Hey man, thank you for tuning
us in. I'm Darrell Bailey here for our Sunday night message,
October the 25th, 2024. The 23rd of Tishri, 5785 of the
Hebrew calendar. Here tonight, the Lord has laid
on our hearts to talk to you about how quickly life changes. It comes from a variety of scriptures.
James chapter four, verse 14. Proverbs chapter 27, verse one. Ecclesiastes chapter three, verse
one. Job chapter 14 verses 1 and 2
and Psalms chapter 39 verse 5. As we open up, I want you, if
you would, would you open up and have prayer with me tonight?
As we pray together, we continue to pray for our brother, Daryl
Pruitt, that went through successfully with a double heart bypass with
valve replacements. And so continue to pray for him
along with all of our church family, our pastor and first
lady, Keith and Amy Dempsey, and all of our congregation at
Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church. We're so thankful to be a part
of the family of God. God is so good to each and every
one of us. You know what? Our mission today
is to share the word of God with the world. to support the belief
of the minister of the layman and understanding the preaching
and the teaching of God's word to prepare everything that we
can to lead men and women, boys and girls, to give their hearts
and lives to Jesus Christ and to secure them for eternal life.
We need to ensure all that we can to minister to the needy
of the world. I believe that more than anything
that I've been saying for years. And last but not least, provide
Jesus Christ his proper place, which his word gives him. In
other words, to rule on the throne of your life. Here, as we look
at how quickly life changes. And here's Sunday night. I want
you to pray with me about the many needs, especially all of
our church bulletin has prayer needs. And I want you to look
with me tonight as we pray together. Heavenly Father, you are the
creator of time and eternity. You're the one, Father, that
gives us everything that we have. And so your word teaches us that
life is but a vapor appearing for just a little while and then
vanishing away. And we confess that we often
boast of tomorrow without realizing how quickly that it may change. Forgive us, Lord, for the times
that we've lived in pride, forgetting that our breath Our plans and
our future are all within your power. And so tonight we ask
for your strength to approach life with humility, wisdom, and
reverence for your will. Clothe us in your armor and Lord
shield us from the distractions of this world that cause us to
lose sight of your eternal purpose. Help us each to see day by day
as a precious gift. guiding us, Lord, for time that
we spend and our energy on what truly matters to you. As we open
our hearts tonight to receive that wisdom, may we reflect on
how quickly that life can change. And may we be transformed, Lord,
by your truth so that we live each moment for your glory. Thank
you for these scriptures that we pray over tonight. As we get
ready to go into them, may this message find a lodging place
in the hearts of your people. And may the many that need to
repent or that need to step out on faith and receive your gift
of salvation for the very first time. I pray that tonight will
be that night and that Lord, that someone will fall under
the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and ask you to be the
keeper of their soul. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name.
Amen. Thank you again for being with
us tonight. Again, every one of us how quickly life begins
to change. Now when we look at the word
tonight before, we are a 501c3. Service for Christ, we operate
to create self-sustaining evangelistic discipleship, an outreach ministry
where Christians know their faith, share their faith, and grow their
faith to glorify God by making disciples primarily through nurturing
believers for their role in a relational evangelism. You see, we are a
501c3 religious nonprofit formed to serve the public and charitable
purpose in the community. We don't make money, we give
money. Amen, in order to broadcast. We don't make money. We operate
alongside churches and Christian groups that help them to better
know their faith and to be able to effectively share it with
others. And why our work is primarily in sharing the gospel by preaching,
teaching the Word of God from the King James Version Bible
and ministering with much. We make disciples, not merely
converts. And so My scripture that the
Lord has laid on my heart is 2 Corinthians 4, 5. For we preach
not ourselves, but Christ Jesus, the Lord, and ourselves, your
servants, for Jesus' sake. And so I hope and pray that it's
all about ministry, about maturity, and it's about growth of the
local church through evangelism that we believe that God has
given us all the great commission of Matthew chapter 28 verses
18 through 20 to go as we live, to teach, to make disciples,
and to observe and obey all that he has commanded. As God's ambassador,
our vision is about winning as many people possible to Jesus
Christ through the world. We believe in God the Father,
maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only son,
our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin,
suffered and was crucified, dead and buried, and the third day
he rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right
hand of God the Father. And so, here as we get into the
wonderful word of God tonight, Imagine, what are other words
for very quickly? Because when we begin to look
at how quickly life changes, the other pigeon begin to answer
and said, on the double, lickety split, like grease lightning
at speed, lickety split, precipitate in a hurry. And so, every one
of us, when we look that the synonyms for quickly, rapidly,
swiftly, promptly, speedily, and fast. When we look at how
quickly life changes, we begin to realize one of the most recent
stories is one of my heroes of life that I grew up watching
Ron Eli in Tarzan and Doc Savage. And recently he passed away.
