Articles
Can You See God? / The Love Bank
Can You See God?
(by Ken Weliever)
Johnny approached his older sister, Suzie, with a serious question. “Suzie, can anybody ever really see God?” Occupied with other things, Suzie tersely responded: “Of course not, silly. God is so far up in heaven that nobody can see Him.”
Time passed, but Johnny’s question still puzzled him. One day he approached his mother: “Mom, can anybody ever really see God?” Gently she replied, “No, not really. God is a spirit. He dwells in our hearts. But….we can never really see Him.” The answer satisfied Johnny somewhat, but he still wondered.
Sometime later, his godly old grandfather took the little boy on a fishing trip. They were having a great time together. As the sun was beginning to set with extraordinary splendor, his grandfather stopped fishing and turned his full attention to the exquisite beauty unfolding before him.
On seeing the peace, joy, and contentment reflected on his grandfather’s face as he gazed into the magnificent sunset, Johnny thought for a moment and hesitatingly asked: “Granddad, I – I – wasn’t going to ask anybody else, but I wonder if you can tell me the answer to something I’ve been wondering about a long time. Can anybody ever really see God?”
The old man didn’t even turn his head. A long moment slipped by before he softly said, “Son, it’s getting so I can’t see anything else.”
Indeed we can “see God” through His creation. The Psalmist penned, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). Yet, the “book of nature” only reveals so much. To really “see God,” to know Him and experience a relationship with Him, we must turn to the book of revelation – The Bible. When I look into His Word, I see Him. His character. His qualities. His greatness. Without comment or commentary, let me share a few of God’s attributes for your reflection. To help you more clearly “see God.” GOD IS….
Almighty. “We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty….” Job 37:23
Awesome. “Out of the North He comes in golden splendor; God come in awesome majesty.” Job. 37:22
Blameless. “For the name of Jehovah will I proclaim…His work is perfect, For all His ways are righteousness.” Deut. 32:3-4
Compassionate. “The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made.” Ps. 145:9
Creator. “You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things….” Rev. 4:11
Dependable. “God is not a human being that He should lie, or a mortal, that He should change His mind. Has He promised, and will He not do it? Has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19, NRSV
Eternal. “The eternal God is your Refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27, TLB
Faithful. “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” Ps. 145:13, NIV
Good. “For the Lord is good, and His mercy is never-ending; His faith is unchanging through all generations.” Ps. 110:5
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) Exercise: As you look at each one of these 9 qualities of God, what do you see? How have you been blessed by “seeing God”?
The Love Bank
(by Ken Weliever)
Written March 26, 2012
Yesterday was our second marriage enrichment class with the Henderson Boulevard church family. I am enjoying being with these brethren and sharing some ideas with these fine young couples. Well, and some not so young!
I want to share with all of you two concepts (one today and another [next week]) that we talked about that I believe will enrich your marriage. Or any relationship that you value. It’s not original with me. I learned it several years ago when Norma Jean and I attended a seminar conducted by Family Dynamics Institute. They use the His Needs Her Needs material from Dr. Willard Harley. He teaches that everyone has 10 emotional needs. Typically five are male and five are female. However, in order to meet those needs it is important to apply some important concepts. One is the use of the “love bank.”
Everyone has a “love bank.” In a marriage everything you do either makes deposits in the “love bank” or makes withdrawals. When we are dating we do nice things for each other. Give compliments. Spend time together. Buy gifts. Show genuine concern. Listen to one another. Enjoy activities together. All of these thoughtful gestures add deposits to the “love bank.” And they make your partner happy. And they make you happy. On the other hand when you have an argument, show disrespect, or hurt your beloved’s feelings you make withdrawals. But when the balance is high enough, the withdrawals are not serious enough to harm the relationship. When enough deposits are made, you “fall in love.” In fact, either consciously or subconsciously we work hard to make the other person happy. And eventually get married.
Too often after marriage, we quit making deposits in each other’s “love bank.” And over time enough withdrawals are made that people “fall out of love.” In fact, Dr. Harley says that when the balance in your love bank falls below zero it become a “hate bank.” The answer? Get back to making deposits into the “love bank.”
So what if in marriage we practiced the principles of love taught by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
What if men practiced Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 5:25-29? Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
What if wives practiced the admonitions to “submit to your own husbands as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22-24), “respect (your) husband” (Ephesians 5:33), and “love your husband”?
What if we demonstrated our love toward each other by being kind and complimentary. By listening again. By remembering those special days. By enjoying recreational companionship. By freely expressing our love. By being thoughtful and respectful of each other’s feelings. Love can be rekindled.
Begin today to make deposits in some one’s “love bank.” I guarantee that it will repay you with wonderful dividends!
(Edited by Kevin Heaton)
- 7-4-21_Can_You_See_God_The_Love_Bank.docx (213.90 kB)
