Tag Archive | Compassion

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Apr7

Scripture of the week for April, 2024
By JoBeth Kested

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12 (NIV)

Have you ever heard someone say, “I love you to the moon and back” as an expression of their love? God declares the magnitude of His love for us if as there is no end to the height of the heavens above the earth! But, what does it mean to fear the Lord? It simply means great reverence and awe for the Almighty-Omnipotent-Creator-Ruler God of the universe and to acknowledge that He is also the Lord over us individually, as well. When we receive the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus, our Father God extends His lovingkindness that removes the consequences of our failure to meet His standards of holiness and perfection as far from us as the east is from the west! How wonderful it is to understand that east and west can never ever meet! May we choose the fear of the Lord and experience God’s extravagant love for us that is over the rainbow, beyond the moon and to the height of the heavens!

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Mar11

Scripture for the week of March 10, 2024
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 sorrows. 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.)

Everyone Has A Portion by Beth Auman

Mar7

What will you do with your portion?

crocus

Every person has a portion. God created each of us with purpose. The Bible says:  Psalm 16:5 (Voice) You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup. In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches.

Your portion is the portion that God designed for you and giving your portion has everything to do with your purpose. It contains everything that God designed for you to give back to Him throughout your entire lifetime. Your portion is your key when it comes to anything that we need from God.

Each of us has free will and we can choose to give God our portion or keep it. If we give our portion back to Him, He will give us what we need. If we bury our portion deep down inside and refuse to allow God access then we receive nothing back from Him.

Many people live their entire lives and never give God His portion. They die in sin and never fulfill their purpose. That is very sad. Many Christians never give their entire portion to God and they do not fulfill their purpose. Take a moment and ponder what the Church would be on this earth if we all gave 100% of our portion to God. What an amazing world to live in would that be?

God created each of us a storehouse, filled with everything that we need in this life. There are keys to our storehouse and these keys communicate with God in a way that you may not have ever thought.  When our hearts are open to Him in every area of life and we can come to Him with total abandon – our spirit plays a symphony to Him. There is a melody within each one of us and our song is incomplete many times because we have hidden places within ourselves that we refuse God access.

At church for example, many times I have gone and with total abandon given Him 100%. Other times I have been preoccupied and repented later because I did not give my portion in total abandon to Him in worship. He is so worthy of my all. He is so worthy of your all. Giving Him our all plays a melody to Him – a pure communication and He answers every time. When we give Him our all we give Him access to us 100% of the time.

When we open ourselves to Him and give back all that He has given to us. When we cry out to Him and He hears the song that He wrote inside us crying out to Him in total abandon, He answers and provides whatever that need is. But when we hold back and keep negativity, unforgiveness, bitterness, rejection, shame, hate, anger, fornication, sin, dark cords of our soul inside ourselves, He is not answering.  God provided His son Jesus as the perfect lamb slain on the cross. He took our shame, sin and iniquity onto Himself and His blood created a pure path back to God. We can communicate, sing our song, worship, pray, intercede, cry from our heart, come before God – only through the blood of Jesus Christ. When we do this He answers and provides.

Each and everyone of us has to remember that it is our freewill and choice to give God our portion. If we don’t give Him full access, how can we expect Him to? We have all had times of darkness in our lives, only by allowing God in can Jesus bring His life – for light overcomes darkness – every single time.  John 1:5 (VOICE) 5 A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched.

I want to give Him my all. I don’t want to withhold anything. I don’t want to become ensnared by others religious traditions, nor their repetitious sayings. I want my worship to come out of my being like a flower blooms in the sunshine.

It is my desire to yield into God in every area of this life that He has given me. Worship, prophecy, prayer, intercession, financial, watchman, healing, wisdom, revelation, counsel, power, knowledge and the fear of The LORD Most High, in every area and aspect of me with nothing hidden from Him. If He desires to use Me in any way, I set my will to come in line with His in Jesus Name.

