Daily Living for Seniors

[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 are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. --2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9

A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" passed away at 120 years of age. He was well known for his cheerful outlook on life during his advanced years.

One day before his death, while working and singing praises in his garden, his pastor, who was walking by, looked over the fence and said, "Hello Uncle Johnson! You seem very happy today."

The old man looked up and replied, "Yes, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like? I tell you...there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."

On this earth, believers only get a glimpse of God's glory, power, and blessings. But we have hope in eternity and can look forward to enjoying a feast of blessings some day when we live with Jesus!

In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling."

Each passing day on this earth is a new chance to be even more excited about what's to come. As believers, we shouldn't fear death because it is only a passageway into the glory of heaven. Live each day with joy and yearning as you move closer to the day when the Savior will be waiting to welcome you home!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that each day you live would be for His glory. And pray for the salvation of those remaining here on earth who don't know Jesus.

[Judy Harder]

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17

Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play Major League Baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he faced severe ridicule from the crowds, opposing teams, and officials.

During one game in Boston, the jeers and racial slurs reached the ultimate climax. In the middle of this turmoil, fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese, a Southern white man, called a timeout.

Reese walked from his position at shortstop to second base where Robinson stood. He put his arm around Robinson's shoulder and stood next to him for a long while. Finally, the crowd grew quiet.

This gesture spoke louder than words. Robinson later said that Reese's friendship literally saved his career. Reese sacrificed his own reputation and status to save Robinson from prolonged anguish.

Is there someone in your life who needs a faithful, Christian companion like you? Do you have a friend that you could sacrifice for and stand beside during hard times? John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Perhaps you are that person in need. Maybe you are feeling alone at this point in your life. As a believer, you will never be alone because "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

His name is Jesus. And He sacrificed His life for you so that you would not have to experience the anguish and pain of eternity apart from God. Lean on Him when no one else is there.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice for you. Ask Him to bring to mind a friend in your life that you can support and encourage. Pray that He would be there to comfort you when you are all alone.

[Judy Harder]

Jesus said], "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8

In his book, The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, Dr. George Sweeting tells the story of John Currier, a man who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1949. Sweeting tells how Currier was transferred to work on a prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee after his conviction.

After working on that farm for nearly 20 years, Currier's sentence was cut short and he was set free. But the letter informing Currier of his freedom got lost in the mail...and he ended up serving an extra ten years of his sentence not knowing he was really a free man. 

In his book, Dr. Sweeting finished the story about John Currier with a question: "Would it matter to you if someone sent you an important message--the most important in your life--and year after year the urgent message was never delivered?"

He made a very powerful point. As believers, we have an important message of good news to deliver to those who have never experienced freedom and salvation through Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 43:12, the Lord declared, "You are my witnesses...that I am God."

Are you doing everything you can to make sure people who are shackled by sin receive the message that they are indeed free? Maybe you personally know people who have never heard of the freedom they can have through Jesus. Determine to deliver this message of hope to all who are still imprisoned by sin.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open doors for you to share His message of salvation with others, and give you the right words when the opportunities arise.

[Judy Harder]

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! --Psalm 68:19 (NKJV)

One morning, R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was met by another believer who asked how he was doing.

Chapman replied enthusiastically, "I'm so burdened this morning!"

But his happy countenance and pleasant demeanor contradicted his words completely. So the puzzled questioner asked again, "Are you sure you're really burdened, Mr. Chapman?"

"Of course!" he replied. "But it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude! I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He daily loads us with benefits!"

The blessings of God are abundantly given to all those who follow Him obediently. They are not simply the benefits or rewards of godly living, but precious gifts from the Father above. His blessings are not a measure of who we are and what we've done for Him, but of who He is and what He's done for us.

Psalm 103:2-5 says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Blessings are experienced in different ways: provision, protection, and so on. And the most important blessing of all is the salvation we experience through Jesus Christ. As believers, you and I must daily reflect over past blessings we've received, be thankful for present blessings--health, family, friends, and more--and look forward to future blessings from God.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His personal blessings when you follow Him in obedience, and ask that He would make you a blessing to someone else.

[Judy Harder]

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17

There's a story about a proud young man who came to the great philosopher Socrates seeking knowledge and wisdom.

Socrates immediately recognized that this young man was indeed pompous and arrogant. But the philosopher led the boy through the streets and into the sea until they were both chest deep in water.

Then Socrates asked him, "What do you want?"

"Wisdom and knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.

Socrates pushed the young man under the water and let him up thirty seconds later. He asked him again, "What do you want?"

"Wisdom and knowledge," the young man choked out.

Again, Socrates shoved his head back under water and let him up forty seconds later. By this time the young man was gasping for air, and Socrates asked him, "Now tell me...what do you want, young man?"

Socrates and the young man went through a third round of this scenario. Finally, Socrates asked the young man what he wanted, and the boy screeched, "Air! I need air!"

The wise Socrates then said to him, "When you want wisdom and knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have it!"

Fortunately for believers, the Bible says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..." (James 1:5-6).

If you need wisdom to discern truth, for financial confidence, or to determine God's will for your life, then just ask in faith. Wisdom is given freely by God, and we can find His superior plan through the Bible and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for wisdom today, and rest assured that He will give it to you.

[Judy Harder]

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. --Proverbs 22:6

Many years ago, a small Jewish boy asked his father, "Why must we surrender our Jewish faith and start to attend Lutheran services here in Germany?"

The boy's father replied, "Son, we must abandon our faith so that people will accept us and support our business adventures!"

That young boy held on to his disappointment and bitterness for the rest of his life because his family abandoned their faith. His faith in both his father and religion were crushed.

When this boy left Germany, he went to England to study where he formed unique philosophies for his own life. From those theories, he wrote a book that changed the world: The Communist Manifesto.

That boy was Karl Marx. For 70 years, billions of people fell under the spell of his Marxist ideology. The hypocritical influence of that little boy's father produced tragic consequences.

If the young people of our world do not receive godly faith and training from older believers, then they will develop distorted perspectives as well.

As a believer, you and I have the responsibility of spiritually parenting others to follow Christ, serve Him faithfully, and do great things for His Kingdom.

Paul referred to Titus as "my true son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4) and Timothy as "my true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). Though they were not flesh and blood, they bonded together as family and Paul raised them up to follow the Lord.

If you know a young person who needs a faith-filled believer in his or her life, then pray with and for them, and seek to teach them a love for Scripture, a commitment to Jesus Christ, and to fellowship and worship with the church.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring a young person into your life who you can spiritually mentor and parent.

[Judy Harder]

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... --2 Peter 3:11

In the 1800s, an American tourist stopped by the home of Polish rabbi Chofetz Chaim. The tourist was surprised to find a simple dwelling place filled only with books, a table, and a bench.

The tourist asked the rabbi, "Where is all your furniture?"  To which the rabbi replied, "Where is yours?"

The puzzled American said, "Mine? But I'm only a visitor here. I'm only passing through."

To which the wise Chaim replied, "And I am simply a visitor here on this earth. I'm only passing through."

Scripture talks about heaven in three different ways: the celestial and magnificent universe (Psalm 19:1), the great expanse of space surrounding the earth or its atmosphere (Genesis 1:, and the sought-after home of God (Hebrews 4:14).

Heaven is a reality for believers. The fact that we will one day live forever in the presence of God Almighty is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. However, the Bible gives several other glimpses into what this heavenly dwelling place will be like.

Heaven is a place prepared for believers where we will spend eternity with God (John 14:1-3). In heaven, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-7). It will be in heaven that we will be like Christ and will recognize one another (1 John 3:2).

Today, I want to challenge you to live in the light of eternity as if you're just passing through this old earth.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you live a holy and godly lifestyle every day of your life. Pray that you would live each day with eternity set in your heart and mind.

[Judy Harder]

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7

Many top corporate executives relieve stress in the most unusual ways. A survey was done several years ago that showed very surprising results. One odd way that these business professionals relieve stress is by throwing plates against the wall!

For the believer, we don't have to throw plates against the wall--although at times we may want to!

The Bible says you can relieve stress through prayer and thanksgiving. These two combined help you realize "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" and in turn "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Your natural human desire is to first experience anxiety and stress when it seems that your needs and desires are not being met. It's hard to "not be anxious about anything" in these kinds of situations.

However, when you acknowledge your complete dependence upon God and submit to His leadership--in all stressful situations--then you'll be gratefully surprised to find that your anxiety disappears every time!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing you with incredible peace in stressful situations. Pray that He would take control of all anxiety that tries to invade your heart and mind, replace it with peace, and lead you in the right direction (Psalm 139:23-24).

[Judy Harder]

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29

Jean Nidetch was a 214-pound woman who badly wanted to lose weight. In her desperation, she went to the New York City Department of Health, where Dr. Norman Jolliffe gave her a diet to follow.

But after two months of weight loss, Jean was still discouraged knowing she had 50 more pounds to go. So she invited six overweight friends into her home to share the diet and talk about ways they could help each other stay on it.

Today, almost 50 years later, over one million members attend 25,000 Weight Watchers meetings in 24 countries each week. Nidetch tells an interesting story about how she has helped millions take control of their lives.

When she was a teenager, she used to walk through a park where she saw toddlers sitting on the swings with no one to push them while their mothers gossiped nearby.

Nidetch said, "I'd give him a push. ...Pretty soon he's pumping, doing it himself. That's what my role in life is—I'm there to give others a push."

Are there people in your life who need that extra push? In Ephesians 4:29, the Apostle Paul encourages us to say things that will build up and encourage those around us—not tear others down.

Not only can your kind words encourage another believer, they can also be a testimony of your faith and joy in Christ Jesus to someone who is lost without Him. Think of someone in your life who may be living under a heavy emotional load, or someone who is weary of life's problems and struggles.

Whoever God lays on your heart, determine today to give them that extra push they need!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunity to encourage someone who needs it and offer kind words to those around you.

[Judy Harder]

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. --Galatians 5:22-25

There's a story about a farmer who planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. One tree hid the unsightly view of an old landfill, while the other tree provided shade near a cool mountain stream. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and produce fruit.

The farmer gathered fruit from the tree that hid the landfill near his house first, and noticed that each piece was a little deformed. But the fruit still looked edible, so he took a bite only to discover it was extremely bitter.

He threw the rotten fruit away and picked up some fruit from the tree planted by the stream. As he bit into it, he discovered that it was sweet and delicious.

The fruit from the two trees was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. Just the same, we as believers have a choice regarding the kind of fruit that is produced in our lives.

If we plant ourselves in the soil of fleshly pursuits and sinful nature, then we will naturally produce rotten and bitter fruit. But if we plant ourselves in the soil of Jesus Christ, then we will bear the sweet fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. ...He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."

Where you're rooted influences what kind of fruit your life will bear. So plant yourself in Jesus Christ so that you can produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would manifest the fruit of the Spirit, and commit to root yourself in Christ Jesus.