Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Thrive: Week 3, Day 3

Revelation 3:15-16, 19


What has the Holy Spirit said to you throughout the course of this 21-day journey?

Keeping in mind that Jesus is not a fan of indifference, what are some concrete steps that you can take in order to make the changes God is calling you to make?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Thrive: Week 3, Day 2

1 Peter 5:6-7, Philippians 4:6-7,Proverbs 3:5-6



There are some things we were not created to lift. What are some heavy emotional or spiritual matters you are trying to carry alone in your life?What are some fears you clinch your fingers around tightly? God wants you to open your hands and open your palms to Him of every burden, fear, or failure you’ve encountered. Bring those things to the surface in your mind and name them to God. God wants to take that weight from you. You are not alone. He cares for you. Nothing is too heavy for God.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Thrive: Week 2, Day 6

Psalm 13, James 4:8a


What does it mean to you that many of the Bible’s greatest heroes, like David, embraced their questioning and doubts?


Is it possible that when we question God in our times of feeling alone, abandoned, confused, disappointed or depressed that we can actually draw near to Him and experience Him drawing near to us?

Friday, September 25, 2009

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Thrive: Week 2, Day 4

Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12



Have you ever felt really pressured? Ever had a day that felt like something in your world was crushing in on you? Ever felt like there was no way out?
Ever wondered why God would allow you to go through such hurt?
Remember that God is concerned about the process of our transformation into His likeness. We are like diamonds. Only through heat, pressure, and time do we become the beauty of Christ. Let us praise the One who lives in us and never leaves or abandons us!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Thrive: Week 2, Day 3

1 Samuel 13:19-20; Ephesians 6:1-18; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Isaiah 54:17


What kind of help are you needing from God?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Beyond Sunday: Thrive ...a little help?

...by Jeff Sanford

It wasn’t all that long ago that I found myself in the midst of one of the most troubling times of my life. Although I grew up in the church, I wasn’t attending a church and didn’t really see the need to because church always seemed so irrelevant and boring to me. I wasn’t angry or disappointed with God, simply disinterested.

But life changed dramatically for me when, through a series poor decisions, I found myself in the midst of a situation that was just overwhelming. The consequences of some of my decisions had me filled with uncertainty and left me wondering how or if I would ever be able to make right this life that had gotten so far off track. The mountain that stood before me was large and was not going away, and I was left cowering.

But that’s right where God intervened. Through the suggestion of a friend, God led me to this church that was meeting at Lake Central High School. I have to admit that I had no interest in attending, but when you’re at the end of your rope and you need help badly enough, you’ll turn to anyone. So that’s what I did. And that is exactly where God and His amazing grace met me.

God has used many people at Suncrest as agents of change in my life over the past eight or so years. And now, I look back on that critical period of my life and see that I too echoed the words of David in Psalm 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

I can now thank God that I know where my help came from:

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

And the most remarkable thing to me about that time was that, as Greg stated in his message, it didn’t matter whether I had been faithful to God or turned my back on Him, He was still there pursuing me. And when you’re in that situation and you feel the presence and peace of a loving God, how can you respond but to thank and worship the one who was and is with you through it all.

And so the challenge for me today is to be someone that God uses in the midst of another’s storm. To administer grace, to be a part of a community that listens for and responds to the cries of those who are struggling, and to help carry their burdens.

Thrive: Week 2, Day 2

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


When we finally realize that we need help from God, what is our response? Do we whine and cry about our situation or do we praise God? Our verses today remind us that we are to praise God in all circumstances. Let today be the first day you praise God for your current circumstances.





Monday, September 21, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Thrive: Week 1, Day 7

James 4:13, 14


The cold hard truth is that a lot of people are wasting their lives. Are you wasting yours?


Saturday, September 19, 2009

Thrive: Week 1, Day 6

Mark 12:28-30


What is your reality check for culitvating your realtionship with Jesus?


Thursday, September 17, 2009

Thrive: Week 1, Day 4

Matthew 6:19-21 & Matthew 6:25-33




What are some things that I am investing a lot of my thought, time, and/or energy into that really have no eternal worth or significance?
What are some things of eternal significance that Jesus would rather me invest my life into instead?







Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Beyond Sunday: Thrive-Reality Check

...by Randy Parish

Can you ever really be prepared for disaster to strike in your life? I think we can run on autopilot when things are going good. We are just along for the ride, enjoying the scenery. Maybe in the back of our mind we entertain the thought of darker days ahead, but hey, things are good now, why worry? I can skip my bible reading today. I don’t really have time to pray today, maybe tomorrow, things are fine anyway. We let the relationship we have with God slip a little. Then comes the doctor visit we weren’t expecting. The diagnosis that showed no symptoms. We’re doing the fine balancing act of being one unexpected bill away from serious financial problems, and then the company has a layoff. The worry builds up along with the stress and we go into survival mode. Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord, always”. How can I rejoice? Paul doesn’t know what I’m going through. Paul doesn’t say to rejoice in your situation, he says: Rejoice in the Lord.
Scott Coons summed it up about losing his job when he talked about not being defined by his job. We are not what our situation is. We need to keep striving in our relationship with God in the good times, so we can be stronger through the tough times. We all face tough times and if you haven’t, you will. We need to focus on the peace of God and not on any peace that may come from a life without trouble.
Did you notice anyone standing beside you on Sunday who raised their hand when Greg talked about those who have experienced the peace of God? Ask them about it. I’m sure they would tell you their story. As Greg said, left to our own devices, we just survive, with God’s peace, we can thrive.

Thrive: Week 1, Day 3

Galatians 1:3-5


Why do you worship?


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Thrive: Week 1, Day 2

Psalm 46:10-11

After watching the video please reflect on these questions:
Where do I find it best to think, reflect and pray?
What are the distractions, the noise in my life?
How can I best get alone so I can Selah?

Monday, September 14, 2009

Thrive: Week 1, Day 1

Psalm 139
I have this image of God holding us in the warmth and strength of His hand. We are like stones, no two are alike. As God searches us He finds that we have rough edges and He often uses community to help smooth out our rough edges. So where do you think some rough flaws might be? Ask God to show you and offer them to Him. Where are there smooth areas that are pleasing to Him? Offer them to Him as an act of worship.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

It's Here!

FINALLY, the cultivate blog is unveiled!
We are thrilled that you have stopped by to check it out. Our desire is that this blog will help you in cultivating your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There are several tools, links, and resources listed here that we believe will assist you in your journey to growing in Christ, so feel free to explore. We also want to encourage you to post comments in response to what God is speaking to you. It is so amazing how we are encouraged and lifted up by each other when we are willing to share our stories.

Thank you for joining us in our journey as we cultivate our relationships with Jesus Christ together. Looking forward to where God leads!!


And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. -Philippians 1:9-11