1 00:00:00,900 --> 00:00:02,600 Good morning, family. 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:03,700 Appreciate you being here. 3 00:00:03,700 --> 00:00:04,433 Thank you. 4 00:00:04,433 --> 00:00:08,533 I again will be one of the ones to say good morning and welcome. 5 00:00:09,666 --> 00:00:14,166 We're in our series called Faith works and we'll be looking at James chapter four. 6 00:00:14,566 --> 00:00:17,133 Everything we'll be looking at today is on the app. 7 00:00:17,133 --> 00:00:20,400 so if you haven't downloaded that, I invite you to. 8 00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:25,466 it's a really, really valuable resource and tool, that we use in this church. 9 00:00:25,466 --> 00:00:28,900 So please make, make use of it before you start with this. 10 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,933 with this, with with the message part. 11 00:00:31,933 --> 00:00:34,933 I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to be gone. 12 00:00:34,933 --> 00:00:38,966 Last Sunday, Jeff did a great job, handling God's word. 13 00:00:40,366 --> 00:00:44,833 it's so good to be able to to to to not have to be here, though. 14 00:00:44,833 --> 00:00:46,266 I love being here. 15 00:00:46,266 --> 00:00:49,866 but it's it's wonderful to be able to turn it 16 00:00:49,866 --> 00:00:55,500 over, to very, very, very credible, individuals who will just keep rolling. 17 00:00:55,500 --> 00:00:56,733 So thank you, Jeff. 18 00:00:56,733 --> 00:01:01,866 It was a big week for you and Jeff, you and your family, your beautiful eldest 19 00:01:03,866 --> 00:01:07,066 got married Friday evening. 20 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:08,766 Congratulations. 21 00:01:08,766 --> 00:01:11,466 Fantastic. 22 00:01:11,466 --> 00:01:13,566 it was a great time to celebrate with you guys. 23 00:01:13,566 --> 00:01:14,400 I'm proud of you. 24 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,400 thank you and Jen for raising your daughter as well. 25 00:01:17,666 --> 00:01:18,533 You guys. 26 00:01:18,533 --> 00:01:20,366 Nate, any of you guys did it right, man. 27 00:01:20,366 --> 00:01:23,266 Proud of you guys. 28 00:01:23,266 --> 00:01:26,266 but I was gone in Denver last Sunday, 29 00:01:27,433 --> 00:01:29,866 with, a group called Excel Leadership Network. 30 00:01:29,866 --> 00:01:32,866 We helped, start that. 31 00:01:32,933 --> 00:01:35,300 we helped run it. We fund it. 32 00:01:35,300 --> 00:01:39,400 and it is it is a group of pastors, 33 00:01:39,866 --> 00:01:44,100 that is primarily focused on church planting around the world. 34 00:01:44,633 --> 00:01:47,133 Our goal is to spot 35 00:01:47,133 --> 00:01:51,600 call out, set up fund, train, coach, high level leaders 36 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:55,766 for the work God's called them to do, specifically church planting. 37 00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:00,266 as we read about in the book of acts and this group, Excel Leadership 38 00:02:00,266 --> 00:02:05,300 Network, has a goal every year of planting 100 churches somewhere. 39 00:02:05,833 --> 00:02:07,466 primarily those happen in the United States, 40 00:02:07,466 --> 00:02:09,666 but they happen around the world as well. 41 00:02:09,666 --> 00:02:13,866 in places like, Guatemala and Cuba 42 00:02:14,266 --> 00:02:17,766 and Africa and, Nicaragua 43 00:02:18,100 --> 00:02:22,333 and Austria all over Europe, it's a it's a great work. 44 00:02:22,366 --> 00:02:24,200 We are major players in it. 45 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:26,133 It's part of what I helped do. 46 00:02:26,133 --> 00:02:29,400 and I was with one of our church planters in Denver this last week. 47 00:02:30,100 --> 00:02:30,566 weekend. 48 00:02:30,566 --> 00:02:33,033 And it was it was a great time being with he and his team. 49 00:02:33,033 --> 00:02:36,300 I also got to see my son Wyatt, which was a lot of fun to show with me 50 00:02:36,566 --> 00:02:38,766 and had a great time being away. 51 00:02:38,766 --> 00:02:43,333 but, so thank you for for making sure that Excel Leadership 52 00:02:43,333 --> 00:02:46,333 Network continues to happen and thrive and plant churches around the world. 53 00:02:46,533 --> 00:02:49,400 I want to share with you an update from, 54 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:53,933 our pastor O'Neill in Cuba years ago. 55 00:02:53,966 --> 00:02:58,466 I think back in 2007, 2008, I led the first Discovery Center, 56 00:02:58,466 --> 00:03:01,566 which is our are the arm of Excel Leadership network 57 00:03:01,566 --> 00:03:05,333 that spots these high level leaders, and, and, 58 00:03:05,333 --> 00:03:09,866 trains them and equips them and funds them and coaches them for church planting. 59 00:03:09,866 --> 00:03:11,066 They're called discovery centers. 60 00:03:11,066 --> 00:03:12,866 That's the entry door. 61 00:03:12,866 --> 00:03:15,066 and we did our first one in Cuba. 62 00:03:16,433 --> 00:03:18,766 Completely illegal under the radar. 63 00:03:18,766 --> 00:03:20,633 It was fantastic. 64 00:03:20,633 --> 00:03:25,966 and we have turned that ministry over in the discovery centers to pastor O'Neill 65 00:03:25,966 --> 00:03:29,966 and his wife, Heidi, who do them now about three a year in Cuba. 66 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:32,666 And I want to share with you some things from O'Neill. 67 00:03:32,666 --> 00:03:34,466 He just emailed, and this is what he said. 68 00:03:34,466 --> 00:03:35,933 Hello, my beloved brothers. 69 00:03:35,933 --> 00:03:37,133 We greet you and wish you 70 00:03:37,133 --> 00:03:41,300 all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord upon you and your families. 71 00:03:41,300 --> 00:03:42,233 We thank God. 72 00:03:42,233 --> 00:03:45,000 It sounds like the Apostle Paul's right in one of the churches. 73 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:45,966 You know what I'm saying? 74 00:03:45,966 --> 00:03:46,900 It amazes me. 75 00:03:46,900 --> 00:03:47,700 One of the things, 76 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:50,066 the only thing they have to read in Cuba is the Bible, 77 00:03:50,066 --> 00:03:52,066 and so they end up sounding like the Bible. 78 00:03:52,066 --> 00:03:53,600 I think there's a lesson for us in that. 79 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:56,633 Okay, 80 00:03:56,633 --> 00:03:57,333 this is what he says. 81 00:03:57,333 --> 00:03:59,000 We have all spent difficult days. 82 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,300 Viruses are affecting the population of Cuba, but God has kept us standing. 83 00:04:03,700 --> 00:04:06,000 There are many sick people within the church. 84 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:09,000 The most difficult thing is the lack of medicines. 85 00:04:09,066 --> 00:04:13,200 Thank God we were able to get some oral rehydration salts on the black market 86 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:16,266 because there aren't any, even in the hospitals. 87 00:04:16,266 --> 00:04:18,033 Everything is very difficult. 88 00:04:18,033 --> 00:04:21,133 But we're trusting even more in the manifestation of Jehovah Rapha, 89 00:04:21,133 --> 00:04:22,400 our healer. 90 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:25,833 We continue to preach Jesus Christ as the solution for Cuba. 91 00:04:26,666 --> 00:04:28,333 The Discovery Center was very good. 92 00:04:28,333 --> 00:04:30,100 Six of the couples were able to attend, 93 00:04:30,100 --> 00:04:33,100 and the staff that we've trained there are here. 94 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:35,766 Back home, we prepare for the weekend services. 95 00:04:35,766 --> 00:04:39,133 We're starting to receive the wives of the district pastors for fellowship 96 00:04:39,133 --> 00:04:42,633 times, buying some kitchen utensils and preparing for them. 97 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,266 We increased the number of people to whom we brought lunch, 98 00:04:46,366 --> 00:04:50,066 2 to 30, who are suffering without food in Cuba. 99 00:04:50,066 --> 00:04:52,100 The government gives them ration cards. 100 00:04:52,100 --> 00:04:55,133 But the ration cards, cards are enough to keep them 101 00:04:55,133 --> 00:04:58,000 just at about starvation level. It's really brutal. 102 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,400 And at this point, the government doesn't even have food to keep them starving. 103 00:05:02,266 --> 00:05:06,133 and so it's been incredible talking to O'Neill in Cuba. 104 00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:08,600 He said that the churches just 105 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,766 rally together and beg, borrow and steal whatever food they get. 106 00:05:12,066 --> 00:05:15,233 And they all make it together and have the church members 107 00:05:15,233 --> 00:05:18,466 primarily in the communion people over for dinner, just serve food together. 108 00:05:18,466 --> 00:05:21,966 And I asked him, I said, O'Neill, would it help if we just sent you some money? 109 00:05:23,033 --> 00:05:25,300 He said, well, maybe, but we don't want it 110 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:28,500 because this is our chance, to suffer. 