Tag Archive | God

Scripture of the week by JoBeth Kested

Scripture for the week of August 6, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

“The breaker goes up before them; they break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their king goes on before them, and the Lord at their head.” Micah 2:13 (NASV)

Is there a situation in your life where you are desperately in need of a breakthrough? There are several things the Lord reveals to us about Himself in this scripture. He is the Lord of the Breakthrough! He leads and goes before us. He stands between us and our enemies in times of trouble. He is The Almighty God that can break open any gates of captivity. He’s the Lord of the Hosts of Heavenly Angel armies and is able to breakthrough any of our enemies plans against us! He is able to make the crooked places straight and make the rough places smooth on our behalf. The Lord God of all Heaven and Earth is our protector, defender and provider King and He desires for us to know Him as our God Who breaks through! Ask God to reveal Himself as the Lord of the Breakthrough from any and all hindering circumstances in your life today!

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Jul5

Scripture for the week of July 2, 2023

God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)

Have you ever cried heartbreaking tears and there was no one there to wipe them away or to wrap you in a loving embrace? We all long for a world without the grief of injustice, suffering, broken hearts and tears. This scripture in Revelation is God’s promise that the dream in every heart to see the end of all death, sorrow, crying and pain will surely come. Until that day we find this comfort that our loving Heavenly Father is our safe refuge; He is always there to hold us in His everlasting arms, He holds all our tears in a bottle and writes all our sorrows in His book. (Deuteronomy 33:22, Psalm 56:8) We can now hold this hope that as we face all the trials and tribulations of this world we have peace, comfort and joy because of the resurrection life that is ours in Jesus. (John 16:33) Yes, AMEN!

By JoBeth Kested

Declaration For Today In Jesus Name

Feb24

Each day I go before Adonai and ask Him what I can read to Him. I read and declare as He leads. Recently, He instructed me to share. My hope is that you will be strengthened to move forward by His anointed Word. I declare life into each of you. His Life, His Love, His Word be it unto you this very day in Yeshua (Jesus’) Name Amen

Psalm 99 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake! Adonai is great in Tziyon; he is high above all the peoples. Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy): “Mighty king who loves justice, you established fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.” Exalt Adonai our God! Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy). Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name called on Adonai, and he answered them. He spoke to them in the column of cloud; they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them. Adonai our God, you answered them. To them you were a forgiving God, although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings. Exalt Adonai our God, bow down toward his holy mountain, for Adonai our God is holy!

Declared in Yeshua (Jesus’) Name amen

Blessings and Shalom – Love Beyond Measure, Beth Auman

Discerning Between Good Or God By JoBeth Kested

Apr28

Have you ever presumed that just because something is good means that it is God’s will? The Bible does say that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). But, we also need to understand that sometimes good can be the enemy of God’s best for us.

Many years ago, I remember hearing a sermon titled “One Too Many O’s”. The gist of it being that the reason we must ask ourselves if there is one too may O’s is because sometimes good is not God’s way! That insight has kept me from settling for some things that seemed really good, but helped me to wait a little bit longer to find God’s will. I have learned to stop and ask myself, “Is there one too many O’s?” And, “Just because it is good is it God?” We cannot presume that just because something is good means it’s God’s will for us. We will do well to remember that the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden was the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Settling for or pursuing good things can be just as big an enemy of God’s best plans for us as any evil!

Looking back upon my life, it’s clear to see that many good and seemingly wonderful things or opportunities were definitely not God’s best plan for me. I can honestly thank the Lord for a lot of unanswered prayers! It’s so clear now that God protected me from a lot of not-so-good things. I am thankful that many things that looked so perfect and important, that I had prayed and prayed for, were definitely not for my good; even some things that broke my heart and caused me to question God’s love for me at that time.

So, how can we know the difference between what’s good, but not God? There are a few questions we can ask ourselves:

1. Does it disagree with or compromise scripture?
2. Does it honor God and lead me into closer relationship with Him?
3. Does it bring peace to me and those important relationships in my life?

Here are several scriptures that have also become guiding light to me when trying to discern God’s will:

By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) First of all, it is very important to take everything to the Lord in prayer and to thank Him for circumstances that give Him the opportunity to demonstrate His power, provision and love to us when we need His help or guidance. Then, we are in the place to experience His peace that passes understanding which will guard our heart and mind; helping us to determine the difference between good possibilities and God’s best for us.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 (NKJV) Besides encouraging us to trust The Lord with ALL our heart, the hardest part of this verse is the challenge to make sure we are not leaning to our own understanding. Many times it is so much easier to settle for the good options because they usually make much more sense to our natural understanding.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) One of the hardest things to do is to wait upon The Lord and His timing. (This is an active waiting, continuing to ask, seek and knock, doing all we know to do in the mean time. (Matthew 7:7)) The temptation to settle for a good thing is often because it seems so much simpler, easier or more comfortable. But, the main reason I mention this verse is because doubt, confusion and fear weigh us down with such a heaviness. When we wait upon the Lord and his will becomes clear, there is a great uplifting peace and joy with a renewed strength that launches us into the new way.

