"DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD. 'SHALL I MOVE TO ONE OF THE TOWNS OF JUDAH?' THE LORD SAID, 'GO.' DAVID ASKED, 'WHERE ...?' 'TO HEBRON,' THE LORD ANSWERED." 2 Samuel 2:1 GUIDANCE. One of the best things about being a believer is how God guides and directs us as He did for David. The Lord Jesus promised that those born again by the Spirit would be guided like the wind. This is so practical. He arranges divine appointments, & reveals lost items. Recently, after spending hours unsu

"I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES." Romans 1:16 Are you ashamed of the gospel? You wouldn't be ashamed if, when you believed the gospel, God powerfully saved you! Have you ever really been born-again and experienced His life changing power? Maybe it's a distant memory? The good news of Christ's life and death for us changes anyone who believes. The Spirit takes us out of the realm of sin and death and in

"JESUS SAW NATHANAEL COMING ...AND SAID OF HIM, 'BEHOLD, A TRUE ISRAELITE, IN WHOM IS NO DECEIT!'" John 1:47 First Impressions. The Lord Jesus made wonderful first impressions. Meeting Nathanael He complimented his integrity and revealed that He had divine knowledge of him. Before that Jesus saw Simon and declared his name change to match his character, Peter or Rock. In our church, we have taught and tried to model being an inviting and engaging people. How friendly and warm

"HAVE MERCY ON ME, MY GOD...I WILL TAKE REFUGE IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS UNTIL THE DISASTER HAS PASSED. I CRY OUT TO GOD MOST HIGH, TO GOD, WHO VINDICATES ME." Psalm 57:1,2 Sadly, the reality of life is that even the godly can have enemies. The Lord Jesus had Judas, and King Saul pursued David for years to kill him. David had to keep moving, but he taught us who his real refuge was. Like David, we can take refuge under His wings until "THE DISASTER HAS PASSED". We cry out f

"HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, HE WILL LIFT YOU UP." James 4:10 What do you do when you are in a jam? I like the advice Franklin Graham gave a politician who was being unjustly framed. He told him to get alone with God, confess his sins, and give his life and problem completely over to God. The Lord would work it out; "HE WILL LIFT YOU UP." How about you: Could this be your answer? -Rev. Scott A. Walsh You and family and friends can join by texting VERSE to 732-355-3593,

"THERE WERE 700 SELECT LEFT-HANDERS WHO COULD SLING A STONE AT A HAIR AND NOT MISS." Judges 20:16 Are you are an expert in anything? Some say be "a jack of all trades, master of none", but that would not have made David so valuable. As the 700 men before him, David perfected the slingshot enabling him to confidently say to King Saul that he had "KILLED A LION AND BEAR; THIS UNCIRCUMCISED PHILISTINE (Goliath) WILL BE LIKE ONE OF THEM." Whether we are watching sports, listening

"SOME MEN CAME CARRYING A PARALYZED MAN ... THEY TRIED TO TAKE HIM INSIDE TO JESUS," Luke 5:18 A "WELL DONE" from Jesus goes out to all who risk a relationship, give up their time, or spend their money trying to get someone to Jesus. The Lord forgave and healed the paralyzed man because He saw the costly faith of his friends. The unnamed men were true, godly friends who literally carried their friend and were determined to do whatever it cost to get him to Jesus. This week at

"DO NOT SORROW, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH." Nehemiah 8:10 Protect your joy in the Lord. Be on guard for joy stealers. Do not allow people or pressures to co-opt your happiness. There is much in life to "SORROW" about, but if we dwell on that, it will drain our joy and therefore our strength. "DO NOT SORROW". Give your problems and problem people to God, but dwell on how good God is and how graceful He has been to you. "Count His blessings one by one." He has sa

"LOVE IS PATIENT..." 1 Corinthians 13:4 It is profound that the first description of loving behavior in this famous Bible passage is patience. While the disciples showed impatience, Christ modeled patience toward children, the sick, needy, and even the outcast tax collectors and lepers. How patient are you? How we handle the negatives in another person is the test of our love. Since love is a fruit of the Spirit, we need a close walk with Him in order for Him to produce patie

"GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD..." Ephesians 4:30 We do not want the person of the Spirit, who has feelings, to be hindered or hurt by our sinning. We want Him unfettered to fill us with joy & to bless & guide our lives. This requires that we live sensitive & stop doing what the Word says "grieves" Him. Eph. 4 says get rid of lying, anger, stealing, laziness, toxic speech (gossip, slander, judgment), & bitterness. Also, David pleaded for the Spirit to return to him after

