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Future Plans

March 20, 2022

So don’t worry and don’t keep saying, “What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?”! That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart on the kingdom and His goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course. Matthew 6:31-33 PHILLIPS

1. WORRYING ABOUT TOMORROW IS UNNECESSARY. Five times in Matthew 6 Jesus addresses worry. He’s saying to quit obsessing on the “what ifs” and the “how comes” and seek first His Kingdom, and then all the other things we need will be added.

2. WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE GOD, HIS GUIDANCE IS ASSURED. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8 NIVUK). God is worthy of our focus. When we present our soul — our thinking faculties, will, and emotions—to the Lord — we have the assurance that He will bring guidance (Proverbs 3:5).

3. SEEK GOD’S WILL ABOUT PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10 NIVUK). When the will of God is known through the written Word of God (like in the areas of healing and finances) we don’t need to pray “if it be Your will.” But when it comes to life decisions — marriage choices, career choices, where to send the kids to school — keep an open heart and seek God’s will (James 4:13-15).

4. GOD HAS PROMISED TO SEE US THROUGH. Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIVUK). God knows more about the future than we do about the past. The cure for anxiety and fear is realizing that as we daily put Jesus first, we can trust God to lead us through the course of our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

5. GOD’S PLANS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST PLANS. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8 NIVUK). Knowing God’s will requires a submitted heart. God is looking for vulnerable, yielded, and humble people who are willing to step up and say: “Lord, I renounce complacency and apathy and submit to Your decisions. God’s will be done: in my life, in my town, in my church and in my generation, in Jesus’ name.”

Seek God,
Pastor Jeff

trust, n Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or

something. One in which confidence is

placed. Dependence on something future or

contingent.

Hope.

Pray This Prayer

heart on your kingdom and your goodness. I desire to do your will. God your plans are always the best plans. Iseek you first. Iset my

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put

my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. I am confident that You began a good work in me and will bring it to completion! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

(Psalm 40:8; Psalm 143:8; Philippians 1:6)

Copyright © 2022 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.