He was born in 1938. He passed away here in 2024. But when we look at how quickly
life changes, you know, Ron Eli, his story and journey in life,
we begin to look and realize that here through his role in
Hollywood, At the height of his career, he made an uncommon choice
to step away and prioritize his family over his fame, settling
into a quieter life where he could be there to raise his kids
after he married being older. When we reflect back on his twist
of life, Eli's later years meant rewards of peace and family,
but they were met with heartbreak and tragedy, Because later on,
as this story reminds us of the swift, often unforeseen changes
that life brings, resonating with the passages like James
chapter 4, And oh, so when we look and realize that each of
us need to cherish each moment and lean into God's strength
and remember that while life changes in ways we may never
predict, God's love is the one that steady, unchanging anchor
through it all. Ron Ely, as his original part
was Tarzan on the TV series, he died at the age of 86. He was in the house with his
daughter, Kristen Eli. And when we look at this, he
died September the 29th at one of his daughter's homes in Santa
Barbara, California. And so when we look at this,
Tarzan's son, or Ron Eli's son that we say, here had taken his
own mother's life and tried to blame dad for everything because
the son was a quarterback at Harvard football team, Cameron.
But he fatally was shot by the police. He had graduated from
Harvard in 2012. But the accident of whatever
took place where he stabbed his mother to death
and then tried to blame his actor father. And so all of this was
a tragedy within his family. And can you imagine that the
son was fatally shot by police that responded to the family's
Hope Ranch home on a Tuesday evening in Santa Barbara? And
so it was sad that all of these things that we look and realize
that across the 911, the emergency dispatcher is heard saying that
a male reporting party placed the call, claimed that the father
tried to attack the mother, and the dispatcher went on to note
that someone defended someone, and then the male hung up the
phone. Well, when she called back, a man responded who sounded
out of breath, unintelligible, and crying, responding Officers
found Valerie Eli, 62, dead at the scene. And after speaking
to 81-year-old Ron located Cameron outside the home, a sheriff's
office spokesman told people that Cameron posed a threat which
prompted four deputies to fire their service weapons at the
suspect, faintly wounding him. Now, this is a sad story. You
see, that's how quickly life can change. When we look at the
wonderful word of God, we begin to realize how quickly life changes. These scriptures, what they teach
us when we look at them here Sunday night, because here we
look and we see that in James chapter four, verse 14, that
life is a vapor. He says, whereas, you know, not
what shall be on tomorrow for what is your life? It is even
a vapor that appear for a little time and then vanish away. When we look at this, we're reminded
that we need to live each day with humility, aware that our
time is in God's hands. And so when we see the scripture
that he's talking about, we see that every one of us, it captures
the brevity and the uncertainty of life that each and every one
of us go through, how that it can change in an instant. And
so when we look at the scriptures, James reminds us that life is
fleeting, it's unpredictable just as a vapor appears briefly
and then disappears. So too does human life in the
context of eternity. The passage cautions against
prideful planning without acknowledging God's sovereignty, reminding
us of the brevity and the fragility of life itself. And so it emphasizes
having humility, submission to God, and the dangers of pride.
