Just Living My Best Life: Checklist for Cultivation
Speaker: CJ Cody
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-14; John 2:1-10
In the natural, when a seed falls on good soil it is transformed into a fruitful harvest. Even if the soil is not initially good, compost, mulch and other elements can be added to cultivate it into good soil. Scripture (Matthew 13: 1-8) tells us that when the seed of the Word falls on the good soil of our hearts, we too can produce godly fruitfulness. If the soil of our hearts is not as good as it could be, there are three actions we can add to our checklist to cultivate its condition. First, we need to check our devotion time. We should determine if we are spending quality time with God in prayer, worship and meditation on a daily. When we do this, we will become more aligned with His principles and will for our lives. Secondly, we should check our “feed.” We need to examine the things we regularly allow into our eyes, ears and spirit that influence our minds and behaviors. Included in our “feed” is the community with whom we engage and that may be influencing us. We may need to let go of some of the company we keep or we may need to expand our company to include those who can pour into us. Finally, we need to check our level of obedience. No matter how silly or odd it may seem, an ordinary act of obedience can lead to extraordinary transformation. Our best life is a surrendered life whereby we trust and obey God and one that results in transformation and fruitfulness.
Discussion Questions
1. What resonated with you as listened to this sermon and reviewed it?
2. What does your devotional time look like? In what ways, if any, could it be cultivated for improvement?
3. What is your “feed” like? What is regularly going into your eyes, ears or spirit? How do you feel about that?
4. What does your community consist of now? What changes, if any, do you need to make with regard to it?
5. It was said that we are better at checking on God than checking in with God. What does this mean to you?
6. Read 2 Kings 5:1-14. The story of Naaman demonstrates the result of obedience when told to do something ordinary or seemingly silly. When has God told you to do something ordinary? What was your response? How did that work out for you?
7. Read John 2:1-10. Related to this Scripture, Pastor CJ used the phrase, “Walk the water until it turns to wine.” What does this mean to you?
