Jesus Wants You To Know...

"A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Gratitude enables you to see the Light of My Presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy."

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" - Hebrews 12:28-29

- "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

When you thank Me during a difficult day, you are assuming the proper stance for a child of God. If you persevere in this thankfulness, resisting the temptation to grumble, you can find Joy and Peace in the midst of your struggles.

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe." - Hebrews 12:28

- "Dear Jesus" by Sarah Young

Hope In God's Goodness

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 (NKJV)

There was a time when someone spoke Psalm 27:13 over me, praying “that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.” Not just someday in heaven. Not just once I was free from the pain of this world. Here. In the middle of the brokenness I was drowning in.

At the time, I couldn’t receive it. I couldn’t even imagine it. I believed in God’s goodness … for other people. For the ones whose prayers seemed to get answers, whose lives looked stitched together. But not for me. The absence of joy felt like a final verdict in my life, and all I could see was sorrow. Hopelessness kept me stuck, rooted in despair.

Hannah knew that kind of sorrow too. We see in 1 Samuel 1 how she longed for a child, but year after year, her womb remained closed. In her anguish, she poured out her soul before the Lord - weeping bitterly, praying silently. But Hannah kept showing up. She believed, even in her pain, that she would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And in time, she did. She gave birth to Samuel, who would become one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

In fact, Samuel anointed King David, whose words in Psalm 27 echo Hannah’s story. She could have let the silence of unanswered prayers convince her that God had forgotten her. But instead she clung to hope. And she witnessed God’s goodness.

Hope can feel fragile when life is loud with pain. Sometimes it seems safer to brace ourselves for disappointment than to believe God’s goodness might actually break through in our lifetime, in our story, in our ache.

Maybe, like me, you’ve found yourself in that gray space where it feels like hope has packed its bags and moved on without you. You still whisper prayers, or maybe even shout, but heaven seems to hold its breath. You hear others testifying to answered prayers and overflowing blessings, and you quietly wonder, What about me?

Psalm 27:13 offers a lifeline: “I would have despaired had I not believed …”

What did David believe? That goodness was coming. Not just in eternity but here. On this side of heaven. God is not done. This chapter isn’t the whole story.

It’s not easy to cling to hope sometimes. But even if you’re in a season of silence or sorrow, may this be a sacred moment of trust, an act of gentle defiance against despair. May you dare to believe, even with trembling hands, that goodness is still chasing you down. Even now. Especially now.

Lord, when my heart feels thin and hope feels far away, steady me again with the promise of Your goodness. Remind me, like You reminded Hannah, that You see every silent prayer and every hidden ache. Help me cling to You with quiet courage, believing I will see Your goodness. Lift my eyes, strengthen my spirit, and let hope rise again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Tabitha Yates

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. My perspective is unlimited by time. Because I am infinite, I am able to see and understand everything at once. This makes Me the ideal Person to be in charge of your life. I know the ending of your earth-life as well as I know its beginning - and I know everything in between. You are finite and fallen; your understanding is limited and far from perfect. So trusting in Me rather than relying on your own understanding is the most reasonable way to live; it is also the most joyful."

"And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'" - Revelation 21:6 (NKJV)

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Focus On The Heart Of Christmas...

The closer it gets to Christmas, the more our hearts can ache. Lights, music, and celebrations can feel like a contrast to the emptiness, grief, or longing we carry. It is normal to feel sadness, frustration, or even guilt for not feeling “joyful enough.”

The first thing to remember is that feeling this way does not make you weak or faithless. Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow. He wept, grieved, and carried burdens. Our hearts are allowed to feel deeply, even during seasons that the world calls “merry.”

One way to handle this season is to intentionally create space for your feelings. You do not have to force joy. You can acknowledge your grief, pray through it, and let God hold it for you. Sometimes writing down your feelings, talking with someone you trust, or quietly sitting with God can bring relief. Even lighting a candle, listening to soft music, or reading Scripture can provide a gentle anchor for your soul.

