Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. --John 1:14

One of the great monarchs of Persia was known well as a champion of the common people. To relate to their needs and problems, he would mingle with them in various disguises.

On one particular occasion, he went as a poor citizen to the public baths. In a tiny cellar, he sat down beside the man who tended the furnace. He talked to the lonely man, and at dinnertime he ate some of his plain food. In the weeks that followed, the monarch visited the poor citizen and grew to love him dearly.

One day, the shah revealed his true identity to the man. He expected to hear a request for some expensive gift or money, but instead the poor man simply sat in silence, gazing at the monarch in awe and astonishment.

After a long period of silence, the poor man finally said respectfully, "You left your palace to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse bread, and to care whether my heart is glad or sad. You may give rich presents to others, but you have given yourself to me. Please, Your Majesty, never withdraw the priceless gift of your friendship."

You can rejoice that God came to earth as man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was resurrected three days later so that you could have salvation and forgiveness through Him and a personal relationship with Him. Are you walking with Him daily? Are you completely sold out in your relationship with Him? Jesus broke down the wall of sin that divided you and God, so that you may have the priceless gift of His friendship and love.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His sacrifice upon the cross. Pray that your relationship with Him would flourish into an intimate friendship and love relationship.

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5

There is a story of a rich industrialist who walked past a fisherman one day. He was irritated to find the man sitting lazily beside his boat instead of out at sea. The rich man asked, "Why aren't you out there fishing?"

The fisherman replied, "Because I've caught enough fish for today."

The rich man asked, "Why don't you catch more fish than you need? There's still more work to be done."

The fisherman responded with, "What would I do with them once I caught them?"

"You could buy a better boat so you could go deeper into the sea and catch more fish," the rich man impatiently replied. "You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make even more money. Eventually, you'd have a fleet of boats, people to do the work for you, and be rich like me."

After quietly contemplating, the fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"

"You could sit down and enjoy life like I am," the industrialist said.

Looking placidly out to sea, the fisherman replied, "What do you think I'm doing now?"

The Apostle Paul said to the church in Philippi, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).

Whatever situations come your way—good or bad—find your strength in the Lord and learn to rely on Him for provision. It's often hard to have faith that He will provide in times of need, but rejoice in what He has given you thus far in your current situation, and trust completely in His timing.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make you content in life whatever circumstances come your way.

[Judy Harder]

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. --2 Corinthians 5:6-8

In his book, The Best Is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of an elderly woman who lived in southwest Scotland. She wanted very much to see the city of Edinburgh, but was afraid to take the train because it had to go through a long tunnel to get there.

Things came up and she was forced to travel to Scotland's capital. Filled with fear and anxiety, the trip began and she became more anxious as the train sped along the tracks. Before the train reached the long tunnel, the older woman, exhausted with worry, fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was already in the city.

Of this story, Durbanville commented, "It is even so with the dying saint. He closes his eyes on earth, passes into what he thinks of as the tunnel of death, and opens them immediately in the celestial land."

Your earthly body is nothing more than a temporary home. Moving day is coming for everyone. You'll never know when the moving truck will pull up to your "house," with its crumbling foundation, failed heating system, and cracked windows, load up what's left inside, and take it away to your new home.

The Scripture says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14). As moving day approaches, it is important to realize in this analogy that death for the believer is not a dreaded parting—it is a glorious homecoming.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you peace as you prepare to leave your earthly home. Thank God for the upcoming homecoming reunion that will take place when you are reunited with the ones you love and most importantly—the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Judy Harder]

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. --Luke 2:11

When Pope Julius I declared December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today? And when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in American in 1832, who would have ever thought that decorations would become as glamorous as they are today?

Even before these two events that shaped what Christmas means today for most, there was a bright, special star that lit the dark night thousands of years ago letting the world know that Jesus the King was born. Usually, we don't celebrate historical figures as children, but in the case of Christ, it is appropriate.

When Christ was born, shepherds came to honor Him, wise men from the East brought Him gifts, and the earth rejoiced at His birth. These people who came to worship Him had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult. But they were right in traveling to worship the King because His birth was the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.

As we approach the holiday season again, we are faced with yet another opportunity to pause in the midst of all the excitement, decorations, and commercialization, to consider again the origin of Christmas--the One whose birth we celebrate. Let's not forget the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Celebrate the baby Jesus and trust Him as Savior today.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending His Son that glorious night to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die on the cross for your sins, and rise from the dead three days later to give you eternal life through Him.

[Judy Harder]

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." --Luke 2:13-14

In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria and blood was flowing freely. Nobody was thinking about babies, but rather people were concerned with the wars and tyranny that existed. However, the world was overlooking some very significant births during that time.

That year many notable people were born: William Gladstone, destined to become one of England's finest statesmen; Alfred Tennyson, born to an obscure minister and his wife, greatly affect the world of literacy; Oliver Wendell Holmes, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edgar Allan Poe, who began his eventful, yet tragic, life in Boston; Charles Robert Darwin, born to a physician and his wife; and Abraham Lincoln, born in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.

If journalism and news broadcasts had existed in 1809, these words might have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But in reality, history was being shaped in the cradles of Europe and America. Similarly when Jesus was born, taxation was the big news. But a young Jewish virgin woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.

Even today, sometimes the biggest news is the latest product to buy at Christmas, the best vacation spot during the holidays, or the idolizing of icons that have become great symbols over the years during the season. You must remember that the greatest news of all was the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection years later. Jesus is the greatest news you could share with anyone this season.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance to share the Good News of His Son this season with friends, family, and acquaintances who don't know Him as their Savior.

[Judy Harder]

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. --1 Timothy 1:15

On the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she's going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to stop the tragedy.

In her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come to the museum, most don't whisk by this photo hurriedly. Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to themselves, "O God, don't let that be all there is."

Hopelessness and helplessness are all that remain. God provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one day save the sins of mankind through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."

If our greatest need had been information, then God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, then God would have sent us a scientist or engineer. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist or financial advisor. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But instead of all of these things, God knew our greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent us a Savior.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending Jesus to save you from helplessness and hopelessness in this life. Praise Him for giving you joy and peace that passes all understanding.

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, December 15, 2009  Email    Facebook Twitter    Print 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. --John 3:16-18

Paul Harvey once told the story of a family who kept the same tradition each Christmas Eve--the mother and children would go to the church service, and the father would stay home to read the paper. When the family returned home from church, they would all gather to open their presents.

The father no longer believed in the stories of God coming as a baby in a manger. As the family left for church one particular Christmas, the father opened the evening paper and settled in by the fireplace. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. A bird kept flying against the glass trying to get out of the snow and into the warmth of his home .

Feeling sorry for the bird, the man went outside hoping to bring it in. When he got closer to the scared creature, it flew against the window even harder. The more the man tried to capture the bird, the more it continued to fly into window. He yelled out in frustration, "Stupid bird! Can't you understand that I'm trying to help? If only you understood, you wouldn't fly away. If only I could become a bird, and get you to understand."

Just then the church bells rang, and the father fell to his knees, began crying, and said, "Oh God, I didn't understand."

God's Son came in human form that we might understand from where we came, for what reason we were separated, and how we can be restored to God. Christmas isn't about empty promises of material gifts, holiday icons, or seasonal sights and sounds. It is about a fulfilled promise of a restored relationship between God and humankind.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him, forgive you of your sins, restore you to a right relationship with Him, and give you joy this season.

[Judy Harder]

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:11-13

Most people think of St. Nick as a jolly, bearded man who rides around in a sleigh delivering gifts to all good boys and girls. But, he is more than just a children's Christmas legend—he was a genuine man of God. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in Patara about 270 A.D., and was still very young when they died and left him a fortune. However, he was a humble young man and secretly gave of his wealth to the poor.

Nicholas eventually forsook his wealth to answer the call to ministry, and was soon chosen as bishop of Myra. He was destined to lead the church through the worst tribulation in history. In 303 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Christians were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. But Nicholas and thousands more refused to denounce that Jesus Christ is Lord, so they were dragged to prison where they were savagely tortured, beaten senseless, or brutally murdered.

However, their persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Instead it spread. After years of imprisonment, they were freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. Saint Nicholas was welcomed into his city once again by the people. Although the bishop was beaten, he was not broken. Through the prayers and witness of this faithful soldier, many found salvation in Jesus.

St. Nick's fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God—the red color of his bishop's robes, his lectures to children about good behavior, and his secret gifts of food and money to those in need. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself as he did centuries ago, and point people to his Master. Shouldn't you do the same this holiday season?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you point others to Him. Pray that your faith would be unshakable and that you would relentlessly pursue and confess Christ at all costs.

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, December 17, 2009  Email    Facebook Twitter    Print 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." --Luke 2:25-32

Just as Simeon was lingering and waiting for the first appearance of the Messiah more than two thousand years ago—we too linger and wait for the second coming of Jesus today.

The Lord whom we exalt at Christmas is not just a baby in a manger or a character in a child's storybook. He is far more. The first time He came, He was veiled in the form of a child. The next time He comes, which will be soon, He will come as the Risen Messiah and Savior of the world. And it will be made known to the entire world who He truly is.

The first time He came, a star marked His arrival. The next time He comes, the clouds will roll up like a scroll, the stars will fall out of the sky, and He Himself will light the heavens. The first time He came, wise men and shepherds brought Him gifts. The second time He comes, He will bring rewards for His own.

The first time He came, there was no room for Him at the inn. The next time He comes, the whole world will not be able to contain His glory. The first time He came, only a few were there to welcome Him into the world. The next time He comes, every eye shall see Him, every knee shall bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The first time He came as a baby, but soon He will come as Sovereign King and Lord. Are you ready for Him to come again?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would prepare your heart and mind for His second coming. Ask the Lord to bring to mind those in your life who need to know Him personally as Lord and Savior, and make an effort to share Christ with them today.

[Judy Harder]

A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? --Proverbs 18:14

During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.

The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn't be coming home for Christmas...ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, "Mother, what have you done?"

Her mother replied, "You're so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas."

The new widow said, "Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these."

Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ's birth.

Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Amidst difficulties this season, praise God and thank Him for His many blessings and salvation.[/color]