And it teaches that we should trust in God's will and not boast
about our plans, acknowledging that life itself is in God's
hand. When we look at vapor, we see
the Greek word aphros, and it's a word that suggests something
insubstantial like breath or a mist of that vapor. Because
each and every one of us, when we look at the vapor of all of
our lives. Amen. Each and every one of us
as we go through life today and realize that like breath or mist,
it's a reminder that life is intangibly short and temporary. James teaches us that life is
like a mist that appears briefly and then it fades, knowing this,
that we need to live humbly. And when we make our future plans,
we need to know that God is in control of all. And we can approach
each day with a humble spirit asking for God's guidance and
being aware that each moment is a gift by surrendering our
plans to God. we gain a deeper trust and reliance
on him. And so each and every one of
us can go through life as it appears, and then it may be gone. But life's moments are very precious
and yet passing. C.S. Lewis said, aim at heaven
and you'll get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you'll get neither. You see, the uncertain tomorrow
that all of us as we go through life today, we never know how
things could unfold for us, amen. But I'm glad that as we go through
life today, I'm reminded about a story of basically a missionary. And, you know, each and every
one of us as we go through life today, A missionary who had spent
years in a remote jungle returned to the city and was startled
by how much things had changed. I remember when I came back from
the military and I could not believe how everything had grown
and changed. I had been gone for a while and
when I come back, nothing was like it was. Well, this missionary
looked around and he realized how quickly people were racing
through life and yet with little regard for its brevity. He shared
with a crowd that life is short and if you spend it pursuing
things that fade, your joy will fade with him. His message resonated
with many who were struck by the speed of life's demands and
how quickly moments of real joy seem to disappear. Billy Graham
once said that the greatest surprise in life, to me, is the brevity
of life. And it captures the message that
James is talking about, reminding us of life's shortness and calls
for us to live meaningful in Christ, not as though we have
endless time, But I'm glad in a world that is constantly pushing
for more productivity and success, James 414 challenges us to slow
down. and to remember that life is
a vapor and that we are investing our lives in what matters to
God are in pursuits that will soon disappear. And so we look
at another thing. Robin Williams, known for his
boundless energy and comic genius, appeared to embody joy and laughter. However, behind the scenes, he
struggled with mental health and physical challenges, ultimately
passing away in a way that shocked fans worldwide. His story reminds
us of the hidden battles people fight and the importance of reaching
out to those who may be struggling despite their outward appearances. Amen. And so we get to our second
scripture. Not only do we live each day
with humility, aware that our time is in God's hands, but secondly,
we look and we realize that make the most of each moment and avoid
taking time for granted. Out of Proverbs chapter 27 verse
1, I'm glad that the uncertainty of tomorrow, boast not thyself
of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. And so each and every one of
us, when we look at the scripture, how that we're reminded, amen,
that the passage is not to assume anything about the future, but
we acknowledge how life can change suddenly. And so each and every
one of us, it encourages humility and dependence on God. We cannot
predict what the future holds, so we should not be overly confident
or prideful about our plans. And so each day brings a lot
of unknowns. And the only God and only God
has control over tomorrow. Amen. And so when we look at
this, we know that Proverbs 27 focuses on wisdom in relationships,
planning, and actions that all of us need to take a word to. And so the word boast that we
see here, that it's talking about, is the Hebrew word haleal. Haliyel is the Hebrew word for
boast. and it means to praise it means
to to glorify or boast and it's cautious against self-praise
and encourages leaving the future to God and so the Hebrew word
root reminds us that the true boasting should be in God's wisdom
and not our own amen and so each and every one of us are reminded
not to presume upon tomorrow we don't know what the future
holds so we must focus on what we can do today, living each
day fully and purposely, and so to be more intentional with
our time, our words, and our actions to avoid procrastination
and to prioritize our relationships and responsibilities today rather
than assuming that we'll always have more time. A young woman
was preparing for a very major life change. She planned every
detail from her career to the kind of house she'd buy. But
on the eve of her big move, she received devastating news that
her mother was gravely ill. Suddenly, all of her plans were
put on hold and she found herself back in her little old hometown
caring for her family. Reflecting on Proverbs 27 verse
1, she later shared, I had put my confidence in my plans, but
I learned quickly that tomorrow isn't promised to us. God's plan
can be vastly different from our own. And so Corrie 10 Boone
said one time, never be afraid to trust an unknown future to