Another way is to focus on the heart of Christmas. Beyond gifts, parties, and traditions, Christmas is about God coming near, about Emmanuel. He understands loneliness, sorrow, and brokenness because He entered a world that carried all of it. Leaning into Him, reflecting on His presence and love, can bring peace even when joy feels distant.

It’s also okay to protect your energy. If certain gatherings, songs, or social media triggers make the ache worse, it is not sinful to step back. Give yourself permission to grieve, to remember, and to simply survive the season. Sometimes the best thing you can do is show yourself the same kindness God shows you.

Finally, find small ways to bring light into your own heart and the lives of others. Acts of kindness, reaching out to someone who may be struggling, or quietly serving without expectation can create moments of connection and purpose even when your own joy feels dim.

Remember, this season does not demand that you feel happy all the time. It only invites you to let God meet you where you are, in your sadness, your hope, your memories, and your longing.

Prayer: God, this season is hard for me. My heart feels heavy, and the world’s cheer feels far away. Meet me in this sadness. Hold the parts of me that ache. Help me to feel Your presence even when joy feels distant. Teach me to be gentle with myself and to trust that You are near, Emmanuel, with me in every sorrow and every hope. Amen.

- Ellie Mont

How Can I Experience Joy In My Christian Life?

Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be a part of every Christian’s life. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced by God’s work in us, and it is part of God’s will for us.

We know that even the most mature of God’s people experience periods of joylessness. For instance, Job wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). David prayed to be taken away to a place where he would not have to deal with reality (Psalm 55:6-8). Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (1 Kings 18:16-46), fled into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-5). If these men struggled, how can we experience consistent joy in the Christian life?

The first thing is to realize that joy is a gift from God. The root word for joy in the Greek is chara, which is closely related with the Greek charis for “grace.” Joy is both a gift of God as well as a response to the gifts of God. Joy comes when we are aware of God’s grace and relish His favor.

With this in mind, it’s evident that one way to experience joy is to focus on God. Rather than dwelling on our difficulties or those things robbing our contentment, we can dwell on God. This is not to say we should deny our discontent or stuff negative emotions. Following the example of many of the psalmists, we can pour out our hearts to God. We can tell Him bluntly all the things that ail us. But then we submit those things to Him, remember who He is, and are happy in Him. Psalms 3, 13, 18, 43, and 103 are good examples.

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I want you to learn to be joyful always by connecting your Joy to Me first and foremost. One way of doing this is to remember that I love you at all times and in all circumstances. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, My unfailing Love for you will not be shaken. So don’t give in to the temptation to doubt My Love when things don’t go as you would like or when you have failed in some way. My loving Presence is the solid rock on which you can always stand - knowing that in Me you are eternally secure."

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

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

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"When you’re feeling sad, I want you to anticipate feeling joyful again. This takes the sting out of your sorrow, because you know it is only temporary. Sadness tends to duplicate itself along the timeline - convincing you that you will always be unhappy. But that is a lie! I urge you to turn away from the lie, choosing rather to trust Me and all I have promised you. The truth is, all My children have infinite Joy ahead of them: reserved in heaven, guaranteed throughout eternity! No one can take this away from you."

“Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” - John 16:22 (NKJV) - "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young

Life Seasons

Life has seasons where everything feels flat, where nothing seems to bring joy, and those seasons can feel endless. But they don’t define your worth, and they don’t define your future.

Even the people we read about in the Bible had moments like this. David was called a man after God’s own heart, yet he cried, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:5). Elijah, after doing incredible things for God, sat under a tree and said he wanted to give up. These were not losers. These were people caught in deep valleys, and God met them there.

Joy isn’t gone forever. Sometimes it goes quiet, buried under the weight of exhaustion, grief, or disappointment. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’re in a tender place where God wants to meet you differently. You don’t have to make joy happen on your own. Joy is a gift, and it will come again, even if right now all you can do is breathe and take the smallest steps forward.

Your life is not over. You are not behind. You are not worthless. You are in the middle of a story that God is still writing, even if the page you’re on feels blank. And sometimes, in those blank chapters, He’s planting things you can’t see yet.

