Week 49: Loving God Through Loving Others

This week's reading:

Sunday (Epistles): 1 John 4-5
Monday (Law): Deuteronomy 23-25
Tuesday (History): Nehemiah 5-9
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 140-142
Thursday (Poetry): Song of Solomon 1-2
Friday (Prophecy): Revelation 1-6
Saturday (Gospels): Acts 21-22

Many folks hold dear to prejudices and contempt for others as they proclaim their love for God. Are you one?

Scripture: 1 John 4:20-21
"If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.

Observation: The culture of this country is divisive- it thrives on drama and anger. Take a news channel for a spin some time to see what I am talking about. Many of these commentators on the news claim to follow a path of faith, but their path is aligned with a political agenda that is divisive and stirs some very negative emotions with their viewers. Closer to home, how do you feel about the guy across the street? Yes, the one who fires up his unmuffled Harley at 6am on a Sunday? Or the guy who cut you off as you were pulling onto the freeway? How about your child who needs help (again!) with that math problem?

Application: Loving God means loving His creations- all of them. Temperance and a holding of the tongue may be how we love some of the "unlovable." Others may need to be invited to church. Some may just need a smile at the store in passing. Extra time for our kids and our spouses so we can listen to them. Taking time to rest and get energized will help us love ourselves. I don't consider myself a liar, but this passage definitely convicts me on certain occasions and I must become more integrated with God to better love God.

Prayer: Lord, please guide me on my path, especially as it crosses other people's paths. My desire is for my wake to not be disruptive for others and actually be a source of encouragement- reflecting and modeling how You love us. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your son Jesus Christ who modeled that love. Thank you for the gift of your creation(s) so we can learn to love them as you already do in a perfect way. I pray this in your name, Amen!

Have a great week!

-Mike