Month: September 2020

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Meeting Under The Tree

‘Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. ‘ Luke 19:1-9(NLT)

Zaccheaus was like a guy in a community with few friends or no friend, he was hated, despised as a traitor and passionately disliked for what he did. When he made the effort to see Jesus by climbing the tree, Jesus said, “Today I will live in your house.” (Luke 19:5) 

Surprised by the invitation Zaccheaus responded by giving half of his possessions to the poor, and offering restitution to anyone he had cheated. Jesus replied, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

When we truly meet Jesus and show desire to make right our past wrongs we get a fresh start, a clean sheet, a new chapter, a new hope called salvation; which is only found in Jesus.  Like Zaccheaus Jesus will stay in our home, eat with us and bless us.

I want to encourage you on this final day of this devotional plan that until God calls you home, everything is possible with Him but you will need to meet Jesus, whom  all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. Amen 

from When You Meet Jesus Richard Owusu Bediako

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Meeting The Woman caught in Adultery

‘Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”’ John 8:1-11(NLT)

When somebody is deeply embarrassed, ashamed or humiliated we have the choice to join the mockers and make the person’s life more miserable or stand with the troubled soul to offer our support. 

We have the choice to join the stone throwers and  throw stones or discourage stone throwers from throwing stones. We  have the choice to judge or leave the judgment to God the righteous judge.

 Either way, we have a choice just like Jesus in John 8, where a woman caught in adultery was brought before him. Jesus refused to throw a stone, He refused to mock the woman, He refused to judge her. The first priority for Jesus is to save anyone who meets Him including you. 

Jesus will never turn His back on an opportunity to save a soul and that is who He is. We all know in a moment life can change from good to very unpleasant. The woman caught in adultery had enjoyed herself and in the next moment faced stone throwing executioners. But here enters Jesus the savior, “Anyone without sin cast the first stone.”(John 8:7) When she scared for her life and didn’t have hope to live, the encounter with Jesus later brought about a life fulfilled and her name in the annals of history.

The nineteenth-century British preacher C. H. Spurgeon said, “God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.” Jesus has paid the debt for us with His own self and has set us free from eminent death. Barabbas, in Matthew, chapter 27, was a notorious prisoner condemned to death but chosen by the crowd over Jesus to be released by Pontius Pilate in a customary pardon before the feast of Passover. Barabbas deserved the death sentence, but he did not die for his punishment because he met Jesus at the right time.

 We were all like Barabbas: ready to be executed until God’s grace and mercy found us. I will encourage you today to make meeting with Jesus your mindset and watch Him change your circumstance.

from When You Meet Jesus Richard Owusu Bediako

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Meeting At The Tomb

‘So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.’ Luke 8:26-39(NLT)

‘Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,’ Philippians 2:9-10(NLT)

Luke chapter 8:26-39 is a story about a demon possessed man who had made a whole area a “no go zone” for everybody. This man had no clothes on, didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs. He was kept in bound with chains and in fetters, but he broke the bands and was lead by many demons into an uninhabited region of land.

When he met Jesus,  “He cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.” Luke 8:28

When you meet Jesus any demonic spirit  assigned to follow you and make sure you become  a derision among your peers should fall down at the feet of Jesus.  The name Jesus is the only name  God has highly exalted above every other name, and given to us. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Phil 2:9-10

Your encounter with Jesus will set you at liberty, breaking every chain of oppression and bringing you back to where you belong. The people who once runaway from you will run back to you and listen to your testimony. There is no single person who met Jesus with a problem and went back home with the problem. Your focus should be on meeting Jesus because you know when you truly meet Him you will never be the same.

from When You Meet Jesus Richard Owusu Bediako

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Meeting At The Well

‘Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? ‘ John 4:1-11(NLT)

‘I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, ‘ Philippians 3:10(NLT)

Sometimes you search within you and wonder how Jesus will do what He has promised. You act like the woman at the well who wondered how Jesus would get water from the well with nothing to draw with. “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?” (John 4:11). 

You may think your circumstances are just a little too difficult for Jesus. Your marriage is close to divorce, your children have gone to the world, your business profit is going down, the diagnosis report doesn’t look good, most messages you get from family and friends are negative news. Let me encourage you. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding, for He’s able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you think or ask.

When you meet Jesus He tells you secrets about yourself, your health, your relationship, your family  that no one ever will know and sets you free from it’s bondages.

If Jesus really wanted to get water from the well He would have commanded the water to rise to His level but that was not the case. The woman met Jesus but she didn’t know Him. It is one thing to know about Jesus and another thing to know Him personally. Paul said, ”  that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” Phil 3:10

Let me encourage you today, set your eyes on meeting and knowing Jesus through prayer and His word. He’s alive and ready to meet anyone.

from When You Meet Jesus Richard Owusu Bediako

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Meeting At The Pool Cont’d

‘In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.’ John 1:1-3(NLT)

On the first day we read about how Jesus healed the man who had nobody to get him into the pool water when the angel would come to stir it. We have the tendency to think God will send somebody to bless us. We sometimes call them “angels,” but the truth is God can bless us with or without people. 