If nothing is sparking joy right now, maybe the invitation is not to chase joy but to rest in God’s presence and let Him hold you until joy returns. You are loved, seen, and not forgotten. - Ellie Mont

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I am training you to be an overcomer - to find Joy in the midst of circumstances that previously would have defeated you. Your ability to transcend trouble is based on this rock-solid fact: I have overcome the world; I have already won the ultimate victory! Nonetheless, as I taught, you will have trouble in this world. So expect to encounter many difficulties as you journey through life. You inhabit a planet that is always at war, and the enemy of your soul never rests. But don’t be afraid, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. This is good reason to rejoice!" - "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

The Miscalculation of Joy

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3 (ESV)

I thought I had it figured out: Walk closely with God, make wise decisions, pray fervently, and then joy will naturally follow.

But instead, I found long waits, unanswered prayers, and moments that didn’t feel joyful at all.

It didn’t add up.

Maybe you’ve been there too. Times of doing all the “right” things - being faithful, serving, consistently praying - but joy still feels distant. You start wondering: Where did I go wrong? Shouldn’t things be different?

That’s when God gently interrupted my thinking with a truth I’d overlooked.

I had been measuring joy by how comfortable life felt. I didn't think of it as something that could exist in the middle of the struggle. But then James 1:2-3 came alive to me: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

“Count it all joy … when you meet trials.” Not just when things make sense. Not just after prayers are answered with a breakthrough. In all of it. Even the hard stuff.

James wasn’t saying trials are fun - he was saying they’re meaningful. They’re not wasted. God uses them to strengthen and refine us. He gives us more than fleeting joy - it’s the kind that lasts.

At first, I wrestled with this. I wanted joy to come after the hard part. But then I remembered what Nehemiah 8:10 says: “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (ESV). True joy doesn’t depend on how life looks - it’s rooted in knowing God is with us, even in uncertainty.

Galatians 5:22 reminds us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. That means God grows it in us. We don’t have to fake it or force it. And often, that growth happens in quiet, unseen, less-than-joyful places. When we love those who are hard to love. When we trust God without knowing the outcome. When we choose to keep going with heavy hearts. When we do these things, heaven notices.

If joy feels out of reach, it doesn’t mean your faith is broken. It might just mean God is growing some deep and lasting fruit in your heart. Abide in Him. Trials aren’t proof He’s abandoned you; they’re part of how He cultivates your endurance.

A farmer plants, waters, and waits. He doesn’t see results right away, but he trusts the process. I’m not a farmer, but I know what it’s like to stare at the ground of my circumstances and wonder if good can grow from this.

Yet even in the wondering, the joy God gives is steady, rooted in His presence and not in perfect circumstances. Let's keep pressing forward. God is working in our struggle.

Joy isn’t a finish line - it’s fruit that grows as we walk with Jesus.

God, when I miscalculate joy by measuring it through ease and comfort, remind me that true joy is found in Your presence, even during trials. Help me see the fruit of deep joy that You’re growing within my heart. Strengthen my trust in Your process. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Jackie Smith-Bell
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Bitterness

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God

and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Hebrews 12:15

Bitterness has a tenacious way of taking root deep within the soul and resisting all efforts to weed it out. Bitterness occurs for many reasons. It might come from deep hurts you received as a child, hurts you cannot forget. Time, rather than diminishing the hurt, only seems to sharpen the pain. Bitterness can result from the hurtful words of a friend or coworker. Often the person who hurt you is unaware of the extent of your bitterness. You find yourself rehearsing the offense over and over again, each time driving the root of bitterness deeper within your soul. Bitterness can derive from a sense of being unjustly treated.

Bitterness is easy to justify. You can get so used to a bitter heart that you are even comfortable with it, but it will destroy you. Only God is fully aware of its destructive potential. There is nothing so deeply imbedded in your heart that God's grace cannot reach down and remove it. No area in your life is so painful that God's grace cannot bring total healing. No offense committed against you is so heinous that God's love cannot enable you to forgive.

