3. James 4:13-17
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. 

4. James 4:13-17
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.

5. James 4:13-17
How many different arenas of planning can you find in the hypothetical statement in vs. 13? What areas of life do they deal with?
In what areas of life do we as humans tend to do the most planning?
Do you find planning for the future energizing or draining? Why?

8. James 4:13
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.” 

9. Question #1: what parts of life does this planning statement hit?
Question #1: what parts of life does this planning statement hit?
Time/calendar/when?
Who?
Travel/transportation/location/housing/where?
Priorities/investment/resources/what & how long?
What/how?, finance/business/employment
Results/success/accomplishment/end?

10. Things that consume our planning:
Food
Finances
Family
Housing
Employment/work/career
Education
Entertainment

11. James 4
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. 

13. Make plans that embrace reality, not illusions.
Make plans that embrace reality, not illusions.
The reality is, LIFE IS SHORT, UNCERTAIN & FLEETING

14. Luke 13:1-5
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered,“Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

15. #1.) The uncertainty and brevity of life must impact our planning.
#1.) The uncertainty and brevity of life must impact our planning.

16. #2) The SOVEREIGNTY & ETERNALITY of GOD must impact and inform our planning.
James 4:15—Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

18. What will acknowledging who God is do to our planning?
It will cause us to hold our plans tentatively, with an open hand before God, accepting of any changes He may choose to bring to those plans.
It will cause us to make plans that keep eternity in primary view and the immediate world and finite life in secondary view.
It will lead us to be people of prayer

19. James 4:15
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 

20. Deo Volente (D.V.) God Willing
“God willing, I will….”

21. #1) The uncertainty and brevity of life must impact our planning
#1) The uncertainty and brevity of life must impact our planning. #2) The sovereignty of God must impact our planning. #3) Humility, not arrogance, should infuse our plans.
James 4:16
“As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”

22. Isaiah 26:12 Lord, you establish peace for us;     all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

23. James 4:17 “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

25. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will….

26. Psalm 33:10, 11— The Lord foils the plans of the nations;     he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,     the purposes of his heart through all generations. Isaiah 28:19— All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,     whose plan is wonderful,     whose wisdom is magnificent.

27. Isaiah 14:24— The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,     and as I have purposed, so it will happen. Amos 3:7— Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing     without revealing his plan     to his servants the prophets.

28. Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,     and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course,     but the Lord establishes their steps.

29. God permitting (D.V.), what do I think God would want to happen in the following areas of my life over these next few months or years?
Physical health?
Intellectual development?
Spiritual growth?
Family?
Friendships?
Ministry?
Work?
Mosaic?

30. Psalm 20:4, 5 May [God] give you the desire of your heart     and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory     and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.