Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

Why You Can Fully Trust Jesus

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

Les Henson, a six-foot, six-inch senior forward on the Virginia Tech basketball team, will never forget a game he played against Florida State University in Tallahassee in 1980. With just a few seconds to go and the score tied at 77 points, Henson grabbed a rebound off the Florida State backboard just a foot from the baseline.

With every ounce of strength in him, he threw the ball overhand toward the opposite basket. He recalled later, "It was eerie—you couldn't hear a thing in the arena. Then it just swished through the hoop!" Henson's 89-foot, 3-inch basket that day went down in history as the longest field goal in college basketball. And Henson, who shoots with his left hand, had done it with a right-handed throw!

Now the interesting thing is that if Les Henson had done an interview before the game and said, "Tonight, I'm going to shoot an 89-foot basket and set the college basketball record for the longest shot," no one would've believed him. But after seeing it, it's impossible to deny it really did happen!

In much the same way, Jesus didn't just make fantastic claims, He showed others who He really is by putting action with His words. He didn't just say great things, He did great things. That's the kind of Savior you can trust!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God that Jesus wasn't just full of empty words, but put action to what He said!

Questions for Thought

Many skeptics say Jesus was simply a great teacher. How do Jesus' actions defy that way of thinking?

What does it say about why we can trust Jesus that He demonstrated His power not with just words, but with action?

[Judy Harder]

How To Experience Greatness Through Humility

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. - 1 Peter 5:6

When you look at how some of the world's greatest inventions came to be, it's amazing that many of these world-changing innovations had such humble beginnings.

Take the first electric light, for example. It was so dim that a candle was needed to provide extra light when it was turned on. One of the world's first steamboats took 32 hours to chug its way from New York City to Albany, a distance of 150 miles.

Wilbur and Orville Wright's famous first airplane flight lasted only 12 seconds. And the first automobiles traveled 2 to 4 miles per hour and broke down often. Carriages would pass them with their passengers shouting, "Get a horse!"

In fact, almost every single major shift in how the world works came not from greatness, but from humility. And in much the same way, Jesus Christ, who forever changed the world by dying for our sins, being raised again, and coming again one day as King in power and glory, entered the world in the humblest of circumstances.

Don't let your humbled circumstances today determine your outlook on life. Instead, remember Jesus, knowing that through Him, your situation today will change when He lifts you up in due time!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you encouragement through humility that He will lift you up.

Questions for Thought

How has God used your humble situations in the past to bring you to greatness?

What are your circumstances today that have humbled you? How can you give them to God and trust you'll be lifted up to greatness in due time?

[Judy Harder]

How to Soften the Hardest Heart

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 36:26

It's amazing how our own minds can deceive us even when we know something isn't true. Studies show that sugar pills, or placebos, can alleviate many symptoms if a sick person believes he is getting treatment. Current research reveals that 1 in 3 people find such medication to be helpful—even when they are told they are getting a placebo.

This illustrates that a belief can have power even when it isn't true. If some of these people honestly believe that the placebo is an effective drug, then their minds are telling them the medicine is effective. And even when they are confronted with the reality that their beliefs are false, they still hold onto them!

People all over the world today are stuck in systems of false belief about God. And the problem is that even when they're confronted about their beliefs, they hold onto them because they truly believe they're working. This is why we can't expect simple persuasion to work when it comes to bringing people to Christ—it has to be a work of the Spirit of God.

Don't be discouraged if someone you've shared Christ with hasn't responded in faith. Keep sharing, and pray that God would soften their heart to His gospel and bring them into eternal life through faith!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to soften the hearts of those around you to His Word.

Questions for Thought

Who are some people you've known whose hearts have seemed to be hardened toward the gospel? Why do you think that is?

Who are some people in your life today with whom you can share the gospel and pray they'd have ears to hear it?

[Judy Harder]

Unlocking The Power Of Prayer In Your Life

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

William Tyndale was the first person to translate the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English, making a Bible for the common people. But in 1535, he was betrayed by a friend and taken prisoner. Yet he continued to work on his translation even during his incarceration.

Sadly, Tyndale was unable to finish his work because he was sentenced to die a heretic's death: strangulation and burning at the stake. And on October 6, 1536, he cried out his last words, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes!" and then he died. His prayer was answered within a year—albeit in an unexpected way—when the Church of England was founded under King Henry VIII.

Most people never truly understand the power their prayers can have. They may make mention of a request, forget about it, and never really appreciate when they're answered. But when we pray, God wants us to remember our prayers so that we can recognize and give glory to His faithfulness when they're answered.

Prayer has power. It has the power to impact our days, change lives, and shake the world if only those who are called by God would pray. So don't just think about praying. Pray powerfully in the Spirit and watch how God shakes the world through you!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would open your eyes to the power of prayer.

Questions for Thought

Why do you think many people neglect to pray when they're in need?

How can you make prayer a powerful part of your regular daily routine?
LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR WORLD WILL SEE THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO EVIL, JESUS CHRIST!

[Judy Harder]

The Power of God's Word For You

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

In his book, The Wonder of the Word of God, Robert Sumner tells about a man in Kansas City who was severely injured in an explosion. The victim's face was badly disfigured, and he lost his eyesight along with both hands. He was just a new Christian, and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible.

He heard about a lady in England who read Braille with her lips. And hoping he might be able to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in Braille. He was crushed, however, when he tried and discovered the nerve endings in his lips were too badly damaged to make out the raised characters on the paper.

One day, as he brought one of the Braille pages to his lips in an attempt to read, his tongue happened to touch a few of the dots, and he could feel them much better than with his lips. He could read Braille with his tongue! At the time Sumner wrote his book, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times.

This man went to tremendous lengths to read God's Word. Yet many Christians today struggle to carve out just minutes a day to read the Bible. The Word of God is where life is found. Read it and mediate on it daily. When you do, you'll walk closer with God and hunger for Scripture like never before!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you the discipline to read His Word daily!

Questions for Thought

When's the last time you spent more than just a few minutes in God's Word? How did it make you feel?

What's the best time of day for you to carve out and make a habit of reading God's Word regularly?

[Judy Harder]

The Impact You Can Make On One Life

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15-16

The great pastor John Wesley was returning home from a church service one night when a man approached him and demanded all his money. Wesley, however, had only a little money and some Christian literature. So the robber took all he had and began to run.

As he was leaving, Wesley called out, "Stop! I have something else for you." The surprised robber paused. "My friend," said Wesley, "you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!" Then the thief hurried away.

Several years later, Wesley was greeting worshippers after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. He was shocked to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! "I owe it all to you," said the transformed man.

"Oh no, my friend," Wesley exclaimed, "not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!"

Had Wesley not seized the moment to share the love of Christ with this robber, who knows what would've happened to him. But because he did, the man was saved. Don't miss any opportunity to share the love of Christ with the lost. Let them know Jesus loves them because you never know the impact you'll have!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to help you make the most of every opportunity to share His love with others.

Questions for Thought

When is the last time you felt called to share the love of Christ with another person? Did you do it?

What are some opportunities you have in your daily routine to share the gospel?

[Judy Harder]

How you can hear God clearly

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Before a young man left for his freshman year at college, his parents gave him a Bible and assured him it would be a great help as he transitioned into his new life. Within a month, he began sending them letters asking for money. Every time he did, his parents would write back telling him to read his Bible, citing chapter and verse.

He would reply that he was reading the Bible, but he still needed money. So when he came home for a semester break, his parents told him they knew he hadn't been reading his Bible. "How?" the son asked.

"Because we tucked money by the verses we cited in our letters!"

Very often, people don't think the Bible actually speaks to their needs. But today's passage is clear that Scripture is sufficient for daily life (even if there's no money in it!). Whatever your situation, God has something to say to you through the Bible.

Read the Scriptures. Make it a habit to spend time with God in His Word because in it, you have everything you need to experience the fullness of life He wants you to have!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word as you read it.

Questions for Thought

When do you struggle staying consistent in God's Word? Why do you think that is?

Who is one person who can hold you accountable for reading God's Word regularly?

[Judy Harder]

Staying faithful when you're persecuted

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7

Hugh Latimer, the famous early Anglican bishop, once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Latimer to preach again the following Sunday to make up for this egregious offense. The next Sunday, the King had some choice words for Latimer before he preached:

"Do you know before whom you are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away your life if you offend. Therefore, take heed that you speak not a word that may displease."

That Sunday, Hugh Latimer preached the exact same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday—and with considerably more energy. Latimer didn't die that day, but he stood facing possible death all the while remaining faithful to the correct teaching of Scripture.

Most of us will never face death for remaining faithful to the Bible. Yet in the face of peer pressure or other kinds of persecution, Christians can all too easily back down from remaining faithful to God in order to appease.

We can't allow worldly pressures to dissuade us from the gospel. So stay faithful to God no matter what you face because your reward from Him will be great!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you the courage to stay faithful to Him when you're pressured to waver in your faith.

Questions for Thought

Think back on the times when you've stood for your faith despite pressure to cave in. How did it make you feel that you stayed faithful?

What pressures do you face today that try to convince you to waver in your faith?

[Judy Harder]

The key to building solid, selfless relationships

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.... - James 1:19

Albert Einstein was invited to speak at a banquet held in his honor at Swarthmore College. Hundreds of people from all over the country crowded an auditorium to hear what he had to say. When it came time for him to speak, the greatest physicist walked to the lectern, solemnly looked around, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry, but I have nothing to say." Then he sat down.

The audience was in shock. A few seconds later, Einstein got up, walked back to the podium, and spoke again. "In case I have something to say, I will come back and say it." Six months later he wired the president of the college with the message: "Now I have something to say." Another dinner was held, and Einstein made his speech.

It's been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth for the simple reason that we should listen more often than we speak. Yet for many Christians today, relationships are breaking down for the simple reason that people are forgetting how to listen to each other.

You never hear of someone sticking his foot in his ears—only his mouth! So when it comes to interacting with others, listen before you speak. Prefer others and let them talk. Listening, not talking, is the key to keeping peace and building solid relationships that honor God!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to show you people with whom you can be quick to listen and slow to speak.

[Judy Harder]

The dangers of hasty decisions

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. - Proverbs 21:5

The photographer for a well-known magazine was assigned to take photos of a great forest fire. The problem was that smoke at the scene hampered him. So he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor.

As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. So the reporter jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.

"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low, level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!"

After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"

Many times, in order to make the quickest decision possible, it can be easy to sacrifice our God-given wisdom for the sake of expediency. And all too often, these hasty decisions result in negative outcomes, because when not all the facts are known, bad choices can very easily be made.

Yet the wisdom of the Psalms tells us in today's passage that diligent planning and seeking the Lord's will ultimately result in our good. So instead of making decisions too quickly, spend time praying and seeking wise counsel to make the best choices possible!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and patience to make decisions that honor Him.