HOW TO FACE THE FUTURE
People’s Church New Year’s Eve – 2024
FOUR COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID – James 4:13-17
MISTAKE #1: PLANNING WITHOUT GOD
“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.” James 4:13 (NIV)
*THE SOLUTION: INCLUDE GOD IN YOUR PLANS & GOAL SETTING
“Instead, you ought to say, `IF it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct [your] paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
“We may make our plans, but God has the last word.” Proverbs 16:1 (GNT)
“We should make plans — counting on God to direct us.” Proverbs 16:9 (TLB)
MISTAKE #2: USELESS WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE
“[Who of] you by worrying [can] add a single hour to [his] life?” Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
“… Don’t have so little faith! Don’t worry and say, `What will we eat… or drink… or wear?’ The people who don’t know
God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. [The thing you should want most is] God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.” Matthew 6:30b-33 (NCV)
*THE SOLUTION: TRUST GOD AND MAKE EACH DAY COUNT
“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time.” Matthew 6:34 (TLB)
MISTAKE #3: PRESUMING ABOUT TOMORROW
“Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes … As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” James 4:14; 16
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1
*THE SOLUTION: LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME
“… God will take care of your tomorrow, [too]. Live one day at a time.” Matthew 6:34 (TLB)
MISTAKE #4: PUTTING OFF DOING GOOD
“Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins.” James 4:17
*THE SOLUTION: DO IT NOW!
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (TLB)
“Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:6