We’re looking at a life of goodness in today’s Cultivate podcast. If you already feel disqualified or like you’ve totally missed that “good” mark you’re exactly who I hope will join me. Scripture is really interesting on the topic of goodness because in Romans Paul quotes the Old Testament by saying that no one is good, not even one. And yet he’s also the one who teaches us that we’re to display the fruit of goodness and that we’re created for good works. So which is it? 

In today’s episode we’re going to find out that it’s both. While we’re not saved by our good works, we’re definitely saved for good works. And the very grace that saves us is the same grace that fuels a life of goodness that doesn’t always come naturally to us. You were created for good works, and not only that, God prepared certain good works for you to do! I’m so excited about this episode as we dive into Ephesians 5:8-9, Ephesians 2:1-5, and Ephesians 2:8-10. My prayer is that you’ll find freedom from guilt and discouragement, and lean into God’s grace for the all the good He has in store for you. 

If you’d like to go deeper into Bible study, check out Kelly’s brand new study releasing Nov 1, 2022 on the book of Ruth called Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy. 

Cultivate is brought to you in part by the Dwell Bible App. Save 30% at dwellapp.io/Cultivate.

The Cultivate Podcast is back! I’m so excited to be in my living room walking through 2 Timothy 3:16-17 with you. In this fresh episode, we’ll look at 4 ways God’s Word uniquely impacts our lives. One of my deepest hopes is to help you see how Scripture connects to the everyday challenges we face and the internal struggles we deal with. God’s Word has renewed my life, given me hope, and redirected me when I needed it—and He longs to do the same for you! 

In this episode, we’ll get to make these practical and hope-filled connections as we reflect on the encouragement that the Apostle Paul gave his younger friend Timothy. No matter where you are in your faith journey, today’s episode about the power of Scripture will be an inspiring listen.  

To go deeper, you can order Kelly’s "Encountering God" bible study.

Cultivate is brought to you in part by the Dwell Bible App. Save 30% at dwellapp.io/Cultivate.

Today we’re looking at prayer in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. So often we wonder if prayer works, if God really cares, or why even pray if God already knows what we need? Sometimes we even question whether the God we pray to is good.

I’m excited for this episode because Jesus’ teaching addresses so many of our questions. And where our questions remain unanswered He goes out of His way to reveal the good heart of God toward us. I’m looking forward to wrapping up our short 4-part series out of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with you. I hope it will encourage you in your prayer life.   

Looking for a new ONLINE Bible Study? Sign up at Lifeway.com for the Encountering God Online Bible study. Registration is open from Jan 13 through March 1!

To order the Encountering God Bible study, visit Lifeway.com

For the full show notes visit kellyminter.com/podcast.  

Perhaps more than ever we’re living in a day of worry and anxiety. But this isn’t new. Over 2,000 years ago Jesus stood on the edge of the Sea of Galilee and addressed our tendency to let anxiety overtake us. We’re continuing to move through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where we’ll find real help for our anxious souls. 

A sneak peek at what’s in store? When we treasure the wrong things our hearts become anxious. But when our hearts value eternal things—our relationship with God and others—our treasures are secure. One of my favorite parts of Jesus’ sermon is when He tells us to look at the birds and flowers to see how He cares for them. How much more He cares for us! We’re unpacking all of this and more. I hope you’ll join me for some soul rest in this episode.  

Looking for a new ONLINE Bible Study? Sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022. Registration is open through March 1!

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We’re diving into the images of salt and light that Jesus uses in this section of the Sermon on the Mount. Both of these are elements we all use every day, but by looking at the historical and contextual implications of these metaphors, we can get a better idea of what Jesus meant when He called us to be these agents of impact. 

Salt is a preservative that slows down decay. Salt is on the defense while the light is on the offense, dispelling darkness from areas wherever it’s present. How does this apply to us? Why does Jesus call us to live like this? Join me as we talk about these metaphors and other Scriptures that remain timeless and applicable today!

