UNCERTAINTY -- Christ is my only certaint -- a talk presented to IVCSU at Shenadoah University by James A. Johnson on September 21, 1999

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I. Reflection

......A. Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans to prosper, not to harm ... hope ... future

......B. Wondering --- I heard some wonder why they were here, some wonder what major to go into, some wondering about what's next

......C. That's uncertainty

II. Emotion

......A. God, what's going on with my life?

......B. What should I do?

......C. What does it feel like to be uncertain?

III. My Story

......A. A poem written during my senior year of college

UNCERTAINTY

Drifting, Shifting,

I am sifting

Through Life's Sands.

God, please lift me.

In my heart, in my mind,

I have the desire to fly.

Uncertainty - Where do I go?

No spread wings; no flying high.

I commit; I am hurting!

If I don't commit, I am uncertain.

Is it pain or is it gain?

Right now, it is a burden.

Always changing - rearranging;

And my mind is left hanging.

Revolution, coup de tat, of

Passing thoughts - none remaining.

Every day - uncertainty!

Lord, how do I stop this mutiny?

Mutiny? My thoughts revolt.

Lord, You're my only certainty.

-- James Johnson, September 18, 1994

IV. Some Items to Think About

......A. The fallacy of "I've arrived!" - The grass is always greener. There will always be an "If only." One does not arrive until he or she reaches heaven.

......B. Gray Areas - Human finiteness - only God sees all.

......C. A drink does not mean much if one is not thirsty. Uncertainty is the thirst in life.

......D. Would you want a blueprint of your life? What about surprises?

......E. Where's room for FAITH if you already know what is going to happen?

V. What the Bible Says

......A. The Kingdom has come, is here, and is coming

......B. God can see the big picture - puzzle pieces individually may look or feel funny or not make much of a picture at all, but God in His sovereignty can see how they all fit.

......C. God's plans versus yours -- We may make plans, but they often don't agree with God's plans and often our plans fall through the cracks.

......D. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but in the end it leads only to death - Proverbs 14:12 AND 16:25

............1. Proverbs 16:9 - man plans, but the Lord determines

......E. Yet, we worry

............1. Matt 6:33-34 - Seek first God's Kingdom and all these things shall be added unto you. Don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

............2. 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!

............3. Need Help! Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the throne with confidence!

............4. James 4:13-15 - you don't know about tomorrow

......F. Encouragement

............1. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, forever - Hebrews 13:8

............2. Matt 28:20 - And Jesus is with us to the very end of the age

............3. Look at the past uncertainties Jesus has already walked with you through.

............4. Look at the prayers God has answered not just now but throughout the Bible!

..................a. Creation out of nothing (Genesis)

..................b. Isaac out of an elderly couple (Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah)

..................c. A Holy nation out of a deceiver (Jacob)

..................d. A slain giant at the hands of a shepherd boy (David defeats Goliath)

..................e. A great apostle out of a persecutor of God's people (Paul)

..................f. And a baby in a manger who grew up in Galilee of all places, and as the King of the Jews, was crucified on a Roman cross (God comes to earth as Jesus Christ and conquers death and hell).... But He rose again!!!

............5. So, all odds can be against us, but God has brought the impossible to come to pass. With God, all things are possible! - see Matthew 19:26

......G. Press on in FAITH!

............1. Press on towards the call - Phil 3:13-14

............2. Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed

............3. Proverbs 3:5-6 - In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

............4. James 1:2-3- Consider it pure joy when facing trials! It develops faith!

............5. Romans 5:1-5 - justified by faith, peace with God - REJOICE IN SUFFERINGS because suffering --> perseverance --> character --> hope

......H. God is the greatest certainty!

............1. Do you know Him?

............2. If you were to die right now, would you have uncertainty about your eternal future?

............3. You can have that certainty in Jesus Christ