Who You Gonna Trust?

Have you ever wondered if God’s will is at the center of your life? Week five of THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING is a powerful teaching from Brad Jones around James 4 and the message of submission to Christ’s way that ends with four steps to help us align our lives with the path Jesus is asking us to walk. After all, when it comes to the direction of your life, who are you gonna trust?

How are you thinking about your future?

In James 4:13-17, James strongly challenges those saying, "I'm going to do this." "I will do that". Why? The issue is with the word "will." It's your own will, your own plans.

Many people act like practical atheists who profess faith in Jesus, but they live their lives however they want to. It's a total disregard for God's will. Or people will say they want God's will, but only if He's blessing what they want Him to. The second he stops, they're out.

There are those who really do desire God's will and long to hear Him speak to the decisions in their lives, but it's hard. We are in a constant battle of our will vs. God's will.

James is pointing out it's not an issue about planning. It's about pride, arrogance, and presumption.

Our understanding is finite. We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. We have to humble ourselves before God, who knows everything and wants our best.

How we let our faith in Jesus impact the way we plan our lives

1. We will add the word "if" to our vocabulary.

• It's remembering we are not in charge.
• James 4:15 says we ought to say "if it is the Lord's will."
• If...

• is not a weakness; it's true and Godly wisdom
• flows from a humble heart, not a prideful spirit
• is not a lack of resolve or ambition, but it proves we know God is running the universe
• is not bailing/canceling on a whim. It realizes that it has no idea what will happen tomorrow
• knows our lives are short, but God is from everlasting to everlasting
• is about trusting all of our tomorrows to the God who holds the future in His hands

2. We will hold our plans with open hands

• We want God to do things our way, but when we are open, His will becomes our will.
• 1 Corinthians 16:5-9. Paul uses "perhaps," "I hope," and "if the Lord permits," but because he was open, he could change his plans according to God's leading.
• Have margin in your life. Be able to see a need and be in a position to give time or money to what God puts in front of you to help with.

3. We will obsess about being in the center of God's will

• It's up to God whether we even live another day, not just who to marry, where to live, and which job to take.
• God cares more about who you are than you do.
• What is your obsession? What occupies your mind and takes all your thoughts?
• Think of a bicycle wheel. God is at the center, and everything else flows out from that. He makes your life revolve and turn.
• John 4:34- Jesus said that His food is to do the will of the Father.
• Isaiah 53:5- God's will was to crush Jesus, and Jesus accepted it. For the joy sent before him, He endures the cross. (Hebrews 12:2). He exchanged His will for the Father's. (Luke 22:42)
• It's God's right to have a will for His creation's life.

4. Rest in the hands of a Sovereign and loving God

• There's often fear and anxious thoughts about the future, but we can trust God.
• Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24.
• Not everything is going to be easy, but God's got you.