James 4:14 - Short and Sweet.
James 4:14 (NLT) How do you know what your
life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the
morning fog - its here a little while, then
its gone.
INTRODUCTION
Life is short no matter how many years we
live. Don't be deceived into thinking that you
have lots of remaining time to live for Christ,
to enjoy your loved ones, or to do what you
know you should. Live for God today! Then, no
matter when your life ends, you will have fulfilled
God's plan for you. [Life Application SB]
It is good to have goals, but goals can
disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no
point in making plans as though God does not exist
because the future is in his hands. The beginning of
good planning is to ask: "What would I like to be
doing ten years from now? One year from now?
Tomorrow? How will I react if God steps in and
rearranges my plans?" We can plan ahead, but we must
hold on to our plans loosely. If we put God's
desires at the center of our planning, he will never
disappoint us. [Life Application SB re vss. 13-16]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Average life spans are shorter than most
of us realize. Unlike the great redwood trees
that can last for a thousand years, most other
things come and go quickly. Several examples
illustrate how temporary things really are:
Copper plumbing: twenty to twenty-five
years
Face-lift: six to ten years
Car muffler: two to three years
Dollar bill: five to six years
Painted line on the road: three to four
months
Pro basketball player's shoes: one week
I purposely omitted human beings. Most
would agree our life span is somewhere between
seventy-five and eighty-five years. The simple fact is,
nobody knows for sure how long they may live. When
we read and believe the warnings in Scripture,
there is little doubt that life is short.
How do you know what your life will be
like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog
- it's here a little while, then it's gone.
James 4:14
So how can we make our lives count? Three
thoughts come to mind.
First, act on your impulses. I challenged
a group of people recently to reach out now to
someone - and not wait for the "perfect" moment. A
woman in the audience took my words to heart and
contacted a person she hadn't talked to for a long
time. The person was thrilled. She responded, "You
have no idea how much your call has meant to me."
She later admitted she had planned to take her
life that very afternoon, but the call had
changed her mind.
Second, focus on the positive. Merchants
of negativism may be strong and sound
convincing, but their message is debilitating. Life's
too short for that. Spread germs of cheer. Joy
becomes contagious.
Third, traffic in the truth. Refuse to
stake your claim on hearsay evidence. Check out
the facts. Be discerning. And if you are a
conduit of communication, speak only the truth. If
you're not sure, keep quiet.
What are you waiting for? Let's go!
[Chuck Swindoll www.insight.org.]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 90:12 - Time a Precious Talent.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210225-0902.html
Ephesians 5:15-17 - Be Careful How You Live.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210226-1001.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657