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In Trouble?


What do we do in the middle of trouble?

Do I trust God when I don't understand?



That's the situation the captives found themselves in, and this was God's response.


Jeremiah 29:4-11  (NLT)

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:

“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 

Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 

And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 

because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.

10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.


God brings us through trouble and not from trouble.

1. We must too make our hope in our Savior, Jesus.  


John 16:33 NLT)

33 I (Jesus) have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”




2. We must feed on God's truth.  




Romans 12:2 (ESV)


Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.




3.  We must use our pain to reach people.   Nothing is wasted om God's economy.  




2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”





4. Leave your mark on this moment.  Do not allow this moment to leave it's mark on you. 


Comments

  1. Hi,
    My husband and I would like to make contact with you. I can’t seem to find your identity in these blogs. Our first date was to metro Bible Study at Mt. Paran! I awoke this morning to the thought and prompting of the Holy Spirit that we we’re supposed to try and find John Riley so I googled his name and it took me to your blog on Dan Dehaan. In the middle of the pandemic God told us “ you’re not home”. As we began to pray he began to move and he led us to move to Birmingham, AL. Since moving here, we’ve been seeking answers on why we are here. We’ve been in private ministry for over 20 years. Metro Bible Study impacted us. We’re seeing a huge need here for young people who are single to be ministered to. Recently Metro Bible Study has come to mind several times. We’re just exploring ideas and seeking wisdom about God’s call to Birmingham. We can be reached at info@danandlydia.us. We would love to connect even if it’s just to reminisce about Metro Bible Study.

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