Tag Archive | Faithfulness

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Apr13

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

Apr6

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

Mar30

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 OfThe Week By JoBeth Kested

Mar16

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

Mar2

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

Feb16

 

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!

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Jan29

Scripture for the week of January 25, 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, and 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

Jan12

Scripture for the week of January 12, 2025
By JoBeth Kested

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1b-3a (NLT)

As we enter this new year are you facing rivers of difficulties or fires of oppression and afraid of being overcome? How wonderful to hear the Lord proclaim at the beginning of these verses that we are not to be afraid. Our God has already paid an exorbitant ransom price to set us free and He calls each of us by name! The Lord declares that because we belong to Him we have nothing to fear; He will not allow any difficulty, oppression or consuming circumstance to destroy us and that He is with us no matter what we have to face in the days ahead. What an awesome truth that He is not only The Lord and Holy God of Israel, but also chose to be our Savior through the blood of Jesus! Renew your trust in His loving care and protection to be your Savior today; rejoicing that you no longer walk alone.

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Jan5

Scripture for the week of January 5, 2025

By JoBeth Kested

Even when you are old, I (God) will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. Isaiah 46:4 (NCV)

As we face a new year and anticipate things unknown, do you ever have fear and worry about what the future may hold? The older we get the greater temptation it is to focus on the uncertainties and possibilities for unexpected difficulties and disasters that may come. What encouraging promises from The Lord in this scripture where God declares two times that He will take care of us; that He will even carry us and be there to save us! No matter what we may face, changing circumstances, financial limitations, deteriorating health or the fear of old age, our Father God, Who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, will care for us. As surely as He gave us life, He is more than able to provide, carry and save us no matter what we may face in the future ahead. We can confidently place our hope in our God. Thank You, Lord!

Scripture Of The Week By JoBeth Kested

Dec29

Scripture for the week of December 29, 2024
By JoBeth Kested

He (Moses) said, “Please show me your glory.” Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin…” Exodus 33:18, 34:6-7a (WEB)

Have you ever wondered what the glory of God is? Many might think it is the display of supernatural signs, wonders and miracles. God’s response to Moses’ request to see His glory is the revelation of His endless mercy, loving kindness, compassion and forgiveness towards all who are separated from Him. The Hebrew meaning of His name Yahweh is, “I Am that I Am”. So, God is declaring in these verses, “I Am that I really, really Am a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, abundant in truth, extending loving kindness and forgiveness to thousands who are separated from me in their rebellious ways.” May we always discover the glory of God’s merciful love and forgiveness for us when we stumble from our foolish and selfish choices. Lord, let the grace of Your glorious light breakthrough the darkness in the world as we look toward the new year ahead. Amen!