Devotional: ”Life is a VAPOR"

Life is a lot of things, but today,  I would like to briefly share that life is a vapor.  This truth is found in the Bible: "You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).

Sadly, I lost a cycling friend Sunday.  While we never met in person, he wrote me after every ride (3 times a week for over 2 years) with words of encouragement.  I was devastated to find out Monday that he had been hit by a car and died at the scene. This isn't the first time someone I knew online died while cycling.  Yet, I will continue to cycle my average 65-70 miles a week (thankfully I'm not on roads most of my rides as I live near the Silver Comet Trail with no cars), knowing that this activity, or any for that matter, could be my last.

Over the years I have known many who like a vapor appeared for a little time. Yet, not one of them knew that that day would be their last and their life would vanish away.  Even a "long life" is little time in light of eternity.

I cried and have had much grief over my cycling friend's death this past Sunday. One because I never thought this would not happen to him as he was a very experienced cyclist (I felt like I knew him personally), but mostly my grief is that I am not sure of his spiritual state and it just hurts so much.  I have all kinds of questions running through my head.  Did I show him Jesus? And even more, did I not seize opportunities to share Jesus with him?  This isn't the first time I have battled these questions as people around me or cyber friends pass away suddenly.  While we don't want to live in guilt (that doesn't accomplish anything),  I do think a good question to ask ourselves is, "Am I sharing Jesus as often and unashamedly as He would have me do? Or do I keep my mouth shut because I don't want to offend anyone even when God has placed an opportunity to share Jesus with someone?

Now, onto my next thought, are YOU absolutely sure that you are ready to meet Jesus?  Through a myriad of circumstances (and the fact our days are numbered) your life could end soon, maybe even today!   ARE YOU READY?  You just never know and you don't get a second chance after death to make things right - what a sobering thought!  As Hebrews 9:27 states: "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."

Closing words from Psalm 39:4-7 "Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my day are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. 5 My life is no longer the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you human existence i but a breath. 6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. 7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.  

I have no desire to scare you into becoming a Christian.  The Lord has to touch your heart, and you then need to repent of your sin and guilt before an almighty God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a believer in Christ, you no longer fear death, but you live for Him knowing your days are numbered and you have a God given purpose on this earth in your allotted days on earth. My prayer for you and me is that we will "finish this race" (II Tim 4:7) and hear the words of our Lord say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21)

Is there some one you have delayed talking to about Jesus? Please don't delay any longer! 

Maybe you don't personally know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and the Lord is speaking to you today, don't resist His love drawing you to Himself (Almighty God and Savior Jesus Christ).

Please feel free to forward this to others.  Actually, please do forward it. 

Thank you.

Jim Mazzulla

(biblefood@gmail.com)

www.biblefood.org

Jesus - You're Too Late!

   Let this devotion minister to and encourage you. 

Please read John 11:1-45 to best understand this devotion.

Martha said - “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21

Mary said - “Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died.” John 11:32

Have you ever felt that way, Jesus you're too late - I know I have (more than once)!

Here’s the situation - Mary and Martha called on Jesus to come pray (heal) their sick brother Lazarus and Jesus says, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Then Jesus delays his coming to Lazarus, and when He gets there, Lazarus has been dead 4 days! This is what you call a HOPELESS situation. These were 3 people that Jesus LOVED, yet He let this happen (See John 11:5)! They believed Jesus could have healed their brother Lazarus, but RAISE him from the dead (4 days dead), now that’s another story. When He asked that the grave be opened, Martha said, “.....Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days” - John 11:39. But being the awesome Jesus He is, He raised up Lazarus from the dead AND HEALED HIM. What a sight that must have been!

There is so much in this passage we could do deep studies on and it would take quite a few messages to do so, but today's study is primarily to encourage you to understand, that we have had things in our life die that were a Lazarus to us (these were good things - Jesus loved Lazarus). It might or might not be a person (relationship), it could be a ministry, a business, etc. We had asked Jesus to touch (heal) that relationship, ministry, business, etc., and He said it would be fine, and then the next thing you know the doors are closing and that relationship, ministry or business is over (DEAD and BURIED so to speak). You're saying as Martha and Mary, if you had been here you could have saved this relationship, ministry or business (whatever your Lazarus might be). Why did you let it DIE?! And Jesus says, “Thy brother (relationship, ministry, business, etc.) shall rise again," and like Martha (v.24-27) we try to reinterpret what Jesus is saying. And then when told by Jesus that it’s time to remove the stone from Lazarus' grave, Martha said, "Lord, HE STINKS" (he’s too far gone, don’t bother with him). Is your Lazarus too far gone even for JESUS to raise from the dead!!! Nothing and no one is ever too far gone IF JESUS WANTS THEM RAISED.  Do you have something that you felt Jesus loved, but now is too far gone?  Just know JESUS can raise even the DEAD!

Mother, do you have a son who loved Jesus and Jesus loved him, but now it seems he STINKS spiritually, or a ministry that Jesus' loving hand was on and now it’s gone (or dead), or a business that went under (and you knew Jesus was in this business). This devotion is not to say that ALL will be raised; but if it’s a “Lazarus” to whom Jesus has spoken to you, “Thy brother (relationship, ministry or business) shall rise again,” then don’t try to figure it out, don’t say it’s too late (IT STINKS). Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth .....” And you know when Jesus raised him He also obviously healed him, so whatever killed Lazarus in the first place was GONE! So with you whatever killed your relationship, ministry or business in the first place will be gone when Jesus raises it up from the dead.

Jesus let Lazarus die, so He let something die in your life. Why? So HE could raise Lazarus (it) up for the Glory of God and to Glorify Jesus. Let me tell you, this will get peoples attention! All may have thought that your family member, ministry, business, etc., were history (DEAD), BUT God has said of your Lazarus, "I WILL RAISE IT UP!"

Brother/Sister in Christ has God has spoken to you about something, and told you it’s dead, but I will raise it up then obey JESUS when He tells you to Roll back the stone and get READY as Jesus is going to do some raising up!

Mother, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a spiritually dead son.

Wife, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a spiritually dead husband.

Minister, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a dead ministry.

Businessman, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a bankrupt or closed business.

Don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up something or someone.

Remember fellow Christian you obey JESUS by removing the stone, but JESUS is the only one that RAISES FROM THE DEAD!

Remember these closing 5 words:  JESUS  IS  NEVER  TOO  LATE!!!