Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10

Snowflakes are fascinating.. They come in all different shapes and sizes.  Some appear as delicate lace doilies others as shining stars.  Yet they all have their similarities. Each snowflake has six points, is made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and is symmetrical in shape.

But did you know that the ice that makes a snowflake collects around a particle of dust floating in the atmosphere? The tiny imperfection may be as small as 1/100,000 of a millimeter in size, but it has to exist for a snowflake to form!

In the same way, imperfections in life can often be the catalysts that cause something wonderful and beautiful to happen. A "foreign invader" that crashes into our lives—such as a terminal illness, an accident, or a heartbreak—can actually turn into a source of blessing.

As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."

When you encounter obstacles in life, remember that they give you, as a believer, the chance to let God make something wonderful happen. If you are struggling with a difficult situation in your life, seek the Lord and wait for Him to create from it a beautiful blessing. Because I promise...if you're looking for it...He will!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God that when hardships come, He makes something beautiful as a result! Pray that He would continue to transform your trials into blessings by surrounding you with His grace, love, and mercy.

[Judy Harder]

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. --2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Richard Baxter, a 17th-century preacher from Kidderminster, England, was known for his passionate ministry style. He saw himself as a dying man ministering to dying people, so he always spoke as if he were preaching his last sermon and his audience was hearing their last message.

In addition to his dynamic style of preaching, Baxter spent every Monday and Tuesday instructing the children of his church. On Wednesdays, he went from house to house to make sure the needs of his church's widows, aged, and sick were met. And during the rest of the week, he prepared his sermons and wrote books.

As a result of Baxter's ministry, the town of Kidderminster was completely transformed. The small village that had once been a place full of sexual immorality, violence, and sin, eventually became a town where almost every household honored the Lord. Baxter's zeal for ministering to others and bringing them to Jesus reaped a great spiritual harvest.

Are you doing everything you can to minister to the needs of those in your family, neighborhood, circle of friends, and church? Are you a daily witness and servant to those with whom you share life?

As believers in Christ, we have a ministry...even if we don't work for a church!  Today, determine to proclaim the truth of God's love in word and action...as if you were a dying man or woman of God ministering to dying people!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open up opportunities for you to minister to others who are lost and hurting. Pray that He would give you a great passion for serving others and bringing them to Him.

[Judy Harder]

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7

Shortly after the Civil War, General William T. Sherman's army was scheduled to march in a victory parade in [City Name, State].

The night before the parade, Sherman called General Oliver Howard to his room and said, "General, you were at the head of one of the divisions that marched with me through Georgia, and you should rightfully ride at the head of your division in the parade tomorrow. However, I've been asked to let the general who preceded you in command represent the division."

General Howard replied, "With all due respect, sir, I think I am entitled to represent my division, since I led them to victory."

Sherman said, "Yes, you are. But I know you're a Christian, and I was wondering if you would yield your rights for the sake of peace."

Quickly, Howard responded, "Of course I'll yield."

"All right," General Sherman said, "I will arrange so, and I want you to report to me in the morning at 9:00 a.m. You will be riding with me at the head of the parade."

General Howard's willingness to yield his position to his commander led to an even greater position of honor. Just the same, God blesses those who are completely submitted to Him. Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a submissive spirit, so that you can fully be used by Him.

[Judy Harder]

How to find rescue from your pain

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:1-5

A man put up a sign in his yard that read "Puppies for Sale." Among those who came to inquire was a young boy from the neighborhood. "Please, mister," he said, "I'd like to buy one of your puppies."

"Well, son, they're $25."

The boy looked crushed. "I've only got two dollars and five cents. Could I see them anyway?"

"Of course," said the man.

The lad's eyes lit up at the sight of those five little balls of fur. "That one has a bad leg," said the man. "I'm afraid she'll be crippled for life."

"Well, that's the puppy I want. Could I pay for her a little at a time?"

The man responded, "But she'll always have a limp." Smiling bravely, the boy pulled up one pant leg, revealing a brace. "I don't walk good either." Then, looking at the puppy, he continued, "I guess she'll need a lot of love and help. I sure did. It's not so easy being crippled."

