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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)

Wake Up Call!

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We’ve all had it happen. That abrupt, intrusive, and startling awakening while lost in sleep. It’s annoying at best and at worse, can make you angry at whoever, or whatever was the source of disturbance. Yet in Revelation 3 a message is delivered by God the Father’s Heavenly Alarm Clock – Jesus. Revelation 3:2-3 states, Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.3 So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come. AMPC

From chapters one to three startling images intrude upon all who read the unveiling, apocalyptic messages from Jesus. For example, while John is in the Spirit worshipping, a “Man on Fire” appears. Not in front of, but from behind him. If that wasn’t bad enough Revelation 1:10 records: “…a great voice like the calling of a war trumpet,…” AMPC

The AMPC translates this as a “war trumpet,” drawing upon a Hebraic understanding of the type of trumpet used by watchmen on the walls of a city warning its citizens of approaching danger. This war trumpet wasn’t like the silver trumpets used in Solomons Temple calling people to prayer, or worship through sacrifice. No, this was what is known as a shofar, or rams horn. It was used by soldiers in battle, and prophets anointing men to become kings.

Imagine. You are John trying to worship in the Spirit and the sound of a war trumpet blasts and blares in your ear. And don’t forget: it’s coming from behind you. This imagery occurs throughout Revelation addressed to churches and their members. Jesus appears walking among seven blazing menorahs, wielding a sharp, two-edged sword – from His mouth! His eyes and feet are on fire, threatening to strike their children with a rod of iron with which He rules and reigns. He knocks on the door of a church, calling out to any who would listen, opening doors in the heavens, trumpeting for John (and all who heed His Voice and overcome) to Come Up Here; to enter God’s Throne room; to see prophetic events about to occur. This was, and still is, a rude awakening for Last Days saints who fall asleep under the spell of a satanic lullaby.

But, Jesus in His Mercy calls to saints and sinners, Spirit-filled followers and prodigals – Repent! Change your thinking. Be transformed or “metamorpho-sized” in your lifestyle, and actions. Be zealous! Be on FIRE! Pay the price to purchase what it takes to awaken, hear His invitation, and sit on His Throne.

But where do you begin? The answer lies in waking up – setting aside a time to keep an appointment with Him. The Jewish emphasis on 10 Days of Awe is a good place to begin. Why stop at ten days? Why not make a commitment to meet daily – before any thing else? You may say, Well, Robert, I’m not a morning person. The believers throughout the Bible understood that. That’s why they set aside three times a day to meet with God through thanksgiving, praise, worship and prayer. You can set aside your lunch time. You can set aside time to meet and connect before going to bed. But I caution you. Over the years I have had people take me aside and say, Pastor, if I win the lottery, get a new job, or a raise – the church is going to be the first place I make a donation. Can I counsel you in something? If you aren’t giving with your little you will most definitely not give with your surplus. What’s the point? If you do not value meeting with Jesus in the morning you will most certainly not meet with Him at another time of day. May I encourage you to take this holy season to make a fresh commitment to wake up and draw near to Jesus. Pray and ask for His Grace to Wake Up. Tis the season!