• Reading through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals God's thoughtful planning. Nothing happened by chance. He wisely created everything to fit together very carefully and logically, in perfect harmony. The fish came after water, grass before animals and trees before birds. Then when everything was prepared, God created man. God knew what He was doing and where He was going. What a great example for us.
• James gave us some insight about planning, too. He reminds us that we sometimes begin to do something without even knowing what tomorrow may bring. He seems to be making fun of us when he says, "Now listen, you who go here or there…spend a year here to carry on business… thinking you will make money, but not knowing anything about tomorrow." Rather, he says, "Focus on God's will!" Great advice for this New Year.
• It is important for us to have visions of what we want to accomplish and plans to make the visions a reality. But we get into difficult situations if our focus is on our self-sufficiency or self-importance. We must humbly rely on God, looking to Him first and foremost in all that we plan to do. We must always be close enough to hear His voice, and willing to change our plans when He asks. May our plans agree with His purpose this year.
• Prayer: We ask, Father, that You guide us in all that we do and guard us from being self-centered. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
• Scripture: James 4:13-17: 13 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." 14 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. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
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