If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
1 John 4:20-21

Dear God, I think back to some of John’s actions in his earlier life lake when he wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans and compare it to who he is when he writes this letter, I get encouraged at the idea of how much I can grow in you. Honestly, John had a lot to learn in those three years he walked with Jesus. Then he had more to learn after the crucifixion and resurrection. But he started to figure it out. He continued to learn.

I hope I’m the same way. I hope I’m not the man I was 30, 20, 10, 5, or even 1 year ago. I hope I’m different now than I was yesterday. Than when I woke up this morning. And I hope I’m growing in the right way. I hope I’m better. I need you to grow me. Refine me. Mold me. Fill me.

Father, thank you for answering prayers over the last few days that I didn’t even have that much faith could be answered. Or would be answered. You were good to a lot of people. Now, I’m going back to work and into an environment where we run into a lot of people who need a lot. Help us to be part of your solution for them. Give us wisdom. Move mightily. And move in our lives as well. Do all of this so that we might live as you call us to love, and be loved by others as well.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen