TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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.”… Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13,15
Listen: James 4
TODAY’S MESSAGE
This is the truth James is stressing to first-generation Christians—and us. In this life, we wear the second-place ribbon.
We can get lulled into thinking our future will go the way we’ve set things up. Then IT happens. You graduate from college, but can’t find a job. You spend all summer practicing, but don’t make the team. You are almost retired, and get a cancer diagnosis. As we make our own plans—we may never think about God’s plan. And his comes first!
James isn’t down on planning. It’s our approach that concerns him. God wants to be included, trusted and followed. When your plans don’t go the way you want, you may need to step back and ask God what he wants to do through your situation.
Last weekend, Pastor Bob King reminded us Jesus also wore a second-place ribbon. He models to us God’s plan is first when he said, “Father…not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Pray and tell God, “Father, I confess I don’t always ask you to guide my plans according to your will. Please enlighten my heart and guide my next steps as I seek to put you first in all I do.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