Next time something seems too good to be true or seems so good you think it must be God, I encourage you to stop and ask yourself, “Are there one too many O’s?” and, “Is it good or God?”

Dear God, give us the ability to discern the difference between the traps of good that rob us of Your abundant blessings. Show us Your way and shed Your light onto our paths. Help us to wait on You, to trust You in all our ways and to lean not unto our own understanding. Grant us Your peace that will guard our hearts and renew our strength so that we can mount up with wings like eagles as we discern Your way. In Jesus name. Amen.
How great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You. Psalm 31:19
© JoBeth Kested 2014

The Blessing of Purim By Beth Auman

Mar13

May the Lord Bless you during the Celebration of Purim

If you stay silent during this time, deliverance for the Jews will come from somewhere, but you, my child, and all of your father’s family will die. And who knows? Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this.”Esther 4:14 (The Voice)

Purim is the Jewish celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish people in the story of Esther. Esther asked the King for all of her people’s lives and she could have been killed under the law of the time if it were not for the King’s grace and mercy and love for her. She would have been killed for asking.

As Christians, Purim is a truly important Celebration we also need to understand the importance of asking for the salvation of those that are lost. Deliverance for all has been provided through Jesus. If we stay silent during this time.. However, in Matthew 7 Jesus told us to ask.

Just ask and it will be given to you; seek after it and you will find. Continue to knock and the door will be opened for you. All who ask receive. Those who seek, find what they seek. And he who knocks, will have the door opened. Matthew 7:7-8 The Voice (VOICE)

Jesus speaks of doors opening if we knock. Esther did all of these things and she is an example for us. Has the thought ever crossed your mind that many people don’t know Jesus Christ? They do not know who He is or what He did for them and there may not be anyone else that has ever asked God for that persons salvation.

If you meet someone or are exposed to someone who is not saved you are supposed to ask for their salvation; not judge them in their sin – they are sinners – that’s what they do. Seek the Lord for them, (stand in the gap for them) and knock on the door and Jesus will answer and open the door of Salvation for that person. It is a promise in the Word of God.

Begin asking. Unless prompted by the Holy Spirit, you do not have to go up to that person and speak to them. You do not have to tell them all of the scripture that you know. Simply ASK the Father in Jesus name for their Salvation and allow Him to send the labors in to His harvest. Jesus instructs us how to pray in Matthew 6.

When you pray, go into a private room, close the door, and pray unseen to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not go on and on, excessively and strangely like the outsiders; they think their verbosity will let them be heard by their deities. 8 Do not be like them. Your prayers need not be labored or lengthy or grandiose—for your Father knows what you need before you ever ask Him. Matthew 6:6-8The Voice (VOICE)

Esther was chosen by God to deliver and preserve her heritage. We are here for such a time as this. Are you going to be silent or are you going to ask the King to deliver your people, the people of the human race that Jesus Christ gave His life for? Many do not know that there is a free gift waiting for them. The gift of Salvation.

Salvation is a Free gift. if you have received your free gift don’ t you want others to receive theirs? The Lord Jesus Christ said to ask and it will be given. Ask for people to be saved and delivered today. You may be a key used by God to unlock the door in someone’s life.. simply by asking.

Oh, Father. I come before You, in Jesus name, and I ask today for the Salvation of all unsaved that You bring onto my path. I speak blessing and revelation over each of all those who have received Salvation to go further and rise up for such a time as this. We all need You, Lord. And may we learn to ask, seek and knock on the behalf of all those who are unsaved and may our relationship with You grow and grow. We have eyes to see and ears to hear You and we are watching and listening. Please show us and speak to us. In Jesus name. Amen.

This year, Purim begins at sunset on Saturday, March 15, and ends on Sunday evening, March 16. This is a Great time to start asking for the Salvation for those that God brings along your path.