111 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,766 And it's our chance to do what they did in biblical times 112 00:05:31,766 --> 00:05:33,633 and take care of each other. 113 00:05:33,633 --> 00:05:34,800 it really is amazing. 114 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:36,500 It's New Testament stuff. 115 00:05:36,500 --> 00:05:40,400 and so he said, we increase the number of people to 30. 116 00:05:40,533 --> 00:05:43,033 That that we're giving food to who are suffering without food. 117 00:05:43,033 --> 00:05:46,066 All the glory to God for allowing us to serve him in this way 118 00:05:46,333 --> 00:05:48,333 in these times in our nation. 119 00:05:48,333 --> 00:05:51,200 We always appreciate your support as we face obstacles 120 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,166 and opposition of all kinds. 121 00:05:53,166 --> 00:05:54,566 A big hug to all. 122 00:05:54,566 --> 00:05:57,566 We bless and love you, O'Neill and Heidi. 123 00:05:57,933 --> 00:06:00,500 incredible servants of God. 124 00:06:00,500 --> 00:06:04,966 who know what it is to suffer well, And are doing or doing kingdom work. 125 00:06:04,966 --> 00:06:06,633 Here's some pictures of them. 126 00:06:06,633 --> 00:06:10,933 This is just of some of the ladies who are gathering whatever food they can 127 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,000 and making it and putting it together that they can share 128 00:06:15,166 --> 00:06:18,166 with people in their church and in their community. 129 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:22,233 the humans are very, very proud people. 130 00:06:22,466 --> 00:06:26,133 They're very educated, very industrious, very strong. 131 00:06:26,966 --> 00:06:28,666 but they have great need. 132 00:06:28,666 --> 00:06:31,366 And so these are just some of the the men here are going on 133 00:06:31,366 --> 00:06:34,666 behalf of their families to get food that's being provided. 134 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:38,300 so they can, can just continue living. 135 00:06:38,866 --> 00:06:42,300 just dear, dear, 136 00:06:42,300 --> 00:06:46,266 sweet people, and I want you to know that they pray for us all the time. 137 00:06:48,766 --> 00:06:50,800 this is a church that we helped build in Cuba. 138 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,700 This is O'Neill's church, and and he's in the front row. 139 00:06:53,700 --> 00:06:55,366 I think that's his daughter leading. 140 00:06:55,366 --> 00:06:57,733 we helped build that, so. Thank you. 141 00:06:57,733 --> 00:06:58,333 It is. 142 00:06:58,333 --> 00:07:02,100 It's so interesting in Cuba with all the stuff 143 00:07:02,100 --> 00:07:05,100 that they have going on, all the difficulties. 144 00:07:05,700 --> 00:07:08,733 you cannot keep them from public worship, 145 00:07:09,933 --> 00:07:12,933 even if you try, because they do, 146 00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:15,800 and they find reasons to 147 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,966 go, not reasons not to go. 148 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,300 It's just amazing, 149 00:07:20,300 --> 00:07:24,933 the joy and and vitality that they have when they gather to worship every week. 150 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:26,633 And this is the Discovery Center. 151 00:07:26,633 --> 00:07:29,833 Those are some of the, the, the, the couples who were there. 152 00:07:31,533 --> 00:07:34,533 fulfilling God's call in the life to plant churches around the island. 153 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:36,300 Just amazing people. 154 00:07:36,300 --> 00:07:37,566 And I love them. 155 00:07:37,566 --> 00:07:40,300 Thank you for through this church your support of what God's 156 00:07:40,300 --> 00:07:42,533 doing around the world and in Cuba. 157 00:07:42,533 --> 00:07:46,366 Father, thank you, for this opportunity you have given us to be together. 158 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:48,933 We don't take it lightly, and we don't take it for granted. 159 00:07:48,933 --> 00:07:50,233 Well, sometimes we take it for granted. 160 00:07:50,233 --> 00:07:53,400 We should, We thank you for the chance to be together. 161 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,400 It's an honor and a privilege to be with you and with each other. 162 00:07:56,966 --> 00:07:58,633 God, thank you for what you're doing in Cuba. 163 00:07:58,633 --> 00:08:00,733 Thank you for O'Neal and Heidi. 164 00:08:00,733 --> 00:08:02,866 thank you for their church. Thank you for their ministry. 165 00:08:02,866 --> 00:08:06,866 Thank you for calling high level people, high level leaders in that little island 166 00:08:06,866 --> 00:08:10,466 nation, to serve your kingdom and to plant churches. 167 00:08:10,733 --> 00:08:13,733 Thank you for their willingness to suffer as well. 168 00:08:13,733 --> 00:08:16,766 father, I ask that you watch over on that. 169 00:08:16,766 --> 00:08:19,000 You continue your hand upon them. 170 00:08:20,700 --> 00:08:22,700 I thank you that you love. 171 00:08:22,700 --> 00:08:26,466 That you love not just us, but you love the Cuban people. 172 00:08:26,466 --> 00:08:28,700 That you love the people on that island 173 00:08:28,700 --> 00:08:31,833 that you sent your son to die for them, that they might know you. 174 00:08:32,366 --> 00:08:35,700 father, we join O'Neal and Heidi in their prayers 175 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,200 that Cuba would come to Christ. 176 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:39,433 that use us. 177 00:08:39,433 --> 00:08:41,900 However you see fit to help make that happen. 178 00:08:41,900 --> 00:08:43,900 May your kingdom come and your will be done. 179 00:08:43,900 --> 00:08:46,133 Not just here in the Ranchos, not just in Riverstone, 180 00:08:46,133 --> 00:08:50,100 not just in our community, not just in United States, God, but in Cuba as well. 181 00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:51,800 We love you. We trust you. 182 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,133 Continue using us for your good name's sake. 183 00:08:54,133 --> 00:08:56,566 In your name I pray. Amen. Amen. 184 00:08:56,566 --> 00:09:00,600 Hey, James, chapter four, verse 13 through 17, 185 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:04,933 the last half of this chapter is what we're going to look at today. 186 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:07,933 Again, the scriptures on the outline will be on the screen behind me. 187 00:09:07,933 --> 00:09:10,900 I just want to read it for you. And then we'll unpack it. 188 00:09:10,900 --> 00:09:11,733 All right. 189 00:09:11,733 --> 00:09:13,800 This is what the Bible says. Now listen. 190 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:15,600 Listen. 191 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:17,400 Pay attention. All right. 192 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:21,933 You who say today or tomorrow will go to this city or that, 193 00:09:21,933 --> 00:09:24,933 spend a year there, carry on business, make some money. 194 00:09:25,900 --> 00:09:29,233 This passage is written 195 00:09:29,233 --> 00:09:32,233 for all of you hyper planners. 196 00:09:33,466 --> 00:09:36,466 How many of you are planning people 197 00:09:38,100 --> 00:09:39,300 you like your plans. 198 00:09:39,300 --> 00:09:40,566 You got your agendas. 199 00:09:40,566 --> 00:09:42,966 You got your schedules. 200 00:09:42,966 --> 00:09:45,433 You know what you have planned. 201 00:09:45,433 --> 00:09:46,700 What's going to happen? 202 00:09:46,700 --> 00:09:49,200 This and this and this and this. 203 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,133 You see it clearly and nothing better get in your way. 204 00:09:52,133 --> 00:09:54,400 How many of you are planners? 205 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:59,266 James says, listen, you hyper planners. 206 00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:04,600 You people who thrive on control of your agenda 207 00:10:04,766 --> 00:10:08,233 and your schedule and everybody else's in your wake. 208 00:10:09,433 --> 00:10:11,500 Listen, 209 00:10:11,500 --> 00:10:14,100 you say, 210 00:10:14,100 --> 00:10:15,233 hey, you know what we're going to do? 211 00:10:15,233 --> 00:10:16,500 I got the plan. 212 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:18,733 I got the function. I got the agenda. 213 00:10:18,733 --> 00:10:19,500 This is what we're going to do. 214 00:10:20,500 --> 00:10:22,600 You don't even know 215 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,600 what's going to happen tomorrow. 216 00:10:26,033 --> 00:10:29,033 All you planners. 217 00:10:29,733 --> 00:10:32,566 What is your life? 218 00:10:32,566 --> 00:10:33,933 You're a mist 219 00:10:33,933 --> 00:10:36,933 that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 220 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:40,566 Instead of all your planning and planning and hyper control, 221 00:10:41,633 --> 00:10:43,833 you ought to say, 222 00:10:43,833 --> 00:10:46,033 if it's the Lord's will, we'll live. 223 00:10:46,033 --> 00:10:48,366 If it's the Lord's will I wake up tomorrow? 