You Need God

April 18, 2021

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

Isaiah 40:31

Memory Verse

Jeremiah 29:11-13

“I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you.” (CEV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

Casey is mixing ingredients in a bowl. Dad is beside her with some ingredients in his hands. All the ingredients are on the kitchen counter so that they can make some cookies. There’s a tablet with a newscast on the counter. A reporter says, “In the past few months, the world has experienced many challenges and hardships…”
Casey says, “Dad, after bad things happen, how do we plan for what’s next?”

We see Dad mixing and Casey is adding in an ingredient with a measuring cup. Dad says, “God’s got a great recipe for that. Mix in prayer. Add some encouragement. Stir in some trust. Don’t forget God’s love. And one final ingredient…”

Casey says, “What’s that?” Dad leans in, smiles, and says, “Hope.”

Print Comic

Do you believe your future looks bright? What plans do you have? Have you prayed to God about what's ahead?

In Jeremiah 29:11, the prophet Jeremiah spoke words of hope to God’s people who had been living under the control of the Babylonian Empire. Now they faced being forced away from Jerusalem and into exile in Babylon. God’s comforting words certainly came during very difficult times.

Our times are different, but we can relate because right now we are dealing with difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families have lost loved ones. Parents have lost their jobs. Kids do school, sports, and even playtime differently than before. Covid has disrupted almost every way we do things. We look to God for encouragement. Just like God’s people in Jeremiah, we might not see God’s response right away. But even while we are going through our difficult situations, God promises that he has a plan. Trust God’s plan, and know that God always promises to be there for you.

God proclaims that when you call on him, he will listen (Jeremiah 11:12-13). Pray even when you do not feel like it. When you need encouragement, seek God with all your heart, and you will find him. You too have “a future filled with hope.”

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for this brand-new day. Thank you for promising to never leave or forsake me. Help me to trust the plan you have for my life even when I don’t see it immediately. In your precious name, Amen.

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Ashlin Jenkins

Ashlin Jenkins is the Ministry Assistant at East End Baptist Church located in Suffolk, VA. Ashlin is also one of the Children and Youth Leaders at East End Baptist Church. She has a passion for serving not only locally but internationally having gone on several Mission Trips to train young people to be disciples for Christ. In her spare time, she likes to volunteer, shop, and explore new cuisines.