"Here, take her," said the man. "I know you'll give her a good home. And just forget the money."

Because of sin in our lives, we're just like that little crippled puppy. But when Jesus looks at you, He also looks down at His nail-pierced hands and feet and says, "I'll give you a good home." It's because of those scars that He can sympathize with your pain and weakness and calls you home to be with Him forever!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God that, despite the sin and shame that covers us, Jesus Christ rescued us from sin so that we could have eternal life!

Questions for Thought

How does it make you feel that Jesus rescued us from the curse of sin and brings you to eternal life?

What response should we have to Christ's invitation to live with Him forever?

[Judy Harder]

Does your life point others to Jesus?

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

A story is told of a man who would stop every morning to pick up the early edition of the newspaper at a small grocery store. One morning when he arrived at work, the man found that by mistake he had taken two newspapers instead of one. He first thought of paying the grocer the extra price the next morning. But then after a moment's consideration, he got in his car, drove back to the store, and returned the paper.

About a week later, the shop owner discovered that someone had stolen money from the grocery store. When police pinpointed the time it occurred, the grocer remembered only two people being in the store at the time—and one was the man who had returned the paper.

The grocer immediately dismissed the man as a suspect, saying, "That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake." The police then focused their investigation on the other man, who soon made a full confession. This man's honesty made a big impression on that non-Christian storeowner.

As Christians, our walk should always resemble our talk. This is especially true in the eyes of a watching world, whose impressions and opinions of Christianity are formed based upon their interactions with Christians. So when it comes to honesty, live far above reproach, letting your good works shine in a dark world and bringing glory to God!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to help you live the kind of life that points others to Jesus Christ.

Questions for Thought

Up to this point, how would you say you've done at living a life that points others to Christ?

What are some areas of your life today where you can be a light to people who don't know Jesus Christ?

[Judy Harder]

How To Persevere Through Any Trial

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12

As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron ore and cod. He found neither, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing.

But just as he finished, a match from his cigarette dropped among the celluloid, consuming the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo life "that people will never forget." He did just that, and the result was the classic 1922 documentary Nanook of the North.

What Robert's story can teach us today is that setbacks are going to take place in life. We're going to experience health problems. Finances won't always be as abundant as we'd like. And, relationships will be strained at times. Yet it's not those trials that define us, but how we persevere through them with hopeful, prayerful patience that God is going to do something great.

When others look at your life, they won't define you by your struggles, but how you faithfully persevered through them. So whatever you might be facing today, know that in Christ, you have everything you need to keep going forward with your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you stay true and faithful when struggles come your way.

Questions for Thought

In what areas of your life today are you experiencing trials? Are you struggling to persevere?

What does it look like for you to joyfully, prayerfully persevere through those trials?

[Judy Harder]

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28

Many years ago in London, a talented young man began preparing for the ministry. He had surrendered his life to Christ and wanted so badly to be used by the Lord. He was a brilliant student and completed his seminary studies with honors.

Prior to his ordination as a minister, he was required to preach a sermon before a select group of clergymen. The intensity of the situation made him nervous—especially when he saw his lovely fiancée sitting in the audience. In his anxiety, he lost his train of thought as he preached...which resulted in the board not approving him for ordination.

The rejection was a bitter disappointment, and his grief increased when his fiancée broke off their engagement because he had performed so poorly. After these two events, he fought depression for quiet some time. Several weeks later, He poured out his complaint before God, and was reminded of God's promise in Romans 8:28..."in all things God works for the good of those who love him...." It was then that he experienced an incredible peace in his soul.

When the chance to preach happened again, the young man delivered a powerful sermon to the examining board and he was ordained to the ministry. Since this time, the dynamic preaching of G. Campbell Morgan has impacted thousands of people. This infamous expositor authored several Bible commentaries and 60 books on theology. Morgan left a legacy that still stirs hearts today—and the crisis he went through and overcame with God's help played a huge part.

Failure can often cause us to question the calling God has placed on our lives. But many times we can't see the big picture. Friend, whether you can see it or not, God is working in your life—but sometimes He works behind the scenes.

If you are a believer and have experienced failure, don't give up! God can use that failure to produce success and blessing in your life according to the promises in His Word.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to turn your failures into triumphs, and thank Him for the promises of His Word.