224 00:10:48,366 --> 00:10:49,733 That's what he's saying. 225 00:10:49,733 --> 00:10:52,500 If it's the Lord's will, I'ma finish off this day. 226 00:10:52,500 --> 00:10:55,500 If it's the Lord's will, I'll do this or that. 227 00:10:56,366 --> 00:10:59,033 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes 228 00:10:59,033 --> 00:11:01,866 and all your plans and agendas and schedules. 229 00:11:01,866 --> 00:11:05,000 All such boasting as if you have control. 230 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,500 That's evil. 231 00:11:08,500 --> 00:11:10,266 If anyone then knows the good 232 00:11:10,266 --> 00:11:13,266 they ought to do and doesn't do it. 233 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:15,700 What is it? 234 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:16,266 It's in. 235 00:11:18,300 --> 00:11:21,300 From the beginning of our lives. 236 00:11:21,900 --> 00:11:25,333 We seek one thing in all areas. 237 00:11:25,933 --> 00:11:29,233 And that one thing that we seek in all areas is success. 238 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,633 Whether we talk about school, 239 00:11:32,633 --> 00:11:35,700 career, marriage, retirement. 240 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:39,200 The goal at the end of the day 241 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:42,166 is that I will be 242 00:11:42,166 --> 00:11:43,533 successful. 243 00:11:43,533 --> 00:11:45,400 I'm gonna get it done. 244 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:47,866 I succeed. I carry this out. 245 00:11:47,866 --> 00:11:51,900 And so what happens is that our world view becomes this. 246 00:11:52,466 --> 00:11:57,433 That God then becomes an accessory that we add to our plans, 247 00:11:58,500 --> 00:12:01,800 and we want to add God to what we have planned 248 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:04,800 so that we become 249 00:12:05,266 --> 00:12:06,700 successful. 250 00:12:06,700 --> 00:12:09,166 Whether it's our school, our job, 251 00:12:09,166 --> 00:12:12,400 our employment, our marriage, our retirement. 252 00:12:12,433 --> 00:12:15,900 We want to add God to what we plan so that we are successful. 253 00:12:17,566 --> 00:12:19,000 And if something 254 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,866 and we believe that it is God's job, then 255 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:24,600 to grant 256 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:27,600 our requests and make our dreams come true. 257 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:29,400 That's what we believe. 258 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,400 Whether we verbalize it or not, 259 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:34,400 we believe 260 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:37,400 because our goal from the beginning is success. 261 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:41,366 And we want to add God to our plan so that we will succeed. 262 00:12:41,566 --> 00:12:44,733 We thereby believe that is God's job 263 00:12:45,366 --> 00:12:48,666 to fulfill my goals and my plans. 264 00:12:51,033 --> 00:12:54,033 And if our plans get off track, 265 00:12:54,700 --> 00:12:57,700 either from unforeseen circumstances 266 00:12:57,833 --> 00:13:00,900 or more likely, from sinful choices, 267 00:13:01,466 --> 00:13:04,366 we beg him to fix our problem 268 00:13:04,366 --> 00:13:07,366 and we promise that will be better next time. 269 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,400 Right. 270 00:13:13,266 --> 00:13:13,700 Okay, 271 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:16,700 so I can see this is too difficult for you to understand. 272 00:13:17,033 --> 00:13:20,033 So I'm going to do the whole thing over again and hope you can keep up. 273 00:13:22,266 --> 00:13:24,200 Do you understand what I'm saying? Yes. 274 00:13:27,333 --> 00:13:30,333 James four focuses 275 00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:32,000 on this. 276 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:36,500 It's arrogant to make plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty. 277 00:13:36,533 --> 00:13:39,533 First in our lives. 278 00:13:40,366 --> 00:13:42,266 James reminds us, 279 00:13:42,266 --> 00:13:45,500 you and I cannot be certain of what tomorrow will bring, 280 00:13:46,666 --> 00:13:49,466 and it is arrogant to assume 281 00:13:49,466 --> 00:13:52,300 that we have sole control over our plans 282 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:55,366 and that our plans will come to fruition just because we made them. 283 00:13:56,533 --> 00:13:59,533 It's very arrogant. 284 00:14:00,166 --> 00:14:04,066 And James warns us against planning 285 00:14:04,066 --> 00:14:07,366 with the assumption we have control over what we've planned. 286 00:14:09,333 --> 00:14:11,666 I was reminded on on Friday 287 00:14:11,666 --> 00:14:14,700 of Proverbs 16 nine and they didn't put it on the screen. 288 00:14:14,700 --> 00:14:16,633 I was just thinking about it. 289 00:14:16,633 --> 00:14:19,633 And Proverbs 16 nine, I want to read it for you. 290 00:14:21,333 --> 00:14:24,333 Proverbs 16 nine says this 291 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:27,800 in his heart a man plans his course. 292 00:14:28,066 --> 00:14:28,800 In other words, 293 00:14:29,900 --> 00:14:32,766 all you hyper planners, 294 00:14:32,766 --> 00:14:36,533 you have your plan for your life, for your future, 295 00:14:36,533 --> 00:14:39,533 for your kids. 296 00:14:40,333 --> 00:14:43,466 But the Lord determines his steps. 297 00:14:45,033 --> 00:14:47,566 You might make your plans, 298 00:14:47,566 --> 00:14:49,733 but you are not 299 00:14:49,733 --> 00:14:52,733 the only master of your own ship. 300 00:14:54,100 --> 00:14:56,366 Thoughtful planning is biblical. 301 00:14:56,366 --> 00:14:58,066 Let me be very clear about that. 302 00:14:58,066 --> 00:15:02,300 But James 413 through 17 chastises us 303 00:15:02,933 --> 00:15:07,200 for our foolishness of our self-centered plans, 304 00:15:07,466 --> 00:15:11,366 over which we have no ultimate and final control. 305 00:15:12,700 --> 00:15:14,500 And so what James says is this. 306 00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:19,700 He says, set aside your own plans and submit them first 307 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,566 to God's will and sovereignty and kingdom. 308 00:15:26,633 --> 00:15:29,700 So this is where most of us miss the boat. 309 00:15:31,466 --> 00:15:33,900 We have plans. 310 00:15:33,900 --> 00:15:35,400 I have a plan for my career. 311 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:36,600 I have a plan for my school. 312 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,600 I have a plan for my family. I have a plan. 313 00:15:39,866 --> 00:15:44,433 But rarely do we start with my plan with father. 314 00:15:44,433 --> 00:15:46,933 According to your will. According to your kingdom. 315 00:15:48,133 --> 00:15:51,133 We start with our plan. 316 00:15:53,166 --> 00:15:56,100 And because we start with our plan, 317 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:59,100 we are at the center of our will. 318 00:15:59,666 --> 00:16:02,100 And when we are at the center of our will, 319 00:16:02,100 --> 00:16:05,100 the Bible calls that sin 320 00:16:05,933 --> 00:16:07,866 because it is a life apart 321 00:16:07,866 --> 00:16:11,733 from the sovereignty and submission to God. 322 00:16:13,066 --> 00:16:15,000 And James says, all such 323 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,000 planning is foolishness. 324 00:16:18,966 --> 00:16:21,166 At the end of the day. 325 00:16:21,166 --> 00:16:24,366 We are not the ones who are in control. 326 00:16:25,233 --> 00:16:26,966 Let me just ask this. 327 00:16:26,966 --> 00:16:29,700 How many? Think back to 2019. 328 00:16:29,700 --> 00:16:33,200 How many of your lives, how many of you? 329 00:16:35,566 --> 00:16:37,333 How many have gone 330 00:16:37,333 --> 00:16:40,500 exactly as you had planned five years ago? 331 00:16:41,233 --> 00:16:44,233 Not anybody. 332 00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:47,333 No, not at all. 333 00:16:47,333 --> 00:16:49,566 What have there been unforeseen 334 00:16:49,566 --> 00:16:52,566 turns that happened within the last five years? 335 00:16:52,633 --> 00:16:54,000 Yeah. What was the biggest one? 336 00:16:55,333 --> 00:16:57,833 Covid? 337 00:16:57,833 --> 00:16:58,200 Yeah. 338 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:00,133 Let me just ask, is it possible? 339 00:17:00,133 --> 00:17:05,733 Is there a possibility that there may be unforeseen turns in your future? 340 00:17:06,333 --> 00:17:07,000 Yeah. 341 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,000 Possibly. Yes. 342 00:17:13,366 --> 00:17:16,366 So why is it then, 343 00:17:16,433 --> 00:17:19,433 that we get so bent out of shape 344 00:17:20,066 --> 00:17:22,733 when what we have planned 345 00:17:22,733 --> 00:17:25,500 does not come to fruition? 