James 4:14 - Life Is Like The Morning Fog.
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 PEARLS
His Way or Your Way?
The Bible doesn't condemn the person who
makes plans for the future. Rather, it criticizes
the person who makes those plans with no thought
whatsoever for the will of God. That is a dangerous
thing to do. God won't share His glory with
another.
There is nothing wrong with making plans.
Paul told the believers in Ephesus that he would
return for renewed ministry among them, "God
willing" (Acts 18:21). He wrote to the Corinthians
that he planned another visit "if the Lord
willed" (1 Corinthians 4:19). On other occasions,
Paul spoke of his plans to do certain things and
how the Lord changed his plans. We have our
plans. We have our purposes. We have our agendas.
But the Lord may redirect us.
Jesus taught us to pray, "Your will be
done" (Luke 11:2). Our prayers will be effective
and successful when we align our will with the
will of God and pray accordingly. Prayer is not
getting our will in heaven; it is getting God's will
on earth. It is not moving God our way; it is
moving ourselves His way. We need to remember that
His will may be different from ours. And we must
be willing to accept that.
The God who knows you inside out also
knows what lies ahead for you in life. We can
always fall back on the simple promise of Jeremiah
29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope."
God's plans for you are better than any
plans you have for yourself. So don't be afraid of
God's will, even if it's different from yours.
[Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie]
When Questions Go Unanswered
Sometimes its hard to understand why
we have to suffer. It doesnt seem fair. We
wonder, Why I am going through this when other
people arent?
Maybe youve thought, Why am I
single when all my friends are married? or
Why cant we have children when my friend has
five children? or Why do I have this
horrible illness while all of my friends are
healthy?
One day all of our questions will be
answered. One day God will restore in Heaven what
weve lost in this life. The Bible promises
restoration for people who have suffered. Speaking of
great men and women of faith, world changers,
Hebrews 11:35 says, They placed their hope in a
better life after the resurrection (NLT).
We put all of our focus on this life, but
theres an afterlife, and it will go on forever.
This life on Earth, even if its long, is
relatively short. James 4:14 says, 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 (NLT). And then comes
the afterlife.
Are you ready for it? If you died today,
would you go to Heaven?
Living a good life isnt going to get
you to Heaven, because Heaven is not for good
people; its for forgiven people. Im not going
to get to Heaven because Im a preacher.
Rather, its because Ive put my faith in Jesus
Christ as my Savior and Lord who died on the cross
for me. Have you done that?
Being a Christian is having Jesus Christ
come and take residence in your heart. The Bible
says, But as many as received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to
those who believe in His name (John 1:12 NKJV).
Have you received Christ? [Greg Laurie from
Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
SEE: John 1:12 - The Born Again Experience!!!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210420-0902.html
ALSO: Revelation 3:20 - KEY TO HAPPINESS.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210531-1044.html
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
James 4:14 - Short and Sweet.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210228-1005.html
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
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
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
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
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
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
