God is in Charge: Submit to His Will

WORSHIP
Suggested Worship Songs:
Hark the Herald, You are Good, Because of Who You Are, I Exalt Thee
WELCOME
Throwback. Ten years ago, what did you think you would be doing today? Did your plans come true?
WORD
James 4:13-16
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 Lords will, we will
live and do this or that.
16
As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
Submit to Gods will
Submitting to authority does not come naturally to
most of us. To enable us to submit to earthly
authority, we need an attitude of humility to
submit to Gods will. Let God be God. He is in
charge. Whatever His will is, submit to it.
What does EGO stand for?
The dictionary definition of the word ego is the
opinion that you have of yourself. But it can also
mean something else. Ego can stand for Edging
God Out.
James 4:13 describes a person who readily makes
plans the specifics about his future but does not
seek Gods will.
The right response to the future is another EGO -
Exalt God Only. God should be at the center of our
plans and ambitions. We should seek Gods plan
for our life and pursue it.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for
a `little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
Life is short. We do not know what will happen in
the future. We should not waste our precious time
doing things that are not in line with Gods will.
Instead we ought to say, If it is the Lords will we
will live and do this or that. James 4:15
When we edge God out, we grab things rather than
wait upon Gods best for us. That makes it difficult
for us to submit to Gods sovereignty.

Ungodliness is living ones everyday life with little
or no thought of God, or of Gods will, or of Gods
glory, or of ones dependence on God.
Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins
The world tells you that you are to be more
independent the older you get. But in Christ, you
are to be more dependent on Him the older you
walk with Him. We need to depend on Him not
only on major matters but even on the seemingly
small everyday things.
We need wisdom to know and submit to His will
every day. If we lack wisdom, He will generously
give it to us when we ask for it (James 1:5). We
must live like wise men who know Gods will
(Ephesians 5:15-17).
What is to submit to the will of God?
David (2 Samuel 5:17-20). As a warrior king
blessed with vast military resources and a
strategic mind, David could have just gone his own
way without Gods blessings. Yet he still inquired
the Lord on how he should go and attack the
Philistines.
Esther (Esther 4:14-16). With her cousin
Mordecais help, Esther knew the purpose of why
she became queen at that time. She was to save the
Jewish people. For this reason, she was willing to
risk her life to do Gods will.
Peter (Luke 5:4-7). Simon Peter was an
experienced fisherman. He knew the ins and outs
of his trade. He technically knew more about
fishing than Jesus, but he also knew and believed
December 8, 2013
Vol. 13, No. 49

WORD (contd)
that Jesus was the Messiah. So he trusted Him to
let down the nets.
Jesus (Luke 22:41-44). Jesus was the best example
of complete submission to Gods will. He knew that
He had to forfeit His life to obey Gods will. But He
knew that sin will be defeated and man will gain
eternal life through what He has done in the cross.
So He submitted to Gods plan even if it came with
a great sacrifice on His part.
Sometimes we think we know better than Gods
will for our lives. God has a plan for us, and if we
submit to His will, we will see His amazing plan
unfold before us. We will experience His amazing
blessing. Do not miss out on these blessing by
submitting Gods will!
God is in charge, He knows everything, so trust
Him. He has everything in hand. All we need is to
obey.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD
determines his steps. Proverbs 16:4

Discussion Questions:
(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)
1. Is it Gods Will? According to James 4:13-16, how should we make plans for the future? Why should it
be this way?
2. What Now? Are you facing a major decision? What is God telling you to do? How do you know it is Gods
will?
3. Lord, whatever. In what specific area in your life today are surrendering to Gods will? Share it to the
group.
WORKS
Christian Book Club
Create a book club in your Dgroup. Share the book
titles you have read which God used to draw you
closer to studying the Bible and practicing biblical
principles. Create a book list and start book
swapping.

Weekly Prayer Points
I. Thanksgiving
Worship God for Who He is, what He has
done, and what He will do in our lives
II. Country and the World
Upright and moral governance of Public
Servants and a God-centered Philippines
Repentance and Salvation
III. Church
That CCF Members would honor and love God
and make disciples
Elders, Pastors, Leaders, and Families
Ministries and Churches worldwide
IV. CCF Facilities
New Worship and Training Center
Prayer Mountain
V. Personal Concerns
Deeper intimate relationship with God
Righteous living
Salvation of family and friends