346 00:17:25,500 --> 00:17:28,500 Because there's something in us that believes 347 00:17:28,866 --> 00:17:32,066 I ought to be in control, and God ought to help 348 00:17:32,066 --> 00:17:35,066 my plans come true. 349 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,866 And James, as James says, I want you to know. 350 00:17:38,866 --> 00:17:41,400 Notice how foolish that is. 351 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,733 The Bible reminds us. And so on. 352 00:17:43,733 --> 00:17:46,966 in in Psalm 2039 says this, show 353 00:17:46,966 --> 00:17:50,400 me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days. 354 00:17:50,866 --> 00:17:52,700 Let me know. Watch this. 355 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:55,466 How fleeting my life is. 356 00:17:55,466 --> 00:17:58,766 You have made my days a mere habit. 357 00:17:59,500 --> 00:18:02,566 The span of my years is nothing. 358 00:18:02,566 --> 00:18:03,300 Before you. 359 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,566 Everyone is but a breath. 360 00:18:07,566 --> 00:18:10,600 Even those who seem like they got everything 361 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:13,600 all planned. 362 00:18:13,866 --> 00:18:14,433 Surely 363 00:18:14,433 --> 00:18:17,433 everyone goes around like a mere phantom. 364 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:18,933 In vain. 365 00:18:18,933 --> 00:18:21,933 They rush about heaping up wealth. 366 00:18:23,500 --> 00:18:26,500 All their plans and planning and schemes 367 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,566 without knowing 368 00:18:29,566 --> 00:18:32,566 who's going to get everything they work for when they die. 369 00:18:33,233 --> 00:18:35,133 It's foolish 370 00:18:35,133 --> 00:18:38,333 to make our plans in the absence of the submission 371 00:18:38,633 --> 00:18:41,633 to God on the front end. 372 00:18:42,100 --> 00:18:44,300 Chapter four of James 373 00:18:44,300 --> 00:18:47,200 from the first verse to the end, chapter four is all 374 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:50,200 about one singular problem. 375 00:18:50,533 --> 00:18:55,100 And the problem that James four addresses is yours and my problem. 376 00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:58,100 And the problem is this we think it's all about me. 377 00:19:00,633 --> 00:19:01,466 That's the problems. 378 00:19:01,466 --> 00:19:03,733 James four addresses. 379 00:19:03,733 --> 00:19:06,733 The other problem was we think it's all about us. 380 00:19:06,733 --> 00:19:10,666 And so when we look at our schooling, we think our schooling is all about me. 381 00:19:10,733 --> 00:19:13,400 We look at our career. We think our career is all about me. 382 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:14,733 We look at our finances. 383 00:19:14,733 --> 00:19:16,466 Our finances is all about me. 384 00:19:16,466 --> 00:19:17,366 We look at God. 385 00:19:17,366 --> 00:19:19,533 We think God ought to be all about me. 386 00:19:19,533 --> 00:19:20,533 Even our prayers. 387 00:19:20,533 --> 00:19:23,666 James says at the beginning of chapter four, he says, you pray 388 00:19:23,666 --> 00:19:25,433 you don't get what you want because you ask what. 389 00:19:25,433 --> 00:19:27,433 On role motives, because you think you're praying 390 00:19:27,433 --> 00:19:28,933 and your prayers are all about you. 391 00:19:32,533 --> 00:19:35,066 This is the problem James addresses in chapter four 392 00:19:35,066 --> 00:19:38,700 is is our problem that we think this is all about us? 393 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,000 And James says, ultimately, it's not about you at all. 394 00:19:44,566 --> 00:19:47,266 It's about Christ and His kingdom. 395 00:19:47,266 --> 00:19:50,533 And when we make our plans as if our plans are all about us, 396 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:54,600 that's really arrogant, 397 00:19:55,266 --> 00:19:58,266 because we don't even know if we were going to wake up tomorrow. 398 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,400 And he calls us to a very deep and profound submission 399 00:20:03,966 --> 00:20:06,866 to the authority and the sovereignty of the hand of God 400 00:20:06,866 --> 00:20:10,000 over our lives and over everything 401 00:20:10,266 --> 00:20:13,266 we have planned. 402 00:20:17,233 --> 00:20:20,233 Just just for a moment, just consider, 403 00:20:20,466 --> 00:20:23,233 as James teaches us, listen, you who say, 404 00:20:23,233 --> 00:20:25,333 who make your plans, who have your agendas, 405 00:20:25,333 --> 00:20:30,100 who have your schedules right today or tomorrow will go to this 406 00:20:30,100 --> 00:20:33,000 or that city and spend a year there, carry on business and make some money. 407 00:20:35,166 --> 00:20:38,666 He. Do you 408 00:20:38,666 --> 00:20:41,666 see what he's saying about this hypothetical person who makes these plans, 409 00:20:42,766 --> 00:20:46,733 all these plans are this person's plans. 410 00:20:47,066 --> 00:20:48,233 Let me just ask question. 411 00:20:48,233 --> 00:20:49,733 Where is God? 412 00:20:49,733 --> 00:20:52,733 Where is God's kingdom in this plan? 413 00:20:56,100 --> 00:20:56,400 Okay. 414 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,566 Let me ask you again. Maybe you'll understand what I'm saying. 415 00:20:58,566 --> 00:21:00,333 Where is God in His kingdom? 416 00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:03,333 In this plan? 417 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:03,633 Okay. 418 00:21:03,633 --> 00:21:05,866 Let me ask it again, because maybe you'll understand what I'm saying. 419 00:21:05,866 --> 00:21:06,666 Answer me now. 420 00:21:06,666 --> 00:21:08,400 Where is God in his kingdom? 421 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:10,466 In these plans? 422 00:21:10,466 --> 00:21:13,466 Nowhere. 423 00:21:13,533 --> 00:21:15,600 And yet this is how the vast 424 00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:18,600 majority of us of you plan. 425 00:21:19,433 --> 00:21:21,300 We don't start with God. 426 00:21:21,300 --> 00:21:23,266 Your kingdom. 427 00:21:23,266 --> 00:21:27,633 If you'll just allow me to fulfill your kingdom, your desire. 428 00:21:28,433 --> 00:21:31,000 This is what I'd like to do. 429 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,300 Most of us plan just like this. 430 00:21:33,300 --> 00:21:35,333 I'll tell you what I'm going to do today. Tomorrow? I got it all planned out. 431 00:21:37,566 --> 00:21:40,300 Right. 432 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:43,300 And God and his kingdom is nowhere in them. 433 00:21:44,233 --> 00:21:47,233 And James says that's really arrogant. 434 00:21:47,833 --> 00:21:48,300 James. 435 00:21:48,300 --> 00:21:51,566 Even earlier, like I said, this is the reason why our prayers aren't answers. 436 00:21:51,566 --> 00:21:54,566 Because our prayers are all about us. 437 00:21:54,666 --> 00:21:57,166 We think we have God to our plans and our agenda, 438 00:21:57,166 --> 00:22:00,166 and it's his job to make it happen. 439 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:05,633 The idea is this pray and plan, 440 00:22:06,900 --> 00:22:08,833 but our praying and planning goes like this. 441 00:22:08,833 --> 00:22:13,300 Father, according to your desires and according to your kingdom. 442 00:22:13,933 --> 00:22:16,800 My plan is to dot, dot, dot, 443 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:19,500 but not my will. 444 00:22:19,500 --> 00:22:22,333 I want yours to override mine. 445 00:22:22,333 --> 00:22:24,633 God, I want your plans to override my plans. 446 00:22:24,633 --> 00:22:27,266 God, I want your desires to override my desires. 447 00:22:27,266 --> 00:22:30,833 If you have a different plan for my life, for my kids, for my money, 448 00:22:30,833 --> 00:22:32,466 for my retirement, that's fine. 449 00:22:33,733 --> 00:22:34,300 You understand? 450 00:22:34,300 --> 00:22:37,300 Do you see the difference? 451 00:22:38,266 --> 00:22:40,633 James, for 452 00:22:40,633 --> 00:22:41,466 reminds us. 453 00:22:41,466 --> 00:22:43,800 And Jeff talked about this last week. 454 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:45,266 Submit to God. 455 00:22:45,266 --> 00:22:48,266 Resist the devil and he'll flee from you. 456 00:22:48,333 --> 00:22:51,033 So just following that instructions. 457 00:22:51,033 --> 00:22:51,766 Submit to God. 458 00:22:51,766 --> 00:22:54,766 Resist the devil. He'll free flee from you. 459 00:22:54,966 --> 00:22:57,300 We apply that to our planning. 460 00:22:57,300 --> 00:22:58,400 And it looks like this. 461 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:03,300 I submit my plans to God and my evil, selfish desires for my plans. 462 00:23:03,300 --> 00:23:06,300 Flees. 463 00:23:06,466 --> 00:23:09,366 But most of us don't submit our plans and agenda to God first. 464 00:23:09,366 --> 00:23:11,800 We just plan and instead of agenda. 465 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:14,533 And it becomes selfish 466 00:23:14,533 --> 00:23:17,100 and James and start to submit it to God first. 