God is the giver of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.  God's power makes it possible for us grow these Fruits of His spirit:

• Love is the presence of God to the heart. Love is extending God's love for us to others. Love is selfless, unconditional and sacrificial. Love is to endure sufferings and pains. Love is a commitment to act in the best interest of the other.
  
  Five steps we need to take to grow the fruit of love in our lives:
  
  * Experience God's love for us;
  * Extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us;
  * Look to the needs and interests of others;
  * Act in loving ways toward others;
  * Expect the best from people.
  
  
• Joy is the presence of God to the soul. The fruit of joy is the natural response to what God has done for us. It arises out of a deep sense of well being which only God can bring.
  
  Four exercises we can do to grow in joy:
  
  * Focus on God's promise to us;
  * Develop the attitude of gratitude;
  * Giving of our time, ability, and treasures;
  * Share the good news of God's free and unlimited grace and love with others.
  
  
• Peace is the presence of God to the mind. Peace is living in harmony with reality according to God's will for us. Inner peace comes from our faith in God and our trust in God.
  
  Three keys to build the fruit of God's peace in our lives:
  
  * God's promise - hold on to God's promises for my life;
  * God's purpose - God's purpose is to love and help us;
  * Pray to God - turn my worries into prayers.
  
  
• Patience means to bear pains and trials calmly. God's patience and grace form the basis for our patience toward others. We need patience all the time and we need it everywhere. Patience is to win control of self.
  
  Our patience can be tested by
  
  * How we handle interruptions;
  * How we handle inconveniences;
  * How we handle irritations;
  * How we handle inactivity.
  
  How can we develop the fruit of patience in our lives?
  
  * Develop a new perspective - the root of impatience is selfishness;
  * Acquire a sense of humor - learn to laugh at yourself;
  * Deepen our love for others - patience comes from love;
  * Learn to depend on God - patience isn't merely a matter of human willpower. It is the fruit of God's Spirit at work in our lives.
  
  
• Kindness is respect for human dignity. Kindness is love in action toward others.
  
  Why should we be kind? Pastor Ekblad suggested three reasons:
  
  * Be kind because God is kind to us;
  * Be kind because we want others to be kind to us;
  * Be kind to bear living witness to God's presence.
  
  How can we grow in our kindness?
  
  * Develop genuine sensitivity and sympathy for others;
  * Show encouragement and support - building people;
  * Practice both planned and spontaneous acts of kindness.
  
  Who you know are in need of encouragement and special kindness?
      
  What will you do to be a greater support to the people in your life?
  Spouse, children, friends, church, and neighbors.
  
  
• Goodness or Generosity comes from a giving and forgiving heart. Goodness rises out of spiritual maturity and emotional competence.  Goodness reveals the presence of God in our lives.
  
  
• Faithfulness is promise kept - vertically to God and horizontally toward fellow humans.
  
  * Faithful to God: the habits we follow, the convictions we live by, the direction we point ourselves in. Give myself to humility, obedience, loyalty and faithfulness;
  
  * Faithful to God with what I have been given;
  
  * Faithful to the simple commitments of daily life. surrendering to God in the ordinariness of the present moment.  Apostle Paul wrote "Whatever we do in word or deed, do everything to the glory of God.
  
  
• Gentleness is the strength under quiet control.
  
  
• Self-Control is a test of personal integrity. To have self-control is to have power over one-self. Without self-control we aren't likely to achieve anything of lasting value. 
  
  * Self-control requires calming the mind.
  * Our mind can be trained to stay calm by practicing mindfulness.  
  * Mindfulness is to focus our mind on the thing we are doing at the present moment.  
  * Self-control also requires saying no to yourself.
  * Calm response is the key to self-control;
  * Take stressful situation as a challenge, not a threat.
  
  Three areas of exercise to improve self-control: Physical, Mental and Emotional
  
  * Physical Self-Control: eating balanced meals, balancing work with relaxation, balancing mental work with physical exercise.
  
  * Mental Self-Control: keep sex within the marriage. Focuse our thoughts on that which is good and pleasing to God.  Controlling our thoughts also requires keeping out of our thoughts such as lust, greed, envy, or selfish ambition. The gates of our thought lives are out eyes and our ears.
  
  * Emotional Self-Control: Curbing our emotions include anger and rage, resentment, bitterness, and self-pity. Anger is called a brief insanity; controlling it can present some real challenges.
  
  The secret of self-control is learning to commit and surrender our body, mind, and emotions to the authority of Jesus Christ. Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the sinful nature.