Archive | August 2026

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Aug30

Scripture for the week of August 30, 2026
By JoBeth Kested

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Psalms 19:1-3 (NKJV)

Have you ever been enthralled by stars shining in the darkness of night or the glow of a full moon over majestic mountains? Has your soul been thrilled by the glorious dawn of morning or a blazing sunset with gold and crimson streaks across the skies? Or have you been captivated by the delicate fragrance of a blooming rose, crashing waves upon a sandy beach, or a towering forrest with butterflies flitting and birds calling? These scriptures instruct us that the heavens are declaring the glory of God and the earth’s beauty reveals His handprints upon all creation. Day after day and every night all that is around us reveals the evidence of an intricate and intimate God. There is no place on earth where the voice of His creation and the language of His beauty is not spoken to all who will see and listen. May you hear His voice calling your name in the wind and your heart filled with His loving presence revealed in every in detail of His beauty all around you.

Introducing Flourish Living from the Tree of Life

Aug29

This summer has truly been one for the books… you know, the ones written in Heaven.

I sincerely pray that you will partake of Flourish: Living from the Tree of Life and invest in the Flourish Companion Journal as a place to linger, reflect, pray, and respond.

Flourish is simple, yet deep—deep calling unto deep.

My prayer is that as you walk through the Gate, abide in His presence, and receive all that He has for you, you will be strengthened in your inner being and increasingly rooted and grounded in His love.

Come.
Abide.
Align.
Bear Fruit.

To His Name Alone Be the Glory.

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Aug23

Scripture for the week of August 23. 2015
By JoBeth Kested

Give praise to the Lord; He has heard my cry for help. The Lord protects and defends me; I trust in him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise him with joyful songs. Psalm 28:6-7 (GNT)

Have you ever felt like you are between a rock and a hard place with no hope for help? Sometimes when overwhelmed by life’s demands, pressures and pain it is hard to believe that God cares when we feel so helpless and alone. With our feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, it is easy to think that God is just too busy with all the problems of the world to hear our cry. This song of the Psalmist is a great reminder that the Lord hears our cries and is there to protect, defend and help us. We are told in Isaiah 61:3 that He gives beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Our loving God hears our cries, restores our hope, makes our hearts glad and puts a song of praise in our mouth. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) So give praise to the Lord and sing to Him a joyful song!

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Aug16

Scripture for the week of August 9, 2026
By JoBeth Kested

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalms 16:8,11 (NASB)

Have you ever wondered how to find joy through any circumstance? Biblically, joy goes beyond emotional happiness, which is temporary and is dependent on whatever makes us feel good. Joy is primarily a choice that is dependent upon trusting in the sovereign goodness of God and that He is Who He says He is in His Word; even when we don’t feel like it! God’s place at the Psalmist’s right hand, implies giving Him the highest place of honor in our lives with dependence upon His strength and power. We can learn in this verse that when we choose to abide in God’s presence, we can know the security of safety, overflowing joy and enduring pleasures forevermore. HIs right hand holds all power and all authority in heaven and on earth to defend, provide and bless each one of us as the Psalmist has declared. Thank You, Lord, that in Your presence we find the path of abundant life and the fullness of joy we all long for. Amen!

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Aug9

Scripture for the week of August 9, 2026
By JoBeth Kested

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalms 16:8,11 (NASB)

Have you ever wondered how to find joy through any circumstance? Biblically, joy goes beyond emotional happiness, which is temporary and is dependent on whatever makes us feel good. Joy is primarily a choice that is dependent upon trusting in the sovereign goodness of God and that He is Who He says He is in His Word; even when we don’t feel like it! God’s place at the Psalmist’s right hand, implies giving Him the highest place of honor in our lives with dependence upon His strength and power. We can learn in this verse that when we choose to abide in God’s presence, we can know the security of safety, overflowing joy and enduring pleasures forevermore. HIs right hand holds all power and all authority in heaven and on earth to defend, provide and bless each one of us as the Psalmist has declared. Thank You, Lord, that in Your presence we find the path of abundant life and the fullness of joy we all long for. Amen!

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Aug2

Scripture for the week of August 2, 2026
By JoBeth Kested


I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)

Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected situation that wiped out all your well made plans and left you teetering on the edge of the pit of despair? It’s tempting to settle for the disappointments of reality in the face of hopelessness and to think that God’s blessings are for everyone else, but not you. In such times, I’ve wondered if I am to just be grateful for my eternal salvation and nothing else really matters to God? But, this scripture challenges us to believe that the Lord desires to bestow His goodness and blessings upon us here and now, right where we live! If we will wait on the Lord, He is able to refill our hearts with the courage and strength to hope in Him; even when the impossibilities seem overwhelming. Lord, rescue us from the pit of despair and reveal your goodness to us in the land of the living. Amen.