Cultivating Relationship with God

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

Cultivation by definition is: (Merriamwebster.com)
1. To prepare, or prepare and use for the raising of crops; to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)
2. To foster the growth of
To improve by labor, care or study

Foundational to any relationship is our relationship with God.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:36-39

The first great commandment is to love God with our entire being, our heart, our soul and our mind. We are to love God with everything that we are.

In spite of our best efforts, we know that in this world we will struggle as our flesh pulls in the opposite direction. Jesus said we are to love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, ALL our soul, and ALL our mind. It is only by the power of His Holy Spirit living in us that we are able to do it. God does not command us to do something He doesn’t intend to enable us to do. And yes, He wants us to do it here. Be encouraged, we can learn to better cultivate our relationship with God. It’s going to require effort on our part. But it’s worth it!

Effort – not to improve our standing; not to gain forgiveness; not to get more of the Holy Spirit; not to be more accepted or more loved. No, our effort allows us to experience God’s grace more fully which empowers us to grow.

Having a growing relationship is an active, interactive experience/process.

Our relationship with God must be our highest priority.

Many things vie for our attention. If we do not protect, guard and cultivate our relationship with God, it will atrophy like unused muscles.
So here are some ways to cultivate —
1. Listen to Him — read His Word
2. Talk to Him — pray
3. Journal
4. Practice spiritual disciplines, such as: meditation, silence, fasting
5. Seek to grow in faith and the practice thereof

Our relationship with God does not just happen. To grow in our walk with Him, we have to…walk. What a wonderful companion we have in Jesus as we walk with Him!

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her atdhunt@americaskeswick.org.


Think About This: “When God gives you a new beginning, it starts with an ending. Be thankful for closed doors. They often guide us to the right one.” – Author Unknown

The Daily Bible Reading: Job 10-12Acts 8:1-25| You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” – 1 John 4:9

Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?

Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.

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