Have you ever sought Jesus out in your pain only to feel disappointed or offended by Him? Have you wondered if staying with Him is worth it? In this week’s episode we’re looking at a Canaanite woman who ran to Jesus in utter desperation (Matt. 15:21-28). But rather than writing her own story and asking Jesus to sign off on it, she responded to Him from within His story! She saw what others couldn’t see and valued what others didn’t value. We may not know the Canaanite woman’s name but we have so much to receive from her story. Are you willing to surrender your story to Jesus?

For more from Kelly visit Kellyminter.com/podcast

Has friendship with Jesus felt like a distant, almost-impossible relationship—especially when you can’t see, touch, or hear Him? Today Kelly is walking through John 15:9-17 where we’ll study a fascinating conversation Jesus had with His disciples.

Jesus called His followers friends and He did so right before He left them. This isn’t the timing you would expect. But we’ll find that even in Jesus’s physical absence, He intended His disciples to continue experiencing the blessings of being in a real, vibrant relationship with Himself. And He offers us the same.  

Today we’ll look at the blessings that come from a rich friendship with Christ—love, joy, never being alone, answered prayer, and a life that matters. Also, we’ll discover what it means to dwell in the blessings of His love.  

“A life of being in Christ is a life where you are never alone”

Scripture References

John 15:9-17
John 15:8 

Relevant Links

*If you want to go deeper on this topic, check out Kelly’s Bible study called No Other Gods: The Unrivaled Pursuit Of Christ 

*Andrew Murray quote form his book, The True Vine .

*D.A. Carson quote: The Gospel According to John

*Tim Keller Twitter quote . 

*Sausage and Butternut Squash Risotto recipe 

*Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at Kellyminter.com and receive a 21-Day Devotional called The Blessed Life for a limited time. 

Socials

*Subscribe to accessmore.com or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

*Follow Kelly on Instagram at Kelly_Minter. Or Facebook at KellyMinterAuthor . 

*Kelly works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova. You can check out their work here: justiceandmercy.org.  

*If you like the opening music to The Cultivate Podcast you can find it on Kelly’s record Hymns & Hallelujahs . The song is Time For Singing.  

Is living from a place of rest truly possible? How do we faithfully walk through seasons of pruning and discipline? What does it take to bear healthy fruit? The vibrant imagery used throughout Jesus’s teaching in John 15:1-5 powerfully depicts how, as Christ followers, our lives are meant to matter.

Join Kelly as she walks through the 7th I AM statement of Jesus, “I Am the True Vine.” Your life was meant to matter. You’re called to bear much fruit—fruit that will impact generations. 

“The Master Gardener is perfect in His work. He is perfect in His pruning. He never makes a mistake; There is nothing that He is going to go after in your life that will not result in even more fruit.” 

Scripture References

John 15:1-5, 16

1 John 2:19

Hebrews 12:11

John 15:7

Helpful Notes

1. We Bear Fruit when we’re attached to the True Vine

Vine + Branch = Fruit

2. We bear more fruit when we’re surrendered to the Vinedresser 

Vine + Branch + Pruning = More Fruit

3. We bear much fruit when we abide in Christ 

Vine + Branch + Pruning + Abiding = Much Fruit

We remain in Christ when we remain in Christ’s teaching (2 Jn 9); love one another (1 Jn 2:10); keep ourselves from willful sin (1 Jn 3:9); take care of the poor (1 Jn 3:17), confess that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior (1 Jn 4:14-15); believe God is love (1 Jn 4:16); obey God’s commands (Jn 4:16).

Relevant Links

To go deeper into topics similar to today’s you can check out Kelly’s Bible study No Other Gods: The Unrivaled Pursuit Of Christ. 

Andrew Murray quote from his book, The True Vine. 

Receive a free 21-day devotional called The Blessed Life when you sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at Kellyminter.com . Limited time. 

Socials

Subscribe to the Cultivate Podcast on accessmore.com so you never miss an episode.

Follow Kelly on Instagram and Facebook

Kelly works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova.You can check out their work here

We’re breaking down the practical virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in today’s episode. Kelly shares transparently about her own failings and how impossible these virtues are when we rely on our own strength. Kelly also points out Paul’s secret to the virtues—you’re dearly loved, chosen, and set apart because of Christ.

So often we have this turned around—thinking that if we can do a better job of displaying the character of Christ then God will accept us, choose us, and love us more. How freeing it is to see what Paul actually writes in Colossians 3:12: Because you are chosen, holy, and dearly loved, you get to wear the virtues of Christ.

Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:12

Scripture References
Colossians 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Titus 3:3-5; Philippians 2:3, 5-6, Isaiah 66:1-2;1 Peter 3:3-4; 1 Peter 5:5; Mark 14:47; Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:25; 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 11:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; Ephesians 1:4; 1 John 4:10

Relevant Links

? For more on this topic, check out Kelly’s book The Fitting Room: Putting On The Character Of Christ. 

? Receive a free 21-day devotional called The Blessed Life when you sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at kellyminter.com. Limited time.  

? Read about Kelly’s adventures in the Amazon jungle with JMI in her book Wherever The River Runs: How A Forgotten People Renewed My Hope In The Gospel.

Socials

? Subscribe to the Cultivate Podcast on accessmore.com so you never miss an episode. 

? Follow Kelly on Instagram and Facebook

? Kelly works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova.You can check out their work here. 

? Opening Music to the Cultivate Podcast is Time For Singing from her project Hymns & Hallelujahs. 

Have you ever wanted God to bring you healing but on your own terms? Today, Kelly walks us through Naaman’s story in 2 Kings 5. Naaman had wealth, power, and position. He also had an incurable skin disease that none of his resources could remedy. When God’s servant Elisha offered Naaman a prescription for healing, Naaman refused. Why should he, a powerful man with status from a land of clear flowing rivers, dunk himself in the dirty water of the Jordan River? Naaman needed more than physical healing on his own terms; He needed an encounter with the living God. And so do we. We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful episode about seeking God’s healing His way.

“When God brings about our healing we will know that it is Him and only Him.”

Scripture References

2 Kings 5:1-16

James 4:6

John 1:29

Colossians 1:21-22

Relevant Links

To find out more about Kelly’s work in the Amazon jungle with Justice & Mercy International you can read one of her most personal books Wherever The River Runs: How A Forgotten People Renewed My Hope In The Gospel.

To go deeper into topics similar to today’s you can check out Kelly’s Bible study No Other Gods: The Unrivaled Pursuit Of Christ.

Walter Brueggemann quote from his Lenten devotional book A Way Other Than Our Own.

Receive a free 21-day d evotional called The Blessed Life when you sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at Kellyminter.com. Limited time.

Socials
Subscribe to the Cultivate Podcast on accessmore.com so you never miss an episode. 

Follow Kelly on Instagram and Facebook

Kelly works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova. You can check out their work here. 

Opening Music to the Cultivate Podcast is Time For Singing from her project Hymns & Hallelujahs. 

“Though Jacob never chose Leah, God had chosen her.”

Today’s Episode

Have you ever thought, if only this person would change I’d finally be happy? Or if this person would choose me I’d be fulfilled? Sharing one of the more personal chapters of her story, Kelly will help us recognize idolatry in our own lives. Especially when it comes to the false gods of people. We’ll look at the lives of Rachel and Leah (Genesis 29-30) who had both made false gods out of people. Things like comparison, jealousy, anger, and manipulation had gotten the best of them. As a result, they often missed the pursuit and blessing of God in their lives. 

Leah and Rachel are relatable examples of what happens when we try to find our fulfillment in our relationships or our status we will always be let down. More than just trying to overcome jealousy and comparison, today we’ll see that the Lord’s timing is always better than our own. His pursuit of us is always richer than our dreams and desires. Idolatry is a chameleon sin. Because it blends in, it’s easy to miss. Today we’ll expose it and call it by its name. Freedom awaits!

Character Focus: Rachel and Leah

Scripture References
Genesis 29:28-35
Genesis 30:19
Genesis 30:1-2
Genesis 30:8
Genesis 30:14-16
Genesis 35:16-19
Genesis 30:22-24
Gen 49:31
Matthew 1:1-2, 16 (genealogy).

Today’s Episode Links
*If you want to go deeper on this topic, check out Kelly’s Bible study called No Other Gods: The Unrivaled Pursuit Of Christ
*Subscribe to accessmore.com or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a n episode.
*Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at Kellyminter.com and receive a 21-Day Devotional called The Blessed Life for a limited time.
*Follow Kelly on Instagram at Kelly_Minter. Or Facebook at KellyMinterAuthor.
*Kelly works c losely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova. You can check out their work here: justiceandmercy.org.
*If you like the opening music to The Cultivate Podcast you can find it on Kelly’s record Hymns & Hallelujahs. The song is Time For Singing.  

“She sat at His feet in the good times, she fell at His feet in the hard times.”

Today’s Episode

Perhaps you’ve wondered how you can have a relationship with Jesus so intimate that you trust Him with all you hold dear. Today, we’ll trace Mary of Bethany’s story through the Gospels. She was the one who anointed Jesus’s body before His burial. She’s also the one who sat at His feet while her sister Martha worked in the kitchen. And she’s the one who lost her brother Lazarus when Jesus could have saved him.