an known God, unquote. You see, Life's unexpected changes
are reminders that our future is secure only when we're placed
in God's hands, not our own understanding or our planning. And so with
a world that markets tomorrow's success and satisfaction, this
verse teaches us to live humbly and to trust God for each day. And it reminds us to surrender
our plans to God and seek his guidance because only he knows
what tomorrow holds. Amen. So Heath Ledger's tragic
passing at age 28 came shortly after his intense portrayer of
the Joker in the Dark Knight, for which he posthumously won
an Academy Award. His story serves as a reminder
of life's fragility and the sometimes heavy toll that pursuing one's
calling can exact on a person's well-being. And so we look and
we see the third scripture, because each and every one of us, according
to the word of God, amen, that we live each day with humility,
aware that our time is in God's hands. We see secondly, to make
the most of each moment and avoid taking time for granted. But
thirdly, accept life's seasons with trust in God's timing and
purpose. Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verse
1 talks about the seasons of life. To everything there is
a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. When
we look at Ecclesiastes 3, verse 1, I'm glad that here it speaks
to the ebb and flow of life. suggesting that changes come
as part of life seasons and purposes. So to everything there is a season,
a time to every purpose under the heaven. So it introduces
a well-known passage that describes life cycles, birth, and death. and planting and harvesting sorrow
and joy. It speaks to the rhythm of life
and it shows that God has a divine timing for every event. It teaches
patience. acceptance and faith in God's
plans. And so here we see the inviolability
of life's changes and cycles, urging believers to trust in
God's timing and purpose for each season. And it speaks to
both the beauty and the mystery of God's plan. The Hebrew word
season and time is the Hebrew word Zeman, Zeman. And it refers to a Pacific appointed
as we see the seasons and the time. that is a Pacific appointed
time because in Jewish understanding, Zeman is not random. It's God
ordained. This verse implies that life
seasons are set by divine appointment and humans are to find peace
in God's timing, amen? So it reminds us in Ecclesiastes
chapter 3, verse 1, that every aspect of life has its season. And so, we need to recognize
that this helps us to accept change and trust that God has
a purpose for each phase of our life. By aligning ourselves with
God's timing, we can respond to life's changes with greater
faith and peace, knowing that God is sovereign over every season
that we experience. You see, what does the Bible
tell us? It rains on the just and the unjust alike. You say,
hey, I'm a born again Christian. It rains on you. You're a lost
sinner. It rains on you. And so every
one of us, Rick Warren said one time, we're products of our past,
but we don't have to be prisoners of it, unquote. And so when we
look and realize that each and every one of us, as we reflect
on Ecclesiastes chapter three, a man, imagine a tree going through
the seasons. In spring, it blooms. In summer,
it thrives. In autumn, it sheds. And in winter,
it stands bare, just like we see right now in our part of
the country. Each season is necessary for
the tree's growth and renewal. But in the same way, our lives
pass through seasons that bring us to God's ultimate purpose.
We may prefer the seasons of blessing, and ease, but God uses
times of trial and waiting to shape us. In his book, The Purpose
Driven Life, Rick Warren wrote, we're products of our past, but
we don't have to be prisoners of it. As I said that a while
ago, I got to thinking about that each season God allows has
a purpose and ultimately the power to transform us for his
glory. We all live in a society that
often wants instant results, constant happiness. But this
scripture of Ecclesiastes teaches us that God through every season,
knowing that he uses all things for our growth and his purpose.
Are we willing to allow God to work through every season in
our lives? Or are we trying to rush his
timing? And so, as we move along, we
see Natalie Wood, another one of how quickly life changes. A beloved actress, Natalie Wood
was known for films like West Side Story and Rebel Without
a Cause. Her sudden and mysterious passing
at age 43 after a night on a yacht stunned the public. And so her
story is a powerful reminder of how quickly lives can change
and how unexpected and even unanswered questions can shape the legacy
that is left behind. And so our next one is not only
that we live each day with humility, aware that our time is in God's
hands, But also we look and we see that we make the most of
each moment and avoid taking time for granted and accept life's
seasons with trust in God's timing and purpose. But fourthly, recognize
life's fragility and live wisely, valuing what truly matters in
Job chapter 14 verses 1 and 2. Here man's frailty It says, flower
and that is born of a woman is a few days and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down. He fleeth also
as a shadow and continues not. Each one of us, as we look at
Job, and we know the story of Job and what Job went through
with his life, recognizing life's frugality, and we live wisely,
valuing what truly matters. And so each and every one of
us, when we know that we're born, but we've got a lot of trouble.
