Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular check ups.
– 2 Corinthians 13:5

Of course the Apostle Paul was talking about the wisdom of giving yourself a spiritual check up. There is also wisdom in giving your marriage a regular check up, too! We maintain so many things – our cars, lawn mowers, homes, and our own health, yet all too often the marriage and family get neglected. It’s not like we think they don’t matter, we are just so busy with other things. Do you know what happens when things don’t get maintained properly? They get messy.

Early in our marriage, I bought a used lawn mower that didn’t have an oil cap. Instead of investing in it and maintaining it properly, I just used a milk carton cap as the oil cap. It seemed my little band-aid worked until Renee was mowing the lawn one day. The milk cap came off and oil started shooting everywhere! It got real messy. If you don’t invest in and maintain your marriage, the same thing happens. Things will eventually explode.

What can you do to continue to invest in your marriage all year long?

1. Ask the Lord for help.
   1. I know this sounds so simple and like such a no-brainer, but not asking the Lord for help has been the downfall of great kings and leaders throughout history.
   2. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is a wonderful teacher, and He gives the farmer great wisdom (Isaiah 28:29).
   3. Want to know how to communicate better? How to endure hardship, how to be at peace, how to love when you don’t feel loved back? Just ask Him today.
2. Be a Good-Finder. 
   1. Out of all we communicate in marriage, there is nothing more important than communicating all the good we see in each other. This one tip… this one nugget… has the power to transform any marriage.
   2. Make a list of all the good you see in your spouse and read it every day and night.
   3. When you find the treasure in your spouse, speak to it! That’s what Jesus did. People flocked to be around Jesus. Why? They felt celebrated, not tolerated.
3. Make a habit of having fun together. Yes, attend church together, worship together. Also find something practical and fun that you can do together.
   1. Scripture declares that a merry heart does you good like a medicine, so laugh together… it will be good for you!
   2. Dr. George Adams found encouragement so vital to a person’s existence that he called it the oxygen to the soul. I think a good belly laugh with your spouse is the same.

Have you ever heard the saying, “A dog is a man’s best friend?” Sure, dogs are great. You can tell them whatever you want and they don’t judge you. They never gripe about their health or how difficult their day was. And they are always there to greet you when you come home… complete with a wagging tail. However, if your dog is your best friend… it’s not good.

Adam enjoyed walking and talking with God in the cool of the garden. It sounds perfect! But even the Lord said it’s not good for man to be alone. What’s not good? How can it not be good when God and man were hanging out together? Well, we were created for relationship with each other and without that we are incomplete. The fact is that we have been wired by God for relationships.

It’s not about just “Jesus and me.” Sometimes we think when it comes to our spiritual growth all we need is Jesus, but that my friend, is just not true. Your spiritual growth has everything to do with the relationships with which you are surrounded – especially your family.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  

– John 13:35

What proves that we really are followers of Jesus? The way we love each other! Just let that one soak in for a minute. Our love for the Lord is best seen in the context of our love for others. Our spiritual growth is seen best by the way we treat our families, co-workers, friends, and neighbors.

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.  

– Hebrews 6:10-12

Wow… God will not forget how we have shown our love for Him in the way we have cared for others! And did you catch that one of the keys to us not becoming spiritually dull has everything to do with us loving others as long as life lasts? Let’s start right at home, loving and caring for our families with a deep love.

Today’s reading from The One Year Bible:

• Judges 17
• Judges 18
• John 3:1-21
• Psalms 104:1-23
• Proverbs 14:20-21

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
– Proverbs 14:30

As I read this the other day my heart leaped. That’s what I need—a peaceful heart. There are so many things that come to rob our peace. The world is full of peace stealers. I’ve found that there are people who seem to suck the life out of me and others who tend to breathe life into me. But the truth is, nobody can take my peace away. However, I can choose to give it away.

Renee and I recently went to see comedian Brian Regan. I loved it when he painted a picture of what it would be like to be the president. He said, “Everyday you would be woken up by someone nudging you saying, ‘problems, problems, problems.’ Who wants that job?” But it’s not just the president! It’s every busy mom, it’s the dad who is trying to lead his family, it’s the hard-working business owner.

