Quotes for Thought

I've begun looking for the small ways my faith is tested and welcoming them for what they are: indicators that the Lord is working to change and refine me. He cares enough not to give up on the potential He has put within me. Mary Scott

God is a like a book, we can see the cover, and we can hear the pages as they turn, but until we actually read the book then we will truly know what the book (God) is all about. We are also sometimes the only Bible people hear. - Joey Dean

Oftentimes God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances. He sustains us through them. Author Unknown

Our Ultimate Provider

Read Jeremiah 29:4-14

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  -Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I remember being unemployed for nearly a year; it was difficult making ends meet. However, during that time God blessed me with temporary jobs and gifts from our church family to help meet our family's needs. We received meals from neighbors and an occasional check from close friends to help pay bills.

I thought a lot about my role as husband, father, and provider; but it was God who helped me recognize the true source for all we need. Instead of being proud of my providing for my family, I found my eyes were opened to God's glorious grace in my life. God gave me confidence in the future and showed me that our needs will be met through the compassion of family and church.

Chapter 29 of Jeremiah reminds me that even when times seem desperate or hopeless, God always has good plans for our lives. Waiting for the next paycheck to buy food or to pay bills can be difficult, but I know that God will take care of all our needs. No matter what our situation, God wants for us lives filled with hope and abundance.

Timothy E. Dorset (Missouri, U.S.A.)

Jeremiah 29:4-14 (New International Version)

⁴ This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." ⁸ Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. ⁹ They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD .   ¹⁰ This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ 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 hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," declares the LORD , "and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD , "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."   

This material is copyrighted  December 04, 04 by The Upper Room, P. O. Box 340004, Nashville, TN 37203-0004, and is used by permission of the publisher.