And as a shadow and continuous, that continue with not, Job reflects
on the frailty of life. And I'll tell you, illustrating
how swiftly that it can shift from one state to another. And
so each and every one of us, Job tells us the hardships of
human life, that he likens human existence to a flower that quickly
withers and a shadow that swiftly disappears. This verse echoes
the transient nature of life filled with trials and fleeting
moments. we see the mortality of human
suffering and the longing for hope. Job expresses his despair
and a desire to understand life's purpose amid suffering. Many
of us will get to a time in our life when something happens with
our health, our family, and we can't quite understand why is
it happening to me? Why am I having to go through
all of this? This embodies the tension between
human frailty, and the hope for divine intervention. When we
look at all of the things here, like we see that he's talking
about the flower that is born of a woman is of a few days of
full of trouble. And so when we see this, we know
that even the word life or vigor itself is the Hebrew word keil,
through this verse of the Hebrew that relates to strength and
vitality that Job's lament of life's brevity. He was talking
about that set against the backdrop of life's vitality that quickly
fades, capturing the fleeting nature of human strength and
vitality itself. Job's words remind us that life,
though often filled with trials, is as delicate as a flower and
as fleeting as a shadow. And we should look at living
wisely, valuing our relationship, living compassionately, and seeking
purpose. When we are aware of life's fragility,
or how each and every one of us can be more motivated to live
with integrity, making each day count for what truly matters. And so, I'm glad. Billy Graham said one time, the
moment that we take our last breath on earth, we can take
our first in heaven, unquote. Amen. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. And so when we look at all of
life's troubles, when we realize that he talks about that, he
cometh forth like a flower and is cut down. Other words, like
a flower and is cut down, as Job 14.2, he fleeteth also as
a shadow and continueth not. In other words, life is beautiful
yet delicate, blossoming only to pass away. And so each and
every one of us, our time is brief, but God's love is eternal. A famous violinist was playing
a piece in a crowded plaza He was filling the air with beautiful
music, but suddenly one of his strings snapped. And without
skipping a beat, he kept on playing, adjusting to finish the piece. Later, he shared, life is like
that violin. Sometimes a string snaps. We can stop or we continue on
trusting the music is still beautiful. You see, Job reminds us that
even in trials, God brings beauty from our brokenness. Charles
Spurgeon once said one time that trials teach us what we are.
They dig up the soil and they let us see what we're made of,
unquote. Well, that's what happens. We
learn in the difficult times of life. and seasons that we
must lean on God as he alone is our strength in times of trouble. We're in a culture that idolizes
self-sufficiency. Job's words teach us the truth
about human frailty, that life's difficulties are a reminder that
we can't control everything, but God can, and we can find
peace in knowing that even when life seems out of control, God
remains sovereign and faithful. Amen. So how quickly life changes. As into fame as a cultural icon
of youth and rebel without a cause, Dean's life ended tragically
at 24 in a car crash. Just as his career was beginning,
Dean's story reminds us of the fleeting nature of dreams and
how plans, however promising, can be altered in a very instant. So Psalms 39.5 talks about life's
brevity. Behold, thou hast made my days
as a handbreadth, and my age is as nothing before thee. Verily,
every man at his best state is altogether vanity, selah. And so, what did we talk about?
We first talked about live each day with humility, aware that
our time is in God's hands. We talked about making the most
of each moment and avoid taking time for granted. We talked about
accept life's seasons with trust in God's timing and purpose.
And we talked about recognizing life's fragility. and live wisely,
valuing what truly matters. But then we see, fifthly, that
we need to focus on eternal values, seeking to live a life, to live
a life that reflects God's priorities. Every one of us, as we go through
life today, We need to look at life and focus on the eternal
value, seeking to live a life that reflects God's priorities.
And so as we do so, I'm glad that here this highlights the
fleeting nature of life, emphasizing how quickly that it can change
and end. And so David reflects on the
brevity when he writes this Psalms of human life and how insignificant
it is in comparison to eternity. A hand breath refers to a short
span emphasizing that even a full life is very brief. And so it
reminds us that human accomplishments are ultimately vanity or emptiness
when weighed against eternity. So each one of us, when we look
at the brevity of life, urging all of us as men and women of
God to seek God's wisdom, to live with humility, David here
acknowledges human frailty and the fleeting nature of life.