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022 at lifeway.com

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As we begin a new series in the New Year, I’m excited to focus on Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount in this new four-part series. We’re starting with the Beatitudes where Jesus gives descriptions of what it looks like to flourish and thrive in this life because of the arrival of His kingdom. He gives us an entirely new way to live! And it’s inherently countercultural to what our world defines as blessing.  

The message of the Beatitudes is not reserved for those who have every materialistic luxury. In fact, Jesus initially taught this message to a group of people who were historically oppressed and marginalized. And the Beatitudes are not a to-do list for Christians, but instead a definition of Christ followers and how they walk in the newness of Christ’s kingdom. It’s a declaration–when you find yourself in these conditions and you’re a follower of Christ, you are blessed.

As we go into a new year, remember that our God is a promise keeper and He is not forgetful of us or His promises. While this season may carry both joy and difficulty, we have good news! God kept His promise in sending a Savior into the world, Immanuel, God with us. 

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022 at Lifeway.com

Order the Encountering God Bible study

During the Christmas season it’s easy to get lost in the holiday swirl and lose sight of the promises that God has kept through Jesus. That’s why in this episode we’re looking at Zechariah’s song of praise. His words will give us hope and perspective no matter what we’re going through. As Zechariah recounts the history of Israel and the dawning redemption, our spirits will be lifted. 

As we go into a new year, remember that our God is a promise keeper and He is not forgetful of us or His promises. While this season may carry both joy and difficulty, we have good news! God kept His promise in sending a Savior into the world, Immanuel, God with us. 

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022.

To order the Encountering God Bible study, click here.

Today, we’re unwrapping the story of Anna, the prophetess in Luke’s Gospel. She has a special place in God’s story of redemption, and she serves as a representative for all of us in seasons of waiting and longing. Widowed for 84 years, a woman of modest means, and from an exiled people group, we see God’s favor and grace shine through her life.

Perhaps you feel disqualified from God’s grace. Or you’re struggling to keep sight of Jesus in a season of unmet longing. Anna’s story will remind you that God’s redemption is on offer for everyone. I hope her story finds and refreshes your soul today amid the craziness of this and every season. If you’re longing and waiting in the midst of hardship, allow Anna to be a reminder of what to do when you wait. And more importantly, who to trust in the waiting. 

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022.

Order the Encountering God Bible study.

Our expectations of Christmas can feel like they come from a Hallmark movie, which doesn’t do us a lot of favors (as much as we love them). The cultural ideal that we’ll be fulfilled and content at Christmas, that everything will fall into place, acts as a magnifying glass to the unmet expectations that we hold all year round. 

Through the lives of Elizabeth and Mary, we get a bit of a cultural reset when it comes to our Christmas ideals. What's so helpful about Mary and Elizabeth’s story is the realistic Christmas it portrays—one full of God’s promises being fulfilled in the midst of difficult seasons. By returning to this Scripture, we can sift through the romantic version of a cultural Christmas and see something truthful. A Christmas that celebrates God’s promises coming to fruition in the midst of a dark and waiting world in the person of Jesus. 

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022.

Order the Encountering God Bible study

I don’t know about you, but I’m fully invested in the Christmas season. Today, we’re diving into a series of Christmas episodes and to kick it off, we’re starting in the book of Matthew. Matthew spends most of the first chapter outlining the genealogy of Jesus. While a genealogy may not seem like the most show stopping opener, the cultural and historical implications of this chapter are deeply impactful.

The genealogy of Jesus is countercultural. It is rare to find women listed in genealogies and the women highlighted here are not classified by their squeaky clean lives or heritages. The effects of shame, prejudice, disobedience, loneliness all permeate the lives of the women in Jesus’ line. As we look at these women, we can’t help but see reflections of our own hearts and stories. And in that reflection I pray we will see the all-encompassing salvation gift given to us through the life and death of Jesus. 

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022.

Order the Encountering God Bible study