Rock Solid Faith: Faith That Sustains Us as We Face The Unknown

“No one knows what will happen in the future and there is no one who can tell us.”

Ecclesiastes 8:7

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to a certain city and we will stay there a year. We will open up a business there and we will make a profit.’ But you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow! And your life is as brief and uncertain as the mist of a morning fog. It’s here a little while, but then it disappears! So instead, what you ought to say is, ‘IF it is the Lord’s will, we will live long enough to do this or that.’ Otherwise you are just boasting and bragging about yourself, and that kind of pride is wrong and evil. But remember, anytime you know the right and good thing to do, but you don’t do it, then you sin.” James 4:13-17

ERRORS WE MAKE AND THE ANSWERS FOR THEM

We Make Plans Without Asking God

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow WE WILL go to a certain city and WE WILL stay there a year. WE WILL open up a business there and WE WILL make a profit.’” James 4:13

• To have God’s blessing, involve Him in my planning.
• ANSWER 1: Pray as I plan my life.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. In all your plans acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“If you want to know what God wants you to do, just ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a generous supply of wisdom to all who ask him.” James 1:5

We assume that we’ll have tomorrow

“But you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow! And your life is as brief and uncertain as the mist of a morning fog. It’s here a little while, but then it
disappears! So instead, what you ought to say is, ‘IF it is the Lord’s will, we will live to do this or that.’ Otherwise you are just boasting and bragging about yourself, and that kind of pride is wrong and evil.” James 4:14-16

• ANSWER 2: LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME & MAKE IT COUNT

“Don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own!” Matthew 6:34

“Don’t brashly brag about what you’re going to do tomorrow because you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow!” Proverbs 27:1

We delay putting off the right thing

“But remember, anytime you know the right and good thing to do, but you don’t do it, then you sin.” James 4:17

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. What is the next step of spiritual growth and obedience I need to take?
2. What do I know God wants me to do, but I’m still putting off?
3. What excuse have I been hiding behind?

WHATEVER IT IS . . . DO IT NOW!

“We can be sure we know Christ IF we obey his commands. The one who says, ‘I know him,’ but doesn’t do what he commands is a liar.” 1 John 2:3-4

THIS WEEK:

• Take 15 minutes to prayerfully write down your plan for the rest of this year.
• Pray: Father, what do YOU want me to do during this time? (Personal Growth, Family, Services, Finances, etc.)

“We should make plans – counting on God to direct us.”

Proverbs 16:9