When you meet Jesus, you don’t have to wait for the waters to be stirred. Imagine Jesus telling the invalid to wait, and when the water is stirred, He will let his twelve disciples carry him into the pool. After all Somebody to carry the man into the pool was what the man was looking forward to. 

Jesus made the waters the first chapter of the book of John, which talked about Jesus from the beginning also credited Him with creation.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1–3)

He made the water and stirs it up when He wants. He doesn’t need to wait for something He has created to give Him permission before He uses it. Even His disciples attest to the fact that the wind obeys Him. Out of season and in season, He can do anything for anyone who meets Him. This is the privilege you have when you truly meet Jesus: your provision is not contingent on economic indicators. He’s a mighty God and can create anything out of nothing.

from When You Meet Jesus Richard Owusu Bediako

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Meeting at the Pool

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,’John 5:1-9(NLT)

The book of John, chapter 5, opens up with Jesus visiting Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, where at a pool called Bethesda lay a great number of people who were sick. Among them was a miserable invalid who had been at the pool for thirty-eight years before he met Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. What is more enthralling than meeting Jesus?

Jesus could have told the man to go into the pool to get healed, but instead He ordered the man to pick up his mat and walk. Going into the pool was the man’s expected healing point. He had lain along the pool for years and had his hope of getting healed tied to immersing himself in the pool water when the angel would come to stir it. This is exactly what every sick person was doing to get healed, so this invalid was at the same place with all the sick people. But when he got his healing unlike the others who were carried into the pool, nobody carried him to the pool. He didn’t get himself wet receiving his breakthrough.

When you meet Jesus, your way to a breakthrough is unique. Our encounter with Jesus helps us to overcome the struggles that people without Jesus go through. It doesn’t matter how long your situation has been lingering. His authority over every issue is divinely endless. When you meet Jesus, He’s more than able to help you even when there’s no one available for Him to use as a vessel. The invalid said, “But when the pool is stirred, I have no one to carry me.” Now he has come face-to-face with Jesus and will not require a middleman.

If you’re looking for healing believe that Jesus can heal you with or without a physician. Trust in Jesus that your business can flourish with or without leads. Understand your relationship can improve with or without a counselor. 
The only requirement is for you to meet Jesus, He’s ready to come and live in your heart if you haven’t invited Him. He’s ready to walk every step with you if you’ll rededicate your life to Him. Jesus is more than ready to take you to the next level if you’ll focus on Him. 

from When You Meet Jesus Richard Owusu Bediako

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1st Marriage ZZ

True North: LIVE Free In Marriage – Day 9

‘And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ‘ Ephesians 4:26-31(NLT)

‘Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.’ Proverbs 15:4(NLT)

‘The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord .’ Proverbs 18:21-22(NLT)

‘We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ‘ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5(NLT)

Now that you understand God’s fundamental plan for marriage and you have the top five marriage “must-haves,” all that is left are a few words of wisdom. These are some of the most common issues we have experienced in our own marriage and in the hundreds of couples that we have worked with.

First, are you a reactor or a processor? A reactor is quick to speak and will often spew lava (harsh words), but then almost instantly feels better. The processor will sit back and want to process what is being shared before speaking. Here is the problem with both: a reactor is looking for a reaction and will push a processor way past processing to the point where the processor will snap and lash out. On the other hand, a processor will often “self-process” an issue, and out of fear of confrontation never come back to the reactor for resolution.

So while the reactor is advancing, the processor is retreating. This is a vicious cycle. The reactor needs to “one-time” share their issue and then allow the processor time and space to process. But then the processor has to initiate the follow up conversation to seek resolution.

Second is God’s order. What does that mean? Simply that there is a clear hierarchy in God’s order for family. We have had numerous couples tell us that their reason for doing something was because of their children. Of course we are called to guide, protect, and love our kids, but they are third in God’s order. To be a good mother or father, you have to first be a good husband or wife.

Marriage is a picture of Jesus loving us, His bride, and marriage does not work without the fruits of the Spirit. We are modeling Jesus to our children through our marriage. So to be a good mother or father, you have to first be a good husband or wife. But in order to be a good husband or wife, you have to first be a good son or daughter to our Heavenly Father.

Making sure your relationship with Jesus is on point is the best thing you can do for your spouse and your kids. Get some spiritual healing individually at events like Basecamp for men or Changed for women. (www.truenorth.live/basecamp or www.changedokc.com) These are life-changing weekends that will first make you a better son or daughter to our Heavenly Father, so that you will become a better spouse and a better parent.

Lastly, find some good counseling. These days, with video counseling and tele-conferencing, you can counsel with anyone around the world. Feel free to reach out to True North for recommendations or suggestions on how to identify a good Christian counselor.