When you allow bitterness to grow in your life, you reject the grace of God that can free you. If you are honest before God, you will admit the bitterness and allow God to forgive you. Bitterness enslaves you, but God is prepared to remove your bitterness and replace it with His peace and joy.

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

I Repeat: Rejoice!

Scripture:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. - Philippians 4:4
 
Reflect:
Where do you try to find joy in your life? Where does Paul say joy can always be found?
 
There are so many things to enjoy in this life. God has blessed us to be sure! But have you ever noticed how some of our very favorite things let us down? For example, I really enjoy watching Husker football. But if I looked solely to Husker wins for the source of my joy, I’d be depressed right about now. I also really enjoy a nice steak dinner. But all it takes is for the chef to overcook it and I’m disappointed. I enjoy my family more than any other earthly thing but sometimes my wife and I get in disagreements or my kids don’t obey. I can’t count on other people, even my family, to be a constant source of joy.
 
But in today’s verse, Paul repeats one the most important themes of his letter to Philippians. He reminds the Philippians to rejoice! But not in just anything. He reminds them to rejoice in the Lord. Not just when things are going well for them either. He says to rejoice in the Lord always. It was so important for him to get his point across that he even repeated it again!
 
Paul knew that in order for the Philippians to stand firm in their faith, they needed to have their joy rooted in the right place. Otherwise, once they faced trials and tribulations, they would fall away. And they would face trials. Paul knew this firsthand. And yet, Paul remained full of joy. This joy wasn’t a superficial happiness. He wasn’t slapping on a fake smile throughout his imprisonment. This was a deep abiding joy that enabled him to endure even the worst suffering because his joy was in the Lord and his hope was in the promises He had made.
 
In Romans 12:12, Paul said: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” How could he say this? “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). He had set his eyes on Jesus Christ and compared to Him and His glory, the troubles of this world seemed small in comparison.
 
All of the good things on earth are still just that - earthly things. They are temporary and imperfect. If you are counting on your health, wealth, family, friends, possessions, career, etc. to be the source of your joy, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and heartache. But if your joy is rooted in the Lord and the future hope of His promises, you will remain steadfast. So rejoice! I repeat: rejoice! But not in the things of this earth. Rejoice only and always in Him.
 
Pray:
Lord, You alone are my constant source of joy. I know that everything else I enjoy will eventually let me down. But if my hope is in You and Your promises, I will always have a reason to rejoice. Amen.

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Choose To Rejoice

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the prisoners were listening to them.

Acts 16:25
[Acts 16:25-34]

Your joy as a Christian should not depend on your circumstances. Joy comes from God, and therefore it cannot be affected by what is outside of you. Don't be fooled into letting the actions of others determine your joy. True joy comes from knowing that God Himself lives within you and has fellowship with you, regardless of your environment. Real joy lies in the knowledge that holy God has completely forgiven you of every sin, and even now, He has a home prepared in heaven where you can spend eternity with Him (John 14:3). The circumstances of your life cannot change these truths!

Paul and Silas faced some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. They were falsely accused, arrested, and imprisoned. They were beaten and shackled in the darkest, coldest section of the prison. But they refused to allow their horrific situation to dampen their joy! They did not blame God for allowing these things to happen to them. Instead, they praised Him for His goodness! In the darkness of the night, they prayed and they sang. God brought a miracle that released them from their chains, but perhaps the greater miracle was that His Holy Spirit could so fill them that even in their painful imprisonment they could overflow with joy!

Do not allow difficult events to cancel the joy of knowing you are a child of God. Choose to allow God's Spirit to fill you with His unquenchable joy, and your life will be a miracle to those who watch you face the trials that come.

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Gazing At The Beauty Of God

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27:4

I chased a sunrise the other day.

It was a clear morning, the first in many days, and I knew God was about to put on a good show. Not wanting to miss a minute of it, I laced up my shoes and headed out the door.

With my eyes on the sky, I briskly wound my way through the streets that I knew would take me to the place holding the best first glimpses of the morning light. I’d seen the sun ascend there many times before, but for some reason, the desire to witness it that morning was particularly intense. 

