"Living Beyond Vapor"

James 4:14

“About the time your face clears up, your mind gets fuzzy.”

Chuck Swindoll, pg. 99, Swindoll’s New Testament Insights – James and 1 & 2 Peter

The other day I was reading in my College Alumni Magazine about Daniel “Josh” Dillman. He was featured in a story.

Daniel reflected Christ in all he did in College, in his church where he was active and the global work of God through missions going to Guatemala in 2010 and Taiwan in 2013.

It was wonderful to see such determination and dedication for the will and plan of God for his life.

On May 11, 2013, Daniel graduated with a B.A. in Graphic Design and Illustration. On May 17, 2013, just 6 days later Daniel died in a car accident.

James says that our life is like a vapor!

* A mist that appears and suddenly is gone!

* The morning mist or marine layer gone with the rising sun!

“I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment’s gone

All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind

Same old song, just a drop of water in endless sea

All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see”

Kansas, Dust in the Wind by Kerry A Livgren

A great wall or barrier exists between today and tomorrow!

* No one can know the future!

* No one can predict or foretell the future!

* No one can control the outcome of the future!

But God!

Acts 17:24-27 NIV “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Where you live!

How long you will live!

God knows and God controls!

WHAT WE SHOULD SAY

James 4:15-16

Start Listening and Following - James 4:15

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills,

we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:15

“The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills”

The Wit and Wisdom of Richard Needham

“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans”

Woody Allen

Dr. Ken Boa adds this to Wood Allen’s thought,

“If you want to hear him laugh even louder,

tell him how much you know.”

Since we cannot know the future and we know that life is short then we need to continually live under the direction of God who knows us, knows what is best for us and knows the future.

“Man proposes: God disposes”

* We ask Him for wisdom to help us make plans!

* We submit those plans to Him!

* We allow Him to intervene and redirect those plans!

Paul wanted to go to Rome. He got there but not the way he thought!

The Living Water International Team to Nicaragua has shared many insights and moments from their recent trip where they had to change their plans.