Declare this with me today: So beginning today and everyday hereafter LORD, I give You access to all that I am. Take me, use me, help me focus on You and yield unto You all that I am, all that I will ever be and all that I will ever do. Help me give You my entire portion and fulfill my purpose eternally in Jesus Mighty and Strong Name. Amen.

Matthew 22:37-40 (VOICE)

Jesus (quoting Scripture): 37 “Love the Eternal One your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.”[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is nearly as important, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 40 The rest of the law, and all the teachings of the prophets, are but variations on these themes.

Psalm 42:8 (Voice) Yet in the light of day, the Eternal shows me His love. When night settles in and all is dark,He keeps me company— His soothing song, a prayerful melody to the True God of my life.

Psalm 81:2 (Voice) Sing and strike up a melody; sound the tambourine, strum the sweet lyre and the harp.

Psalm 98:5 (Voice) Make music to the Eternal with the harp; sing a beautiful melody with the harp and chorus.

John 3:16 (VOICE) 16 For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. 

Psalm 16:5 (NASB) 5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.

Mark 4- All

Blessings and Shalom – Love Beyond Measure, Beth

 

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Oct29

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

Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:1-2 (NLT)

Everyone at one time or another suffers the wounds of failed relationships whether it is family, a spouse, best friend or a boss. The hurt, grief, betrayal, injustice and anger can be extremely difficult to deal with or overcome. We can spin our mental and emotional wheels endlessly asking the questions “Why me?”, “How did this happen?”, and “What if…?” yet never finding the answers to soothe our hurting souls. This scripture reminds us that God’s love for ALL nations and ALL people never ends and never fails. No matter our color or culture we will always find His arms open to receive and restore us in His love that will never end! No matter our faults or failures our circumstances or sorrows the promise and healing hope of the Lord’s steadfast unfailing love knows no barriers nor boundaries. Let us ALL lift our voice in gratitude for God’s endless unfailing love and Praise The Lord!

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Aug13

Scripture for the week of August 13, 2023
By JoBeth Kested

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (HCSB)

Have you ever been awed and captivated by the majestic beauty of the mountains? Some of us welcome the challenges of hiking and climbing mountains for the thrill of enjoying the breathtaking scenic beauty, the fresh smell of pine trees, and the enrapturing views from lofty peaks. But, sometimes we may face the treacherous slopes of life’s daunting dilemmas and mountains of difficulties that can seem impossible to climb. We need to be reminded that no matter how insurmountable our problems may be, the Lord is with us, He hears our cries and is able to lift us up higher than we ever thought we could climb on our own. Trust the Lord today to see your mountain of impossibilities as a mountain of opportunity to be overcome in the power of His might. Look up and hold out your hand to The Lord God Almighty, Who is already reaching out to you! Praise the Lord!

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Jul23

Scripture for the week of July 23, 2023

A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 (HCSB)

Have you ever enjoyed the craziness of a scavenger hunt where you are dependent upon finding the clues to guide where you need to go next? Sometimes, we can feel stuck in our life without a map or plan to follow and no clue of how to proceed. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we can find ourselves feeling helpless, like stumbling along in the dark with a fear of failing and falling. How encouraging it is to learn in these scriptures that we can trust that the Lord takes pleasure in establishing our steps and showing us the way we need to go. He promises that even if we stumble along the way, He is holding our hand to strengthen and protect us from the overwhelming fear of falling. Lord, establish our steps, please hold our hand and protect us as we follow you out of the dark and confusing times of our lives. Amen.

By JoBeth Kested

Choose to Walk in the LIGHT by Beth Auman

Jul20

The words “But if” implies a choice that is being presented to us. . 7 But if we are walking in the light, as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of his Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

We must choose to walk in the light as He Yeshua (Jesus) is in the light… then once the choice has been made, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of His Son Yeshua (Jesus) purifies us from all sin.

Dear one, this choice must be made in every circumstance that we face. If we slander, speak or seek unholy angry, selfish, disrespectful, disparaging words against our brothers and sisters, we are not walking in His Light. We are in fact walking in sin and darkness.