467 00:23:17,100 --> 00:23:18,166 Then make your plans 468 00:23:18,166 --> 00:23:20,500 because all that selfishness wants you've submitted to God first. 469 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:23,766 All that selfishness will flee because it's evil. 470 00:23:28,866 --> 00:23:30,533 James says 471 00:23:30,533 --> 00:23:33,766 we should never assume tomorrow is going to be like today. 472 00:23:34,833 --> 00:23:35,800 Right? 473 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:37,100 Right. 474 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:38,966 We know that, 475 00:23:38,966 --> 00:23:41,833 but we all assume it is. 476 00:23:41,833 --> 00:23:44,100 James says we can't assume 477 00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:47,500 that just because we made plans, they're all going to come to fruition 478 00:23:48,733 --> 00:23:51,600 because we know it's probably not. 479 00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:53,400 But we know we haven't submitted to God first, 480 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:56,400 because when they don't come to fruition, we get really, really, really upset 481 00:23:57,700 --> 00:23:59,666 and we think something's wrong. 482 00:23:59,666 --> 00:24:00,733 And that's the warning sign. 483 00:24:00,733 --> 00:24:03,733 We haven't submitted to God and his agenda. 484 00:24:06,466 --> 00:24:08,700 See, if we submitted a God to his agenda, 485 00:24:08,700 --> 00:24:11,700 we would be okay when he changes course. 486 00:24:12,900 --> 00:24:14,033 Right? 487 00:24:14,033 --> 00:24:15,033 Right. 488 00:24:15,033 --> 00:24:18,033 And even if there's a little X, we still say God. Who? 489 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:20,400 But I trust you. 490 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,400 I'm going to be okay. 491 00:24:23,566 --> 00:24:26,566 That's not usually how we respond 492 00:24:26,733 --> 00:24:29,100 when plans change, is it 493 00:24:29,100 --> 00:24:30,233 especially important ones? 494 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:33,833 Now it's important to note 495 00:24:33,833 --> 00:24:36,366 this is not a prohibition against planning. 496 00:24:36,366 --> 00:24:38,466 The problem is that planning. 497 00:24:38,466 --> 00:24:39,300 The problem is 498 00:24:39,300 --> 00:24:42,633 when we make plans with the assumption we have complete control over our plan. 499 00:24:43,533 --> 00:24:46,533 And that is God's job to make sure our plans happen. 500 00:24:49,366 --> 00:24:52,066 He says you don't even know what tomorrow's going to bring. 501 00:24:52,066 --> 00:24:55,066 There's going to be a lot of unexpected turns and twists. 502 00:24:56,633 --> 00:25:00,166 How many times have we made plans about some area of our life, 503 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:03,333 only to have it be derailed by something that was invisible at the time? 504 00:25:03,333 --> 00:25:05,600 We made our plans, 505 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:06,433 right? 506 00:25:06,433 --> 00:25:09,433 Right. 507 00:25:10,466 --> 00:25:11,666 I mean, you make your work plans 508 00:25:11,666 --> 00:25:14,666 for your career, and all of a sudden, those plans are gone. 509 00:25:14,766 --> 00:25:16,333 You made plans for your finances. 510 00:25:16,333 --> 00:25:18,300 All of a sudden, those plans are gone. 511 00:25:18,300 --> 00:25:21,366 You make plans for your relationships also, and those things are gone. 512 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:27,166 Now, let me just say, parents, 513 00:25:27,166 --> 00:25:30,300 how many of us have had plans for our kids? 514 00:25:31,033 --> 00:25:34,633 And if they would just let us plan out their life, everything would be fine. 515 00:25:36,300 --> 00:25:39,300 How has that gone for you? 516 00:25:45,300 --> 00:25:46,200 James wants. 517 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:47,400 He was just looking. 518 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,400 It's so arrogant 519 00:25:50,433 --> 00:25:52,300 to make plans 520 00:25:52,300 --> 00:25:55,300 without first submitting them to God. 521 00:25:55,433 --> 00:25:57,933 Because who are you anyway? 522 00:25:57,933 --> 00:25:58,900 He, in essence uses. 523 00:25:58,900 --> 00:26:01,200 Who do you think you are? 524 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:04,200 And he says in verse 14, 525 00:26:05,166 --> 00:26:08,366 but you don't even know what's going to happen tomorrow, what your life. 526 00:26:10,100 --> 00:26:12,666 How are you? 527 00:26:12,666 --> 00:26:14,633 You're a mist that appears 528 00:26:14,633 --> 00:26:17,633 for a little while and then vanishes. 529 00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:20,166 That's kind of depressing, 530 00:26:20,166 --> 00:26:20,966 right? 531 00:26:20,966 --> 00:26:23,966 Right. 532 00:26:26,100 --> 00:26:27,700 James, he says, look, 533 00:26:27,700 --> 00:26:30,566 I want you to accept on the front end 534 00:26:30,566 --> 00:26:33,566 your own own mortality. 535 00:26:33,733 --> 00:26:36,666 I want you to accept your lack of control. 536 00:26:37,666 --> 00:26:40,066 I want you to acknowledge the shortness 537 00:26:40,066 --> 00:26:43,066 and brevity and frailty of your life. 538 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:46,833 Understand who you are and understand 539 00:26:46,833 --> 00:26:49,833 who God is. 540 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:51,733 After sin, 541 00:26:51,733 --> 00:26:54,733 we were not intended to live forever on this planet, 542 00:26:56,033 --> 00:26:57,766 and because of sin, these bodies 543 00:26:57,766 --> 00:27:00,766 are not intended to last forever. 544 00:27:00,900 --> 00:27:03,900 The Apostle Paul talks about our physical bodies as a tent, 545 00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:07,733 and that tent wears down and wears out. 546 00:27:07,733 --> 00:27:11,700 Leave a tent outside of the elements year after year. 547 00:27:12,100 --> 00:27:15,166 Pretty soon that tent is not going to be able to stand. 548 00:27:15,900 --> 00:27:17,300 That's our bodies. 549 00:27:17,300 --> 00:27:19,633 And James says, understand who you are. 550 00:27:19,633 --> 00:27:22,300 The brevity of life. The frailty of life. 551 00:27:22,300 --> 00:27:25,300 Who are you to make your plans? 552 00:27:29,633 --> 00:27:32,100 And the point is this. 553 00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:35,366 Because our lives are suffer because life is so precious. 554 00:27:35,633 --> 00:27:39,266 The point is not to preserve our life 555 00:27:39,266 --> 00:27:42,266 at all costs because it's a missed event. 556 00:27:42,266 --> 00:27:43,166 That's not the point. 557 00:27:44,633 --> 00:27:47,633 The point is to live with the understanding 558 00:27:48,066 --> 00:27:51,066 that we cannot assume we have tomorrow. 559 00:27:51,266 --> 00:27:54,266 Now, what does it mean to live without responsibility? 560 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:58,800 And it doesn't mean then to live, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow night. 561 00:27:58,833 --> 00:28:01,433 That's not what it means. 562 00:28:01,433 --> 00:28:05,066 It doesn't mean don't plan and don't have strategy. 563 00:28:05,066 --> 00:28:06,300 And don't seek wise counsel. 564 00:28:06,300 --> 00:28:08,900 Those are all biblical things. 565 00:28:08,900 --> 00:28:10,966 But it does mean, 566 00:28:10,966 --> 00:28:13,300 because life is so fleeting. 567 00:28:13,300 --> 00:28:16,366 Take every moment you have this day because you don't know 568 00:28:16,366 --> 00:28:19,366 if you'll have tomorrow to submit to God 569 00:28:19,433 --> 00:28:22,433 and His Kingdom and his sovereignty. 570 00:28:22,933 --> 00:28:25,933 Don't fight and plan against it. 571 00:28:26,033 --> 00:28:28,233 For in verse 15 he says, 572 00:28:28,233 --> 00:28:31,233 instead you, Oddisee, 573 00:28:31,500 --> 00:28:34,466 if it's the Lord's will, 574 00:28:34,466 --> 00:28:36,333 we'll live. 575 00:28:36,333 --> 00:28:39,333 If it's the Lord's will. 576 00:28:39,333 --> 00:28:41,633 I'm going to do this thing that I planned. 577 00:28:41,633 --> 00:28:43,466 But it starts with our plan. 578 00:28:46,766 --> 00:28:49,766 No. It starts with. 579 00:28:54,066 --> 00:28:56,200 You know that, noble Lord willing. 580 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:58,600 That's not just a slogan. 581 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,600 It's just not something we say. 582 00:29:01,833 --> 00:29:02,600 That whole idea. 583 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:06,700 Well, Lord willing, that's how Paul lived and planned and prayed. 584 00:29:06,766 --> 00:29:09,466 Just notice the Apostle Paul, 585 00:29:09,466 --> 00:29:13,500 one of the ones that kind of is lifted up as, hey, this guy did pretty well. 586 00:29:13,533 --> 00:29:15,700 Like, pay attention to how he lived, right? 587 00:29:15,700 --> 00:29:19,200 And in fact, he told people, follow me as I follow Christ. 