Renee told me she had a picture for me. It was me being woken up every day by the Lord and He was gently nudging me saying, “peace, grace, mercy.” I love it! Everyday you can choose to walk with a peaceful heart, or you can let somebody else take your peace—but it’s your call. It has become my number one personal goal this year to walk in a peaceful heart every day. Why? Because a peaceful heart leads to a healthy body, a healthy way of hearing, a healthy way of seeing, a healthy way of living.

When you have a peaceful heart, you can become the person who just cannot be offended. The person who forgives more than they judge. The person who prays more than they blame. The victor, not the victim. The person who hopes for the best and defends the rest.

My friend, the Lord Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, is inviting you to walk the rest of this year with a peaceful heart. Come join me and discover what a peaceful heart can do for every area of your life.

In just a couple weeks, we are going to start a verse-by-verse study of the Book of Mark. Bring your Bibles for this exciting journey.

Now, may the Lord cause His face to shine upon you, may the Lord be gracious to you, and may the Lord give you peace!

Today’s reading from The One Year Bible:

• Judges 15
• Judges 16
• John 2
• Psalms 103:1-22
• Proverbs 14:17-19

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. – Psalms 103:2-3

In the First World War, a young man had been wounded. The medic who came to treat him said, “I am sorry, but you have lost your arm.” The young soldier replied, “Doctor, I didn’t lose it. I gave it.” Jesus did not lose His life, He gave it—for you!

Jesus came “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). At the last supper, when Jesus took the cup, He said, “This is my blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24). The “precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19) is stressed throughout the whole New Testament:

• It makes forgiveness of sins possible (Colossians 1:14)
• It purifies us from every sin (1 John 1:7)
• We draw near to God through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13)
• It brings peace and reconciliation to God (Colossians 1:20)
• It gives life to those who consume it (John 6:53)
• It is the means by which we overcome Satan (Revelation 12:11)

 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. – Hebrews 12:24

Did you catch that? The call is to come to Jesus… and to the sprinkled blood. Have you come to Jesus? Have you come to the sprinkled blood? As we come to the conclusion of our study, “Lessons from the Cross,” I want to encourage you to take notice of the blood. Anyone standing around a crucifixion could not help but notice the blood. But with Jesus, that blood was different. It was not the blood of a man… it was the blood of God spilled out for you and me. Oh, may the Holy Spirit give you revelation to all that the blood has purchased for you.

Thanks for joining me for the first three days of May as we pray and fast together. I hope to see you this Wednesday night at the prayer gathering and at the Amazing Love Family Conference this weekend.

Today’s reading from The One Year Bible:

• Judges 13
• Judges 14
• John 1:29-51
• Psalms 102:1-28
• Proverbs 14:15-16

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29

The first thing John the Baptist said about Jesus is found right here,“the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” A lamb was known for one thing—being the sacrifice, the substitute for sin. The lamb was enough to cover your sins. Jesus was going to be the one-time sacrifice for the sins, not of one man, but of all of mankind! His blood, the precious blood of Jesus, is what makes you right in God’s eyes. It is the blood of Jesus that forgives sin and makes you enough!

Have you ever felt like you are not enough? If you’ve lived with someone that you seem to never be able to please, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. No matter how hard you try, it’s just never enough. It’s a horrible place to be, to feel that you are just not enough. Either you don’t know enough, you don’t do enough, you don’t perform well enough, you don’t pray enough, you don’t… and so the list goes on.

This feeling of not being enough is ugly and relentless. I’m not alone here and neither are you. Jesus also knew it all too well. They did not think He was enough. He did not do enough miracles for some; for others He did too many miracles. Out of all the good that He did, all the miracles He did, all the provision He gave, all the teaching He gave… it was not enough, so they cried, “Crucify Him!”

Thanks be to Jesus. He made you and me enough! When it comes to relationship with you, Jesus says, “You’re enough!” You’re not in the process of trying to achieve enough. When the Father looks at you, He sees Jesus! The blood of Jesus is enough to wash away every sin. The blood of Jesus is enough to protect and heal you. It’s what the blood has made you that you have to let sink in. Oh, what endless striving will finally come to an end when you know He has made you enough. He has qualified you—qualified to be enough, to have enough competency. That, my friend, is you in Christ Jesus.

 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.
Our qualification comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5

Today’s reading from The One Year Bible:

• Deuteronomy 23
• Deuteronomy 24
• Deuteronomy 25
• Luke 10:13-37
• Psalms 75:1-10
• Proverbs 12:12-14

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” – Luke 10:37

When I went to elementary school, we had something called “Show and Tell.” It’s simple – you bring something random with you, show everybody what it is, and tell them about it.