Finally arriving at the perfect place, I stopped and simply stared at the rising sphere of light slowly coloring the sky. I took a few pictures and blessed God for the beauty of a new morning.

And that was it.

I don’t exactly know what I was expecting, but no profound thoughts flooded my mind. No epiphanies dawned on me. No voices from within whispered any words.

Yet as I continued my walk, my heart felt full. Alive. Curiously, the simple act of staring at the beautiful sunrise was enough, and it satisfied my soul. 

I wonder if this is what David had in mind when he wrote of his greatest desire in Psalm 27:4: (CSB) “to dwell in the house of the LORD … gazing on the beauty of the LORD.” 

It seems David experienced soul satisfaction in the simple act of staring at the Lord’s beauty and splendor. But too often, when I “gaze at God” in my quiet time, I’m only looking for thoughts to jot down, Bible verses to highlight, or answers to settle my questions. When this is the case, my soul can lack freshness and life.

When I slow down and sometimes set the pen aside to gaze at the beauty of God like I would a glorious sunrise, catching by faith’s eye the colorful display of His splendor, I am transformed. My soul fills, comes to life, and finds joy.

Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In [God’s] presence is abundant joy” (CSB).

This makes me think there are times when our souls don’t need more information, documentation, or memorization. Maybe they just need more admiration. Admiration of the One whose magnificence and majesty alone is enough to satisfy our souls.

Is your soul feeling empty or running low on joy today? Take some time to pause. Sit and stare at the radiant beauties of the Lord, and allow Him - all of who He is - to freshen and fill your soul. 

Father, I confess how often I allow the things of earth to steal my gaze. Thank You for faithfully drawing me back to You to behold Your beauty. You truly are the only wonder that satisfies and fills my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

-  Michelle Snippe
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Deliverance Is Coming

Scripture:
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. - Philippians 1:18b-19 

Reflect:

Why can Christians have hope and rejoice despite their circumstances?

 

Have you ever watched a believer suffer in a way that amazed you? Despite their circumstances, they seemed full of joy and peace. What was their secret? How were they able to rejoice even in the midst of great suffering? In today’s passage, Paul says that he will still rejoice, and he shares the “secret” to his continual joy.

First, Paul mentions the prayers of the Philippians. He was counting on the prayers of his friends. When you know that your brothers and sisters in Christ are lifting you up in prayer, there is a peace that just flows through you. After all, people are petitioning the God of the universe on your behalf. Paul knew that there was power in the prayers of his friends and this gave him confidence.

Second, Paul says that he knows that the Holy Spirit will help him. The NASB translates the word “help” as “provision.” Paul had complete confidence that the Holy Spirit was going to provide for him. He would supply Paul with everything he needs to persevere and endure the trial. Paul knew that he wasn’t on his own here. He didn’t have to survive this in his own power. The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was on his side!

Finally, Paul knew that no matter what occurred, he was going to be delivered from his current suffering. Does that mean Paul knew he was going to be released from prison? Did he think that God was going to spare him from being executed? Not necessarily. Paul did not know if he was going to make it through this alive. And yet he was confident that he would be delivered or saved.

In Christ, we are promised deliverance. Not necessarily from the trial but through the trial. If we are in Christ, we can have absolute assurance that ultimately, we will be saved. Even if we die, we will live forever with Him. No matter what you are going through, no matter how you are suffering, you can rejoice. Your ultimate hope does not depend on God getting you out of whatever pickle you find yourself in. Your ultimate hope is that God will bring you through this life and deliver you to life everlasting. And while you’re here you are not alone. You are being prayed for and the Holy Spirit is your Helper. This will turn out for your deliverance! Yes, you can rejoice!

 

Prayer:

Lord, no matter what, I know that I can rejoice. You are with me, You are sustaining and providing for me, and You will deliver me and bring me Home one day. Thank You for this blessed assurance. Amen.

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Jesus Wants You To Know...

I am the firm Foundation on which you can dance and sing praises and continually celebrate My Presence - just as you long to.

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." - Psalm 16:11

- "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young