Life is Short I - Pastor Brent Cantelon - July 20th, 2008

Have you ever made plans that didn't work out as you expected?
Ask someone in your cell to share briefly about a situation that relates to this question.

Read James 4:13-17
I) We make our plans and we have our expectations: James 4:13 & 14
When it will happen
Where it will happen
How long we will be involved
Results that will take place
II) If the Lord wills: James 4:15 & 16
Life is like a vapor - We should not live in the realm of presumption
All of life through the perspective of the will of God
Use wisdom
Develop disciplines
Grow as people
Daily sense of dependence and submission to God
Fellowship with God - God does not want to control you
God is interested in relationship
III) Do the right thing today : James 4:17
Knowing what is right to do and not doing it is the sin of omission
Putting things off often means they never happen
We may never have the chance - life is short
The assumption is that we have lots of time
Delayed obedience is disobedience
What right thing do I need to do today? When I want to do good scripture tells me I will experience opposition: Romans 7:21-25
The gift of starting today with a clean slate
God is able to restore - all things work together for good: Romans 8:28-39
Life is short when it comes to our failures. We find ourselves unable to move past them. God wants us to move past our failures. God wants us to be successful. Why should you be beaten anymore when Jesus has taken that beating on your behalf? Jesus is the only one who can carry your failures.

• Repent of excuse making: Luke 14: 16-21
• You have been invited to have relationship with God.
• Make things right with God and your soul
• Return to the Lord with a humble heart
• Come to Jesus in full surrender
• Reconcile with the people you love and know
• Say the things that need to be said
  

Men - tell your wife why you love her, express your commitment to only her
Women - tell your husband why you respect him
Fathers and Mothers talk to your kids tell them you love them. Say your sorry for things that have not gone the way you had hoped.
Confess to God and to one another
Let there be truth and transparency
Everyday that you delay a confession makes it that much harder to come clean
Restitution - make it right
Do the right thing
Repentance
Fasting
Prayer
Bible Reading
Pressing into spiritual growth
Return to the Lord
____________________________________Ministry Time
Encourage people to pray, perhaps in two's, and to confess their sins one to another and to make a fresh start in the areas where we feel we have failed. Just say to one another "Here is what I know I ought to do, please pray with me." Ask the Holy Spirit for help. If restitution needs to be made then make it happen.
Encourage one another that the Lord is on their side.