"IF YOU... REMEMBER THAT SOMEONE HAS SOMETHING AGAINST YOU... GO AND BE RECONCILED... SETTLE MATTERS QUICKLY..." Matthew 5:23-25 Some people let their pride stop them from saying, "I am sorry" & "Please forgive me" & "I forgive you". These are 3 simple yet powerful phrases that would heal a marriage & tear down walls in relationships. Just say, "I'm sorry, Please forgive me" with no explanations or justifications. Instead of drawn out recriminations, respond back, "I forgive

"HE WHO OVERCOMES WILL SIT WITH ME ON MY THROWN, JUST AS I OVERCAME." Revelation 3:21 We are not overcome, but we are over-comers in Christ! While Satan actually admitted that God put a "HEDGE" around Job, his family, and all that he had, we know from Job that trials are allowed by God for our growth. The Lord told us, "IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT TAKE COURAGE; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" The 7 Churches of Revelation are told that they must overcome. Later, w

LifeChurch: "NATHAN SAID TO DAVID, 'YOU ARE THE MAN!'" 2 Sam.12:7 Criticism is how you grow. Recently, a basketball legend criticized a top coach for poor coaching decisions made that cost his team the title. However, soon afterward the legend apologized. Other commentators said, "Wait a minute, don't apologize. Criticism is how you grow." How about us? Instead of being defensive and seeing criticism as demonic, what if we "pan for gold in a dirty pan." Even if criticism seem

"SARAI MISTREATED HAGAR; SO SHE FLED FROM HER." Genesis 16:6 Run! Sometimes you have to run from toxic relationships. Joseph wisely ran from Potiphar's wife, Timothy was told to run from temptation, and Hagar fled from the abuse coming from Abraham's wife. It takes courage, but if you are in a romantic relationship, a friendship, or a partnership that is controlling, abusive, or unbiblical, God understands if you decide to end it. "IF POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LI

"BUT SAMUEL WAS MINISTERING BEFORE THE LORD..." 1 Samuel 2:18 Do you live a life of "MINISTERING BEFORE THE LORD..."? Is anyone forcing you to seek God daily, praying and studying His Word? Do you love worshipping and serving God and being generous in giving? You just do it because you love and fear God! With "BUT SAMUEL..." the Lord compared Samuel with the esteemed High Priest's sons, who stole offerings and fornicated in the tabernacle because "THEY HAD NO REGARD FOR THE L

"LET US NOT BECOME WEARY...FOR IN DUE SEASON WE WILL REAP IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP". Galatians 6:9 God blesses perseverance! Recently, the NY Knicks showcased the power of perseverance in the greatest comeback in basketball history. They trailed 29 points in the 2nd half and by 20 points in the 4th quarter. Rather than giving up they stormed back to win. "SUFFERING PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE." (Rom 5:3). As the British stood alone against the N*zis bombing them, Winston Churchill famo

"FORGET THE PAST, DO NOT DWELL ON IT. SEE I AM DOING A NEW THING." Isaiah 43:18-19 God gives do overs. He is the God of 2nd chances, fresh starts, and mercies that renew everyday. Maybe life hasn't gone the way you thought, or you have stumbled, or you want a reset in your relationship with Jesus. Every morning that you wake up is a reminder that He isn't done with you - this will pass. He doesn't hold your past against you when you come to Him in repentance. He will give you

"YOU ARE THE GOD WHO SEES ME" Genesis 16:13 It is comforting to see how Scripture shows God seeing and watching over each of us. When Hagar ran away with her baby after being mistreated by Sarah, God saw the lowly servant girl and sent an Angel to guide, comfort, and tell her the great future she would have. She is amazed and named God "EL-ROI, THE GOD WHO SEES ME". Likewise, the virgin Mary said of herself, "HE TOOK NOTICE OF HIS LOWLY SERVANT GIRL." When Nathaniel asked Jes

"A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, 'YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.'" Mark 1:11 1 in 4 kids, and some groups are 2X that, grow up without a father. Millions more have aloof or abusive fathers. Research links both to many bad life outcomes. In Jesus we can overcome the "father wound" starting with forgiveness. Since whoever has seen Jesus "HAS SEEN THE FATHER", we can be transformed by Scripture learning of "MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER" Jn.14&20. Jesus invites us to "

"SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE," Psalm 23:6 No matter what you have been through, this song, "Goodness of God", is your testimony: "I love You, Lord For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God 'Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing o