Historical Posts
Facing the Future
Are you facing the future with confidence?
Over the years I have learned to expect the unexpected in facing the future. Many a family outing, vacation, or dinner out has been interrupted by some unexpected development.
James, the brother of our Lord, addressed the matter of facing the future when he wrote: “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.’ 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” (James 4:13-14).
We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but that is not to say that we should not look beyond today. Every farmer plants in spring with an eye to fall. It is not only all right to be looking to and facing the future, it is essential. James, however, did go on to advise his readers to preface their plans with the acknowledgment that all is subject to the Lord’s will (James 4:15).
Why do we need be facing the future? As parents, we need to plan for our children’s education. As fathers, we need to plan for our families in case of our untimely death. We need to plan for retirement. At some point in our lives our bodies will no longer function to the extent that we can continue to work and support ourselves. We would like to retire while we can still enjoy retirement. That requires planning and facing the future. The fact is, no one plans to fail, but far too many fail to plan. And, as a result, their dreams don’t come true.
But, the most important planning we do is for eternity. Yet, this is the area folks seem to put off longest. In fact, many never get around to it at all. They just don’t want to be facing the future that awaits. However, when life is over, and it can end for us at any time, it will be too late.
We can confidently face the future only when we live in the present! Someone has written: “Today is the day I have been looking for. All my life has been spent in preparation for it. Yesterday and tomorrow are faraway nothings – the one a faint memory, the other a vague promise. But this is my day. It offers all that God has to give, and I’m a laggard or a coward if I fail to make the most of it.”
Too many of us spend so much time reliving yesterday or daydreaming about tomorrow that we forget about today. The past cannot be undone, and the future is forever unknown. But today, that’s a different story. It is in our grasp and we must not waste it! Please understand, I am not implying that we forget the past or fail to look to the future. I am suggesting that we give more attention to the present. If we do, the past will be remembered with greater fondness, and the future will hold greater promise.
Stop fretting about yesterday and tomorrow, and focus on today. Today is all we have. What are we going to do with it?
- Today is the day to mend a broken relationship.
- Today is the day to speak an encouraging word or write a hope filled note.
- Today is the day to let your mate, your children, and your grandchildren know how much they are loved.
- Today is the day to put your best foot forward at home, at school, at work.
- Today is the day to put your life right with God (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Take care of today and tomorrow will take care of itself. Take the action you need to in order to be facing the future with confidence.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Expecting the Unexpected
What are you expecting?
Over the years my family and I have learned we should be expecting the unexpected. Many a family outing, vacation, or dinner out has been interrupted by some development we were not expecting. It may be a death, an accident, or something else, but in spite of our best laid plans, something invariably goes awry.
James, the brother of our Lord, addressed this matter when he wrote: “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.’ 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” (James 4:13-14).
We really don’t know what tomorrow holds.
That is not to say, however, that we should not look beyond today. Every farmer plants in spring with an eye to fall. It is not only all right to look to the future expecting a result, but it’s essential. James, however, did go on to advise his readers to preface their plans with the acknowledgment that all is subject to the Lord’s will (James 4:15). What you are expecting may not happen. The unexpected could come up.
Why do we need to look to the future?
As parents, we need to plan for our children’s education. As fathers, we need to plan for our families in case of our untimely death. We need to plan for retirement. At some point in our lives our bodies will no longer function to the extent that we can continue to work and support ourselves. We should be expecting this. We would like to retire while we can still enjoy retirement. That requires planning. The fact is, no one plans to fail, but far too many fail to plan. And, as a result, their dreams don’t come true.
But, the most important planning we do is for eternity.
Yet, this is the area folks seem to put off longest. In fact, many never get around to it at all. They treat the subject as if it has to be unexpected. I don’t intend to make that mistake. Jesus offers a plan for life that will prepare us for eternity, so that we can know what we should be expecting. To the best of my ability, I intend to follow his plan. Do you? When life is over, and it can end for us at any time, it will be too late.
If you are going to follow Jesus, the time to start is now.
Tomorrow may be too late! What are you expecting based on the plans you have put into action?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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James 04:13-17 How Do You Make Plans? – audio
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Text: James 4:13-17
Introduction
1. In the text for this study, James discusses the subject of making plans:
2. This subject is very relevant for us today, for we all make plans of one sort or another
a. Plans for college, jobs
b. Plans for marriage, family
c. Plans for vacation, retirement
3. Making a plan, in and of itself, is not wrong
a. Paul often made plans in regard to his travels – Acts 18:20-21; 1 Corinthians 16:5-9
b. In fact, making plans (Or setting goals) is a key to success in any venture we may undertake in life
4. But there is a right way to plan, and a wrong way; and James discusses both!
Body
I. WE CAN SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL
A. IN OTHER WORDS SUBMIT OUR PLANS TO THE WILL OF GOD
1. We can make our plans, but we should make them contingent to God’s approval – James 4:15
2. This is what Paul did
a. God willing – Acts 18:21
b. if the Lord permits – 1 Corinthians 16:7
3. Saying if the Lord wills assumes our faith in two things:
a. That God does have a will for us (Even in mundane matters)
b. That God can intervene (Via providence) to carry out His will
4. The wisdom of making our plans contingent upon the will of God will become evident later, when we consider the wrong way to plan
B. FOR OUR PLANS TO SUCCEED, SEEK FIRST TO DISCERN GOD’S WILL, AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY
1. To a great degree, this is possible, for God wants us to:
a. Understand His Will – Ephesians 5:17
b. Be filled with the knowledge of His Will – Colossians 1:9
2. Of course, this relates especially to His revealed will
a. Which pertains to matters right and wrong
b. Which is found in the pages of the Bible
c. When we know God’s revealed will, then we can act or plan accordingly
d. Until then, the right way to plan is to show our submission to God by leaving our plans subject to His will
3. There is also God’s permissive will
a. Which pertains to matters not right or wrong, but good and better
b. Even so, we should still show our trust and dependence upon God in such matters by committing our plans to His Will
II. WE CAN IGNORE GOD’S WILL
A. TO PLAN THIS WAY IS FOLLY – James 4:13-15
1. Because life is COMPLEX – James 4:13
a. There are the complexities of TIME (Today, tomorrow, when?)
b. There are the complexities of ACTIVITIES (Buy, sell?)
c. So many decisions to make, so many mistakes might be made
d. If it’s possible to know God’s will on any matter, that would increase the likelihood that our decisions and plans will be correct
2. Because life is UNCERTAIN – James 4:14a
a. No one has a guarantee of tomorrow
1) Whether there will even be one
2) Or what will happen
b. Only God can bring about what He wills for the future without fail
c. Since this is true, we should certainly desire to make plans that are in keeping with His plans!
3. Because life is FRAIL – James 4:14b
a. It is like a vapor – Psalms 39:5-6, 11
b. How substantial is a vapor or shadow?
c. How quickly we can succumb to sickness or an accident illustrates how frail we really are
d. It is foolish, then, to think we have the strength within ourselves to make our plans happen – James 1:10-11
4. Because life is BRIEF – James 4:14c
a. appears for a little time
b. This is something Job observed – Job 9:25-26; 14:1
c. Since life is so short, it is important that we do God’s will and not our own – 1 John 2:17
B. TO PLAN THIS WAY IS BOASTFUL ARROGANCE – James 4:16a
1. To plan without taking into consideration God’s will is to set ourselves up above God Himself!
2. How could one be more arrogant than that?
C. TO PLAN THIS WAY IS SIN – James 4:16-17
1. It is sin because it involves arrogance and boasting which is evil – James 4:16
2. It is sin because we who are Christians know better – James 4:17
a. We know what is good: to plan with God’s will in mind
b. To do otherwise is sin!
Conclusion
1. How do we make our plans?
a. If we plan without considering the will of God, then we are foolish, arrogant, and sinful!
b. If we make our plans subject to the approval of God, then we are wise, submissive, and righteous in God’s sight!
c. If we endeavor to plan as much as we can within the framework of God’s revealed will, then we increase the likelihood of success!
2. What about your plans for eternity?
a. There is no doubt what the Lord’s will is on this subject – Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 2:10
b. We can be certain of success if we submit to God’s will in the matters of faith, repentance, confession, baptism, and living a faithful Christian life
c. But to ignore it is folly in view of life’s UNCERTAINTY, FRAILTY, and BREVITY!
3. Have you done as the Lord wills?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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