IF IT IS THE LORD'S WILL WE WILL

Proclamation:

"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.'  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.  Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is The Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'  As it is, you boast and brag.  All such boasting is evil.  Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."  James 4:13-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote these Holy Spirit inspired words to all believers to help them correct their speech and their behavior.  Here, he urges them to be careful regarding how they speak about what they will do in the future.  He encouraged them to say, "If it be The Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

Application:
At the end of each calendar year, a lot of people seem to get caught up in saying what we will do in the upcoming year.  We seem to forget that we really do not have control over the future, or if we will live to see it.  We need to remember that only "if it is in The Good Lord's will ..." would be a better way to begin any statement regarding our future plans.  Additionally, we are about to celebrate the beginning of the “New Year”, a worldly celebration for which I could not find a Biblical reference.  The Bible says that every day is a day for continually giving thanks to God. (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17, and Hebrews 13:15)  We should praise Him and thank Him for every day, and every week, and every month, and for every year that we are blessed to be alive.  Only God can make a day, (Genesis 1:1-5 and Psalms 118:24), and only God can sustain us through a day. (Psalms 55:22)  Let us not get so caught up in the worldly celebrations, and our future plans, that we forget that only that which is in the will of The Lord God will occur, and we should praise and thank Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do for us.

If It Is The Lord's Will We Will

"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.'  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.  Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is The Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'  As it is, you boast and brag.  All such boasting is evil.  Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."  James 4:13-17 (NIV)

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote these Holy Spirit inspired words to the believers to help them correct their speech and their behavior.  Here, he urges them to be careful regarding how they speak about what they will do in the future.  He encouraged them to say, "If it be The Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

At the end of each calendar year, we seem to get caught up in saying what we will do in the upcoming year.  We seem to forget that we really do not have control over the future, or if we will live to see it.  We need to remember that only "if it is in The Good Lord's will ..." would be a better way to begin any statement regarding our future plans.  Additionally, we celebrate the beginning of the new year, a worldly celebration for which I could not find a Biblical reference.  The Bible says that every day always is a day for continually giving thanks to God. (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17, and Hebrews 13:15)  We should praise Him and thank Him for every day, and every week, and every month, and for every year that we are blessed to be alive.  Only God can make a day, (Genesis 1:1-5 and Psalms 118:24), and only God can sustain us through a day. (Psalms 55:22)  Let us not get so caught up in worldly celebrations, and our future plans, that we forget that only that which is in the will of The Lord God will occur, and we should praise and thank Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do for us.

Be Thankful For Whatever

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

These are the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the believers in Philippi.  He was thanking them for their generous gift to him and telling them that he was not in need at that time, but if he was in need, he had learned how to be satisfied with whatever his situation was.

This is something which we all should learn.  We need to appreciate what we have been blessed with and not concern ourselves with that which we lack.  Whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, we should count it all as joy. (James 1:2)  For whatever happens to us will work out for our benefit. (James 1:3-4)  When life gives us lemons, we should be grateful and make lemonade.  All things work together for good, for those who love The Lord and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)   Be thankful for whatever, God is in control.

All For Our Good

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Under the divine guidance of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words of encouragement to the believers in the Church at Rome.  Although they were being persecuted for their belief in Christ, Paul said that all of their suffering God would use for their benefit.

All that occurs to us is part of the permissive will of God.  The devil and our enemies may do things to us to harm us which The Lord can use to our benefit.  God can make something good out of what appears to be a bad situation.  As Joseph told his brothers, you meant it for evil, but God meant for good. (Genesis 50:20)   Today's storms, trials, and tribulations may just be preparation for better things yet to come.  We cannot control the events which come our way, but we can control how we respond to them.  We should face everything in life with a Christ-like attitude and joyfully consider the storms of life as preparation for blessings yet to be received. (James 1:2)