What Are You Doing with Your Life?

“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. ” —James 4:13–14

Life passes quickly, although it doesn’t always seem that way. When you’re young, life seems to move at a snail’s pace. I vividly remember being in elementary school, bored beyond comprehension. I was just waiting for the clock to strike the right number so that I could get up for recess or go home. It seemed like I was in elementary school for thirty years. Every day seemed to take forever. Now weeks fly by in an instant. Another month comes and goes. And before you know it, a new year has arrived. Billy Graham was once asked what the greatest surprise of his life was. He replied, “The brevity of it.” Researchers tell us that the reason life seems to go faster when you’re older is that you’re not having as many new experiences. You get into routines. You go to the same restaurant, you sit at the same table, you order the same thing off the menu. Apparently, variety is not just the spice of life; it’s also the slow-er of time. James compared life on this earth to a morning fog: “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here for a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14 NLT). But he didn’t mourn life’s shortness. Instead, he urged believers to embrace the challenge of living a meaningful, fulfilling, godly life—a life that matters—all the while realizing that that life could end at any moment. He continued, “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” (verses 15–16 NLT). He was talking about living with a sense of urgency. That’s not the same as rushing into things. There’s certainly nothing wrong with methodical thinking or long-range planning. The mistake comes in taking for granted that we have the time to do what needs to be done. The mistake comes in assuming that we know how things will play out. God has surrounded us with opportunities. To unlock the power of prayer in our lives. To take deep dives into His Word and come away with a greater understanding of Him and His will. To share the amazing truth of Christ with people who don’t know Him. To use the gifts He’s given us. To make a difference in the lives of people in need. No matter how many years God allows us to live, we don’t have enough time to become complacent about seizing those opportunities. We don’t have enough time to procrastinate.

Greg Laurie

Life Lesson everyone learns too Late

1. God knows when to send you exactly what you need.

2. Being private, staying low key and not telling everyone everything is self-care.

3. Seek respect not attention it lasts longer.

4. There will always be someone who does not see your worth. Do not let it be you.

5. Time always exposes what you truly mean to someone.

6. Be careful who you trust salt and sugar look the same.

7. NO regrets just do better next time.

8. Remember some things have to end for better things to begin

9.Life will separate you from your friends so appreciate each moment you have together

The Old testament is the anticipation of Christ.

The Gospels-The incarnations of Christ.

The Book of Acts -The proclamation of Christ

The Epistles – The explanation of Christ

Revelation – The glorification of Christ

CHRIST IS EVERYWHERE IN SCRIPTURE

John McArthur

1. What’s Missing in CH___CH?
   
    

GOD

Never said:

“Understand Me”

He spoke.

“Trust Me”

Hope For The Day

How  did Jefferson know?

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the White House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at the time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Especially read the last quote from 1802.

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.

Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans it they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time.

the  blood of patriots ana tyranny

Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful ana tyrannical.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

'Banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'

Inspiration

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit also comes and lives in us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be witnesses of Christ. We don't have to be a certain place to talk about Jesus and be a witness to Him. We can show others the love of Jesus in our own homes to our family, in our office to our co-workers, and in the towns, we live in. We are called to be a witness everywhere we go. Wherever God has you right now is where he wants you to be a witness for Him.

Prayer is a bullet proof vest,

For protection from evil

And we will find our purpose and meaning in life by putting God first.

Faith that goes no further than the head can never bring peace to the heart.
John Blanchard

7 Promises of God to you….

1. I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2
2. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you…”
3. I will protect you. Psalm 121:7
4. “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life.”
5. I will be your strength. Proverbs 18:10
6. “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”
7. I will answer you. Jeremiah 33:3
8. “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
9. I will provide for you. Jeremiah 29:11
10. “For 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.”
11. I will give you peace. John 14:27
12. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you I do not give to you as the world gives. DO not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
13. I will always love you. Jeremiah 31:3
14. “The Lord appeared to us in the last, saying; “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

God has a purpose for your pain a reason for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness.  Trust Him and don’t give up.

How beautiful upon the web are the fingers of him who shares good news, who publishes the peace of God in Christ, who shares the good news of our happiness and joy in him, and who publishes in his feeds: “God reigns!”

Don’t forget

Most important in life

GOD

Most beautiful attire

SMILE

Greatest asset

FAITH

Most powerful force

LOVE

Greatest weapon

PRAYER

I’m ambassador of Jesus Christ standing at the gates of hell redirecting traffic.

Psalm 34:1-4

Don’t put your pastor on a pedestal where he can be knocked off

Put him on your prayer list where he can be lifted up.

Food For Thought

God did not give us the book of revelation, so we’d build bomb shelters in the backyard.  He gave us the book so that we’d build bigger dinner tables and invite friends over and tell them about Jesus.

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Thumb  People who are close to you​

Your thumb is nearest to you. Begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.

     2. Pointer ​People who point the way​.

Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.

    3.Tall Finger People in authority

This finger reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the business and industry and administrators.

    4. Ring Finger People who are weak

This is actually our weakest finger. It reminds us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.

    5.Little Finger Our own needs

This is the smallest finger of all. Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself.

As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.”

Who are you praying for today?

MY PART

God didn’t put me on this earth.

To have an easy time,

He put me here to fight a fight,

To hold a battle line.

He put me here to help the weak

And myself to grow strong.

He put me here to lend a hand,

And help the world along,

He put me here to say a word of

Encouragement and cheer.

He put me here to sing a song.

For someone else to hear.

He didn’t put me here to whine,

Stick out my lips and pout.

He put me here to do His work,

And Satan’s evil rout.

He only asks that I do my best.

To carry out His plans,

Forget rewards and starry crowns,

And leave all in His hands.

James 5:14

SO, YOU SAY YOU ARE A FRIEND

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.

"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet" said Eeyore, in a glum sounding voice.

"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."

Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really, okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh, and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather sad, and alone, and not much fun to be around at all, which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is sad, and alone, and not much fun to be around at all, would you now?"

Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling sad, or alone, or not much fun to be around at all. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."

"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were there.

No more; no less.

Homage to author A.A. Milne by Kathryn Wallace

Love this ♥️

A pastor asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast. 

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. 

The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned. 

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one to feel uncomfortable. 

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So, Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen." 

Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today. 

Stay strong, my friends, because our LORD is mixing several things that we don't really care for, but something even better is going to come when HE is done with it. AMEN!

We need the Word of God, but we also need prayer. The Bible and prayer are inseparable.

1. Be Sure of What You Believe

Knowing what you believe is essential to your faith in Christ. Sadly, more and more believers are getting further and further away from knowing the core doctrines of the faith. One of the reasons is because many churches today have abandoned one of the most effective teaching arms of the church, which is Sunday School.

I know this might sound old fashioned (I’m not that old), but this is something that is not present in many churches today. Without this, people are often left to their own devices to figure out what they believe, and for some they turn to the world of social media to find those answers.

A 2015 study by Barna research Group found most Americans have professed to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ, yet they struggle with believing he was God, that he lived a sinless life, and are still unsure if salvation is by faith or by good deeds. This is a crisis of unbelief, and it makes people candidates to fall victim to false teaching.

To stand against false teaching, you must become knowledgeable of the fundamentals of what you believe. This is no longer an option, it is a requirement. If you don’t know these fundamentals, then you can potentially swallow up any teaching, simply because it sounds like it could be true.