“JESUS SAID TO THEM, ‘A PROPHET IS NOT WITHOUT HONOR EXCEPT IN HIS OWN TOWN AND IN HIS OWN HOME.’” Matthew 13:57 “Familiarity breeds comtempt” occurs when we take someone for granted, focus on their negatives and feel annoyance, or devalue them when we spent more time with them. A relationship often goes from an “I like them” phase to a “I don’t like this about them” phase. Love goes beyond liking someone. Love and appreciation has to be done after the flaws are seen. Don’t a

“ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING, AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE.“ Psalm 100:4 This verse has inspired us use a 3 step process for worship. First, we enter His gates with louder, exuberant, uptempo songs that express our thanks to God for all He has done and is doing in our lives. Next, we move into His courts by praising God for what He has done for us according to His gospel: His death on the cross and resurrection. Third, we move into His Holy of Holies with worship of who H

“A MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD, LIKE MEDICINE, BUT A BROKEN SPIRIT DRIES UP THE BONES.” Proverbs 17:22 It has been said, probably because of this verse, that laughter is the best medicine. It is good for the body and the spirit. Studies have shown that patients who laugh heal better and depressed people who don’t get worse. Don’t be too spiritual to laugh. In a world filled with cancer, suffering and evil, a clean comedian or sitcom or an uproarious night with friends “DOETH GOOD,

"FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT WORLDLY BUT MIGHTY IN GOD FOR PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS." 2 Corinthians 10 Strongholds are fortified lies, enslaving behaviors or attitudes that are a sign of the enemy's place in our lives. Pride, fear, rebellion to authority, lust, bitterness, addictions and dark habits and thoughts are common strongholds. We can pull them down! Quoting the Scriptures, prayer, repenting, pleading the blood of Jesus, and binding and rebuking the enemy a

“THE LIPS OF THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN DRIP HONEY… AT THE END OF YOUR LIFE YOU WILL GROAN…” Proverbs 5:11 Finish well! It is sad and sobering to see a person zealous for God their whole life fall into grievous sin. They crash and burn and destroy their family, their witness, and their legacy of ministry. “BE ALERT. YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. RESIST HIM.” This can happen to anyone at any age or maturity. “LET HIM WHO THINKS

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON..." John 3:16 How do you get through the "dark night of the soul" when you can't sleep because of what you are carrying? God's love. Sit in his presence and ask him to let you feel his love, his presence. Meditate on this verse substituting your name for "the world". The antidote for fear is grasping his perfect love for us. "THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE, BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR, FOR FEAR HAS TO DO WITH PUNISH

“WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT AND MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 One of the “devil’s schemes” is to suggest a thought in our mind and we believe it. “I think I’m depressed… I have doubts about that doctrine… Christians are hypocrites… I’m not sure that I’m saved…” John 13:2 reveals, “The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot …. to betray Jesus.” Don’t own bad thoughts - they aren’t yours, they are his! Rebuke and resist them in Jesus’ nam

“‘FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU’, SAYS THE LORD, ‘PLANS FOR GOOD NOT FOR HARM …’” Jeremiah 29:11 “Don’t settle”. God especially wants us not to settle for less than His best in relationships. Don’t settle for someone who doesn’t love the Lord, but they “believe in God.” Don’t settle for someone controlling, without ambition, broke, you plan to reform, or about whom your family and friends say “No!” The only thing worse than being alone is being with the wrong person. Do

“… DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.” Matthew 6:13 When you pray the Lord’s Prayer daily you are wisely asking God for spiritual protection from the “devil’s schemes”. (Eph 6:-11). Jesus said he comes to “steal, kill, and destroy.” Paul writes that he attacks with flaming arrows. John adds that we overcome him “by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.” (Rev. 12:11). Deliver us all from sickness, strife, and every form of the enemy’s attack. We plead your blood as p

“JESUS TOLD THEM … THAT MEN SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP.” Luke 18:1 “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never… Never yield to force: never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill said this to his fellow Brits even though they had seen their army flee and France surrender to the Nazis. Our Lord likewise says that we should never give up but persevere in prayer, no matter what we see, hear or feel. “LET US NOT GROW WEA