Jesus or World By Beth Auman

Mar4

Are you looking to Jesus Christ as your Lord, Healer, Truth, Redeemer, Friend, Victory and Grace – or are you looking to something worldly – What is being proclaimed out of your mouth today and to whom are you giving all glory, honor and praise.. are you serving God or mammon? People are watching, you are a living epistle of whatever you’ve put your trust in- The Lord is watching too..lead people along the well lit path that God has created for them.. it’s full of love, peace, joy and Jesus..

Lord – I pray for all of my friends and family today that You will open the eyes of their understanding – so that they may know the hope to which You have called them – see the well lit path that You have designed and walk in the center of it – according to Eph 1:17-29 in Jesus name Amen

Faith or Fear, Which Will You Choose? By JoBeth Kested

Feb3

Have you ever realized that whether you live in faith or fear is a choice? You might say, “I always fear the worst about everything and I can’t help it; that’s just the way I am”. Let’s take a look at the Bible definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (NKJV). What if we replace the word faith with the word fear? “Now fear is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Isn’t that exactly what fear is when we allow our minds to run away imagining every possibility of all the bad things that might happen? Those imaginations can run around and around in our heads over and over, like a hamster on a wheel, until we are paralyzed with fear and hopelessness expecting only the worst. Do we have a choice? According to 2 Corinthians 10:5, we can choose to “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (NKJV).

We need to realize that the choice between fear or faith is like coming to a fork in the road. We can choose to go down the path of fear, mulling over all the worst possibilities that can happen, or we can choose the path of faith; taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and putting our trust in God’s limitless power to intervene in our circumstances. The choice is ours, we are either going to put our trust in the worst possibilities of hopelessness or put our trust in God’s supernatural power to perform miracles on our behalf. Because, we KNOW His plans for us are good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope! (Jeremiah 29:11) So, fear or faith, which path will you choose?

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You will help us to choose the path of faith and to take every thought captive, pulling down every stronghold of fear that comes against our obedience to walk in the path of goodness and hope you have for us in Jesus. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6(NKJV)

©JoBeth Kested 2014

Scripture of the week By JoBeth Kested

Jan17

Scripture for the week of March 23, 2014

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NKJV)

Is your hope running low with the heaviness of discouragement and the frustration of too many disappointments, especially in someone you trusted? What an encouragement to be reminded in this verse that we have a God Who is hope! He is able to renew our hope in an abundance that is more-than-enough. On top of that, He will fill us with an overflowing joy and peace trusting in Him afresh to move mountains in our defense and opening miraculous doors of provision through the power of His Holy Spirit working on our behalf. May the Holy Spirit fill you with the uplifting hope, joy and peace you need today.

Scripture of the week for March 16, 2014

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Are you feeling loaded down and exhausted from carrying problems and discouragements with a longing for rest from your weariness? To be yoked with Jesus requires us to submit to His plans and direction for us. Though none of us enjoy or welcome the idea of submission, it is easier when we understand it is His willingness to carry our heavy loads and His desire to plow the paths straighter ahead for us. Be encouraged to accept the Lord’s invitation to walk in humility yoked with Him and find the rest you long for in your soul. Cast your cares on Jesus today (1 Peter 5:7) and God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Scripture for the week of March 9, 2014

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV)

Do you ever get caught in the worries of trying to cover the essentials like food, clothing and the unexpected medical bills or other emergency needs? Verse 26 in the same chapter states: “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” How easy it is to struggle and strive trying fix everything ourselves and forgetting how precious we are to our miraculous and loving heavenly Father. So, be encouraged to seek first the goodness and blessings of His Kingdom purposes for you with the assurance that He is more than able to “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. (Phil 4:19)

Scripture for the week of March 2, 2014

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? This scripture reminds us that as we wait on the Lord we have access to His power and strength that take us beyond when the young will faint and give up. Though we usually find it frustrating and irritating to wait on anything, this kind of waiting is not idle and twitteling our thumbs. It is an active, persevering, listening and inquiring kind of waiting with expectation and anticipation for a demonstration of God’s miraculous provision for us. As we wait on the Lord, His supernatural power and strength empowers us to run our race and also lifts our spirit up to soar like eagles! Praise the Lord!

Scripture for the week of February 23, 2014

I pray … that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a
spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe… Ephesians 1:17-19 (NASB)

Are you in need of wisdom and revelation and/or do you need a renewed hope in order to move beyond your current circumstances? Wisdom is the ability to understand things difficult to comprehend, revelation is a surprising truth revealed by God and hope is the anticipation of a fulfilled desire. We are reminded in this scripture that in knowing Him our Father God gives to us the gift of His spirit of wisdom and revelation. We can also expect to “see” a lightening in our hearts to KNOW the hope of His calling. As His chosen ones, there is an awesome greatness of His power toward us who believe in Him. And, there is a wealth of glory that is His inheritance in us! May you know the greatness of His wisdom, power, and love for you!

