When you share your struggles with Me, I’ll hold you close and fill you with My sweet Peace. You don’t have to pretend that everything is okay. You can be real with Me - and with yourself. Then you can rest in the safety of My Presence, trusting that I understand you perfectly and that I love you with an everlasting Love.
Finding the Good in Between
There are seasons when life feels like one long stretch of pain. When every prayer feels unanswered and every day feels the same. When the weight of what has gone wrong seems heavier than anything good that could possibly come. But even then, there are still moments of light. They are not always big or obvious. Sometimes they come softly, almost hidden. Yet they are there, tucked between the ache and the waiting.
You have to learn to find them. Because the truth is, life will never be perfect, but it will always carry pieces of grace. You may not be where you hoped to be, but there is still beauty in where you are. You may be exhausted, but someone smiled at you today. You may feel forgotten, but the sun still rose just for you. You may be tired of trying, but you are still here. That means hope is still alive somewhere inside you.
The good moments do not erase the bad ones, but they remind you that the darkness does not win. Every time you laugh when you thought you could not, that is light breaking through. Every time you feel even a small spark of peace, that is evidence that God is near. Every time you get up again, even when your heart hurts, that is strength being reborn.
God’s goodness is not only in the grand miracles or the perfect endings. It is in the middle of the mess. It is in the moments when something kind happens right after you were about to give up. It is in the calm that comes for no reason at all. It is in the quiet assurance that even when everything hurts, you are still being held.
Finding the good in between is a choice. It is deciding to stop waiting for everything to make sense before you see what is still beautiful. It is letting your heart soften instead of shut down. It is remembering that joy is not gone, it is just hidden behind the noise of your pain. The bad days may come, but so will the good ones. And the good ones are worth noticing.
Prayer: God, sometimes it is hard to see anything good when everything feels broken. But I know You are still near, even when I do not feel it. Help me to notice Your presence in the quiet, to see Your goodness in the small things, and to remember that every moment of light is a gift from You. Thank You for being faithful even in between the hard days.
- Ellie Mont
Q&A: What Are The Beatitudes?
Verses: Matthew 5:1-12
1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated
His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’
sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and
say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be
exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.
What Are the Beatitudes?
[per “GotQuestions”]
The Beatitudes are the eight declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12), each beginning with "Blessed are..." It is debated as to exactly how many beatitudes there are. Some speak of seven, nine, or ten beatitudes, but the number appears to be eight (verses 10-12 of Matthew 5 being one beatitude).
The Greek word translated “blessed” means “happy, blissful” or, literally, “to be enlarged.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word to refer to more than a superficial happiness; in this context, blessed refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity. The happiness is a deep joy of the soul. Those who experience the first aspect of a beatitude (poor, mourn, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted) will also experience the second aspect of the beatitude (kingdom of heaven, comfort, inherit the earth, filled, mercy, see God, called sons of God, inherit the kingdom of heaven). The blessed have a share in salvation and have entered the kingdom of God, experiencing a foretaste of heaven. Another possible rendering of the beginning of each beatitude is “O the bliss [or blessedness] of . . . .”
Application Of God's Word
Verse: Deuteronomy 32:47a
They are not just idle words for you - they are your life.
Application:
It's puzzling that so many Christians try to live the Christian life without reading their Bible, except for sporadic perusals of God's Word, seeking a pithy thought for the day. The Word of God is not merely a source of helpful suggestions, preventive warnings, or inspirational thoughts: It is life itself!
God commanded His people to bind His words on their hearts, to teach them diligently to their children, and to regularly discuss them in their homes (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). So essential was His Word that it was to hold a prominent place in the daily lives of His people.
To blatantly disregard God's Word is to reject life itself. To obey God's Word is the surest way to experience all that God has in store for us.
The Bible can sit on your bookshelf and gather dust, or you can make it a vital part of your life by regularly setting aside time to study it. When you discover the wisdom of God's message, you will want to apply it to your life and pass it on to your family and others. The Bible is not merely good reading - it's real help for real life.
Resources:
• Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby
• “Life Application Bible Notes”
Jesus Wants You To Know...
"When you’re tired and weak, turn to Me - the source of your Strength. Sometimes I will instantly pour My Power into you. Other times, I will make you stronger bit by bit, giving you just enough strength to do the next right thing. This is My way of keeping you close to Me, talking to Me, and leaning on Me. When you are close to Me, you can hear Me whisper how much I love you. Trust Me - the Lord God - and I will give you strength."
"My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need."
- Philippians 4:19
- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young
- Philippians 4:19
- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young
Believing God Is Protecting You
Sometimes faith asks us to trust in what we cannot see. Believing that God is protecting you is not always easy. Life can feel heavy, chaotic, and even frightening, and it’s natural to wonder if anyone is truly watching over you. But God’s protection is real, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
To believe that God is protecting you is to rest in His presence, knowing that nothing escapes His notice. It means trusting that He is guarding your heart, mind, body, and spirit. Even in moments of uncertainty, God is creating a hedge around you, keeping harm at bay and guiding your steps. His protection may not always look like we expect. Sometimes it comes as closed doors, quiet redirection, or the subtle courage to endure trials.
Faith in God’s protection doesn’t remove challenges, but it changes how you face them. Instead of living in fear, you walk in the assurance that God is with you. You find peace in the storms, strength in weakness, and courage in the unknown. Trusting God’s protection is an act of surrender, choosing to believe His promises over your doubts.
When you feel vulnerable, remember the Scriptures: “The Lord will keep you from all harm; He will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7). Let these words sink into your heart. Meditate on the ways God has been faithful before. Reflect on the unseen ways He shields, guides, and provides.
Believing God is protecting you is an ongoing choice. It is a declaration of faith in the midst of life’s uncertainties. It is a reminder that no matter what comes your way, God’s eyes are on you, His hands are holding you, and His heart is devoted to your safety and well-being.
Surrender your fears. Trust His timing. Rest in His care. You are never outside of His protection, and His love is unwavering.
- Ellie Mont