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The Love Bank

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Psalm 18:6 In my distress [when seemingly closed in] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place), and my cry came before Him, into His [very] ears.

Strangers have no deep conversations, or self-disclosures. You might pass one on the street or when driving by them in a car. You may wave, or even say, Hello, but that will be depths of your efforts. Acquaintances on the other hand can have some small talk and possibly discuss things that are centered around commonalities: “How’s the weather? How about those Panthers? Fall is approaching. The Sun is rising later and going down earlier. I’m having a hard time waking up.” Neighbors, and Co-workers will have conversations around shared experiences, and their connection will grow. You know each other’s names. You know your spouses names, kids names, or each others grand kids names. Friendship, on the other hand, switches everything from impersonal to personal things within our heart. Trust is the key. The trust grows because we have an affinity towards one another.

What changes all of these things? What moves the emotional walls and barriers we’ve erected and allows people to have access to the real us? Need, desperation, vulnerability, transparency. Sadly, all the relational categories listed above mirror relationships that people have with God. Do we know God’s heart? Does our relationship with Him resemble a stranger, an acquaintance, neighbor, or someone you’re wedded too? Does your relationship with Him consist mostly of your mind or is it one of the heart? Do you know His heart? The deeper the relationship the deeper the communication. How much I tell you about my heart will be based on our history, our commitment, and how much you share. Relationships only thrive in commitment. Do you know Him well enough to detect which aspect of the Godhead is talking to you, working in your life, drawing you? Are you so intimate with the Godhead that you know the work of the Father, or the unique work of Jesus, or the Spirit? This morning as I was seeking to have communion with Him something dawned on me that I had never thought about. My relationship to the Father is one of being His son. My relationship to Jesus on the other hand makes me His brother. But guess Who comes alongside me like a Friend showing me Jesus, teaching me the Word, reminding me of what’s in the Word, praying through me, and feeding me? That’s my Friend the Holy Spirit. Do you know Him like that?

Years ago Jackie and I read a book entitled, His Needs, Her Needs. The author, Willard F. Harley, Jr. proposed a very practical tool in developing greater intimacy with your spouse. The tool? The Love Bank. Based on his needs, and her needs, spouses are either making deposits in the “Love Bank” or withdrawals (not to be confused with the Love Shack). Question is, Are you making deposits or withdrawals into God’s Love Bank? Obviously He doesn’t need anything but He does love us, and nothing can change that love –but are we investing in knowing Him? In this season of Elul do you have anything you need to change your mind or lifestyle about?

(For More On Intimacy with Jesus look for John Paul Jacksons’ ministry, Stream’s Ministries International. He discusses this topic in greater detail)

Travel 40 Days and 40 Nights

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For the next two days, my friend Steve Allen who served, along with his family, on the mission field in Thailand for 16 years, has written 2 very encouraging devotionals to strengthen and empower you for the final 10 days of our fast. I hope you are helped and encouraged by them.  -Lou Engle

 “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.”1 Kings 19:3-8 NIV

Great things are in store for those who seek the face of God. Fear is your enemy. What you fear you empower. What you focus on you make room for. Fear God. Focus on Him and you will make room for Him in your life! -John Paul Jackson

After Elijah defeated the 450 prophets of Baal through a spectacular display of the power of God on Mount Carmel; he flees for his life into the desert after receiving a death threat from the wicked queen Jezebel. Depressed, deflated and filled with self-doubt Elijah exhausted from his battles falls to the ground and wants to die. An angel of the Lord comes to him giving him food and water and watched over him while he rested. After a deep sleep, he rises and then under the strength of the Lord, Elijah travels 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb/Mt. Sinai the mountain of God – to encounter the Living One.

On this 40 day Jesus Fast there will be challenges and you will be tempted to give up, to the throw in the towel. The enemy will attack your body, soul, and spirit. Maybe the biggest challenge is to never give up when you have actually faltered in the fast. Don’t berate yourself. God is not necessarily looking at how well you do, but how you lay hold of Him by faith. Remember Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days. The enemy waited until the end where Jesus was at his weakest physically to attack him. Press into the Lord. Remember in your weakness His strength is made perfect. 

As you fast, eat the living bread of God every day, His word. Feast upon His truth for you and for these times. He will be the one who puts His super on your natural and give you the supernatural strength to go the distance. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Do not give up! Do not give in! 

In the days of World War II, Winston Churchill rallied the people of England with his epic speeches. In the face of overwhelming odds, with great darkness coming against Great Britain and with Nazi Germany demonically engulfing the free world, Winston Churchill at times stood as a lone voice calling his people to take courage. One of his most famous quotes was this, “Never, never, never, never, give up!”


Prayer
Father God, give me the physical, emotional and mental strength to go the distance on this Jesus Fast. Help me to remember that it is Christ in me, the hope of glory that will enable me to finish this race! Give me vision to see your Kingdom coming and receive your joy in the journey. All glory to you Father! 

Steve Allen
Contend Global – Staff