Sermons on Yaakov 4:13:

When Your Plans And God’s Plans Don’t Match

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Oct 14, 2022

There are so many things that we do not know about each other, but then we learn.

For instance: • I have known for sometime that Keith played sports and he was very good at playing baseball. • I found out that Jenney was a cheer leader in junior high and high school. • I found out that Clyde was a pilot. • I found out that Carlos was a finish carpenter. • I found out that ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Balance Between Planning And Trust

Contributed by Dasol Kang on Mar 9, 2025

We are called to plan for our lives with the Lord

I am a planner – I thrive on making plans and love setting short-term and long-term goals. I always map out plans for tomorrow the night before. It usually looks something like this: Tomorrow, I will do my morning devotions, have breakfast, go to church for office hours, and then go to my lunch ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A New Year’s Examination

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jan 10, 2024

With a new year comes a time for self-examination of your life and your relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you ghosted Him? Have you friend zoned Him? Or do you have a loving relationship with Him?

It is our tradition in this church, as well as many others, to share the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of the month. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian Christians is especially appropriate as one begins a new year: “Let a man examine himself.” Being that this is the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, Ephesians 5:8-16, Psalm 139:23-24, James 4:13-15, Philippians 3:13-14, Deuteronomy 11:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hubris Or Humility Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 16, 2024

There are so many factors that come into play when we make plans, but how often does the Sovereign will of God affect our plan making? In this passage, James challenges us to avoid hubris and embrace humility by submitting to God’s sovereignty in making plans.

Mistakes along the way? In February of 1995, nearly 30 years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a clear way that has impacted the course of my life - and yet it has not been without mistakes and missteps. He urged me to go to the church the Danielle grew up at and help out with the youth ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17, Acts 16:6-10, Isaiah 55:8-9, Luke 22:42-44, Luke 12:16-21, Proverbs 16:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God's Purpose Prevails - Proverbs 19:20-21 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 10, 2024

Proverbs offers wisdom that can guide us in every aspect of life, from daily decisions to our deepest longings and plans. Proverbs 19:20-21 speaks directly to the plans we make and the purpose that God has for each of our lives.

God's Purpose Prevails - Proverbs 19:20-21 Proverbs 19:20-21 (NLT) "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail." Introduction: Today, we will explore two verses from Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:20-21, Proverbs 12:15, Jeremiah 29:11, James 4:13-15, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Inshallah… And Wait

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 10, 2025

To say Inshallah is not to delay life but to dedicate it — to live surrendered to the will of God, waiting in faith and walking in obedience until His “Mashallah” comes.

Introduction – The Word That Waits I once heard a story about a missionary who had served for twenty years in Lahore, Pakistan. He had learned many things in those two decades — how to drink tea politely, how to haggle in the market, how to stay calm when the electricity cut out for the fifth time ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15, Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 27:14, Romans 8:28, Luke 22:42  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Motives Are Weighed By The Lord Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Dec 2, 2023

Cultivate a good motive anytime you pray. God's answer is primarily dependent on the motive behind what you are asking Him.

OASIS WORD DEVOTIONAL Verse Of The Day: We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. Proverbs 16:1 (NLT) Columnist: Rudolf E. Y. Mensah, ©Oasis WordBank Motives Are Weighed By The Lord Cultivate a good motive anytime you pray. God's answer is primarily dependent on ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:1, Matthew 10:19-20, James 4:13-14

Denomination: Charismatic

Sermon On A Bridge Too Far

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 2, 2025

"A bridge too far" is an idiom for an ambitious plan that is considered too demanding to succeed.

George Herbert, a British poet and orator once remarked: “He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.” Luke 14:28-30 reminds us: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:2, James 4:13-15, Ecclesiastes 5:2-3, Mark 11:25

Planning Wisely, Living Humbly

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jan 1, 2026

We plan responsibly, but we submit these plans to God willingly. When they change—when doors close, when timelines shift, instead of living in despair we can trust that God causes all things to work together for good.

How can we prepare our lives for the future when we don’t know what the future holds? Well we know that God has created life with rhythms we can normally count on. The world keeps spinning on its axis. The sun rises and sets. Gravity holds us to the earth. We breathe without thinking. Seasons come ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If I Could Put Time In A Bottle

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 5, 2026

Time is not random or meaningless; it unfolds under God’s sovereign care. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that life is lived in seasons, eternity is placed in the human heart, and meaning is found not in controlling time but in reverently offering it to God. What is given to Him is never wasted.

There are moments in life when time feels generous. Days seem long. Weeks stretch out ahead of us. The future feels wide and open, almost indulgent. And then there are other moments when time suddenly feels thin — compressed, hurried, and slippery. One season we are wondering how to fill the hours, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:12, Psalm 139:16, Matthew 6:34, James 4:13-15

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Most Dangerous Word In The Bible

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 20, 2024

When asked, people thought the most dangerous word might be ‘hate,’ ‘hell,’ 'fear,' 'revenge,' or 'death.' But the answer is a word much more innocent looking; it's the word "TOMORROW!"

THE MOST DANGEROUS WORD IN THE BIBLE James 4:13-14 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: ONE-LINE QUIPS 1. What do you call a cow with a twitch? Beef Jerky. 2. Did you hear the rumor going around about butter? Never mind, I shouldn’t spread it. 3. I stayed up the whole night trying to figure out where ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pase Lo Que Pase Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 13, 2024

Pase lo que pase, los cristianos deben (1) vivir una vida piadosa (2) mantener la unidad con los demás creyentes (3) no temer la persecución de los impíos. El mensaje se centra en lo que prepara a los cristianos para mantenerse firmes y fieles en medio de la persecución.

El mundo en el que vivimos está lleno de incertidumbre. Un virus microscópico ha alterado el status quo del mundo entero. La agitación, el descontento y el odio estallan repentinamente en las calles.i Está demasiado organizado para haber sido puramente espontáneo. Pero las ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 8:4, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 4:12-16, Acts 5:41, James 4:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Making Plans Without God Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 14, 2024

Do you make plans without asking the Lord for guidance

Help Wanted: Relationship or Religion series Making plans without God James 4:13-17 Good morning everyone, glad that you are with us. Please turn to James chapter 4:13-17 We have been in a study of the book James and a study of the difference between relationship and religion. I hope you are ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Stop Playing God Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Nov 25, 2024

James is clear - stop playing God with others and with your own life.

James: Practical Faith  James 4:11-17 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  11-24–2024 Richard Jewell On July 27, 1996, Richard Jewell was working as a security guard at the Olympics in Atlanta. It was just after midnight when he spotted the suspicious backpack and began ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Boasting About Tomorrow PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 24, 2023

The main point of this sermon is to remind us to seek God's will and trust in His sovereignty, rather than boasting about our own plans for the future.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to be diving into a powerful passage from the book of James that teaches us some important lessons about the futility of boasting about tomorrow, the need to prepare for the future, and trusting in God's sovereignty. To kick things off, I want to ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Topics: Boasting, Tomorrow