And so when we look at the words that it uses here, Amen, especially
when he uses a word like vanity. The Hebrew word hevel, hevel
is what it is, and it means breath. or vapor suggesting something
empty or fleeting, and it conveys that human efforts, no matter
how impressive, are substantial in light of God's eternal purposes.
The idea of the Hevel connects with the Jewish concept of humility
and reverence for God as we recognize our lives as a brief and very
fragile. A grandfather clock in this old
farmhouse strikes each hour faithfully. The clock never rushes, but it
chimes and it reminds everyone that time keeps moving forward,
never pausing our lives. in comparison are as short as
the tick and the tock of that clock's hand. We are here for
a moment in the grand span of God's eternity. Listen, you know
what? Jonathan Edwards wrote one time
and he said, Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs, unquote. And it reminds us of the urgency
of the Psalms that David wrote about life's brevity to live
for God and not for the temporary pleasures of this world, which
vanish as quickly as they come. And the shortness of life and
the fruitility of worldly pursuits. And so I want to encourage every
one of you to measure our lives by eternal values like faith,
love, and service to others. By focusing on what will last
beyond our time on Earth, we can live with purpose that transcends
temporary successes or material gains. And it challenges us to
consider the ways that we spend our time. Are we investing in
things that matter for eternity? Or are we filling our lives with
empty pursuits? Because in this fast-paced world,
Psalms 39.5 calls us to focus on what holds eternal value and
to live each day purposely for Christ. Amen. And so as we get
ready to close out, Chad Bosman celebrated his role as Black
Panther quietly battling cancer for years while feminine physically
demanding roles. He passed away in 2020, leaving
fans shocked by both his struggle and his dedication. His story
speaks to the resilience, the strength, and how despite suffering,
people can inspire and bring hope to others. Amen. Whitney Houston is another one.
One of the greatest voices in music, Houston's life was marked
by her incredible success and personal struggles. Her sudden
passing at age 48, highlighting the challenges that can accompany
fame and talent, serving as a lesson in the importance of seeking
peace and support amidst life's pressures. So each of us, what
can we do when things change quickly? First of all, we can
pause and reflect. So each and every one of us,
as we go through that, take a moment to process what's happening.
During unexpected change, it's natural to feel a rush of emotions,
fear, sadness or even anger. But by pausing, you allow yourself
to acknowledge these feelings without letting them control
your decisions. Maybe you journal or you talk
with a friend that can be helpful. ways to get clarity on your emotions
and thoughts. And so number one, what can we
do when things change quickly? Pause and reflect. But secondly,
focus on what you can control. Amen. When we see the applications
before us, sudden change often brings with it a sense of loss
of control. And while you may not be able
to manage everything happening around you, Focus on what you
can influence. This might mean your immediate
environment, your setting small goals, or developing a routine
to bring a sense of normalcy. And so each and every one of
us, we pause and reflect. We will focus on what you can
control. But thirdly, we lean on support
networks. Whoever it is that's in your
group, that's around you, A-man, we depend on them. And a lot
of people may not have family. They may not have that support
network to lean on, but reach out to friends or family or support
groups. Talking through your thoughts
can provide both comfort and perspective. Many find peace
and support through spiritual or faith-based communities, and
they offer encouragement and remind us of the bigger picture
truths that can anchor us in our times of change. Not only
do we pause and reflect, focus on what you can control and lean
on support, networks, amen, but cultivate flexibility and resilience
because every one of us, life's most difficult transitions often
teach us resilience. Embrace the idea that adapting
to change is a skill that can be developed. Staying open to
new routines, unexpected challenges, or even difficult perspectives
that can help respond as we more positively to whatever comes
next, that we do. Not only do we pause and reflect
and focus on what you can control and lean on support networks
and cultivate flexibility and resilience, but also anchor yourself
in a faith or your core values. because each and every one of
us, for many, faith becomes a guiding force in times of change. We need to reflect on verses
or promises that emphasize trust, like Proverbs chapter 3, verses
5 and 6. Trust in the Lord with all thy
heart, lean not unto thy own understanding, in all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. You see, when
