Cultivate | Part 1 – Cultivating Love!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control.

Fruit Fact #1: Fruit is revealing!

Fruit Fact #2: Fruit exists for others!

Fruit Fact #3: A fruit-full tree, vine, or person fulfills their God-created purpose, nourishing others as well!

Love Cultivating Practice #1:

I Must Let God Me!

1 John 4:19 (MSG)
First we were loved, now we love. God loved us first.

There was a Greek word for Romantic-Love!

There was a Greek word for Affection-Love!

There was a Greek word for Friendship-love!

The Greek word used to describe God’s love is Agape!

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

God showed his great love (agape) for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

“A thing must be loved before it is lovable!”

G. K. Chesterton

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

See what great love (agape) the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Love Cultivating Practice #2:

I Must Let God Love Me!

John 15:4-5 (GW)

A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me.

⁵ “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Love (God’s agape love) is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love (God’s agape love) never fails.

Jesus in me is patient!

Jesus in me is kind!

2 Samuel 9:1 (NLT)

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Jesus in me is completing not competing!

Colossians 2:10 (GW)

God has made you complete in Christ.

Jesus in me is tactful, not rude!

Jesus in me is other-centered!

Jesus in me doesn’t pick up the critical attitude of others!

Proverbs 15:1 (CEV)

A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.

Jesus in me doesn’t keep permanent records of wrongs!

Jesus in me isn’t gullible, he fills me with grace and truth!

Jesus in me always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, never gives up!