“AT MIDNIGHT PAUL AND SILAS WERE PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD” Acts 16:25 Would you sing hymns at midnight if you had just been “severely flogged” or beaten and bloodied and fastened to a disgusting jail floor? You would if you had the mindset of Paul and Silas. They were not focused on their physical pain, nor did they question God for allowing this to happen. They were consumed with the cross, God’s love for them, and that they get to suffer for Jesus. If only we could

“WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR CLOSET, SHUT THE DOOR AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN THE SECRET PLACE: AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU.” Matthew 6:6 Try to have a “secret place” and a set time when you can be alone with God. A time to pray, read His Word and listen for Him to speak to your spirit. This will become a habit to which you look forward and won’t want to miss. If you will set the time and the place, He promises to meet you there and reward you! -

“YOUR EARS WILL HEAR A VOICE … SAYING, ‘THIS IS THE WAY, WALK IN IT.’” Isaiah 30:21 We need to learn to hear God speaking to our spirit. Samuel asked, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Elijah had to get alone to hear God whisper in “a still small voice”. Jesus revealed daily communication saying that “He does only what he sees the Father doing.” Speak Lord. -Rev. Scott A. Walsh To receive verse on your phone, text VERSE to 732-355-3593 To ADD someone, have them te

“JESUS ASKED THE 12, ‘DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE TOO?’ PETER REPLIED, ‘LORD, TO WHOM WOULD WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS THAT GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.’” John 6:57,58 As a pastor, I’ve seen many wonderfully converted and excited people who just drop out. Life happened, and they left Jesus and His church. We must determine that the enemy can not get us back. No matter what happens God is still God, and Jesus is still Lord. Period. -Rev. Scott A. Walsh To receive verse on your phone, text VERSE

“BUT EVEN THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL DID NOT DARE ACCUSE THE DEVIL BUT SIMPLY SAID, ‘THE LORD REBUKE YOU!’” Jude 1:8 The Lord rebuked the enemy to bring healing and freedom to people. He empowered the 12 to have authority over demons. Paul tells us that we need to ready. Spiritual warfare will come upon us when we discern a person is acting or speaking under the influence of the enemy. We will war in prayer and say, “THE LORD REBUKE YOU.” -Rev. Scott A. Walsh To receive this messa

“WITHOUT WOOD, A FIRE GOES OUT; WITHOUT GOSSIP, A CONFLICT CEASES.” Proverbs 26:20 If we want to feel better not bitter, we have to guard how much we say and hear about a person. Under the guise of “sharing our heart” about someone, we run the risk of developing a bitter heart while causing our listener to pick up an offense at the person we are discussing. Jesus taught, “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt. 5:43,44). If we stop talking the fire goes

“…SAVE ME, LORD, FROM THOSE OF THIS WORLD WHOSE REWARD IS IN THIS LIFE.” Psalms 17:14 “You only live once”, is how many people live: “Do whatever makes you happy, grab life, follow your heart.” Disciples of Christ know, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.” (2 Cor.5:10,11)

"PETER SAID, '... IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WALK.'" Acts 3:6 In the name of Jesus Christ! For every person who is suffering sickness or disease, we say, "In the name of Jesus, be healed." For every marriage or relationship that is struggling, we say, "In the name of Jesus, be healed." Jesus Himself proclaimed, "These signs will accompany those who believe: IN MY NAME they will drive out demons; ...they will place their hands on sick people, and they will be hea

“THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES; HIS MERCIES NEVER COME TO AN END; THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.” Lamentations 3:22,23 Do overs. Some days are just plain tough. Maybe we made a mistake, did something embarrassing, or suffered some outright mistreatment. Thank God, every day is a new day. We can forgive others and ourselves and look forward to what our good God will give us. His love for us never ends.Thank God for do overs. ~Rev. Scott

“FOR ALL WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD.” Romans 8:14 One of the most exciting aspects of living life as a Christian is being led by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit came into us when we were born again and proceeds to direct us like the wind (Jn 3:8). He loves to give us “divine appointments”. We may surprisingly come across old friends, meet people who are wanting to be saved or who are resourceful to us, or we are an answer to their prayers. A friend sa