The Problem with Plans

Person that has changed your life.

Parent, Teacher, Coach, Professor, Pastor, Youth Leader, Camp Counselor, Brother/Sister.

Schaff: Changed the direction of my studies.

This is never more true than in a relationship with God.

We can personally know the creator of the universe, and then pretend like that shouldn’t change every single area of our lives.

James 4:13–17 (NIV)

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

James is not saying we shouldn’t make plans, he is questioning the heart that makes the plans.

He’s not just telling us to add on “if the Lord wills” to the plans we make.

His issue isn’t words, it’s worldview.

Lady who went to Knitting Club

Plan was to attend knitting club, ended up doing chemo for several months. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring our way.

James is calling into question our identity?

We are Mist.

Titanic Submarine Accident (milliseconds) 1 year ago in 5 days

We are temporary.

When we choose to ignore this reality James says we are arrogant and evil vs. 16.

Proverbs 27:1 NIV

1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

We Make Plans or we Follow God’s Plan.

My Story: Kendra

It hasn’t been happily ever after. “Last Year”

My story is a collection of making plans to eventually give in to the plans God has for me. Woe is me because of trials to God I need you.

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God always has a plan, and the good news is he takes the good and the bad and works them all together. When you humble your self he lifts you up.

Closer

James 5:16 NIV

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

I want you to write on your card the thing that you’re holding onto.

Relationship, Starting position on sports team, Top of your class, you’re trying to please another person?

We want you to go to a counselor or leader and share that thing. I want you to hold onto what you write as a reminder of what you are giving to God.

James 4:10 NIV

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.