Cultivate Connection - Bible-Based Meditations

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

This is our second week exploring the seven Hebrew words for paise in the Old Testament. Last week we looked at the idea of raising our hands in praise to God. This week we're meditating on the word Shâbach, which means to raise our voices; to shout praises to God.

There is something to be said about allowing ourselves to enter into the physical expression of praise that God is inviting us into. It is powerful. If we are to worship God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength as the Bible says, then it makes sense we are encouraged to engage our bodies as well as our hearts and minds.

One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty acts.

- Psalm 145:4 NASB1995

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips will praise You.

- Psalm 63:3 NASB1995

Praise the Lord, all nations;

Laud Him, all peoples!

- Psalm 117:1  NASB1995

Let everyone everywhere shine with praise to Yahweh! 

Let it all out! Go ahead and praise him!

- Psalm 117:1  TPT

We also read from 1 Chronicles 16:35 and Psalm 117:1 VOICE.

Can you think of a time where you have seen God move in such an amazing way you just wanted to shout for joy about how good He is? Have you shared that testimony with the next generation?

In Psalm 145, the scriptures tell us to shout, declare God’s mights works to the next generation. What is God doing in your life that is worth talking about?

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These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

In the Hebrew there are seven different words that are translated to the word “praise” in English. We are taking the next 7 weeks to meditate on each one of these different words. Understanding each of these will help expand our ability to praise God, entering into His presence; the place where we worship Him.

The first word we are looking at is Yâdâh. It means to extend your hands, throw a stone, or shoot an arrow. The shooting out, or lifting of the hands, especially in worship. It also means to be thankful and to confess.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart exults,

And with my song I shall thank Him. - Psalm 28:7 NASB1995

We also read from Genesis 29:35, 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:7-8, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 42:5, and Isaiah 25:1

David was calling people to raise their hands in awe of God in the Psalms when He uses the word yâdâh. If you think about praise as a physical response to God, what begins to stir up for you? Is this something common to you? Something you have never really tried?

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Welcome! We’re Glad You’re Here.

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

A Life of Worship

Worship is so much more than singing songs on Sunday. Worship is our response to being in the presence of God, seeing Him for who He truly is, receiving His love and giving our love ion return.

This episode starts our new series on Worship; coming in to the awe of how great God is. What does it look like to worship the Lord with gladness? To enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.

Bible Verses and Notes

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. - Romans 12:1 NLT

We also read from Psalm 92:1-5 and Exodus 20:2-6.

Reflection Questions

If you were to take time in the morning to proclaim God’s unfailing love what would you say? (like mentioned in Psalm 92:2) Try proclaiming out loud who God is to you today! 

Ask him to show you another layer, another measure, of his love. What is He showing You?

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P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review wherever you choose to listen. Not only do they help others find us, we especially love to read how you’ve encountered God through these meditations. Thanks!

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

This episode starts our new series on Worship; coming in to the awe of how great God is. What does it look like to worship the Lord with gladness? To enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.

 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

- John 4:24 NLT

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his.[a]
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation

- Psalm 100 NLT

We also read from John 4:21-24 NLT and Psalm 100 TPT.

Photo credit for this series goes to Vlad Kiselov on Unsplash

The online community is now available to join! It has been a long time coming, and its finally here. Follow these steps to join:

To learn more, you can find us online at: CultivateConnection.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review wherever you choose to listen. We especially love to read how you’ve encountered God through these meditations.

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

Many things around here have been under construction lately, as we migrate nearly everything over to a new online system. We thank you for your patience during all of this. Feel free to send an email to [email protected] if you're experiencing issues.

Our new website in now live at https://www.cultivateconnection.com/

The online community is now available to join! It has been a long time coming, and its finally here. Follow these steps to join:

It's brand new, which means there will be a bit of learning as we go for everyone, including us! Looking forward to seeing you in there! 

Listen to me, all you godly ones: Love the Lord with passion!

The Lord protects and preserves all those who are loyal to him.

But he pays back in full all those who reject him in their pride.

So cheer up! Take courage, all you who love him.

Wait for him to break through for you, all who trust in him!

- Psalms 31:23-24 TPT

We also read Psalms 31 in its entirety.

To learn more, you can find us online at: CultivateConnection.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review wherever you choose to listen. We especially love to read how you’ve encountered God through these meditations.

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

The name of the Lord is blessed and lifted high!

For his marvellous miracle of mercy protected me

when I was overwhelmed by my enemies.

I spoke hastily when I said, “The Lord has deserted me.”

For in truth, you did hear my prayer and came to rescue me.

- Psalms 31:21-22 TPT

Blessed be the Lord,

For He has shown His marvelous favor and lovingkindness to me [when I was assailed] in a besieged city.

As for me, I said in my alarm,

“I am cut off from Your eyes.”

Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications (specific requests)

When I cried to You [for help].

- Psalm 31:21-22 AMP

To learn more, you can find us online at: CultivateConnection.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review wherever you choose to listen. We especially love to read how you’ve encountered God through these meditations.

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

So hide all your beloved ones

in the sheltered, secret place before your face.

Overshadow them with your glory-presence.

Keep them from these accusations, the brutal insults of evil men.

Tuck them safely away in the tabernacle where you dwell.

- Psalms 31:20 TPT

You hide them in the protection of your presence;

conceal them in a shelter from human schemes,

from quarrelsome tongues.

- Psalm 31:20 CSB

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence

From the plots of man;

You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

- Psalm 31:20 NKJV

He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.

- Psalm 91:1 NKJV

To learn more, you can find us online at: CultivateConnection.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review wherever you choose to listen. We especially love to read how you’ve encountered God through these meditations.

These weekly, Bible-based meditation podcasts, give you the skills to carve out space, experience Peace, and grow your relationship with God. Praying this episode richly blesses you.

Jesus died on the cross so that we can walk in His love and acceptance. When the love of God comes in, shame has to go!

As I call upon you, let my shame and disgrace be replaced by your favor once again. But let shame and disgrace fall instead upon the wicked— those going to their own doom, drifting down in silence to the dust of death.

- Psalms 31:17 TPT

Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honour. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.

- 1 Corinthians 13:5 TPT

We read Psalms 31:17-19 in its entirety. We also read from Isaiah 61:7, Deuteronomy 28:2, Psalms 40:4, and Proverbs 10:22.

Praying for you to experience God’s blessings of favour, wisdom, protection, abundance, ability, grace, joy, freedom, and peace today! 

To learn more, you can find us online at: CultivateConnection.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review wherever you choose to listen. We especially love to read how you’ve encountered God through these meditations.

God’s face is a metaphor for his living presence. May His smile bless us with His love, mercy, grace and salvation.

I’m desperate, Lord! I throw myself upon you, for you alone are my God! My life, my every moment, my destiny—it’s all in your hands. So I know you can deliver me from those who persecute me relentlessly. Smile on me, your servant. Let your undying love and glorious grace save me from all this gloom.
- Psalms 31:14-16 TPT

The Lord make his face shine upon you
- Numbers 6:25a NKJV

‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’
- Numbers 6:24-26 NLT

We also read from Psalm 95:4 and Exodus 15:6.

What does it look like to put every moment of your life in God’s hands?

Blessing you to experience the favor of God’s rich presence in your life! Amen.

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There will be hard things in your life. Jesus promised there would be. Who do we turn to when we have no more strength to face life’s challenges?

O Lord, help me again! Keep showing me such mercy. For I am in anguish, always in tears, and I’m worn out with weeping. I’m becoming old because of grief; my health is broken. I’m exhausted! My life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing and sadness. Because of all these troubles, I have no more strength. My inner being is so weak and frail. My enemies say, “You are nothing!” Even my friends and neighbors hold me in contempt! They dread seeing me, and they look the other way when I pass by. I am totally forgotten, buried away like a dead man, discarded like a broken dish thrown in the trash. I overheard their whispered threats, the slander of my enemies. I’m terrified as they plot and scheme to take my life.

- Psalm 31:9-13 TPT

We also read Psalm 31:1-8 in the beginning of this week’s meditation.

Blessing you to invite God into the hard spaces of your life. He will never leave you or forsake you.

May you come into a greater revelation of expressing your sorrow to the Lord, processing with Him.

The Cultivate Connection podcast has been downloaded nearly 500,000 times and counting!

If Cultivate Connection has blessed you, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Your generosity helps us to continue creating resources that connect people with God. Thanks to all who support this podcast!

You can find and follow us online at:

• Cultivate Connection
• Facebook
• Instagram

Don't forget to leave a review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you choose to listen. Your reviews help this podcast get discovered by others.

And lastly, subscribe to receive Cultivate Connection emails and updates about upcoming events, podcasts, and more. Thank you!