Trust only in God every moment!Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him.Believe me when I tell you—he will help you! - Psalm 62:8 (TPT)But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before youand trust in you wit

SteadfastYour Words for 2020Handpicked just for you, this week’s word is Steadfast.The Greek meanings of Steadfast include unflinching, unfaltering, staunch, immovable, and unwavering. One particular english definition is continuing in a course of action despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. No matter the obstacle and regardless of how long it’ll take, you’ve locked onto the target and cannot be shaken.Where do you feel steadfast in your life? Where do you see God as steadfast in your life? Our ability to be steadfast comes directly from God, and when we can see His unwavering endurance at work in our lives, we begin to display it in our lives.Now may the Lord move your hearts into a greater understanding of God’s pure love for you and into Christ’s steadfast endurance. - 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (TPT)All God accomplishes is flawless, faithful, and fair, and his every word proves trustworthy and true. They are steadfast forever and ever, formed from truth and righteousness. - Psalm 111:7-8 (TPT)May you

SurrenderYour Words for 2020Here it is, the first word for the New Year. As you may know, we are spending the next several weeks meditating on your words for 2020. This week’s word is Surrender.Surrender is a funny word; often associated with defeat and weakness. Thankfully, these don’t apply in our case. When we surrender to Jesus, we receive the reward which He secured for us. Nothing defeated but death, and nothing weak but its power over us.Do you live from the foundation that you have been fully forgiven? If not, it’s time to stop striving to achieve something that is already yours. Jesus died as you, not for you.My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine! - Galati

OnethingYour Words for 2020Happy New Year! We're kicking things off with a popular series to begin the year. Similar to last year, we are spending the next several weeks meditating on your words for 2020.David's prayer below could be summarized with any of the following words for example: seek, dwell, behold, or meditate.Is there a word He is calling you to set your intention on for this year? Send them to us at hello@cultivateconnection.comOne thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. - Psalm 27:4 (NASB)Drawing close to Him is the foundation of everything. The greatest thing we have is God’s presence; to simply behold the beauty of the Lord.May each and every listener of Cultivate Connection become known as a people of His presence.Thank You!Become a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patro

The Dedication of JesusLove Came Down SeriesThe final episode of our Advent series ends with Simeon and Anna, who had spent the better part of their lives awaiting the birth of the Savior of the World. Imagine the emotions as these two first laid eyes upon the very child they had been waiting all these years for.Here He is; the Light of the World, God's beloved son, Healer, Redeemer, Comforter, Judge, Lord, and Savior. Christ is here! And from that day forward she [Anna] told everyone in Jerusalem who was waiting for their redemption that the anticipated Messiah had come!Luke 2:21-40The Passion Translation (TPT) Thanks for ListeningBecome a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital. As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect with God, discover identity, and awaken purpose for their lives. Learn more on ou

The Birth of JesusLove Came Down SeriesFrom Gabriel's visit with Mary, to her song of praise, week five of our Advent series titled Love Came Down meditates on the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Born as a child in a dirty manger and dependant upon the world to be cared for, this is our God. His kingdom is an upside down kingdom.Luke 2:1-20The Passion Translation (TPT)The Message (MSG)This Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the humble servant who threw conventional wisdom out the window, ask God to show you where "throwing conventional wisdom out the window" might be the best thing to do for whatever you're facing right now.Thanks for ListeningBecome a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital. As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect with God, discover identity, and awaken purpose for t

Mary's SongLove Came Down SeriesWelcome to the third installment of our Advent series, Love Came Down. Our first episode focused on Gabriel's visit with Mary, delivering news of her divine pregnancy. Last week's focus was Elizabeth's joyous greeting of her cousin. Today, we meditate on Mary's song of praise and thanksgiving in response to it all.Can you put yourself in her shoes? Carrying the savior of the world within yourself? It's quite astonishing, and verses 46-55 capture Mary's overwhelming joy so beautifully. How blessed we are to have these lyrics recorded for us to read! Luke 1:46-55The Passion Translation (TPT)The Message (MSG)Blessing you this week to gain a clear picture of who He has created you to be; a humble servant and a son or daughter of the King.Thanks for ListeningBecome a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital. As a patron, you e