The Complexity of Life (James 4:13)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

 

                                                                                                            Date:  10-24-03

 

My Worship Time                                                     Focus:  The Complexity of Life

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                    Reference:  James 4:13

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.’” (NIKV)  “Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’”  (NLT)

            This verse starts a new chapter in Dr. Wiersbe’s book called “Plan Ahead.”  In this section we will be discussing the will of God, and two of the sub topics will be an incorrect way looking at the will of God.  When we think about the will of God for our lives we must think about whom God is and in a believers’ case he must think about all that Jesus Christ has already done for him to buy us back from the slave market of sin, to redeem us.  The question that begs to be asked is how can we not trust God to show us what His will for us in light of what He has already done for us.  We must also think of the wisdom of God, and the love of God and the blessings of God for those who say to Him, “I Surrender All.”

A.     Ignoring God’s Will (4:13-14,16)

Our author believes that James may have been directing this section to the wealthy people who were part of this assembly.  These people seemed to be looking at life by how much they could accumulate even without seeking the counsel of God. 

James will now present four arguments that will show how foolish anyone is who ignoring the will of God.

1.      The complexity of life (4:13).  It is almost impossible to describe how complex life is today, and it seems to be more complex by the day.  As we live our lives in this 21^st century we can see that maybe because it is called the information age, and it surely is, that all of that information that we have so readily available makes life even more complex that it was just a few years ago. 

Another question that I think needs to be answered is since we have become a believer and are privileged to know the Lord in a personal way and are able to see that He alone gives us an understanding of what life is all about, then how can the unbelieving world around us have any idea of what life is all about?

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The Lord Jesus Christ has taken the mystery out of life for me and has shown me that He is most important to me.  He is the only One who can make sense out of this confused world that I live in.  I give Him my life each day so that He can use me for His honor and glory.

 

The Word of God was refreshing to me as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To give the Lord the worship that He deserves and to trust the Lord with every aspect of my life.

 

Memory verses for the week:  James 4:1-4 (review)

 

1.      James, a bond-servant to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribe who are dispersed abroad, greetings.

2.      Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3.      knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4.      And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.