Cultivate Connection - Christ Centred Meditation

So now you see how the Creator swept into being the spangled heavens, the earth, and all their hosts in six days. On the seventh day—with the canvas of the cosmos completed—God paused from His labor and rested. Thus God blessed day seven and made it special—an open time for pause and restoration, a sacred zone of Sabbath-keeping, because God rested from all the work He had done in creation that day. - Genesis 2:1-3 (VOICE) Imagine for a moment what those six days of creation looked like. There is God, speaking everything into existence and then He pauses, resting from His work.  If God, our all knowing all, powerful, all magnificent father chooses to rest after His labor, how much more do we need to take pause from ours? As you meditate on this scripture, ask God what rest for you looks like. Then ask Him to show you what it feels like. May you find your place of rest with Him.

God: Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows on the earth and every fruit-bearing tree. They will be your food and nourishment. As for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and every small creeping creature—everything that breathes the breath of life—I have given them every green plant for food. And it happened just as God said. Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness. Evening gave way to morning. That was day six.” - Genesis 1:29-31 (VOICE) God provides for all our needs; not a single thing left out or forgotten. What is the Holy Spirit revealing to you about the character and nature of God? We're blessing you to sit back, relax, and receive all that our Father wants to give us today, and everyday of our lives. Enjoy!

God: Now let Us conceive a new creation—humanity—made in Our image, fashioned according to Our likeness. And let Us grant them authority over all the earth—the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, the domesticated animals and the small creeping creatures on the earth. So God did just that. He created humanity in His image, created them male and female. Then God blessed them and gave them this directive: “Be fruitful and multiply. Populate the earth. I make you trustees of My estate, so care for My creation and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that roams across the earth.” - Genesis 1:26-28 (VOICE) How's that? You are created in the image and likeness of God. Then He goes even further and gives you authority over all the earth. May you walk in the fullness of your authority today as a child of God. 

God: Earth, generate life! Produce a vast variety of living creatures—domesticated animals, small creeping creatures, and wild animals that roam the earth. It happened just as God said. God made earth-creatures in a vast variety of species: wild animals, domesticated animals of all sizes, and small creeping creatures, each able to reproduce its own kind. God saw that His new creation was beautiful and good. And God paused. - Genesis 1:24-25 (VOICE) We have been meditating on God's creation for the past five weeks. While today we see His mighty hand begin to fill creation with life, take notice of the last three words; and God paused. Something is still missing and His masterpiece is not yet complete. Take a pause this week while you meditate on how God must have felt as He surveyed all He made up until this point. Looking out into the beauty and splendor of this world, yet something was missing. That something is you.

God: Waters, swarm with fish and sea creatures. Let birds soar high above the earth in the broad expanse of sky. So God created huge sea creatures, all the swarm of life in the waters, and every kind and species of flying birds—each able to reproduce its own kind. And God saw that His new creation was beautiful and good. And God spoke this blessing over them: God: Be fruitful and multiply. Let creatures fill the seas. Let birds reproduce and cover the earth. Evening gave way to morning. That was day five. - Genesis 1:20-23 (VOICE) This same god, our God, the author of all creation, has filled you with endless wonders just as He has filled the seas. If His creativity is so vast and amazing, how much more has He poured into you, His beloved?

God: "Lights, come out! Shine in the vast expanse of heavens’ sky dividing day from night to mark the seasons, days, and years. Lights, warm the earth with your light." It happened just as God said. God fashioned the two great lights—the brighter to mark the course of day, the dimmer to mark the course of night—and the Divine needled night with the stars. God set them in heavens’ sky to cast warm light on the earth, to rule over the day and night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that His new creation was beautiful and good. Evening gave way to morning. That was day four. - Genesis 1:14-19 (VOICE) Just as God created the stars to be vast and numerous, He created us, humanity, to be the same. Each of us are created to shine, and when we all play our part we make the heavens glisten. Be the star you were created to be. Shine brightly. Shine boldly.

God: "Let the waters below the heavens be collected into one place and congregate into one vast sea, so that dry land may appear." It happened just as God said. God called the dry land "earth" and the waters congregated below "seas." And God saw that His new creation was beautiful and good. God: "Earth, sprout green vegetation! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants and all sorts of fruit-bearing trees." It happened just as God said. The earth produced vegetation—seed-bearing plants of all varieties and fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. And God saw that His new creation was beautiful and good. Evening gave way to morning. That was day three. - Genesis 1:9-13 (VOICE) God's creative power is vast and awe inspiring. From the smallest molecule to the ends of the universe, He created it all. What is God creating in you? What beautiful, awe-inspiring wonder is being formed within you, His masterpiece, right now?

"Let there be a vast expanse in the middle of the waters. Let the waters above part from the waters below. So God parted the waters and formed this expanse, separating the waters above from the waters below. It happened just as God said. And God called the vast expanse “sky.” Evening gave way to morning. That was day two." - Genesis 1:6-8 (VOICE) Just as God created the heavens and the earth, He is creating a masterpiece in you. Maybe you feel like you are in day one of this new creation. Maybe you feel like you're in day two. Rest assured, God's timing is perfect as He accomplishes a great work in you. No matter where you're at today, rejoice in knowing that the work God has begun in you is something He intends to see through to completion. 

