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The Rest of My Life
Big Idea: Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not guaranteed, so today is the rest of my life.
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. 12 In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? Our lives are like a shadow. Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone? —Ecclesiastes 6:10, 12
I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. 19 And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! 20 So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world. —Ecclesiastes 2:18-20
Big Question: How should I engage with the rest of my life?
Main Scripture: James 4:13-17
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? —James 4:13-14a
How should I engage with the rest of my life?
1. With a surrender to the unkown
You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. —Proverbs 19:21
Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. —James 4:14b
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. —Psalm 90:12
“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. —Psalm 39:4-5
How should I engage with the rest of my life?
1. With a surrender to the unkown
2. With a sense of urgency
Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time. —Revelation 12:12
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. —C.T. Studd
How should I engage with the rest of my life?
1. With a surrender to the unkown
2. With a sense of urgency
3. With a submission to God’s understanding
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. 17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. —James 4:15-17
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! 34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? 35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? —Romans 11:33-35
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. —Psalm 115:3
The LORD will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. —Psalm 138:8
▪️ What plans in my life do I need to surrender to the unknown?
▪️️ What areas of my life are keeping me from living with a sense of urgency?
▪️ What parts of my life do I need to submit to your understanding?
If you have decided to follow Jesus today, we’d like to celebrate that with you and help you with some next steps. Please text Life to 63566.