The transition from wilderness wandering to the promised land reveals God's faithfulness through Israel's history. After Moses died, Joshua led the conquest of Jericho through obedience to God's unusual battle plan. The period of judges followed, with leaders like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson delivering Israel from oppression. When the people demanded a king like other nations, God gave them Saul, who was later replaced by David—a man after God's own heart. God established the Davidic Covenant, promising David's lineage would reign forever, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Solomon built the magnificent temple but later compromised with foreign gods, leading to the kingdom's division into Israel and Judah.

Welcome to The Cultivated Life podcast! Join us for the fourth session of our journey through the Bible, where we delve deep into the histories, cultures, and divine revelations within its pages. We'll recap the story of Joseph's journey from slavery to the palace, cover the beginning of Exodus, discuss Moses' birth, his divine calling, the plagues of Egypt, and the ultimate escape of the Israelites. Learn about the significance of the Passover and its foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice, as well as the tabernacle's layout and its symbolism in worship today. Don't miss out on this insightful teaching that ties the Old Testament events to God's overarching plan. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode. For more resources, visit TheCultivatedLifeMinistries.com.

The Abrahamic Covenant reveals God's extraordinary promise to make Abraham a great nation and bless all families through him. Abraham's journey teaches us that partial obedience is still disobedience, as seen when he took Lot along despite God's call to leave everything. When Abraham and Sarah tried to fulfill God's promise through Hagar, creating surrogate solutions led to lasting consequences we see in Middle Eastern conflicts today. Joseph's story demonstrates how God uses difficult circumstances to prepare us for future purposes. The Israelites' 400 years in Egypt, though appearing as oppression, actually equipped them with skills needed for their destiny. Complete obedience and releasing bitterness are essential for receiving God's full blessing.

The early chapters of Genesis reveal God's redemptive plan through blood sacrifice, beginning when He clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins. From Cain's rejected offering to Abel's accepted sacrifice, we see that approaching God requires following His established pattern. God warned Cain that sin crouches at our door like a predator, but we must rule over it through faith and obedience. Enoch demonstrates that we can walk intimately with God while fulfilling daily responsibilities and family obligations. Noah's century-long faithfulness in building the ark teaches us to hold onto God's promises even when fulfillment seems delayed. At Babel, humanity rejected God's command to spread across the earth, choosing instead to make a name for themselves, which led to confusion and scattering.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Purpose

The Bible tells one unified story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation. Beginning with perfect fellowship in the Garden of Eden and ending with restored fellowship in the heavenly city, every story in between demonstrates God's relentless pursuit to bring His people back to Himself. The Old Testament follows distinct time periods from innocence through the patriarchs to the law and prophets. When Adam and Eve fell to the same three temptations we face today - lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life - God immediately promised redemption through the coming Messiah. Understanding this overarching narrative helps us see how our own lives fit into God's ongoing story of restoration and grace.

00:00 Welcome to The Cultivated Life Podcast

Dive into an enriched conversation about the essence of generosity, stewardship, and legacy giving with special guest, Ashley Shaffer. Topics range from the importance of inculcating financial discipline, ways to leave a lasting legacy, to Ashley’s personal journey and impactful strategies on how to effectively manage and utilize resources for kingdom building. They also discuss the balance between the head and heart in charitable giving and relay inspiring stories of financial impact. Learn practical advice on how to leverage your assets beyond income, including real estate, businesses, and other creative ways to support the church and ministries. Tune in for an in-depth discussion filled with insightful knowledge on leading a life of significance and surrender.

00:00 Embracing a Generous Heart

Are you chasing what you “care about… or living out what you’re truly called to do?

In this powerful episode, Pastor Jonathan Perry reveals the life-changing difference between horizontal identity (shaped by people, opinions, and circumstances that constantly shift) and vertical identity (the unshakable identity God spoke over you before you were born).

You’ll discover:

If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused about your purpose, or ready to quit when things get hard—this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and courage to lock into the identity and assignment that will outlast every temporary passion.

Stop collecting baggage from things you used to care about.

In this powerful episode, Pastor Jonathan Perry sits down with Tim Schenker to share one of the most remarkable transformation stories you'll ever hear. Born into a Hare Krishna commune in West Virginia, Tim's childhood was marked by unimaginable trauma—including the mysterious death of his father and separation from his siblings at age seven.

From suicidal thoughts as a child to finding radical freedom through an encounter with the Holy Spirit, Tim's journey is a testament to God's redemptive power. Now serving as a missionary in Ecuador with his wife through First Love Movement, Tim shares how experiencing the depth of God's forgiveness creates unstoppable passion for ministry.

• How God can transform the darkest beginnings into powerful purpose

Whether you've experienced trauma, struggle with your identity, or simply want to deepen your relationship with God, Tim's story will inspire you to see that no situation is beyond God's redemption.

Connect with Tim Schenker:

About The Cultivated Life:

Feeling stuck in life is like sinking into mud with no clear way forward. Whether in relationships, career, or spiritual growth, we all face seasons of being trapped. The difference between staying stuck and breaking free comes down to making five essential shifts: moving from skepticism to belief, from distraction to purpose, from momentary focus to generational thinking, from passive observation to purposeful action, and from lack to abundance mindset. Sometimes we become comfortable in our chaos, keeping our emergency brake engaged through limiting thoughts and destructive habits. Breaking free requires intentional changes in how we think and act, starting in our minds and taking root when we speak it with our mouths.

00:00 Welcome to The Cultivated Life Podcast

In this episode, we explore the essence of character and credibility within the context of Kingdom culture at Central Church. Our discussion delves into the critical role of trust and how to build healthy relationships both in personal and professional aspects. We look at biblical teachings, specifically from Luke chapter 4, to understand Jesus' journey through temptation and how it aligns with our own paths toward integrity and credibility. Learn about the 'Five Beams of Trust'—endurance, dependability, willingness, learning, and the power of the Holy Spirit—that establish a robust bridge of trust in your life. This episode is a rich blend of personal anecdotes, scriptural insights, and practical applications for anyone striving to become a person of integrity and influence.

00:00 Introduction: Character and Credibility