Now take some time and ask God: “What do You want me to focus on first? What point in this devotion is my first step? What is my next step?”

About the Author-

We want to thank Trey Dixon, the Executive Director of True North Ministries for writing this plan. Trey has been married for 20+ years and is also a licensed pastoral counselor who has worked with countless couples to help restore broken and struggling marriages. 

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

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1st Marriage ZZ

True North: LIVE Free In Marriage – Day 8

‘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(NLT)

‘For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ‘ Galatians 5:13-14(NLT)

‘And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.’ Romans 12:1-2(NLT)

‘Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.’ John 12:25-26(NLT)

The last habit or ingredient to a thriving marriage is serving. Whether it is serving at your local church, a ministry that you’re passionate about or maybe a neighbor in need, serving others is crucial.

Now let me also recognize that there is a time and season for everything. If you are trying to recover from an affair, a porn addiction, gambling, alcohol or drug addiction, then maybe serving is your next season. When the pain and shock of hidden sins or betrayal first comes to light, you might actually need to step back from serving to seek some intense counseling and healing. But not forever!

Serving others helps us take our eyes off of ourselves and focus on others and their needs. This is so important because if you never take your eyes off yourself, all you will do is focus on yourself and become selfish and self-seeking. When a marriage is struggling, plenty of selfishness and self-seeking is already occurring. Serving is a great way to refocus and take our eyes off ourselves and onto those who need help. What you often find is that your troubles aren’t as bad as you thought and you actually have a lot to be thankful for.

Serving also brings you and your spouse to a unified front. No matter of all the other issues you might disagree on, at least on this issue you can agree, and that is a great start. So start the conversation with your spouse, and ask God: “Where would you like us to serve? What is a need we can fill?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

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1st Marriage ZZ

True North: LIVE Free In Marriage – Day 7

‘For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.’ Hebrews 4:12-13(NLT)

‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.’ 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NLT)

‘Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.’ Psalms 119:105(NLT)

‘How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.’ Psalms 119:9(NLT)

Today we will be looking at the fourth habit of a healthy and thriving marriage: reading together. Clearly reading God’s word needs to be a priority, but also books on marriage, parenting, finances, time management, etc. Whatever you need a little help in, read and learn together.

This is especially true with God’s word. Be honest with your spouse and tell them if you’re struggling with patience, with pride, with fear, with lust, etc. Then look up scripture together; read it, discuss it, and then pray together about it.

If your finances are a wreck, then get a copy of Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey and read it together. Reading and learning together begins to align your thoughts and spirits and helps to close divides that are present. It also gives an avenue for intentional quality time, which is often lacking in struggling marriages.

Amy and I love to take road trips, either together or with our children. We often read a book or article while driving. Let me clarify, she reads out loud, and I drive. Let’s all be safe!

One of the greatest tools of this century has been the internet, smart phones and apps. More than likely, that is exactly what you are reading right now—the Bible app on YouVersion. Now you can read plans together or with friends. So let’s say you and your spouse are both reading this plan but one of you reads in the morning and the other at lunch, now you can both come together at night and discuss it. It’s perfect!

Take a few moments and ask God and yourself: “Have I been faithful to reading the Bible? What should my spouse and I be reading right now?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

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1st Marriage ZZ

True North: LIVE Free In Marriage – Day 6

‘Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25(NLT)

‘For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”’ Matthew 18:20(NLT)

‘Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ‘ Colossians 3:16(NLT)

‘Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.’ Ephesians 4:11-13(NLT)

‘All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper ), and to prayer.’ Acts of the Apostles 2:42(NLT)

By now you should understand that it is not good to be alone. You should also know that you were created for relationship and to learn how to love. Yesterday, we learned that prayer and community are vital to a healthy and thriving marriage.

Today we will be discussing the third element of a healthy marriage:going to church together. If you have children, then attending church as a family is critical. Attending church as a family does several things for a marriage. First, it helps root out selfishness. I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to hit SNOOZE and just sleep in. Or how many times I would rather try to justify it by saying “we are having a family day,” instead of doing what is right.

Second, by going to church together, we are part of a church family, where we develop deep friendships that are rooted in Christ. It also allows us to worship as a family and as a couple. Tithing also roots out selfishness. My wife and I often discuss the message, which brings our hearts closer to each other as we are simultaneously growing closer to God. There are are a myriad of reasons why attending church as a family or couple is beneficial. 

If you don’t have a good church to call home, go find one. Even if you have to drive a little bit or get up a little earlier, it is worth the investment. Remember yesterday how we discussed the importance of community. Finding and building community with people you go to church with is, hands down, the easiest way to accomplish it. 

Take a few moments and ask God: “Has church truly been a priority to me and my spouse/family?” If you’re not plugged into a local church, ask God for guidance in choosing one.

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage