Scripture for the week of April 26, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:30-31 (NLT)
In your childhood memories were you ever the unwanted and last one chosen when teams were picked to play some athletic game? Were you uninvited and left out of some big event or overlooked for a that promotion you worked so hard for? What a comfort to read in these verses that God has chosen you and called you to come to Him. He also frees us from all wrongs, sorrows and sins to be able to stand close to Him in His righteousness. And, having given us His right standing, our God goes on to declare that He extends to us His glory; the joy of knowing His favor, goodness and presence with us in the blessings as well as all the hard times. Lord, Jesus, touch each of the wounded places and sorrows of our lives with the power of your unconditional love to know that we have been chosen and called to stand in your righteousness and glorious grace. Our God is for us! Selah, amen.
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Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of April 20, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
Jesus… asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-17 (NIV)
Throughout the last 2000 years the question is still being asked, “Who is Jesus?” Many are still saying that he was a good man or spiritual teacher, while others say he was a prophet. In these verses Jesus goes on to commend Simon Peter for declaring the truth that He is the Messiah. Jesus acknowledges here in this scripture and many other verses that He is the Son of God. He also declares in John 14:6 that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; that no one comes to the Father accept through Him. We don’t get the option to believe that Jesus is just a good man, a teacher, or one of many prophets. We must face the fact that He is either a liar, a lunatic or the Lord as He says He is. Jesus is still asking each of us the question, “Who do you say that I am?” This Easter morning, do you know Him as the promised Messiah and the son of God resurrected from the grave? To all who believe, He is still revealing that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of April 13, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Have you ever felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole? Do you have the repetitive lies of the world going round and round in your head: “Not qualified, not smart, not pretty, too fat or too old”? Maybe it is time to heed the advice of this scripture and to stop trying to conform to the self eliminating standards of this world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Believe you are who God says you are; accepted in the beloved, (Eph. 1:6) fearfully and wonderfully made, (Ps. 139:14) child of God, (John 1:12) and that your gifts make room for you (Pr. 18:16). The more we focus on who God says we are the more we will clearly discern His good, pleasing and perfect will for us. Oh Lord, renew our minds with the washing of Your Word that we might find our perfect place in Your will. Amen.
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of April 6, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psalm 34:8,10 (NKJV)
Have you ever longed for the taste of something like the first sip of coffee in the morning, your favorite piece of pie or maybe the best decadent chocolate as it melts in your mouth? There is nothing quite like that first taste that is so satisfying; that causes us to savor or cherish the moment and is often accompanied by the feelings of comfort and happiness. This verse seems to encourage us that we don’t have to struggle and fret because we can’t understand the whole Bible or to grasp all the ways of God. If we will just begin to taste a little at a time of God’s love, goodness, mercy and grace we will want to keep seeking for more and more of Him as we see the blessings of His comfort, peace and joy in every aspect of our lives. O taste and see that the Lord is good!
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of March 30, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Have you ever felt like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz; lacking in strength and courage? Are you feeling overwhelmed and afraid of facing what may be ahead of you? The Lord spoke this word to Joshua as he faced the daunting challenge of leading the children of Israel into their promised land where they faced giants and enemy armies. Sometimes, we find impossible giants and overwhelming enemies in front of us, that we must overcome, on the road to our promised land of destiny, too. Our Almighty God would not command us to be strong and of good courage without also giving us the promise that He is with us and able to supply all our needs. (Philippians 4:19) Father God, grant us strength in our weakness, courage instead of fear, and renewed faith in the power of Your presence for the future and hope you have planned for us. God is Good! Amen! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of March 23, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods, in whose hand are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:3-6 (NASB)
Have you ever had your breath taken away by the beauty of an ocean sunset, stood in awe of snow capped mountains or thrilled by the delicate display of wild flowers in a meadow? Elohim, the Creator God, the most masterful of all artists, reveals Himself to us in the minuscule and extravagant details of His creation. God displays His majesty in the loftiness of mountain peaks and the splendor of ocean depths. We are humbled by His sovereignty expressed in the brilliant display of lightening and the blustering winds of powerful storms. His mercies that are new every morning are revealed in every glorious sunrise. The Lord tenderly captivates our hearts in the loveliness of butterfly wings, the fragrance of roses and the awe of a sleeping baby. Then, wonder of all wonders, He created us in His image and we are invited to call Him Father because loves us! Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Scripture OfThe Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the Week of March 16, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
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? Are you aware that darkness flees at the speed of light at 186,000 miles per second? In Genesis chapter one, God said, “Let there be light” and He created light to break out of the darkness. This verse reveals that God is also able to shine the light of His extravagant love into the dark places of woundedness, fear or shame in our hearts. He sheds the dawning light of His glory to know the perfection, beauty and resurrection power 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.” Let the light of Jesus’ love be shed into your heart (Romans 4:5) and through you to others as you follow Him. Grace, grace, Lord!
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of March 2, 2025
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 have joy through any circumstance? Biblically joy goes beyond emotional happiness which is dependent on whatever makes us feel good and it is temporary. Joy is primarily a choice and is dependent upon trusting in the sovereign goodness of God, even when we don’t feel it; knowing that He is Who He says He is as revealed to us in His Word. When this scripture mentions God’s place at the Psalmists right hand that implies giving Him the highest place of honor and absolute power in our lives. We learn in this scripture that when we choose to abide in His presence we can know the security of safety, overflowing joy and everlasting pleasure. His right hand holds all power and all authority in heaven and on earth to defend and provide for us. Lord, please go before us revealing the path of abundant life in Your presence and the fullness of joy we all long for. Amen.
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of February 23, 2025
By JoBeth Kested
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 to solve a baffling situation or revelation to grasp something beyond your understanding? Do you need renewed hope to see beyond impossible mountains too difficult to overcome? Wisdom requires discernment sometimes beyond our awareness, revelation can breakthrough as a dawning truth, and hope is the anticipation of a fulfilled need or desire. We are reminded in this scripture that in knowing Him, our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 the Lord. 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! Amen!
Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested
Scripture for the week of February 16, 2025
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 a blessing and joy to be loved like that! How awesome it is to know that when God sees us His face lights up, too! 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 (1Peter 2:9) 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 you 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. Hallelujah!