Scripture for the week of February 16, 2014

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13 (NKJV)

Do you have the peace of knowing you have eternal life? The Biblical meaning for the word “know” in this verse is an experiential knowledge. Jesus says in Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in…” Maybe you are like I was for many years, believing in God and believing Jesus is the Son of God, but have never opened the door to your heart and asked Him to come in. In your own words, you can ask Jesus to come in, reveal Himself and His love to you, forgive you of all your wrong choices and actions, to reveal His purpose for your life and to give you hope for eternity. May you experience the tangible peace of KNOWING you have eternal life in Jesus!

Scripture for the week of February, 9, 2014

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Have you ever experienced the abandonment of a spouse, the betrayal of a friend, rejection of family, or a deep empty loneliness that won’t go away? Or do you have an agonizing fear of abandonment and rejection? This scripture is a comforting reminder that no matter what valley of pain or death we may have to walk through in this life, there is absolutely no power, nor anyplace, anything, nor any person that can separate us from the love of Christ. Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of one of the worst Nazi concentration camps during WWII, once said, “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” Ask Jesus to come heal your heart, free you from the fear of abandonment and fill you with His love that will never leave you today.

Scripture for the Week of February 2, 2014

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

Have you ever tried to find your way in the dark without a light? In Genesis one God said, “Let there be light” and He created light out of the darkness. Our verse for this week declares that God is able to make His light shine into the darkness of our hearts. His glory is the perfection, beauty and power of His extravagant love we can each find in our personal relationship with Jesus face to face. Jesus proclaimed in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV) Let the light of Jesus’ love shine in and through you as you follow Him.

Scripture for the week of January 26, 2014

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 2 Peter 1:2 (NKJV)

Are you in need of multiplied grace and peace? Grace is undeserved favor and divine assistance. Peace is tranquility, harmony and freedom from disturbance or affliction. The Biblical definition of knowledge is based on understanding from experience. Like the Hebrews in the wilderness that had to gather fresh manna each day, Jesus is the Bread of Life that God has provided for us to seek out each day. Whatever we may have experienced of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and provision in the past, we are encouraged to KNOW that we can seek Him each new day to multiply His sufficient favor, divine assistance, and freedom from affliction no matter what we may be facing. May His grace and peace be multiplied to you today.

Scripture for the week of January 19, 2014

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 (NKJV)

How can we know that God is the one true God and if Jesus is His Son? In his 33 years, Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophesies recorded over 1500 years. There is more historical evidence of His life, death and resurrection than of Aristotle, Plato and Socrates combined. All of his Apostles and multitudes through the centuries have died declaring the truth of experiencing the power of His resurrection life. It has been stated that there have been more Christian martyrs in the last century than the last 2000 years! Martyrs do not die for a lie because Jesus is a relationship more than a religion. He is alive and His love is still healing hearts, forgiving sinners, and setting captives free today, including me! Ask Him to make Himself real to you, too.

Scripture for the week of January 12, 2014

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

Have you ever pondered what you really need to find happiness? Or have you been tempted to focus on your desires for pleasure and happiness to the detriment of others? The dominant voices of this world encourage us that the only path to pleasure and happiness is to focus on fulfilling our own needs and desires first and foremost. This scripture challenges us to ask God to show us His path for our life. In His presence, at His right hand, we are positioned close to His power, authority and protection that overcomes all obstacles with the promise that we will find the fulness of joy and experience pleasures without end we all long for. Say, “Yes!” to the Lord’s path for you this year.

Scripture for the week of January 5, 2014

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)

We often begin a new year evaluating our accomplishments and/or the disappointments of the previous year. With good intentions we try setting new resolutions with goals to do better and be better in the days ahead with the hope of patting ourselves on the back at the end of this year. Maybe it would be better to focus our energy and efforts on the things that glorify God more than things to glorify in ourselves. By increasing our understanding and knowledge of God, His Word and His ways we can hope to experience and to then extend His lovingkindness, justice and goodness 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 new year.

Scripture for the week of December 29, 2013

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 things unknown, do you ever have fear and worry about what the future may hold? The older we get the easier it is to focus on the uncertainties and possibilities for unexpected difficulties and disasters that may come. What an encouraging promise from The Lord that even if we face changing circumstances, financial limitations, deteriorating health or the frailty of old age, our Father God that 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 The Lord.

Encouraging Words

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