James 4 9-24-14

13Now 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.” 14Why, 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.15Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them (James 4)

Thoughts: Many in our society are planners.  We make long range, short range, immediate plans with schedules, priorities, spreadhseets, and one notes. But in the end, God is the great planner, and we must submit our plans to fit into His overall plan.  We should say, "If it is the Lord's will" because we recognize that God's will is paramount.  Arrogance is boasting on what we hope to do as if it  were certain.  Why this is wrong is we need to be humble, always listening more than demanding; always submitting rather then telling.  The wise man listens and goes the way of God. 

Prayer: Lord, my life- my time- is in your hands.