Embracing God's Will Amid Life's Uncertainties

 

Summary

As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's crucial to recognize that life is filled with unexpected challenges and disappointments. Like a child opening a Christmas gift only to find it lacking, or a sky that lights up on the Fourth of July only to quickly darken, life can be unpredictable and sometimes painful. James 4:13-17 reminds us of the importance of humility in our planning. We are encouraged to plan, as God Himself is a planner, but we must leave room for God's will. Our plans and God's will may not always align, and when they don't, we must be prepared to accept divine interruptions with grace.

I shared a personal story about planning a trip to Australia with my wife, only to have those plans disrupted by the return of her cancer. This experience taught me the importance of allowing God to alter our plans. When life doesn't go as expected, we can become frustrated and angry if we haven't left room for God's intervention. It's not the act of planning that is condemned, but planning without acknowledging God's sovereignty.

In the darkest moments, such as when my wife asked me to let her go, I found solace in Jesus. Even when we don't understand or like God's will, we can trust that He makes no mistakes. In the midst of hopelessness, there is hope because Jesus is present. As we plan for the future, we must do so with the understanding that God has the right to change our plans. By doing this, we invite His peace and presence into our lives, even when our plans are disrupted.

As we approach 2020, let's plan diligently but with humility, always saying, "If the Lord wills." This mindset allows God to superintend our plans with His purposes, bringing peace and presence into our lives. While I can't promise a painless year, I can assure you that a God-filled year is possible if we live according to His will and remain open to His guidance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Life is unpredictable and often filled with disappointments, but we must learn to navigate these challenges with faith and resilience. Planning is important, but we must always leave room for God's will, acknowledging that our plans may not align with His. [01:52]

2. Personal experiences, like the return of my wife's cancer, remind us that life can interrupt our plans. It's crucial to allow God to alter our plans, as this prevents frustration and anger when things don't go as expected. [04:39]

3. In the darkest moments, Jesus provides hope and solace. Even when we don't understand or like God's will, we can trust that He makes no mistakes. This trust is essential for finding peace amidst life's uncertainties. [06:50]

4. As we plan for the future, we must do so with humility, always saying, "If the Lord wills." This mindset invites God's peace and presence into our lives, even when our plans are disrupted. [10:50]

5. While I can't promise a painless year, a God-filled year is possible if we live according to His will and remain open to His guidance. This approach ensures that we experience His peace and presence, regardless of life's challenges. [11:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Life's Unpredictability
- [01:08] - James' Admonition
- [02:14] - Planning with God
- [03:03] - Personal Story of Interrupted Plans
- [04:39] - Divine Interruptions
- [05:28] - Trusting in Jesus
- [06:50] - God's Will and Our Understanding
- [08:07] - Hope in Hopelessness
- [09:23] - Planning for 2020
- [10:09] - The Rich Man's Story
- [11:17] - A God-Filled Year
- [12:06] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
- [12:47] - Worship in Pain
- [13:28] - Conclusion and Farewell

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- James 4:13-17
- Luke 12:16-21

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Observation Questions:

1. According to James 4:13-17, what does James say about making plans for the future? How does he suggest we should approach our plans? [01:52]

2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about planning a trip to Australia. What unexpected event disrupted their plans? [04:10]

3. How does the story of the rich man in Luke 12:16-21 relate to the sermon’s message about planning and God's will? [09:49]

4. What does the pastor say about the role of Jesus during the darkest moments of his life? [06:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does James describe boasting about future plans as arrogance and sin? How does this perspective challenge common attitudes towards planning? [01:52]

2. How might the pastor's experience with his wife's illness illustrate the concept of "divine interruptions"? What does this teach about the nature of God's will? [04:39]

3. In what ways does the story of the rich man in Luke 12 serve as a warning about the dangers of self-reliance and neglecting God's sovereignty? [10:09]

4. How does the pastor's reliance on Jesus during his wife's illness demonstrate the importance of faith in times of uncertainty? [06:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when your plans were unexpectedly changed. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your reaction? [04:39]

