Facing Your Future Without Fear

Proverbs 23:17-18

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

November 7, 2021

“Don’t envy evil men but continue to reverence the Lord all the time, for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet!” Proverbs 23:17-18 (Living Bible)

Don't PRESUME about tomorrow!

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day may bring forth."  Proverbs 27:11

Don't PANIC about tomorrow!

"Do not be anxious about tomorrow -- God will take care of your tomorrow too.  Live one day at a time."  Matt. 6:34 (Living Bible)

Don't PROCRASTINATE about tomorrow!

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!"  Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)

AN UNCLEAR VISION LEADS TO . . .

HANG-UPS

“Double minded people can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.”  James 1:8

MIX-UPS

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.” Proverbs 15:2 (The Message Translation)

PILE-UPS

“Some have refused to let their faith and vision guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.”  1 Timothy 1:19 (GW)

TRUTHS CONCERNING YOUR FUTURE

God KNOWS everything that's going to happen

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before His eyes..." Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

"The days allotted to me had all been recorded in Your book before any of them ever began."  Psalm 139:16 (GN)

God has A PLAN for my future

"‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’"  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

God will BE WITH ME every step of the way

"God has said, `Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b)

"If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself."  2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV)

"The Lord is faithful to ALL His promises..."  Psalm 145:13 (NIV)

HOW TO FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

SET UP A PLAN

"Moses my servant is dead.  Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River... I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses."  vs. 2-3

"So Joshua ordered... the people ‘Get your supplies ready.’" vs. 11a

"Don't go charging into battle without a plan."  Proverbs 20:18 (Good News Translation)

"We should make plans - counting on God to direct us." (Living Bible)

Proverbs 16:9 

STAY IN THE WORD

“Be careful to obey all the Law...do not turn from it to the right or the left that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:7- 8

STEP OUT IN FAITH

"Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident!  Don't be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord, am with you wherever you go."  vs. 9 (Good News Trans)