Self Awareness

Self Awareness
Pastor Mark Johnson
March 13, 2011
 
 
James 4:13-17  
 
James is talking about how we view ourselves.
 
This is not an attack on planning.
 
I.  You don’t even know what is going to happen tomorrow.
Life if filled with uncertainty, yet we live and plan as if we have control.
 
This is seen by God as arrogance and blindness.
 
Biblical model: Proverbs 16:3
Don’t mistake “commit to the Lord” as being, “Here is what I want to do, God.  Bless it.”
Commit goes to the primary action. “God, I first of all want to please You.  I pledge myself to do Your will.  What is it?”
All opportunities are not God opportunities.
 
A look at Eve:  Genesis 3:6  
A.  It looked like it had a good purpose.
B.  It was pleasing to the eye.
C.  It was desirable.
D.  It was cursed.
Not every opportunity is a God opportunity.
Some run off after everything that fits their purpose, is pleasing to them and meets their desires, without inquiring of God.
We don’t know what the next moment holds but God does.  Seek Him humbly.
II.   What is your life?
When we forget God we forget who we are, what we are and where we are.
We are the creation of God, for a short time, on His planet.
Attitude of the believer: Matthew 16:24–27  
The true purpose of life is to accomplish that for which we were created.  Fulfillment is there. 
 
 We are but a vapor.
 
This is about self awareness.  We can accomplish more.
 
Matthew 6:19-21  
 
James speaks to our thought life.
 
James 5:15
 
Do we need to say this with every plan?  No!    
 
It is a call to know who I am and who God is: Before I set my course.  Before I forget my purpose.
 
Life is short and I am here at God’s will.
 
James says to do less is not just an oversight.
 
James 5:16  It is evil. Why such a strong word? Because it sets up our sinful nature instead of God’s transforming power.
 
 What if every Christian really followed Jesus?  James 4:16–17

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