[Judy Harder]

How to avoid being tempted to sin

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16

Picture yourself walking on a set of train tracks when a train starts coming at you from behind. If the train engineer sees you on a track, he or she will blow the whistle. But at this point, you already have a few things going against you.

First, train engineers say often it takes more than one blast to get the average person's attention. And large trains can't stop the way motor vehicles can because the average freight train has about 100 cars, weighs 12 million pounds, and takes a full mile to stop.

Not only that, but an optical illusion happens with train tracks. When you turn around and see a train coming, it looks as if it is traveling half as fast, and is two times farther away from you than it really is. For example, if it is going 60 miles per hour and is half a mile away, it looks as if it is traveling 30 mph and is one mile away.

Now it's easy to read those facts above and come to the logical conclusion that walking along train tracks is unsafe. Yet in the spiritual life, many people are content to walk along the train tracks of sin, which is much more elusive and dangerous than a train on a set of tracks!

Whatever your sin struggle is, don't walk on the tracks. Avoid the sin that could potentially entangle you by guarding yourself against temptation!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you the strength to resist sin, especially the sin in your life that is particularly tempting.

Questions for Thought

What are some sins in your life that could potentially sneak up on you if you're not looking?

How can you take action to avoid temptation to commit those sins?

[Judy Harder]

What Baggage Are You Carrying?

"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." - Jeremiah 29:11

Many Christians today treat their spiritual life like motor homes. You see, the motor home has allowed us to put all the conveniences of our normal life on wheels. A camper no longer needs to contend with sleeping in a sleeping bag, cooking over a fire, or hauling water from a stream. Now he can park a fully equipped home in the midst of a few pine trees and hook up to a water line, a sewer line, and electricity.

Many people buy motor homes with the hope of seeing new places and getting out into the world. Yet when they deck it out with the same furnishings as their living room and never set foot outside of it, nothing really changes. They drive to new places, set themselves in new surroundings, but they've only carried along their old baggage!

Real life in Christ begins when we let go of the comfortable patterns of our old life and embrace a newness of life that, while it may be different, is so much better.

Maybe today you'd have to admit that you've carried your familiar old habits with you into your relationship with Christ. You're hanging onto those old habits because they're just comfortable. Don't treat your spiritual life like a motor home. Instead, make it an adventure, living each day fully dependent on God to meet your needs!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you break free from old patterns of negative behavior and live a new life in Christ.

Questions for Thought

What are some old patterns of behavior you've carried with you into your Christian life?

What would it look like for you to let go of those old behaviors and live fully dependent on God for fulfillment?

[Judy Harder]

Can You Trust The Mediator?

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. - 1 Timothy 2:5

A folk story is told of the bandit Jose Rivera who became notorious in several little towns in Texas for robbing banks and businesses. Finally a Texas Ranger caught up with Jose as he was taking a siesta at a local saloon.

He walked over to the sleeping bandit, tapped him on the shoulder, and asked, "Are you Jose Rivera?" The man mumbled, "No speak English." The ranger beckoned a young barkeep to help him communicate. The ensuing conversation was tedious. Finally, the ranger warned Jose Rivera that he had two choices: let him know where all the loot was hidden, or be shot dead instantly. The young man translated the ultimatum.

Jose Rivera pulled himself together and said to the young man, "Tell him to go out of the bar, turn to the right, go about a mile, and he will see a well. Near the well he will see a very tall tree. If he digs on the north side of the tree, he will find all of the money I have taken."

The young man turned to the ranger, opened his mouth, paused, and then said, "Jose Rivera says, 'Go ahead and shoot!'"

Very often, we find ourselves reliant on an intermediary to transmit a message to us. Yet the reliability of the message we receive is only as good as the mediator. But in Christ, we have a perfect mediator, who gave us the message of eternal life that came from God. So thank God today for sending Jesus as the perfect mediator that we may know Him!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God that He sent Jesus Christ to be a mediator so that you can know Him!

Questions for Thought

What does it mean to you that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, so that you can have a relationship with Him?

How can you let others know that God has made Himself accessible through Christ?