2. How can you incorporate the phrase "If the Lord wills" into your daily planning and decision-making? What practical steps can you take to ensure your plans align with God's will? [01:52]

3. The pastor found solace in Jesus during his wife's illness. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on Jesus in your own life, especially during challenging times? [06:24]

4. Consider the story of the rich man in Luke 12. Are there areas in your life where you might be relying too heavily on your own plans and resources? How can you invite God into those areas? [10:09]

5. As you plan for the upcoming year, what specific actions can you take to leave room for God's guidance and potential changes to your plans? [09:23]

6. The pastor mentioned worshiping God through tears and pain. How can you practice worship and gratitude even when facing difficult circumstances? [12:47]

7. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's will. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and seek His peace? [11:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating Life's Unpredictability with Faith
Life is inherently unpredictable, filled with unexpected challenges and disappointments. Just as a child might feel let down by an anticipated gift that doesn't meet expectations, or as a sky that briefly lights up only to darken again, our lives can take unexpected turns. James 4:13-17 reminds us of the importance of humility in our planning. While planning is essential, it is crucial to leave room for God's will, acknowledging that our plans may not always align with His. By doing so, we can navigate life's unpredictability with faith and resilience, trusting that God's plans are ultimately for our good. [01:52]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent disappointment or unexpected event in your life. How can you invite God into this situation and trust His plan for you?


Day 2: Embracing Divine Interruptions
Life can often interrupt our plans in ways we never anticipated. Personal experiences, such as the return of a loved one's illness, remind us of the fragility of our plans. It's crucial to allow God to alter our plans, as this prevents frustration and anger when things don't go as expected. By embracing divine interruptions, we open ourselves to the possibility of growth and transformation, trusting that God's ways are higher than ours. [04:39]

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." (Proverbs 19:21, ESV)

Reflection: Recall a time when your plans were disrupted. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently by allowing God to guide you?


Day 3: Finding Hope in Jesus Amidst Darkness
In the darkest moments of life, Jesus provides hope and solace. Even when we don't understand or like God's will, we can trust that He makes no mistakes. This trust is essential for finding peace amidst life's uncertainties. By leaning on Jesus, we can find hope even in seemingly hopeless situations, knowing that He is present with us through every trial. [06:50]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a current struggle or dark moment in your life. How can you actively seek Jesus' presence and hope in this situation today?


Day 4: Planning with Humility and Openness to God's Will
As we plan for the future, we must do so with humility, always saying, "If the Lord wills." This mindset invites God's peace and presence into our lives, even when our plans are disrupted. By acknowledging God's sovereignty, we can approach our plans with a sense of peace, knowing that He is in control and that His purposes will ultimately prevail. [10:50]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your plans for the coming week. How can you incorporate the phrase "If the Lord wills" into your planning process, both mentally and practically?


Day 5: Experiencing a God-Filled Year
While a painless year cannot be promised, a God-filled year is possible if we live according to His will and remain open to His guidance. This approach ensures that we experience His peace and presence, regardless of life's challenges. By seeking to align our lives with God's will, we can find fulfillment and joy in His presence, even amidst difficulties. [11:42]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: As you look ahead to the rest of the year, what specific steps can you take to ensure that your life is aligned with God's will and filled with His presence?

Quotes


when you live long enough you discover that this world is booby-trapped its booby-trapped with disappointments Hertz the unexpected sometimes you look up at life and like a kid on Christmas you opened the box and you ask is this all there is then when you think you found a solution to the thing you were struggling about it's like the referee blowing a whistle calling back and saying you've been penalized you didn't score sometimes it's like the fourth of July when the sky lights up only quickly to become dark again [00:00:01]

I hope you develop a plan for your year the of 2020 the Bible and carriage is planning all through the Bible you will see God being a planning kind of God you will see him outlining things in history and you will see the scripture telling us over and over again to plan but what this scripture says is don't plan like a fool don't plan like a fool leave room for the will of God because your plan and God's will may not always match [00:02:14]