Mercy is kind of like that. It can’t be just talked about… it has to be shown, too! In our Bible reading today, we see Jesus telling a man about the Good Samaritan. “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy!”

What is mercy? How can you show mercy, unless you know what mercy is? Mercy is kindness beyond what can be claimed or expected. Mercy isn’t pity; it’s power working for you!

Mercy can be exercised only where there is guilt! It is a pardon for the crimes of the guilty. Will you pause right now and think about how God has shown mercy to you? See Jesus on the cross—the One without guilt being treated like the guilty. He took your guilt and mine. He was utterly despised so you could be accepted. And He was absolutely hated so you could be loved supremely.

Understanding God’s mercy

Understanding God’s mercy toward us, and the mercy He calls us to extend to others, is hard to wrap our minds around. After all, we learn early on things like: “No pain, no gain; You get what you work for; If you perform well, you get the rewards.” But grace and mercy step in and mess all that up.

God’s mercy is extended to you not because your character is so good,
but on the basis of His Character!

Before you move on, slow down long enough to see Jesus on the cross for you. See mercy being shown to you. Now, thank Him.

Today’s reading from The One Year Bible:

• Deuteronomy 21
• Deuteronomy 22
• Luke 9:51-62
• Luke 10:1-12
• Psalms 74:1-23
• Proverbs 12:11

“As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”  – Luke 9:51

When do you find yourself needing a good dose of courage? When you need to make a difficult decision? When you get bad news? Then there are times when it’s like giving birth. You know something really good is about to happen, but first you need the courage to push!

I think this was the case with Jesus. As the time drew near for Him to ascend to Heaven, Jesus set out courageously! I want to encourage you today, my friend. As the time draws near for you to receive the promise… as the time draws near for you to live out your purpose… as the time draws near for you to rise up to another level—take courage!

With determination in each step and confidence in your eyes, step out resolutely for the path that God has marked for you. Hey, remember this, God is with you. The pain you are experiencing now will pass. What happened in the past is in the past… leave it there. Keep your eyes on the prize. Your biggest and brightest days are not the days behind you, but the days just ahead of you!

Jesus, with great courage and resolve, set out for the cross—the cross on which He would be crucified, the cross He would teach from. It was on this cross that Jesus, God’s Son, would pay the penalty for the sins of mankind, for your sin and mine. How could He have the courage to willingly face something as horrific as the crucifixion? He was looking at the resurrection. He was looking at you.

Join me today as we begin a study from God’s word at Mount Hope Church: Lessons From The Cross. Let’s discover the lessons Jesus taught while hanging on the cross—lessons that still speak to us today!

Today’s reading from the One Year Bible:

• Deuteronomy 18
• Deuteronomy 19
• Deuteronomy 20
• Luke 9:28-50
• Psalms 73:1-28
• Proverbs 12:10

“About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray… Peter and the others had fallen asleep…”  – Luke 9:28, 32

Jesus invited Peter, James, and John to a prayer meeting on a mountain. [Side note: When Jesus invites you to a prayer meeting, it’s going to rock! Something significant is going to take place.]

What Jesus invited the disciples to was a time of encounter, something supernatural. They were about to see some things they had never seen before. They were going to be part of an encounter with God!

Sure enough, as Jesus was praying, the appearance of His face was transformed; even His clothes were transformed. Then suddenly Moses and Elijah showed up, talking to Jesus about His soon exodus from this world. What were Peter and the guys doing? Sleeping. What?!?

They almost slept through the entire experience.

I don’t want to sleep through what Jesus invited me to experience. I don’t you want you to doze off and miss the encounter God is inviting you to. Today and every day, you have the opportunity to encounter God and experience the joy of His presence, the peace that comes from the Prince of Peace, and communion with the Holy Spirit.

Peter and the guys woke up right when Moses and Elijah started to leave. Peter, probably still rubbing his eyes, started talking about how great this whole thing was. “Then a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him’” (Luke 9:35).

There it is, the great secret to times of encounter with God: Stay awake and listen to Him.

Thank you for joining me for three days of prayer and fasting as we start the month of April. May the Lord bless you, may you have times of encounter with the Holy Spirit. May you be wide awake so you can take in all God has planned for you, and may you have ears to listen to Him.