Life Is Only A Vapor

August 16

James 4:14 says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” That single verse puts life in sharp perspective. No matter how strong we feel or how far into the future we plan, life is short, fragile, and fleeting.

1. The Mist That Fades

If you’ve ever seen your breath on a cold morning, you’ve watched a perfect picture of life. It appears for a moment, dances in the air, and is gone. That’s not meant to make us fearful—it’s meant to make us purposeful.

2. Living with Intent

When we understand how quickly time passes, we stop wasting it on what doesn’t matter. Grudges feel heavier. Gossip feels emptier. And kindness feels more urgent. Every sunrise is a reminder that we have one more chance to do what God put us here to do.

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C.T. Studd

3. Make It Count

Speak love freely. Don’t wait until it’s too late to say what needs to be said. Serve generously. The smallest act of kindness can echo in eternity. Live ready. None of us knows when our vapor will vanish, so live in a way that leaves no regrets.

4. The Hope Beyond the Vapor

For those who trust Christ, this life is just the first breath before eternity. Our vapor is not the end—it’s the beginning of forever with Him. That gives us courage to face each day with joy, purpose, and hope.

💭 Final Thought: You are here for just a moment—make that moment shine so brightly that when your vapor fades, the warmth of your life lingers in the hearts you’ve touched.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/16

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

8/16–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

Your enemies can never stop you from being blessed by God!

Story:

One day a father and his rich family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing him how poor people really can be. They spent a day and a night at the farm of a very poor family. When they returned from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“Very good, Dad!”

“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked.

“Yeah!”

“And what did you learn?”

The son replied: “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that is two miles long. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard; they have a whole horizon.” When the little boy finished speaking, his father was speechless. His son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”

True wealth and riches comes only from Jesus Christ.

– unknown origin

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Building Take Skill, Tearing Down None https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521429154/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_A937V50SWW72G4F148DV

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Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:6-10

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Humor: 

I’m married to your Sister

Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/15

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

8/15–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Humor:

Why did the bullet end up losing  his job?

He got fired.

Story:

Two taxidermists stopped before a window in which an owl was on display. They immediately began to criticize the way it was mounted. Its eyes were not natural; its wings were not in proportion with its head; its feathers were not neatly arranged; and its feet could be improved. 

When they had finished with their criticism, the old owl turned his head… and winked at them.

Excerpt From “Building Takes Skill, Tearing Down None” By J D Canter Available At Amazon Kindle:

Building Take Skill, Tearing Down None https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521429154/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z44W19NSY9QYMC07FYXC

Also Check Out Sermons Under Brother Dale Cantrell On You Tube And Please Subscribe:

Check Out Books By J D Canter in Amazon And Kindle:

Also Check Out Sermons at http://www.freeholiness.net under Bro Dale Cantrell 

Check out http://www.encourager98.weebly.com too

Also Check Out Sermons On Dale

Scripture:

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Humor:

Can You Spare A Minute Or So 8/15?

If you can’t find five minutes, can you spare one or two?

8/15–Can You Spare A Minute?

“What are you achieving?

I read recently about a speech by columnist William Raspberry who told the story of a Chicago teacher with a class full of incorrigible sixth-graders.

She was so sure of their mental deficiency that she sneaked a peek in the principal’s files at their IQ scores. 

And she was shocked to see stellar scores in the 120 and 130 range. The worst kid in the class had a 145.

She changed her whole approach. She gave the class challenging assignments, piled on the homework and cracked down on misbehavior.

At the end of the year, when the principal congratulated her on the students’ success, she confessed to looking at the files. And the principal informed her that she hadn’t seen IQ scores. She saw locker numbers.

The power of expectations.

Let’s pay each other the high compliment of great expectations.

With the power of the Holy Spirit and a word of encouragement–the potential in us is unlimited.

#A-Y-T-Shorts

Redeeming The Time: Make Every Moment Count

Life is the one resource we can never replenish. Money can be earned again. Opportunities can return in a different form. But time—once it slips through our fingers—cannot be recaptured. That’s why the Bible calls us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

1. Understanding the Value of Time

Think of time like currency—but unlike money, everyone gets the same daily deposit: 24 hours. You can’t save it in a bank, and you can’t roll unused hours into tomorrow. Every second is a chance to invest in something eternal or waste on something trivial.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

2. The Danger of Delay

We often say, “I’ll get to it tomorrow.” But tomorrow isn’t promised. Procrastination is like a thief that robs us quietly, leaving us with regret instead of results. Satan doesn’t always need to lure us into obvious sin—sometimes he just keeps us busy with the wrong things until the right things never happen.

3. Redeeming Time in Practical Ways

Prioritize what matters most. Not everything urgent is important. Cut the distractions. Limit the noise of endless scrolling, gossip, or trivial pursuits. Seize small opportunities. A kind word, a quick prayer, a five-minute call can change someone’s day. Plan with eternity in mind. Ask yourself, “Will this matter a hundred years from now?”

4. Turning Lost Time into Learning

You may look back and think, “I’ve wasted so much time already.” But God specializes in restoration. Joel 2:25 says, “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” While you can’t rewind the clock, you can accelerate your obedience today and let God multiply the impact.

5. A Call to Action

The days are short, the harvest is plentiful, and our opportunities are slipping away like sand through an hourglass. Redeem the time by living intentionally, loving deeply, and serving faithfully—every day.

⏳ Final Thought: Time is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to Him. Make today count—because you’ll never get it back.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/14

8/14–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

Accept what is, Let go of what was, and have faith for what will be!

Story:

The Little Boy And The World

A man was babysitting his little boy and he needed to do something so he got a newspaper with the picture of the world on it and tore the newspaper into little pieces and told the little boy to put the world back together. In just a little bit the little boy told his father he was through. 

The man couldn’t believe it. He asked him how did you do it so quickly? The little boy said on the other side of the world was a picture of a man.. I put the man together and the world came together too!!

When my Grandson was a little boy he would often ask his Mother “Mama, did you know”, and then finish his sentence with his answer. That particular day his mother, my daughter, seemed to be worried and he asked her “Mama did you know”?

     

He told her that God had the whole world in His hand! That simple phrase from a child lifted her heart and mind to the level it needed to be at.

    

 You can learn a lot from a child if you will just pay attention!

Also Check Out Sermons On You Tube Under Dale Cantrell And Please Subscribe:

Check Out Books By J D Canter in Amazon And Kindle

Also Check Out Sermons at http://www.freeholiness.net under Bro Dale Cantrell 

Check out http://www.encourager98.wordpress.com too

Scripture:

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Humor:

The man who takes his dog to the vet