1. When All You Get is Burnt Toast Jeremiah 38

2. Introductory Thoughts All of us have had mornings when we knew our day was doomed The alarm failed to go off The water was cold The coffee was weak The kids missed the school bus I call these days – “A burnt toast day” – It began bad and just keeps getting worse Think about the range of emotions you go through on a burnt toast day

3. There are many days when we feel like running from the problems of life

4. Introductory Thoughts Jeremiah could easily identify with our burnt toast days Did not see his prayers being answered Wrestled with doubt No one liked him Life had seemingly treated him badly Jeremiah 38 reveals that he is slumping in an old muddy cistern, where he has been left to die But from the slimy bottom of that waterless cistern, we can discover an encouraging lesson “Contemplate on the helplessness that surrounds you”

5. Introductory Thoughts What can we do with the “burnt toast” in life? The one and only answer I can see is that we look to God for help Only God has the power to aid us and give us the strength needed to persevere Psalm 120:1 – Psalm 121 Let’s examine how the power of God can provide for us today

6. God’s Provisions to Overcome Burnt Toast The Scriptures Psalm 119:50, 54, 143 Acts 20:32 Great comfort can be found in a quiet reading and reflection on God’s word Never underestimate the comfort that comes from God’s word See this week’s bulletin for God’s Emergency Telephone Numbers

7. God’s Provisions to Overcome Burnt Toast The Avenue of Prayer Psalm 42 – Psalm 63 – Psalm 142 Philippians 4:4-7 Take some quiet time and “pour out your soul” to God The Church Lean on your fellow brethren for support Paul is the ideal example Philippians 1:3-8 – Philippians 2:19-22 – Colossians 4:10-11 We are a family with an obligation to each other 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – 1 Peter 4:8-10

8. Practical Counsel to Deal with Burnt Toast Do not focus on the negative Dwelling on the negative is the easy thing to do Life’s negatives are just a small part of life You must look for the positives Psalm 68:19 – Psalm 103:2 – Isaiah 25:4 Do not expect to be immune We all will face burnt toast days – Job 14:1 Only the Christian has the true source to overcome 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 – Romans 8:31-39

9. Practical Counsel to Deal with Burnt Toast Be bold in your trust When all appears bleak, dismal and hopeless, we need to make sure our trust in God is strong Job 13:15 Constantly remind yourself that God is in control and that He will cause all things to work for His good Romans 8:28 – Philippians 1:16-20 – Psalm 55:22

10. Concluding Thoughts We all need to find the courage to face “Burnt Toast Days” Trials will come, are you prepared to meet them head on? “Does Jesus care, O yes He cares; I know He cares; His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares”