The Verse That Changed My Life – 4 Lessons

We’ve been following Pastor, Dr. Justin Alexander’s series on the life of David from the book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. Justin and his family are on a much-deserved vacation, so Pastor Dave Marshall filled the pulpit this week. Dave is very special to Jim and me as he officiated our fiftieth anniversary vow renewal ceremony in 2023. He’s a terrific man. Hearing his sermon showed us a part of him we didn’t know. We love and respect him even more.

His sermon was titled, The Verse That Changed My Life, James 4:14. He used the CSB version. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring, what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

It’s my humble opinion that this verse would have gone right over the head of most of us. But Holy Spirit worked in Pastor Dave’s life as this verse spoke to his heart. We are only here for a while. A short while. We will vanish like the mist. What will our legacy be?

Pastor Dave related his life as a teen in Mississippi and many of his experiences. He saw his parents become what he termed, holy rollers. If you’re from the South, you know exactly what that means. He wanted no part of it.  Since he wasn’t one of the popular kids, he decided he’d have to gain notice by getting involved in every sport he could. Eventually, he became the quarterback and took his team to a state championship. Still, he was left out of the in-crowd. He took up bad habits to fit in. And then, one day he heard this verse, and his life was changed.

He told his parents he’d given his life to Jesus, and that decision changed his eternity and that of many others with whom he has had influence. My husband and I are thankful for the words of wisdom he has imparted to us.

Pastor Dave shared four lessons with us about this verse and its implications for our lives.

The Verse That Changed My Life - 4 Lessons @DDuPreeWilliams #faith #JesusFollower #VaporThatVanishes Share on X

LESSON 1 – LIFE ON EARTH IS UNCERTAIN

We don’t know what our lives on earth will be. God tells us (out of context, but can it still apply to us?) He knows the plans He has for us. They are for our good and not to harm us, to give us hope for a good future (Jeremiah 29:11 paraphrased). Pastor Dave referred to the storms that hit western North Carolina last September and the recent one that hit Texas. He says all his life he’d heard when trouble comes, run for the hills. Well, NC and TX were hit within the hills. So where are we supposed to go? Because we live in a fallen world, we know that things are going to happen.

When many of Jesus’s followers were abandoning Him, He asked the Twelve if they were going to leave Him, too. Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6: 68-69 CSB).

It seems evident that our safe place is following Jesus. It is through Him that we gain eternal life. We were reminded But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matthew 5:33 CSB). Putting our trust and faith in God is step one to living a life with a secure eternity.

LESSON 2 – LIFE IS SHORT

Dave pointed to something we may have seen in which we see the dates on a tombstone. There is a birthdate, and there is a date of death, in years. But life takes place in that short little dash between the two. As someone who has lived for three-quarters of a century, I can tell you, life goes by in a flash. One minute you’re an eight-year-old dancing while standing on your Daddy’s brogan-clad feet. The next, he’s walking you down the aisle to become one with the love of your life. Then the babies come. Before you know it, Mama and that beloved Daddy, and even your precious Sissy are gone, and here you are, married for over fifty years, sons all grown, grandbabies now grown women. All you did was blink. That dash!

Make the most of the short time you are given on this earth. Don’t waste it on petty, foolish things.  Dave reminded us to tell people you love them; be thankful; don’t hold grudges; forgive;invest in the eternal not just earthly things; make disciples – begin with your neighbors, a good starting point. Don’t worry about what to say. Remember Jesus told His disciples Holy Spirit would give them the words. He will do the same for you. Just this morning we read Ecclesiastes 3:11 which says in part, He has also put eternity in their hearts (CSB). This tells me we all have a hole inside us somewhere that only having a relationship with Jesus can fill. Seek Him. Find Him. Run after Him!

LESSON 3 – LIFE HAS A FINISH LINE

Pastor Dave equated our lives to running laps. He divided our lives into ages, telling us most of us hear the gospel and come to faith in the years 1-20. In years 20-40, we are busy creating a career and raising our family – life is full. Years 60-80 are the final lap, and then, we reach the finish line.

Then it vanishes.

When it comes time for you to die, you have only two things to worry about – Heaven or Hell. Do you know where you will be? If you’re right with God, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Your eternity is sealed and was the day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior and confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that He lived, He died, He rose, and He will come again. Dave asked, what about your kids and grands? Do you know they are saved? Share the good news of the Gospel with them if you have never done that.

LESSON 4 – LIFE WITH JESUS IS 100% CERTAIN

Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6 CSB). When you have Jesus, you can be certain that your eternity is secured. You can also be certain that Jesus loves you. So much, that He died for you.

One final thought – Is Jesus LORD of your life?  Do you have a verse that changed your life?

Blessings, y’all!

One of my all-time faves. Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote this in 1963. I was just a girl. Had no idea it was that old. I pray it blesses you!