What are your plans for 2014?





“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. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4: 13-15).

I don't think James is teaching that planning is wrong, but that attached to our plans should always be a proviso that God is all-powerful. We may say, "Today or tomorrow we're going to do this or that," but we understand, "only if God allows it."
 
2014 has arrived, 12 months untested and untried! When I think about this New Year and  my life being a "Mist," some translations say "Vapor" it makes me think of those chilly Wyoming winter mornings when I can see my own breath in the air. I see the vapor, but within a second, it's gone - vanished. Our lives are a 75-95 year "Mist" that will dissipate sooner than we realize!

To be born on this spinning ball in space is in itself a miracle.  To grow, to be nurtured by loved ones, to make our way…to establish friendships to pursue a career all of that has its place and is a part of life. However, a life that tragically never intersects the life of Jesus, however accomplished and respected lacks something that is at the core of our existence.

What are your plans?  Have you consulted the Lord, or have you decided that He is too busy with the other Seven billion people on the planet to pay attention to what troubles you? 

I love James practicality... Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
 

Several years ago, the National Science Foundation put out some very interesting statistics. We think a thousand thoughts per hour. When we write, we think twenty-five hundred thoughts in an hour and a half. The average person thinks about twelve thousand thoughts per day. A deeper thinker, according to this report, puts forth fifty thousand thoughts daily!


 Is it any wonder that the writer of Proverbs King Solomon wrote: Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.  (Proverbs: 19:21)   

Believers must decide to choose daily that they will seek the Lord above all else. That their thoughts, aspirations dreams and hopes at their core are submissive to God’s purpose, may we seek God’s honor through are day to day decisions. 

If we don’t take charge of your thoughts that come rushing to us each morning, time will pass…as it always does and we will be shocked to reflect on the what if’s and why didn’t I’s of life!  

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.  (Proverbs   19:21)   What is the Lord’s purpose? I think we can understand more clearly what our Lord’s purpose is when we understand what our purpose is….

Purpose defined- Something set up as an object or end to be attained. 

Our Presbyterian friends ask the question, “What is the chief end of man?” Many of us know the answer. “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” 

While this is not a phrase drawn directly from Scripture, the wisdom behind it surely is.

The Bible tells us with great clarity that man was created in order to bring glory to God. Thus the chief end of Christians and of the church is to bring glory to God.  

There is no higher calling!

Peter wrote: 
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1st Peter 4:11).

The Lord’s purpose is that in every part of our life, when we speak, when we interact with others, we rely on His strength… that we are constantly aware that He offers his presence, His leading, His council…His friendship!

I feel a compelling sense of urgency to write, that if we are going to be all that He wants us to be…then it is critical that we each make a conscious determined effort to be His completely. 

We must wrangle your thoughts, stream line our thinking…and decide today that we will live life for God!

Today decide that your thoughts…will march in single file devotion to the Lord… decide now to want His purpose for your life no matter the cost.   

Base 2014 life’s decisions on the Lord’s purpose…and ask yourself what I am about to do, does it:

Honor the Lord
Does it contradict His word?
Will it hurt someone else?
Will it make me more like Him?

One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure it was worth living!

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.  (Proverbs   19:21)  

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