Tag Archive | Courage

Scripture Of The Week by JoBeth Kested

Apr23

Scripture for the week of April 21, 2024
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 demeaning 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

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

 

Blessed or Cursed

Oct30

YHWH’s Word is Truth. The choice is of course yours. Many seem to be running after the curse.

We must rise up and pray that they see past their intellectualism. They obviously have never actually heard the Truth.

Abba, Today we align ourselves with Your Word Yeshua and in His Name for all who are deceived. For every evil institution that would propagate hatred against Your people and land Israel.

For this reason, ever since I heard about your trust in the Lord Yeshua and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you. In my prayers I keep asking the God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you will have full knowledge of him. I pray that he will give light to the eyes of your hearts, so that you will understand the hope to which he has called you, what rich glories there are in the inheritance he has promised his people, and how surpassingly great is his power working in us who trust him. It works with the same mighty strength he used when he worked in the Messiah to raise him from the dead and seat him at his right hand in heaven, far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion or any other name that can be named either in the ‘olam hazeh or in the ‘olam haba. Also, he has put all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the Messianic Community, which is his body, the full expression of him who fills all creation. Ephesians 1:15-23 CJB

Abraham’s Covenant Stands and we are those who declare it today.

Parashah 3: Lekh L’kha (Get yourself out) 12:1–17:27Now said to Avram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 CJB

YHWH’s Word IS True! You choose today.. Blessing or Curse and remember that His Son Yeshua shed His blood so that you could have a choice!

Please ask Yeshua-Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today. Lay the devil, demonic hate down and step into The Truth! Repent for your hatred, for believing this lie and ask YHWH to forgive you in Yeshua’s Name.

Welcome to the Kingdom..welcome to the Blessings

Love Beyond Measure-Blessings and Shalom, Beth Auman

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

Aug7

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

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

Blooming In The Hard Place By JoBeth Kested

Apr23

jbBloomThis is a picture of my first pansies to bloom this spring. I was so surprised to see them blooming in the minuscule cracks of a hard place instead of the soft prepared soil of my garden. I felt like the Lord was speaking to me through these pansies when I first noticed them this week.

Have you ever felt like you are between a rock and a hard place? We’re facing some hard changes in our circumstances and the very real possibility of some hard decisions ahead. Lately, I often feel rather delicate, small and fragile just like these little pansies. I was so intrigued to see them bloom and thrive in the crevice of some old cement. They are obviously so much stronger than they look and by the grace of God, so am I! It seems like such a great illustration of the hope we have in the Lord’s promises of His provision, protection, and blessings for us no matter how hard our current situation seems to be.

These blooming little fragile pansies may be a small thing, but it encourages me to know that if God can provide for some delicate pansies to thrive and display such beauty in a difficult place, how much more is His desire to take good care of us. In Philippians 4:19 we have the promise that “My God will supply all your need according to His riches in Glory in Jesus”.

Lord, help us to trust You for the protection and miraculous provision for us in the hard places we often find ourselves in. Thank You for the promises in Your Word that are light unto out path and a life preserver to cling to. Thank You for Your peace that passes understanding, Your strength in our weakness and for the hope of Your sufficient amazing grace for each day. And thank You for helping us to bloom in the hard places to display your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

 

Encouraging Scriptures

 

“…For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future…”Jeremiah 29:11

 

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

 

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness . Isaiah 41:1

 

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

 

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Psalms 138:8

 

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

 

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9-10

 

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

 

He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9

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

 ©JoBeth Kested 2014