588 00:29:19,500 --> 00:29:21,000 And so let's just follow the Apostle Paul. 589 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:21,900 Look how he said. 590 00:29:21,900 --> 00:29:25,500 But as he left, he promised, I will come back if what 591 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:28,866 if is the Lord's will? 592 00:29:28,866 --> 00:29:29,966 Look at what he said. 593 00:29:29,966 --> 00:29:32,966 And I pray that now, at least by what? 594 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:37,466 By God's will a way may open for me to come back to you. 595 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:41,600 For I do not want to see you now, and make only a passing visit. 596 00:29:41,666 --> 00:29:44,666 I hope to spend some time with you if what 597 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:48,233 if the Lord permits, 598 00:29:48,233 --> 00:29:50,733 and I'm confident in what? 599 00:29:50,733 --> 00:29:53,400 In the Lord that I myself. 600 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:55,400 I'm not confident in my plans. 601 00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:57,400 I'm not confident in my agenda. 602 00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:00,900 I'm confident that the Lord might allow me to come see you. 603 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:04,900 And what, 604 00:30:04,900 --> 00:30:07,900 God forbid, he will do so. 605 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:11,833 Do you see the difference in how Paul plans and how we plan 606 00:30:13,066 --> 00:30:15,400 everything that Paul planned? 607 00:30:15,400 --> 00:30:19,033 If the Lord provides, if the Lord grants, if the Lord says yes, 608 00:30:20,066 --> 00:30:20,633 if the Lord. 609 00:30:20,633 --> 00:30:23,633 If this is what he, then absolutely. 610 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:27,000 But his plans are always submissive, 611 00:30:27,433 --> 00:30:30,000 right? 612 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:31,200 To God's agenda. 613 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:32,800 First. 614 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,566 And this is why Paul could pivot 615 00:30:35,566 --> 00:30:39,766 and move without freaking out when his plans changed. 616 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:42,000 Jesus was the 617 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:45,000 same throughout his whole life. 618 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:48,600 Completely open to the will and discretion of his father. 619 00:30:48,700 --> 00:30:50,566 Sometimes, instead of studying 620 00:30:50,566 --> 00:30:53,700 the footsteps of Jesus, study the interruption of Jesus. 621 00:30:54,733 --> 00:30:57,400 His plans, quote unquote, changed a lot. 622 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:00,100 God in her father interrupted him 623 00:31:00,100 --> 00:31:02,733 even on his last days. 624 00:31:02,733 --> 00:31:05,766 Notice his prayer going a little further in the Garden of Gethsemane. 625 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,833 He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, My father. 626 00:31:08,833 --> 00:31:11,833 If it's possible, I have a different plan. 627 00:31:13,266 --> 00:31:15,733 God, if it's possible, 628 00:31:15,733 --> 00:31:17,833 my schedule is different than yours. 629 00:31:17,833 --> 00:31:20,833 If it's possible. 630 00:31:20,933 --> 00:31:21,300 Yeah. 631 00:31:21,300 --> 00:31:23,500 It's not my plan. 632 00:31:23,500 --> 00:31:25,466 But what? 633 00:31:25,466 --> 00:31:27,866 As you will. 634 00:31:27,866 --> 00:31:29,900 Submissive to God's control. 635 00:31:29,900 --> 00:31:32,400 Submissive to God's plan. 636 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:34,200 It's not just a phrase. 637 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:35,433 It's a constant way. 638 00:31:35,433 --> 00:31:38,933 The person who's being mentored by Jesus thinks and views the world. 639 00:31:42,900 --> 00:31:43,566 And when we 640 00:31:43,566 --> 00:31:48,633 understand that everything comes to us, either at the permission or the hand 641 00:31:48,633 --> 00:31:53,033 and power of God, we can say with calmness, 642 00:31:53,333 --> 00:31:56,200 if it's the Lord's will. 643 00:31:56,200 --> 00:31:58,066 But notice how deep this runs. 644 00:31:58,066 --> 00:32:01,366 This isn't just if it's the Lord's will for me to get a new car, I'll get a car. 645 00:32:01,500 --> 00:32:03,133 This is about my very life. 646 00:32:03,133 --> 00:32:05,500 If it's the Lord's will. 647 00:32:05,500 --> 00:32:07,833 I'll make it through this day. 648 00:32:07,833 --> 00:32:11,033 If it's the Lord's will, I'll wake up tomorrow. 649 00:32:11,566 --> 00:32:13,366 You see how deep this runs? 650 00:32:13,366 --> 00:32:14,100 Do you see how. 651 00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:19,133 How profound this submission is, even for your very breath? 652 00:32:20,066 --> 00:32:22,933 If it's the Lord's will. 653 00:32:22,933 --> 00:32:23,733 Do you want proof? 654 00:32:23,733 --> 00:32:25,733 You don't have control over your own life? 655 00:32:25,733 --> 00:32:29,100 Try to make your own heart beat when your heart says it's not going to. 656 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:34,200 If it's the Lord's will. 657 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:37,200 If it's the Lord's will, I'll do this or that. 658 00:32:38,900 --> 00:32:40,300 Yeah, I have plans. 659 00:32:40,300 --> 00:32:41,400 I have no idea. 660 00:32:41,400 --> 00:32:42,633 I'll do everything I can. 661 00:32:42,633 --> 00:32:45,633 And if it's the Lord's will. 662 00:32:46,733 --> 00:32:49,966 And when we can get to that point, we begin to approach life 663 00:32:50,133 --> 00:32:53,133 with so much appreciation. 664 00:32:54,300 --> 00:32:56,533 And so much joy. 665 00:32:56,533 --> 00:33:00,466 Because we know that what's coming to us is by the hand and sovereignty of God 666 00:33:01,333 --> 00:33:04,333 who loves us. 667 00:33:05,666 --> 00:33:06,200 The point 668 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:09,766 is this to realize that our life is not under our sole control. 669 00:33:10,900 --> 00:33:15,233 I mean, think for a moment, you, Bible students, how much how profoundly 670 00:33:15,233 --> 00:33:18,766 God wrecked Joseph's life to get Joseph 671 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:22,000 in the center of his will. 672 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,400 You who are Bible students and those of you who are starting to read 673 00:33:25,433 --> 00:33:27,300 in the book of Genesis, 674 00:33:27,300 --> 00:33:30,200 the last half of that entire book is about the life of Joseph. 675 00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:35,533 You consider how much God wrecked Joseph's life, wrecked his plans, wrecked 676 00:33:35,533 --> 00:33:40,033 his agenda, wrecked his hopes to get him in the center of God's will for him. 677 00:33:41,933 --> 00:33:42,766 What makes you think he 678 00:33:42,766 --> 00:33:45,766 won't do the same with us? 679 00:33:47,066 --> 00:33:50,466 Realize now, sometimes our plans get wrecked. 680 00:33:50,466 --> 00:33:52,566 Not because God's doing it. 681 00:33:52,566 --> 00:33:53,700 Let's be honest. 682 00:33:53,700 --> 00:33:56,966 Sometimes our plans get wrecked because our own stupid party 683 00:33:57,266 --> 00:34:00,233 and sin, right? 684 00:34:00,233 --> 00:34:03,166 Sometimes it's our fault. 685 00:34:03,166 --> 00:34:05,966 And in those times, it's not that God's doing it to us. 686 00:34:05,966 --> 00:34:07,700 God just says, look, you want to play with fire. 687 00:34:07,700 --> 00:34:08,766 I'll let you go ahead and get burned. 688 00:34:08,766 --> 00:34:10,166 How's that feel? 689 00:34:10,166 --> 00:34:12,866 Right. Right. 690 00:34:12,866 --> 00:34:14,366 And so let's just be honest about that. 691 00:34:14,366 --> 00:34:18,566 But we have to realize that when we start our plans with ourself, 692 00:34:18,666 --> 00:34:21,666 it's really self-centered and arrogant. 693 00:34:21,966 --> 00:34:24,900 And God has the final say. 694 00:34:24,900 --> 00:34:27,300 And so we have to start with God. 695 00:34:27,300 --> 00:34:30,300 Your will, your plan. 696 00:34:32,766 --> 00:34:34,766 I mean, it's just look at verse 16. 697 00:34:36,900 --> 00:34:37,933 As it is, 698 00:34:37,933 --> 00:34:40,933 you boast in your arrogant schemes. 699 00:34:40,966 --> 00:34:43,933 All that boasting is evil. 700 00:34:43,933 --> 00:34:46,933 It's just so arrogant. 701 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:49,700 Now, if 702 00:34:49,700 --> 00:34:52,600 if I were to ask you, what's your plan for your life? 703 00:34:52,600 --> 00:34:55,133 You could probably tell me, right? 704 00:34:55,133 --> 00:34:56,533 What do you plan for your future? 705 00:34:56,533 --> 00:34:57,633 You got plans in future? 706 00:34:57,633 --> 00:35:00,633 Guess what? They don't matter. 707 00:35:00,666 --> 00:35:03,666 What we ought to say is what's God's plan for my future? 708 00:35:03,900 --> 00:35:06,900 You got plans for your money, right? 709 00:35:07,033 --> 00:35:07,900 Your plans don't matter. 710 00:35:07,900 --> 00:35:10,533 Well, I say, what's God's plan for my money? 711 00:35:10,533 --> 00:35:13,533 Right? 