James 4:13-17
What we must
say when making plans? (vv. 13-14)
Two Primary problems with this way of thinking…
1) You do not know what
You do not have future knowledge
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. —Prov. 27:1
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. —Matthew 6:31-34
You do not have complete control
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. —Ps. 127:1-2—
Distinguishing factors between man’s plans and the Lord’s plans
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ —Isaiah 46:10
2) You do not know how
Tomorrow is not promised
18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” —Luke 12:18-21
Life is short regardless…
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. —Psalm 90:12
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. —Psalm 103:15-16
What we must
say when making plans? (vv. 15-17)
Do we really need to say, “If the Lord wills….”
21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. —Acts 18:21
19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. —1 Cor. 4:19
10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. —Romans 1:10
7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. —1 Cor. 16:7
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. —Phil. 2:19
3 And this we will do if God permits. —Heb. 6:3
Acknowledging God in our plans better prepares us to
> Pray then like this:“Our Father in heaven, > hallowed be your name.[a] 10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b] on earth as it is in heaven. —Matthew 6:9-10
Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” —Luke 22:42
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. —James 4:3
Hold on to Life’s plans
Hold on to God’s plans
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. —Jeremiah 29:11
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love —Ephesians 1:4
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:[a] that you abstain from sexual immorality; —1 Thessalonians 4:3
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:18
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. —1 Peter 2:15
What does the attitude of the “if Lord’s wills” produce?
‘In him, we live and move and have our being’ —Acts 17:28