PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Getting Ready for Your Future
Grad Mini-Series 2023
FOOLISH MISTAKES TO AVOID…
1. 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 6:30-33 (NCV)
“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)
THE WISE WAY: TRUST GOD.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
2. ARROGANT ASSUMING ABOUT THE FUTURE
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring [forth].” Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
“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. As it is, you boast [and brag]. All such boasting is evil.” James 4:14; 16 (NIV)
“A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 22:3 (TLB)
THE WISE WAY: LOOK AHEAD AND PREPARE.
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV)
3. FAULTY PLANNING ABOUT THE FUTURE
“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)
“Since no [man] knows the future, who can tell [him] what is to come?” Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV)
“Instead, you ought to say, IF it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15 (NIV)
THE WISE WAY: PRAY AS YOU PLAN.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21
“May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.” Psalms 20:4 (TLB)
“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)
4. LAZY PROCRASTINATING ABOUT THE FUTURE
“… Anyone, then, [who] knows the good [he] ought to do and doesn’t do it, [sins].” James 4:17 (NIV)
“Do not withhold good from those [who deserve it], when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, `Come back [later]; I’ll give it [tomorrow]’ — when you now have it with you.” Proverbs 3:27-28 (NIV)
THE WISE WAY: DO IT NOW! OBEY.
“We [can be sure we know Christ if we obey] His commands. [The one] who says, `I know Him’ but does not do what He commands is a liar….” 1 John 2:3-4 (NIV)
“… RIGHT NOW God is ready to welcome you. TODAY He is ready to save you!” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (TLB)