"In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below. Here’s what happened: At first the earth lacked shape and was totally empty, and a dark fog draped over the deep while God’s spirit-wind hovered over the surface of the empty waters. Then there was the voice of God. Let there be light." - Genesis 1:1-5 (VOICE) Sometimes we get caught up in listening to negative press. Things going wrong in the world. Things going wrong with family and friends. Even things other people are saying you're doing wrong. The same God who spoke all of eternity into existence wants to speak into your life. Tune in to what God has to say about you; we're certain it's nothing but good news. 

Thanks so much for journeying through Psalm 103 with us. This is it, the last in our series. While it is a little sad to come to the end of these journeys through God's word, we're filled with excitement as we prepare for the next one. We believe you're going to be richly blessed by it. You'll just have to wait until next Thursday. Until then, here's episode eight of our eight week meditation through Psalm 103. We finish up with Psalm 103:20-22 (TPT) which is the crescendo of our meditation on the goodness of God. Rejoice today, leap for joy, let out a laugh or a shout. Let everything bless the Lord! He is that good. Be sure to check out our newest blog post, Pursuing Your Dream over on CultivateConnection.ca

Here is our second to last episode of our eight week meditation through Psalm 103. This week we're in Psalm 103:18-19 (TPT) where we dwell on the fact that God's throne is unshakeable, all powerful, and eternal. Sound very similar to His love for you doesn't it? P.S. Be sure to check out our newest blog post, More than enough over on CultivateConnection.ca

It's a humbling thought, "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" yet God's love knows no bounds. As finite our lives are, His blessings extend beyond this lifetime. There's another saying, "God takes us low to take us high" and I feel this is one of those times. After being brought to complete humility knowing we are mere dust, it is impossible not to leap for joy knowing there is a God who is intimately familiar with us and whose blessings last for all eternity. Our lives as we know it may not last forever but this love of His will. How is God telling you how much He loves you? What is He saying to you today? Welcome to week six of our journey through Psalm 103. This week we're meditating on Psalm 103:14-17 (TPT). If you've missed any episodes you can find us on iTunes. Be blessed this week and thanks for listening!

Here's week five of our journey through Psalm 103. If you've missed any episodes you can find us on iTunes. Do you know that you are guilt-free; sinless, spotless, and beautiful in the eyes of God? The world wants you to believe you are unworthy, unloved, and abandoned but this is not who you truly are. As we meditate on Psalm 103:12-13 (TPT) this week, we bless you to feel the love God has for you. To see yourself as He sees you and to think the thoughts He thinks about you. You're amazing!

Welcome to week four of our journey through Psalm 103. This week's meditation is on Psalm 103:9-11 (TPT) where we learn of God's loyal love for us. He doesn't find faults and His mercy extends higher than the heavens.  How loyal is your own love? Do you hold yourself to unrealistic standards or do you know how to extend mercy to yourself? Blessing you this week to come into a greater understanding of His love for you and your own love for yourself.

Who are we to deserve such mercy? We who fail our father again and again and again. In our own eyes we're unworthy, but in God's eyes we are priceless. He is patient, kind, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. As you meditate on this week's scripture, savor each passage as if you were dining on the finest meal. Allow God's word to satisfy every part of you. May it encourage, inspire and fill you with life. This week's meditation is on Psalm 103:6-8 (NKJV)

Have you ever thought much about all God has done for you? He gave us life. He gave us Jesus. What more could there be?  There's much more and this week we're going on a journey together, a journey to discover all the beautiful and awe inspiring things God has blessed you and I with, the children He loves dearly. This week's meditation is on Psalm 103:3-5 (TPT)

Welcome to our new series in Psalm 103. King David was a man who knew how to bare his whole heart to the Lord. The ups, the downs, and everything in between. The Psalms are filled with so much passion and emotion. Over the next few weeks we're going to enter in with David as he gushes with joy over the awe and wonder of God's love. I hope you're as excited as I am, because no matter where I am or what I'm experiencing, taking time to meditate on His goodness is always refreshing to my entire being. Enjoy, as we begin this week with Psalm 103:1-2 (TPT)

Welcome to the very last episode of our eight week series on John 15. We've been seeking to discover what it looks like to abide in Jesus. Our series ends in John 15 22-27 (TPT). Jesus has given us the Divine Encourager; the Spirit of Truth. What does He want to tell you today?   If you missed any of the previous meditations, links to each of them are below. Week 1 - Pruning Week 2 - Life-Union Week 3 - Powerfully Within You Week 4 - Nourished & Empowered By Love Week 5 - Intimate Friendship Week 6 - Bear Fruit Week 7 - You Are Mine

To whose values do you align yourself with? We're excited to present week #7 of our eight week series on John 15, where we're seeking to discover what it looks like to abide in Jesus. If you missed any of the previous meditations, I've placed links to them at the end of this email. This week we're in John 15 18-21 (TPT). The world first hated Jesus and will thus hate us. Fortunately He has taken us out of this world and called us to be His. Week 1 - Pruning Week 2 - Life-Union Week 3 - Powerfully Within You Week 4 - Nourished & Empowered By Love Week 5 - Intimate Friendship Week 6 - Bear Fruit

The fruit you bear will last! We're excited to present week #6 of our eight week series on John 15, where we're seeking to discover what it looks like to abide in Jesus. If you missed any of the previous meditations, I've placed links to them at the end of this email. This week we're in John 15 16-17 (TPT). In it, Jesus promises his disciples the fruit they bear will last. Do you believe the same to be true for your life? Week 1 - Pruning Week 2 - Life-Union Week 3 - Powerfully Within You Week 4 - Nourished & Empowered By Love Week 5 - Intimate Friendship