READ PRAYERFULLY
Look here, you who say, “Today or
tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do
business there and make a profit.” 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. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do
this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and
all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and
then not do it. JAMES 4:13-17 NLT
Look here, you rich people: Weep and
groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your
wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold
and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away
your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify
against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field
workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your
fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent
your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened
yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people,
who do not resist you. JAMES 5:1-6 NLT
EXTRACT THE MAIN IDEA
Life is short
Yet you do not know
what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears
for a little time and then vanishes. JAMES 4:14 NLT
Teach us to realize
the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. PSALM 90:12 NLT
The grass withers, the
flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. ISAIAH 40:8 NLT
APPLY IT TO MY LIFE
Control is a myth
How do you know what your life will be
like tomorrow? JAMES 4:14 NLT
We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.
PROVERBS 16:9 NLT
Do what you should
Remember, it is sin to know what you
ought to do and then not do it. JAMES 4:17 NLT
So be careful how you
live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of
every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but
understand what the Lord wants you to do. EPHESIANS
5:15-17 NLT
The sinful nature
wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the
Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature
desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not
free to carry out your good intentions. GALATIANS 5:17 NLT
Hoarding will destroy
you
This corroded treasure you have hoarded
will testify against you on the day of judgment. JAMES 5:3 NLT
Then he told them a
story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to
himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said,
‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room
enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to
myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it
easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die
this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person
is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with
God.” LUKE 12:16-21 NLT
LET IT OUT
Because life is short…