Abba, forgive us for our refusal to walk in the Light Yeshua (Jesus) as He is in the Light. He IS the Light!

We choose You Yeshua (Jesus). We ask for and offer forgiveness to anyone who has spoken wickedly against us and anyone that we have spoken wickedly against. We apply Yeshua (Jesus) blood over our brothers and sisters as well as ourselves.

We set our will to walk in The Light Yeshua

(Jesus). We choose Your will and Your eat, today and everyday and circumstances that we find ourselves in.

John 8:12 CJB 12 Yeshua spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.”
John 14:6 CJB 6 Yeshua said, “I AM the Way — and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.

We choose Yeshua (Jesus), today and every day. Thank You Abba for Your Son! Your Plan for our lives. In Yeshua (Jesus) Name Amen

Please read all of 1John 1. Ask Abba to reveal His Light Yeshua (Jesus).

1 John 1 CJB

1 The Word, which gives life!
He existed from the beginning.
We have heard him,
we have seen him with our eyes,
we have contemplated him,
we have touched him with our hands!

2 The life appeared,
    and we have seen it.
We are testifying to it
    and announcing it to you —
eternal life!

He was with the Father,
    and he appeared to us.
3 What we have seen and heard,
    we are proclaiming to you;
so that you too
    may have fellowship with us.
Our fellowship is with the Father
    and with his Son, Yeshua the Messiah.
4 We are writing these things
        so that our joy may be complete.

5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him — none!

6 If we claim to have fellowship with him while we are walking in the darkness, we are lying and not living out the truth. 7 But if we are walking in the light, as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of his Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim not to have sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.

10 If we claim we have not been sinning, we are making him out to be a liar, and his Word is not in us.

Blessings and Shalom- Love Beyond Measure, Beth Auman

Walk in The Light.

Declaration For Today In Yeshua’s Name

Jul8

Psalm 46 CJB

46 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:

2 (1) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid,
even if the earth gives way,
even if the mountains tumble
into the depths of the sea,
4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam,
and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)

5 (4) There is a river whose streams
gladden the city of God,
the holy habitation of ‘Elyon —
6 (5) God is in the city.
It will not be moved —
when daybreak comes, God will help it.
7 (6) Nations were in turmoil,
kingdoms were moved;
his voice thundered forth,
and the earth melted away.

8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth.
10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease —
he breaks the bow, snaps the spear,
burns the shields in the fire.
11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God,
supreme over the nations,
supreme over the earth.”

12 (11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)

Abba, we come before Your throne today in Yeshua’s Name and declare and decree Psalm 46. You are with us, You are our fortress!! Be who You are! We will not limit You by our human thinking! We need you to be who You are in Your fullness!!Amen

Blessings and Shalom – Love Beyond Measure, Beth Auman

Declaration For Today In Jesus Name

Feb22

Psalm 36:1-13 CJB For the leader. By David, the servant of Adonai: Crime speaks to the wicked. I perceive this in my heart; before his eyes there is no fear of God. For, the way he sees it, crime makes his life easy — that is, until his wrongs are discovered; then, he is hated. His words are wrong and deceitful; he has stopped being wise and doing good. He devises trouble as he lies in bed; so set is he on his own bad way that he doesn’t hate evil. Adonai, in the heavens is your grace; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, your judgments are like the great deep. You save man and beast, Adonai. How precious, God, is your grace! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings, they feast on the rich bounty of your house, and you have them drink from the stream of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your grace to those who know you and your righteousness to the upright in heart. Don’t let the foot of the proud tread on me or the hands of the wicked drive me away. There they lie fallen, those evildoers, flung down and unable to rise.

Declared in Jesus Name

Blessings and Shalom in Jesus Name- Love Beyond Measure, Beth Auman

Discerning Between Good Or God By JoBeth Kested

Apr28

JB05

 

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