712 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:16,933 Jeff, how come nobody really rich 713 00:35:16,933 --> 00:35:19,933 a couple over here about. 714 00:35:22,333 --> 00:35:23,233 Because we don't want God 715 00:35:23,233 --> 00:35:26,233 messing up our plans. 716 00:35:26,666 --> 00:35:28,566 We got plans for our retirement, right? 717 00:35:28,566 --> 00:35:29,700 Hopefully one day. 718 00:35:29,700 --> 00:35:32,000 Doesn't matter what your plans are. 719 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:33,000 James says no. 720 00:35:33,000 --> 00:35:35,433 God has plans for my retirement. 721 00:35:35,433 --> 00:35:37,366 What are God's plans? 722 00:35:37,366 --> 00:35:38,233 That's what we got. 723 00:35:38,233 --> 00:35:40,500 Plans for our family, right? 724 00:35:40,500 --> 00:35:41,933 When I ask God, what's your plan? 725 00:35:42,900 --> 00:35:44,166 What's your plan for my future? 726 00:35:44,166 --> 00:35:47,166 What's your plan for? 727 00:35:49,666 --> 00:35:52,233 I mean, Jesus told a parable about this very thing. 728 00:35:52,233 --> 00:35:55,066 He told me that he told us for this ground of a certain rich man 729 00:35:55,066 --> 00:35:58,733 yielded an abundant harvest, and all his investments were going up unto the right. 730 00:35:59,733 --> 00:36:03,166 And he thought to himself, man, what am I going to do now? 731 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:06,900 I have succeeded, I won at life. 732 00:36:08,133 --> 00:36:10,766 I got no place to store everything I have. 733 00:36:10,766 --> 00:36:12,566 I gotta go to euros, mini storage. 734 00:36:12,566 --> 00:36:14,100 I gotta build a couple barns. 735 00:36:14,100 --> 00:36:15,600 I got to get a detached. 736 00:36:15,600 --> 00:36:18,600 Like I, I one. 737 00:36:19,433 --> 00:36:20,400 This is what I'll do. 738 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:21,500 I'll tear down my barns. 739 00:36:21,500 --> 00:36:24,700 I'll build bigger ones so I can keep all this. 740 00:36:24,700 --> 00:36:26,033 All my toys. 741 00:36:26,033 --> 00:36:28,566 And I'll say, you did it, buddy. I 742 00:36:29,533 --> 00:36:31,433 got myself on the back. 743 00:36:31,433 --> 00:36:34,166 Sit back. Retire. 744 00:36:34,166 --> 00:36:35,666 Take it easy. 745 00:36:35,666 --> 00:36:38,066 Enjoy the good life. Eat. 746 00:36:38,066 --> 00:36:40,000 Drink and be merry. 747 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:43,000 Then that's all like American retirement dream. 748 00:36:45,133 --> 00:36:48,133 You fool! 749 00:36:50,133 --> 00:36:53,100 If that has been your plan, 750 00:36:53,100 --> 00:36:55,900 one of the few places in Scripture 751 00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,900 where God calls that person a fool. 752 00:37:00,900 --> 00:37:03,900 So foolish. 753 00:37:04,233 --> 00:37:07,233 Don't you know this very night. 754 00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:10,800 Your soul and mine. 755 00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:13,900 Then who's going to get your stuff? 756 00:37:18,466 --> 00:37:19,200 Here's the struck. 757 00:37:19,200 --> 00:37:22,200 In light of all this. 758 00:37:23,700 --> 00:37:25,233 If you know the good you ought to do. 759 00:37:25,233 --> 00:37:27,033 And don't do it. 760 00:37:27,033 --> 00:37:28,800 It's sin. 761 00:37:28,800 --> 00:37:30,300 Here's what he's saying. 762 00:37:30,300 --> 00:37:33,800 Their sins of commission and their sins of omission. 763 00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:37,566 We know what the commission ones are. 764 00:37:37,566 --> 00:37:38,400 All the fun stuff. 765 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:41,400 Now let's get. 766 00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:41,800 There. 767 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:44,000 Sons of omission. 768 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:47,000 And here's what he's saying. 769 00:37:47,433 --> 00:37:50,433 We need to do right today 770 00:37:50,633 --> 00:37:53,200 because we're not guaranteed a tomorrow to do right. 771 00:37:54,900 --> 00:37:57,766 And we need to live righteously today 772 00:37:57,766 --> 00:38:00,566 because we're not guaranteed a tomorrow in order to get right 773 00:38:00,566 --> 00:38:03,566 with God. 774 00:38:03,600 --> 00:38:05,966 See that good thing 775 00:38:05,966 --> 00:38:08,966 that you're thinking about doing, 776 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:12,000 saying, providing 777 00:38:12,866 --> 00:38:15,266 that area of your life that you think now, I know 778 00:38:15,266 --> 00:38:18,266 at some point that needs to get right with God. 779 00:38:19,500 --> 00:38:21,833 Today's the day 780 00:38:21,833 --> 00:38:24,833 because you're not guaranteed tomorrow. 781 00:38:24,833 --> 00:38:27,833 And God's plan, an agenda for you 782 00:38:27,866 --> 00:38:30,866 is to do that today. 783 00:38:32,700 --> 00:38:34,600 So he 784 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:37,800 when the circumstances of life ruin your plans, 785 00:38:38,066 --> 00:38:41,066 it's our opportunity to reframe our perspective. 786 00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:45,600 Let me just tell you how this looked. 787 00:38:45,600 --> 00:38:47,200 Four years ago, 788 00:38:47,200 --> 00:38:50,300 something stepped into our world that ruined all of our plans. 789 00:38:51,166 --> 00:38:53,100 Covid, 790 00:38:53,100 --> 00:38:55,600 and we had a great opportunity 791 00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:58,800 to realize the orchestration of James four in our lives. 792 00:38:58,933 --> 00:39:02,066 Because when Covid hit, all of us had a plan for our life. 793 00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:04,000 All of us had a plan for our school. 794 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:05,866 All of us had a plan for our sports. 795 00:39:05,866 --> 00:39:08,700 All of us had a plan for our business. All of us had a plan. 796 00:39:10,366 --> 00:39:10,666 And we 797 00:39:10,666 --> 00:39:14,100 quickly realized that we were not in control anymore. 798 00:39:14,666 --> 00:39:17,666 And the church had the opportunity to say, okay, Lord, 799 00:39:18,366 --> 00:39:20,200 if this is how you're allowing things 800 00:39:20,200 --> 00:39:23,200 to be orchestrated. 801 00:39:24,633 --> 00:39:27,633 I trust you. 802 00:39:28,533 --> 00:39:31,533 Right. 803 00:39:32,833 --> 00:39:35,833 And instead. 804 00:39:36,233 --> 00:39:39,233 We absolutely pitched a fit. 805 00:39:42,500 --> 00:39:43,966 At all of our plans 806 00:39:43,966 --> 00:39:46,966 that were ruined and stolen from us. 807 00:39:47,533 --> 00:39:50,533 Right. 808 00:39:53,266 --> 00:39:54,633 Is this just. 809 00:39:54,633 --> 00:39:57,633 Is this too personal? 810 00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:08,600 I mean, how many of us. 811 00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:12,600 When when plans are just wrecked, turned to the realization 812 00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:16,166 of the beauty and faithfulness of God's Word 813 00:40:16,166 --> 00:40:19,166 and the realization that he alone is sovereign 814 00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:23,600 and his sovereignty is motivated somehow by his love, 815 00:40:25,366 --> 00:40:28,033 somehow. 816 00:40:28,033 --> 00:40:31,400 Now, listen, we're getting ready to go into a crazy election cycle. 817 00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:33,800 It's already started. 818 00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:36,333 And I guarantee you, 819 00:40:36,333 --> 00:40:39,333 people have plans of what should happen during this election cycle. 820 00:40:40,700 --> 00:40:42,133 And I'm 821 00:40:42,133 --> 00:40:45,600 telling you, somebody plans are going to get wrecked, right? 822 00:40:45,933 --> 00:40:49,400 I mean, we hope it's the other guys, but it's just like somebody 823 00:40:50,266 --> 00:40:53,266 plans are going to get wrecked. 824 00:40:54,700 --> 00:40:55,800 And it's our opportunity 825 00:40:55,800 --> 00:40:58,800 to realize and to recognize and to submit 826 00:40:59,833 --> 00:41:02,833 to the sovereignty of God. 827 00:41:03,500 --> 00:41:05,400 And it's a great time to rejoice that 828 00:41:05,400 --> 00:41:09,366 that sovereign God loves us so much, 829 00:41:10,266 --> 00:41:13,266 so much 830 00:41:13,633 --> 00:41:16,100 that he sent his Son to die 831 00:41:16,100 --> 00:41:19,500 so that the curveballs that come our way won't end. 832 00:41:19,500 --> 00:41:21,866 Our story. 833 00:41:21,866 --> 00:41:24,033 And this is what happens when we plan 834 00:41:24,033 --> 00:41:27,033 and scheme according to our plans and schemes. 835 00:41:27,100 --> 00:41:30,733 We think that the curveballs have ended our story 836 00:41:30,833 --> 00:41:34,366 have ended, our plans have ended, our agendas. 837 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:36,700 And when we submit to the sovereignty of God, 838 00:41:36,700 --> 00:41:39,966 we realize that he loves us so much that he sent His Son 839 00:41:39,966 --> 00:41:43,266 so that the curveballs that come our way don't end our story. 840 00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:47,800 And because of that, we can trust him. 841 00:41:48,266 --> 00:41:51,266 And because of that, we can be calm 842 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:55,300 when plans change. See? 843 00:41:57,600 --> 00:41:59,166 You know, 844 00:41:59,166 --> 00:42:02,166 if you're trusting God and submitting to him 845 00:42:02,366 --> 00:42:06,300 when your plans change, if you're able to be calm 846 00:42:06,300 --> 00:42:10,000 and not pitch a fit and not make everybody in your world crazy. 847 00:42:12,233 --> 00:42:14,700 Do you understand? 848 00:42:14,700 --> 00:42:16,500 So all of you control freaks 849 00:42:16,500 --> 00:42:19,500 that self admitted that when I started. 850 00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:22,366 Okay. 851 00:42:22,366 --> 00:42:24,266 All of you. 852 00:42:24,266 --> 00:42:28,200 When your plans change and when things go wrong, 853 00:42:28,866 --> 00:42:33,600 you know, if you're submitting to God's sovereignty because you trust his love, 854 00:42:34,166 --> 00:42:35,966 because you're not going to freak out 855 00:42:35,966 --> 00:42:39,133 and you're not going to drive people in your home crazy. Oh. 856 00:42:42,266 --> 00:42:44,266 Let's do it. 857 00:42:44,266 --> 00:42:47,266 You got it. 858 00:42:47,733 --> 00:42:49,666 Heather, you got it. 859 00:42:49,666 --> 00:42:50,733 You shake your head. Yes. Okay. 860 00:42:52,466 --> 00:42:54,500 So let me ask you this 861 00:42:54,500 --> 00:42:57,200 is life going to get better tomorrow? 862 00:42:57,200 --> 00:42:59,000 Yeah. Okay. 863 00:42:59,000 --> 00:42:59,633 Yeah. 864 00:42:59,633 --> 00:43:00,633 We don't know. 865 00:43:00,633 --> 00:43:01,666 Yeah, yeah. 866 00:43:01,666 --> 00:43:04,666 Is life going to get worse tomorrow? 867 00:43:06,900 --> 00:43:08,166 We don't know. 868 00:43:08,166 --> 00:43:10,366 You guys are better than the first service. 869 00:43:10,366 --> 00:43:12,300 I asked the first of life going to get worse from other. 870 00:43:12,300 --> 00:43:13,466 Yeah. 871 00:43:13,466 --> 00:43:15,433 You said I told him. 872 00:43:15,433 --> 00:43:17,100 I said you need some hope. Like you. 873 00:43:17,100 --> 00:43:20,100 I told him I said to you, some of you make me not want to hang out with. 874 00:43:20,100 --> 00:43:23,100 With some of you, you're just pessimistic. 875 00:43:23,900 --> 00:43:25,133 We don't know. 876 00:43:25,133 --> 00:43:26,700 It might get better tomorrow. 877 00:43:26,700 --> 00:43:27,866 I hope it does. 878 00:43:27,866 --> 00:43:29,100 God willing. 879 00:43:29,100 --> 00:43:31,300 Yeah. Might get worse tomorrow. 880 00:43:31,300 --> 00:43:32,733 I hope it doesn't it? 881 00:43:32,733 --> 00:43:34,700 The god's going to determine that. 882 00:43:34,700 --> 00:43:36,133 And so because of that, 883 00:43:37,700 --> 00:43:39,800 I can trust him today. 884 00:43:39,800 --> 00:43:42,900 And because of that, I can live calmly today. 885 00:43:43,066 --> 00:43:45,000 Because of that. 886 00:43:45,000 --> 00:43:46,833 I'm not going worry about tomorrow. 887 00:43:46,833 --> 00:43:49,366 God's got tomorrow. 888 00:43:49,366 --> 00:43:51,366 I'm going to live today. 889 00:43:51,366 --> 00:43:54,366 Not with ambivalence towards tomorrow. 890 00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:57,233 Not sure. Responsibility. 891 00:43:57,233 --> 00:43:57,700 But I'm going to. 892 00:43:57,700 --> 00:43:59,233 I'm going to live today. And I'm going to. 893 00:43:59,233 --> 00:44:01,566 I want to be right with God today. 894 00:44:01,566 --> 00:44:04,433 And I want to be right with you today. 895 00:44:04,433 --> 00:44:07,433 I'll let God worry about tomorrow. 896 00:44:09,666 --> 00:44:12,633 Because I know that God loves me. 897 00:44:12,633 --> 00:44:15,533 And I want you to know that he loves you. 898 00:44:15,533 --> 00:44:18,166 We can trust his sovereign hand 899 00:44:18,166 --> 00:44:21,166 so that when plans change, 900 00:44:21,533 --> 00:44:24,300 you can be all right. 901 00:44:24,300 --> 00:44:25,033 We'll have our plans. 902 00:44:25,033 --> 00:44:26,933 We'll have our schemes, have our agendas. 903 00:44:26,933 --> 00:44:29,766 But we're first going to submit those to God given. 904 00:44:29,766 --> 00:44:31,866 And that way, we know when they change. 905 00:44:31,866 --> 00:44:34,300 That's how God's discretion and direction. 906 00:44:35,300 --> 00:44:37,966 It's probably better 907 00:44:37,966 --> 00:44:40,966 you understand? 908 00:44:41,100 --> 00:44:44,100 Why don't you pray with me? 909 00:44:49,033 --> 00:44:52,033 Because I have such faith in the Word of God 910 00:44:53,800 --> 00:44:57,333 and its ability to address every one of us where we are. Yes. 911 00:44:57,866 --> 00:45:01,966 And because I have enough knowledge of our own sin nature. Yes. 912 00:45:02,366 --> 00:45:05,966 And our propensity to live life apart from him 913 00:45:06,233 --> 00:45:09,233 or ahead of him. 914 00:45:11,333 --> 00:45:13,733 I think that 915 00:45:13,733 --> 00:45:16,733 this prayer would hit every one of us. 916 00:45:17,000 --> 00:45:20,000 And I want to invite you into this. 917 00:45:21,233 --> 00:45:24,133 Whether you say it in the quietness of your own heart or out 918 00:45:24,133 --> 00:45:27,133 loud does not matter to me. 919 00:45:27,133 --> 00:45:29,433 It doesn't matter to God. 920 00:45:29,433 --> 00:45:32,433 What matters is the submission of the heart. 921 00:45:33,600 --> 00:45:36,600 And I invite you. 922 00:45:37,133 --> 00:45:38,333 In this way. 923 00:45:38,333 --> 00:45:41,500 Just simply say God, I admit 924 00:45:42,333 --> 00:45:48,400 my life is dependent upon your mercy and your grace. 925 00:45:50,933 --> 00:45:53,933 And I submit my plans 926 00:45:54,200 --> 00:45:57,333 and my hopes and my dreams 927 00:45:57,933 --> 00:46:00,933 and my schedules to you. 928 00:46:02,500 --> 00:46:05,466 And for you parents, I include you that I encourage you. 929 00:46:05,466 --> 00:46:09,766 And father, I submit my kids 930 00:46:09,766 --> 00:46:12,766 and their future to you. 931 00:46:14,066 --> 00:46:16,466 Do with us 932 00:46:16,466 --> 00:46:19,466 whatever you desire. 933 00:46:22,200 --> 00:46:25,200 I will trust your hand 934 00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:28,533 because I know that your hand 935 00:46:28,866 --> 00:46:31,866 is motivated by your love. 936 00:46:33,766 --> 00:46:38,233 Today I choose that I am yours. 937 00:46:39,233 --> 00:46:42,233 My future is yours. 938 00:46:42,233 --> 00:46:45,233 My plans are yours 939 00:46:45,800 --> 00:46:48,333 according to your will. 940 00:46:48,333 --> 00:46:51,333 Let it be done in my life. 941 00:46:53,766 --> 00:46:56,800 And I will thank you in advance 942 00:46:57,266 --> 00:47:00,500 for all that your grace will allow. 943 00:47:03,300 --> 00:47:05,233 Father, I thank you 944 00:47:05,233 --> 00:47:07,600 that we have a chance to be here with each other 945 00:47:07,600 --> 00:47:10,333 and with your word. 946 00:47:10,333 --> 00:47:13,333 I pray that we would submit 947 00:47:13,633 --> 00:47:15,233 to the sovereignty of your hand. 948 00:47:15,233 --> 00:47:18,900 We have God, we got plans, we got agendas, and we got schedules. 949 00:47:18,900 --> 00:47:20,233 And we got hopes and dreams. 950 00:47:21,900 --> 00:47:22,900 The father some of this 951 00:47:22,900 --> 00:47:25,900 year want to submit him on the front into your will. 952 00:47:26,733 --> 00:47:29,733 So according to your will be done to us. 953 00:47:30,100 --> 00:47:33,100 Help us be pliable and moldable 954 00:47:33,266 --> 00:47:35,866 and not freak out when they change. 955 00:47:35,866 --> 00:47:38,866 Because you remain a good God. 956 00:47:39,500 --> 00:47:40,333 We love you, Jesus. 957 00:47:40,333 --> 00:47:42,800 In your name I pray. Amen. 958 00:47:42,800 --> 00:47:43,200 Listen. 959 00:47:43,200 --> 00:47:48,166 His word is good, and it's good for us to be together and to study it together. 960 00:47:49,200 --> 00:47:51,433 It's it talks to us. 961 00:47:51,433 --> 00:47:54,300 I pray our ears are open to hear it. 962 00:47:54,300 --> 00:47:57,300 Listen, we got two more weeks in James James chapter five. 963 00:47:57,300 --> 00:47:58,733 It's a great chapter. 964 00:47:58,733 --> 00:48:00,800 We're going to break it up over a couple of weeks. 965 00:48:00,800 --> 00:48:04,266 And so I invite you to be in that this week reading James five 966 00:48:04,800 --> 00:48:08,233 and watch for opportunities where you get to celebrate the curveballs 967 00:48:08,233 --> 00:48:08,966 that come your way. 968 00:48:10,700 --> 00:48:11,833 Do you hear me? 969 00:48:11,833 --> 00:48:14,000 Yes. Watch for times this week. 970 00:48:14,000 --> 00:48:17,000 Here we get to celebrate the curveballs that come your way. 971 00:48:17,133 --> 00:48:20,133 Because it's God saying, I know you had your plans. 972 00:48:20,400 --> 00:48:22,700 I might have something different. 973 00:48:22,700 --> 00:48:25,700 Watch for my hand in the midst of this curveball. 974 00:48:25,933 --> 00:48:26,933 Right? 975 00:48:26,933 --> 00:48:29,600 Right. 976 00:48:29,600 --> 00:48:32,033 You're seeing Alli lead us on. 977 00:48:32,033 --> 00:48:32,466 Thank you.