you hold on to your core beliefs, Your promises, your values can
provide a foundation for the mighty Word of God when everything
else seems uncertainty. Root on that foundation of the
Word of God, amen, that each and every one of us can do. And
then not only pause and reflect, focus on what you can control,
lean on support networks, cultivate flexibility and resilience, anchor
yourself in faith or core values, but lastly, seek professional
guidance if needed. You see, when changes bring up
feelings of deep anxiety or sadness. It can be beneficial to talk
with a counselor, a therapist, or a pastor. Maybe even it might
be a doctor, that they can provide tools to help you cope healthily
and regain your sense of well-being. Because sometimes as we get older,
our health begins to change as well. Transitions can be tough
in life, but they also bring growth and new opportunities. Taken one day at a time, embracing
support and focusing on hope can bring strength as you navigate
life's changes. So remember these six things
to apply as an application of what we do when things change
quickly. As I get ready to realize how
quickly life changes, these scriptures teach us to Be able to live each
day with humility, aware that our time is in God's hands. Amen. I'm glad that each and
every one of us as we go through life and begin to realize that
each and every one of these things can be something that's marvelous. We can make the most of each
moment and avoid taking time for granted. Amen. Each and every
one of us can do that. And so as we have all of the
things that are happening to us each and every day, we see
that we accept life's seasons with trust with trust in God's
timing and his purpose, praise God. Reach out and use those
friends and support groups as we go through life, amen. Recognize
life's fragility, values, and live wisely valuing what truly
matters, amen. Then focus on eternal, seeking
to live a life that reflects God's promises. The key takeaway,
Trust in God's timing. Amen. Because each of these verses
speaks of life's brevity and unpredictability of our time
on earth. And I want to encourage born-again
believers to place their trust in God, to live humbly and value
each day as a gift. Recognize that God ordains the
times and the seasons of our lives as we saw it in Ecclesiastes
chapter 3, verse 1. Amen. And so we also want to
remember that we can live with humility according to Proverbs
27, 1 and James 4, 14, both caution against pride and presumptuous
plans, urging dependence on God. And then lastly, of our key takeaway,
value each moment. Job chapter 14 verses 1 and 2,
Psalms chapter 39 verse 5 of David, that highlights the fleeting
nature of life, encouraging us to prioritize what is meaningful
and what is lasting. And so as we get ready to close
out, each and every one of us, we know that God wants to do
some great things in all of our lives. Amen. And so I hope and
pray that as each and every one of us, we can go through life
and know that all of us goes through some type of change.
And so we remember that all of the things that we go through
today. There was a man that he basically his car broke down
on his way to work and he found himself unexpectedly in a small
diner. where he struck up a conversation
with just a stranger. And that stranger was in need
of encouragement. What started as an inconvenience
for one man quickly turned into divine appointment with words
that were exchanged that would shape both of their lives. The
story as a reminder that life can change in a heartbeat. And
so, in James 4.14, for what is your life, it is even a vapor. that appeareth for a little time
and then vanish away. that echoes throughout scripture,
how brief and unpredictable life can be, amen. And so it reveals
the uncertainties that remain, that we can find strength and
purpose in God's promises with each and every one of us, amen.
And so as I close out, I hope and pray that you're able, amen,
to make a change in your life as each and every one of us,
how quickly life changes. Heavenly Father, thank you so
much for the scriptures of how quickly life changes, of James,
of Proverbs, of Ecclesiastes, of Job, of Psalms, and remind
us that we belong to you. You're in control of everything
and you still are. Thank you for saving us by your
marvelous grace and for giving us this little time that this
message goes out to someone in particular that you laid it upon
my heart. We thank you for this great time
and we pray that Lord that you will bring into someone's life
the greatest blessings by them asking Jesus Christ to be the
keeper of their soul and for someone that needs to repent
and someone that just needs to be reminded that God loves them
and he always has and always will and he is always there for
us as we reflect on the promises of life that he has given us
this wonderful scripture that we can always have as an anchor
in the times of the storms of life and the brevities that we
come in contact with. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name,
Amen. God bless you.