I had a plan we had a plan threating 70 years old in September and my wife turning 70 years old December 1st we talked about last year this time how we wanted to kind of dull down the rat race I've been going 100 miles an hour since we met at 18 and the plan was you know got a staff got a church everything is you know so let's can we find some time to dial it back I made some promises to her that some trips we wanted to take some places we hadn't seen and to adjust the schedule [00:03:03]

we made that plan last February only to find out in March that cancer had come back with a vengeance so we had a plan but it got interrupted by life and if you don't make room for divine interruptions you will stay angry mad frustrated irritated and exacerbated because life just doesn't always go like you planned he does not condemn them for planning he condemns them for planning that left God out he says what you ought to say is this is my plan if the Lord wills [00:04:23]

because what that does is give God the right to call inaudible in your life to change the play I play got changed graphically and as far as history is concerned it's been changed forever in time but the one thing that we had going for us was Jesus and being able to worship him and praise Him in the uncertainty through the tears and in the loss as I lay there today on my bed I didn't get out of the bed basically till it was time to come to church from last night all the way through today [00:05:18]

I just stayed in a bed and kept the room dark try to remember some things but the one thing that hit me was Jesus I'm sure glad I got you but where would I be in a situation like this if I didn't have you I don't understand the will of God always and I certainly don't like this one but he's God and I'm not and he didn't ask my opinion I do know that he makes no mistakes the hardest three words I heard a couple of weeks ago it hurts to be reminded of these three words hardest three words [00:06:21]

my wife said let me go she said it's time God hasn't seen fit to heal me and let me go I told her I told like I can't let you go and she told me you cannot be so selfish to keep me here if God wants me because Jesus was in the room in the darkest hour of my life there was hope in the midst of hopelessness we had a friend to come over the house last night her friend she always wanted scriptures to be read and songs to be sung and so we would play those hymns and songs [00:07:19]

the friend was just sharing with us as she sang she would just raise their hand in worship she couldn't talk but she just raised her hand and worship and just hold it in worship the friend wanted to make sure that that's what it was and she said if you could if you can hear me and you understand me and you with me blink and she would blink couldn't speak but she would blink she said I'm with you so as you approach 20/20 plan planned good plan hard plan for favor but leave room for God [00:08:29]

so that if something doesn't happen like you wanted you not out there by yourself because you've left room for God the story in Chapter 12 of Luke about a rich man he made a plan it was a retirement plan he says I'm a retire I got enough money now I'm gonna eat drink and be merry and I'm just gonna enjoy life and it says that God came in and said you fool tonight your soul is required of you so I want to challenge you me and us we've got plans I've got plans now that I've got to redo them all [00:09:23]

and rethink them all we got plans for our church plan and lay those plans before the Lord and say Lord this is what I would like to see you do in 2020 if it's your will and I give you the right to adjust the plans to your will I'm gonna pray over them I might ask you a favor over them but I'm gonna give you the right of editing my plans to your will and when we do that and God is able to superintend our plans with His purposes whether we understand them or not then we can feel his peace [00:10:15]

and his presence in the midst of our problems I wish I could promise you that 2020 will be a painless year I wish I could promise you that 2020 it's just going to be a problem this year but that would be infringing on the divine because it's not all good all the time I can tell you this that if you live according to his will and you're willing to say yes to him even when he says no to you twenty twenty year twenty twenty may not be a problem this year but it will be a God filled yeah [00:11:17]

so let's stand to our feet want to thank our worship ministry for all the creative things they did today I'm gonna pray God's blessing on you and then you're gonna wish five people around you Happy New Year and then rush to your car and leave so that the ten o'clock worship folks can get in remember G Moore's CD is in the back father thank you for the privilege of worshiping you with tears worshiping with you in spite of pain worshiping you in the midst of loss worshiping you because you are worthy of our worship [00:12:06]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?