The question for us is how did Mary get to the place where she was willing to trust Jesus with everything? What are you and I missing about the Savior that makes what we’re holding onto seem so powerful? What of our alabaster jars are we still clutching? In today’s episode we’ll ponder these questions as we reflect on Mary’s relationship with Jesus. When we see Him for who He truly is we’ll want to give Him everything. Let’s follow Mary’s lead and spend time at the feet of The Teacher today.

Character Focus: Mary of Bethany

Scripture References:

Mark 14:3

Luke 10:38-42

John 11:5-6

John 11:17-20

John 11:28-29

John 11:45

John 11:32

John 12:3

Reference to James 1:22

Relevant Links

*No Other Gods: The Unrivaled Pursuit Of Christ 

*Subscribe to accessmore.com or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. 

*Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at Kellyminter.com and receive a 21-Day Devotional called The Blessed Life for a limited time. 

*Follow Kelly on Instagram at Kelly_Minter. Or Facebook at KellyMinterAuthor.  

*Kelly works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova. You can check out their work here: justiceandmercy.org.

*If you like the opening music to The Cultivate Podcast you can find it on Kelly’s record Hymns & Hallelujahs. The song is Time For Singing. 

“The miracle took place somewhere in the midst of the servant’s obedience”

Today’s Episode

We’re so glad you’re back for another episode of the Cultivate Podcast with Kelly Minter. Continuing to work our way down Kelly’s “Top Hits” of her favorite Scripture passages, today we’re getting dressed up and going to a wedding! Many of you are familiar with the story of Jesus turning water into wine, but Kelly will bring your attention to some overlooked characters who play a vital role in this joyous occasion. (No spoilers, though.)

The word obedience can feel joyless and stifling. We want its benefits and blessings without the effort or surrender. But in John 2 we’ll see that the ones who obeyed Jesus were the ones who discovered the secret—the Source of the wine. We’ll discover how powerful and important even the smallest and simplest acts of obedience and servanthood can be, as Kelly invites you into the story of John 2 and the ways it has impacted her personally.

Scripture Reference:

John 2:1-11 

Relevant Links

*Subscribe to the Cultivate Podcast at accessmore.com or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. 

*Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at Kellyminter.com and receive a 21-Day Devotional for a limited time. 

*Follow Kelly on Instagram at Kelly_Minter. Or Facebook at KellyMinterAuthor.  

*Kelly works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon and in Moldova. You can check out their work here: justiceandmercy.org 

*If you like the opening music to The Cultivate Podcast you can find it on Kelly’s record Hymns & Hallelujahs. The song is Time For Singing. 

“It’s in our year after year pain, that the God we’ve known from a distance becomes our Lord Almighty.”

Today’s Episode

Welcome to our very first episode of the Cultivate Podcast, with Bible teacher and author Kelly Minter! We’re starting off the first few episodes with a highlight reel, of sorts. Think of it as Kelly’s Top Hits when it comes to narratives in Scripture, and how God has used these characters in His Word to teach her clear truths about her own life.

Today Kelly is talking about the Lord’s faithfulness to turn pains that inflict us year after year into blessings that call us to praise Him year after year. How do we respond to people who intentionally harm and provoke us? How are we supposed to worship God in the midst of heartbreaking pain? Where does prayer fit in when God seems to be the one behind our pain? Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel is a powerful picture of this redemption and comfort that God offers us. Join us for this honest and relatable study of how the Lord hears our deepest cries and our most desperate prayers.

Scripture References

1 Samuel 1:4-8, 10-11, 15-20

1 Samuel 2:18-19

1 Samuel 2:1-10 for further reading

Deut 12:1-14 (background on the festival Hannah and Elkanah were part of.) 

1 Sam 2:1-10

Handy Links

• Subscribe on accessmore.com or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. 

• Check out kellyminter.com for more resources and to sign up for our newsetter.

• Follow Kelly on Instagram at Kelly_Minter. Or Facebook at KellyMinterAuthor.  

• Kelly works closely with justiceandmercy.org in the Amazon and in Moldova. 

Welcome to the Cultivate Podcast which is all about deepening your understanding of Scripture for a deeper love of Jesus. We live in a crazy busy culture that makes it hard to prioritize Bible study. Not to mention, for many of us the Bible can be plain confusing or intimidating. That’s why we're so excited about this podcast, we’ll get to study God’s Word together .

It all starts Tuesday, March 23, so make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Tuesday episode!