Scripture for the week of August 31, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 46:10-11 (NKJV)
Have you ever enjoyed a summer night of frogs croaking, crickets creaking and fireflies flitting? Or have you ever taken the time to look for pictures in the clouds or watched for falling stars in a dark night sky? Isn’t it interesting how much we can see and hear if we will take the time to be still. In stillness we may also have to face our encroaching fears, our emptiness or our feelings of being so alone. In this scripture God instructs us to be still in order to know that He is God. As our Heavenly Father, He so desires for us to cease from our struggles and striving to find the comfort, peace and rest we so long for in the stillness of His presence. Whatever we may be facing in the uncertainties and upheavals of this world our God declares in this scripture that He will be exalted above all else in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us and is our refuge. Selah—ponder and think of that!
Archive | August 2025
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of August 24, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
…Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
Have you heard the saying, “Don’t let your yesterday’s determine your tomorrow’s?”Are you trying to run your race still carrying the heavy baggage and burdens of your past? You may remember watching how hard it is for a child learning to walk to keep from stumbling and falling when they want to look back instead of keeping their eyes focused on the path ahead of them. This scripture reminds us that in order to successfully run our race we need to stop looking back at the mistakes, problems, and even accomplishments or the joys of our yesterdays so we can reach for the blessings of today and the hope of our tomorrows. Therefore, in the power of The Lord’s enabling grace, let go of anything in the past that would keep you from reaching for the future and the heavenly prize that is yours in Jesus.
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of August 17, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in his love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NRSV)
Have ever had or are currently having one of those hard times that seem like everything is just too much, too hard, or too impossible? This scripture reminds us that our God is with us as a warrior, fighting for us to bring victory into our difficult and seemingly impossible situations. We need to be reminded that our Heavenly Father delights in us, rejoices over us with gladness, and desires to renew our faith with strength in the knowledge of the reality of His loving presence with us. So, be encouraged with renewed hope and faith in His extravagant love for you. And know that the awesome Lord God Almighty is warring and rejoicing over you with gladness and with shouts of joy to bring you into victory! Hallelujah! Yaaay God!
A Bibliodrama Journaling On Psalm 23 by Conny Hubbard
We did this recently in a small group. It was so much fun looking through the other’s windows and seeing it from their point of view. Here’s mine. What speaks to you? Let us know in the comments below.
A Bibliodrama Journaling on Psalm 23
I’m going through the psalm, taking on different roles and speaking, or in this case, writing in first person beginning with the Shepherd.
The Shepherd in the moment when all the sheep have settled down for the night and have fallen asleep. He’s awake and standing guard at the gate. He is looking at his sheep with such tender love.
“I love these little ones! Oh, how I love them! I’m smiling as I think about the personality of each one of them. Even the ones that have given me trouble today. I love it when they come close and rub up against me. When I hear their helpless ‘baah’s’ as they are crying out for help, I want to cradle them in my arms and hold them. I’m planning where to take them tomorrow and I am excited about leading them to a new and beautiful place.”
The Green Pastures: “My green grass is nourishing and tasty. I long to be a feeding place for the sheep that the Shepherd brings to me day by day. At night, the dew settles upon me and refreshes me. I love it when the sheep lie down and rest. I long to be that soft spot where they can land.”
The Quiet Waters: “I am calm and peaceful. If nothing disturbs me, the sheep or people, whoever comes to me, can see their reflection in me. My water is clean and pure. I long to quench their thirst. I want them to slow down and take their time. Not only can they drink here but they can wash off their feet and get cleaned up.”
The Path of Righteousness: “I am a rocky and stony path. Sometimes I’m curvy and steep. But always the shepherd leads his sheep on my path. When they stumble, get weary or think that they are smarter than me, and try to take a short cut I am always there for them to get back on track. Many have tripped and fallen and gotten badly hurt trying to forge their own way. It’s best to stay on my path. I’m safe and the shepherd is always there. On these walks he talks with the sheep and teaches them many things. I love to watch them grow and learn.
”The Valley of the Shadow of Death: “Sometimes it’s inevitable that the path goes through a dark valley. Even though I’m dark and seem scary, I do not intend to harm any of my precious travelers. I protect them with a shroud of darkness, to hide them and keep them safe. No one needs to fear me, for the Shepherd is always there to guide his loved ones through. Trust him! He will get you through it. Lean on him. If I can tell you a secret – it is under my cover of darkness that you can find a closeness to him that is not possible anywhere else.
”The Rod and the Staff: “I am here to protect. I get angry when people try to use me for purposes I was not created for, or if they use me to hurt someone whom the Shepherd loves so dearly. In the valley the sheep need love, tenderness and comfort, not anything that would discourage them. I am here to guide them with love and to give them something to hold on to. I keep them from bumping into obstacles by guiding them gently. Sometimes the sheep get turned around and go in the wrong direction. The Shepherd uses us to pull them back and get them back on the right path.
”The Table Prepared: “ I am a table, prepared and laden with goods, food and arranged in a way that it is also a feast for the eyes. I long to feed them. It there are any enemies they are fading into the background in the light of so much goodness.”
The Anointing Oil: “I have been prepared for a long time , have gone through an intense process to bring healing to your wounds. I’m ready for the Shepherd to take me and rub me on your head, your ears, your eyes, your lips and your forehead. I am a soothing fragrance and a healing balm for all your aches and pains. Let me touch you with the healing oil”
The Overflowing Cup: “I am overflowing with goodness for you. Drink from me and let yourself be filled to the brim, overflowing with joy and delight. Come, don’t be shy. Come and drink. There’s more than enough.
Goodness and Mercy: “I am calling out to you to be still and listen. Don’t run ahead of me. I am with you. I accompany you. I go before you and prepare things for you. I go behind you and clear things up for you. Call to remembrance often that you are never alone. I am always with you!”
As I was writing, I found myself speaking to you. Even in the Psalm David declares what “He” is doing in the first verses and then changes to “you.” I didn’t intend for this to happen in my writing but it did. And the realization grew that Jesus, the Shepherd, was speaking through each item or thing and that, indeed, He is EVERYTHING. He was saying this to my heart, “I am here, watching over you, loving you, guiding you and providing all you have need of. I am everything to you. I tell you in so many ways and pictures to help you understand. I am the Good Shepherd, laying his life down for the sheep.”
Please visit Conny Hubbards Bibliodrama Teaching on YouTube.
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of August 10, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20 (NKJV)
Do you have difficulty believing that God really cares about any of the pressing needs you are currently facing? First of all, this verse profoundly declares that our God supplies ALL our need! But, if we are to understand that the doorway of His provision is in the glory of Jesus we may need to ask what is the glory? Biblically this often refers to the manifestation or the reality of God’s presence with us. Remember, one of the names of Jesus is Emanuel which means God with us. Therefore, there is a wealth of God’s provision for us as we grasp that Jesus is with us; our Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Friend of Sinners and our Savior. He is real, present and available to us in every circumstance today and everyday to meet ALL our needs. With renewed faith in His love for us, let us give worship, praise and glory back to our Father God. Yes, Amen!
Fear Not
Where is your FAITH!
Fear Not! Stop propagating fear!
Occupy until Yeshua comes! Look for Him, yes. But live your life and stop the nonsensical posts that instill fear in others!
Bolster your faith!
Declare and Decree God’s Word over your life! Don’t stop until you read every single one out loud.
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all 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.
Mark 4:39-40 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’
Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.’
Luke 12:24-34 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
John 14:1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.
Philippians 4:5-7 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13-14 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
1 Peter 5:6-8 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last,’
Amen Amen Amen and again I say Amen
Blessings and Shalom – Love Beyond Measure, Beth Auman
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of August 3, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you. Psalm 91:14-15 (GW)
Isn’t it a wonderful feeling when you know you are loved? In loving relationships there is nothing we wouldn’t do for each other, especially when we receive a call for help. We will take food or clean a friends house in sickness, travel long distances to be with a hurting loved one and for some we are even willing to lay down our life in the face of danger. In these verses God declares how He responds to our love for Him. The Lord says that He will…rescue, protect, answer, be there, save and honor us. What an encouragement to know that the Almighty God desires our expressions of love for Him even in our weakness and imperfections. When we call out for God’s help in times of trouble and despair He lovingly responds back to us and makes these promises to meet our specific needs just because He knows we love Him! Thank You, Lord!