Scripture for the week of March 18, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

I will stand at my guard post. I will station myself on the wall. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what answer I will get to my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1 (GW)

Have you ever had to wait longingly for an important letter or phone call that would free you from the anxiety of something unknown or for hopes fulfilled? How agonizing the waiting process can be; demanding all of our attention and hindering our ability to focus on anything else! What if we turned that same waiting expectation and anticipation toward hearing God’s voice? It is interesting that this scripture instructs us to watch and wait with the assurance that God will answer our complaints or questions. Or with the Lords gentle reproving correction from some others translations. We are encouraged to take our place like a disciplined soldier standing guard upon the fortress high place and to watch with confident expectation that our loving God will surely answer all our doubts, fears, questions and complaints. Lord, help us to wait on You. Give us eyes to see your ways and ears to hear your voice. Yes, amen.

Scripture for the week of March 11, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:13-14

Are you tired of carry around the heavy baggage of some old disappointments, regrets and sorrows? Wouldn’t it be nice to let go of the weights that keep holding us back and tripping us up? This scripture in Ephesians encourages us to focus on the prize of all God has given us in Jesus that is already within our reach. We must let go of one rung on a ladder in order to reach for the next to climb higher or like a flying acrobat must let go of one swing reaching forward to grab the bar of the next one to swing ahead. We can reach for the Lord’s hand to guide us forward toward a renewed joy and hope in His salvation, goodness and provision. So, letting go of all that old baggage, let’s press toward the high calling and promise of abundant life (John 10:10) that is ours in Christ Jesus. Thank You, God!

Scripture for the week of March 5, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (KJV)

Have you ever been so weary with the heaviness of discouragement that you feel like you can hardly hold your head up much less walk or run? Or are you facing situations beyond your control that seem impossible to deal with? This scripture informs us that those who wait on the Lord have access to His power and strength beyond where the young will faint and give up! Though we usually find it hard to wait on anything or anybody, this kind of waiting is not idle with twittleling our thumbs. It is an active, persevering, listening and inquiring kind of waiting with expectation and anticipation for a demonstration of God’s miraculous power working in us and through us and for us. As we wait on the Lord, His supernatural power with His mighty strength renews and empowers us to run our race and also lifts our spirit up to soar like eagles! Lord, please help us and teach us how to wait!

Scripture for the week of February 26, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:20-24 (ESV)

Do you ever struggle to find your faith to trust God in the midst of overwhelming situations? It can be especially hard when it seems like the cries of your prayers bounce off the ceiling and all you hear is silence. In the verses before these scriptures, the Prophet Jeremiah describes in great detail his sufferings and that he feels like God caused it all. He was not afraid to talk to God about his disillusionment, frustrations and anguish. But, he then reminds himself of God’s love, mercies and faithfulness in the past. How amazing that even though the circumstances have not changed, Jeremiah is able to declare with renewed hope that the Lord is all he needs! Take your list of problems to God today and pour out your doubts, fears and pain. Then be encouraged with new hope recalling all of the Lord’s unshakeable love, unending mercies and great faithfulness to you always. Selah (ponder and think on these things).

Scripture for the week of February 12, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

If God supposedly knows everything and has a plan, why should we bother with prayer and asking for His help? Do you have childhood memories of playing hide-and-seek and how much fun it is to surprise someone in their hiding place? And how special it is to see the joyous expression on a loved one’s face when they walk into a surprise party in their honor? These verses reveal God’s heart in that He longs for us to seek Him and to find the overwhelming joy of how much He loves us. How awesome that God loves to reveal Himself to us and to surprise us with signs and wonders in answering our prayers. Be encouraged to keep on asking to receive, seeking to find and knocking for the open doors of God’s blessings and abundant provision for you today.

Scripture for the week of February 5, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)

Have you ever been blinded by the penetrating brightness of the sun or by a winter snow storm where you couldn’t see the road ahead or the next step in front of you? Sometimes we can feel so blinded by sudden unexpected circumstances that we have no idea how to find our way out of the anxiety and fearful darkness. What comfort it is to find God’s promise to us that even when we are lost and can’t see, He is there to help us find our way. The Lord declares that He will turn the oppressive darkness into glorious light and that He will even make the rough places smooth before us. What an uplifting hope to have such assurance that the Lord is always there and will never abandon us in any helpless place! Whatever darkness you may find yourself in, be encouraged to call upon the Lord; reaching out to Him, to guide you into the light of His presence along the path of His peace.

Scripture for the week of January 29, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

Scripture for the week of January 29, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt like a misfit, too different or unacceptable to others around you; amongst your friends, at work or in your family? Sometimes it can be so hard to handle those inner voices that say, “You don’t fit”, ” Not good enough”, or “Never going to make it”. What an encouragement to find in this scripture what God has to say about you. You are a chosen one! You are a part of the elite inner circle with access to God; a Holy nation! And, you are part of a distinctive people that have accepted God’s invitation to come out of the dark painful, depressing and hopeless places into the marvelous light of His love! So lift your heart, your hands and your voice to praise the Lord because you are a chosen, special one with the opportunity to display His goodness and glory to all those around you in this world! Thank You, Lord!

Scripture for the week of January 15, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt your face light up when you come face to face with someone you love? What blessing and joy to to be loved like that and how awesome to know that when God sees us His face lights up! These verses were God’s instructions to Aaron, the first high priest, and his sons to pray over the people with the promise that He would then bless them (vs 27). As believers, we are a royal priesthood (1Peter2:9) and we too can pray these words over our homes and loved ones. Our loving God longs to bless us with grace and His protection. His also lifts us up in His unmerited favor and He gives us peace. No matter what the future holds or what difficulties we may face tomorrow, fix your eyes on the Lord, knowing that you light up His face and He desires to extend blessings, grace, favor and peace upon you today.

Scripture for the week of January 8, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24 (NKJV)

Have you launched into another new year seriously determined to accomplish some resolutions with the hope of patting yourself on the back at the end of this year? We often begin a new year evaluating our disappointments in ourselves; of weight gained or unfulfilled expectations of the previous year. With good intentions we try setting new resolutions with goals to do better, to be better and to feel better about ourselves and our accomplishments in the days ahead. This scriptures proposes a better option to focus our energy and efforts on the things that glorify God more than what might bring glory or praise to ourselves. By increasing our understanding and knowledge of God, His Word and His ways we can hope to personally experience His lovingkindness, mercy and goodness and then to also extend it to those in the world around us. What a joyous anticipation to know the blessing of God’s delight in the pursuit of knowing and experiencing Him more in this next year!

Scripture for the week of January 1, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

Even when you are old, I (God) will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. Isaiah 46:4 (NCV)

As we face a new year and anticipate things unknown, do you ever have fear and worry about what the future may hold? The older we get the greater temptation it is to focus on the uncertainties and possibilities for unexpected difficulties and disasters that may come. What encouraging promises from The Lord in this scripture where God declares two times that He will take of us; that He will even carry us and be there to save us! No matter what we may face, changing circumstances, financial limitations, deteriorating health or the fear of old age, our Father God, Who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, will care for us. As surely as He gave us life, He is more than able to provide, carry and save us no matter what we may face in the future ahead. We can confidently place our hope in our God. Thank You, Lord!