THE NEW YEAR-HOW WILL YOU USE IT?
There are some who say it is wrong to make plans for the future. This is a misunderstanding
of James 4:13-17. There James does not forbid making plans for tomorrow or next week or next
year. Actually James teaches that it is wrong to make those plans while leaving God out of the
picture. Any plans made for the future should be made with the idea, “...if the Lord will, we shall
both live and do this or that” (Jas. 4:15). In Luke 14:27-33 Jesus taught that planning for
tomorrow is not wrong. Jesus in these verses speaks of “counting the cost” when intending to
build a tower or to go to war. Jesus says that a man sits down and counts the cost whether he is
able to finish it. With the understanding then that it is not wrong to plan for the future, let us ask:
How do you plan to use this new year that God has given to you? Basically, there are only
three ways you can use it.
1. You can use it selfishly--for yourself only. If you plan to use it in this manner, you are like
those in James 4--you will make all kinds of plans and leave God out of those plans. You may
make plans for your education, your finances, your health, your recreation, your business, your
vacation, etc. But what about worshipping and glorifying God? What about serving your fellow-
man? Helping someone in need? Many make no plans for these things at all--they are too busy
making selfish plans for themselves only. Don’t use the new year in this way!
2. You can simply waste it. All of us are probably guilty of wasting time. But in this case we are
talking about going through the entire new year without making any kind of plans at all--simply
existing from day to day and letting life take you where it may. There are many who seem to
follow this route. Don’t waste the new year by simply drifting along without goals or plans!
3. You can use it for God’s glory. Make plans for this new year--but be sure God is a part of
those plans! “...if the Lord will, we shall both live and do this or that” (Jas. 4:15). Why not plan
now to not miss a worship service in 2018? Your faithfulness will glorify God and will you to
enjoy 2018 to the fullest! Approach each day with the realization that your Father is in Heaven
and He gives “good and perfect gifts” (Jas. 1:17). I pray that your new year will be a good one
and that your joy in Christ will increase. May God bless us all.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: When a man adds to the truth, he subtracts from it.
Love ya,
Jesse
of James 4:13-17. There James does not forbid making plans for tomorrow or next week or next
year. Actually James teaches that it is wrong to make those plans while leaving God out of the
picture. Any plans made for the future should be made with the idea, “...if the Lord will, we shall
both live and do this or that” (Jas. 4:15). In Luke 14:27-33 Jesus taught that planning for
tomorrow is not wrong. Jesus in these verses speaks of “counting the cost” when intending to
build a tower or to go to war. Jesus says that a man sits down and counts the cost whether he is
able to finish it. With the understanding then that it is not wrong to plan for the future, let us ask:
How do you plan to use this new year that God has given to you? Basically, there are only
three ways you can use it.
1. You can use it selfishly--for yourself only. If you plan to use it in this manner, you are like
those in James 4--you will make all kinds of plans and leave God out of those plans. You may
make plans for your education, your finances, your health, your recreation, your business, your
vacation, etc. But what about worshipping and glorifying God? What about serving your fellow-
man? Helping someone in need? Many make no plans for these things at all--they are too busy
making selfish plans for themselves only. Don’t use the new year in this way!
2. You can simply waste it. All of us are probably guilty of wasting time. But in this case we are
talking about going through the entire new year without making any kind of plans at all--simply
existing from day to day and letting life take you where it may. There are many who seem to
follow this route. Don’t waste the new year by simply drifting along without goals or plans!
3. You can use it for God’s glory. Make plans for this new year--but be sure God is a part of
those plans! “...if the Lord will, we shall both live and do this or that” (Jas. 4:15). Why not plan
now to not miss a worship service in 2018? Your faithfulness will glorify God and will you to
enjoy 2018 to the fullest! Approach each day with the realization that your Father is in Heaven
and He gives “good and perfect gifts” (Jas. 1:17). I pray that your new year will be a good one
and that your joy in Christ will increase. May God bless us all.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: When a man adds to the truth, he subtracts from it.
Love ya,
Jesse
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