Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

How you can have an attitude of gratitude

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. - Colossians 3:16

It is said that on his retreat from Greece after his great military expedition, King Xerxes boarded a Phoenician ship along with a number of his troops. But they were hit by a terrible storm, and the captain told Xerxes there was no hope unless the ship's load was substantially lightened.

So King Xerxes looked at his fellow Persians on deck and said, "It is on you that my safety depends. Now let some of you show your regard for your king." So many of the men on the ship bowed to Xerxes and threw themselves overboard, sacrificing their own lives for the sake of their king.

Lightened of its load, the ship made it safely back to harbor. So Xerxes immediately ordered that a golden crown be given to the pilot for saving the king's life—just before ordering the man beheaded for causing the loss of so many Persians!

Now, thankfully, most don't go to the extreme of Xerxes. But gratitude can be a two-edged sword, can't it? People are often slow to give credit to others, yet when things go wrong, they like to point their finger and let everyone know who messed up. But when it comes to what God has done for you, the Bible says to be quick to say "thank you" to your Heavenly Father.

So give credit to God for His blessings in your life and let Him know you're grateful. When you begin to give credit where it's due, you'll learn to live with an attitude of gratitude!

Prayer Challenge

Tell God "thank you" for all the blessings in your life. Ask that He would cultivate in you a consistent attitude of gratitude toward Him and others.

[Judy Harder]

How to know you have eternal life

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. - 1 John 5:13

H. A. Ironside was once speaking with an elderly man who told him that he wanted to be sure of his salvation in Jesus Christ. So Ironside asked him, "Suppose you had a vision of an angel who told you your sins were forgiven. Would that assure you that you're going to heaven when you die? Would that be enough to rest on?"

The man replied, "Yes, I think it would. An angel would be splendid."

Ironside continued, "But suppose on your deathbed Satan came and said, 'I was that angel, transformed to deceive you.' What would you say?"

The man was speechless. So Ironside told him that God has given us something more dependable than the voice of an angel. He has given His Son, who died for our sins, and He has testified in His own Word that if we trust Him all our sins are gone. Ironside read today's passage in 1 John 5:13, and asked, "Is that not enough to rest on? It is a letter from heaven expressly to you!"

So when doubt creeps in, stand on the promises of God and remember that because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you can know you have eternal life!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to remind you constantly that in Christ, you have every assurance of eternal life.

[Judy Harder]

Leaning on Christ in the midst of loneliness

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

A woman recognized the famous pastor F. B. Meyer one day in her neighborhood, and she ventured to share her burden with him. For years she had cared for a crippled daughter who brought great joy to her life. But the daughter had died, and the grieving mother was alone and miserable.

So Meyer told her, "When you get home and put the key in the door, say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him directly when you open the door. And as you light the fire, tell Him what has happened during the day; if anybody has been kind, tell Him; if anybody has been unkind, tell Him, just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"

Some months later, Meyer was back in that same neighborhood and met the woman again, but he did not recognize her. Her face radiated joy instead of announcing misery. "I did as you told me," she said, "and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."

You may be dealing with deep grief today. Or perhaps you're lonely and just need to know someone is there. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), and is with you no matter what. So let Him be your best friend and cling to Him though any loneliness you face.

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to remind you that Jesus is a true friend who sticks closer than a brother. Talk to Jesus like you would anyone else because He's there and will always listen.

[Judy Harder]

How to be a force for encouragement to others

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

Old Eb was, like many of his breed, rather stingy with words. He said very little, and even when he spoke, it was rather grudgingly. But one evening he was sitting on the front steps with his wife. The long day's work, the good supper, and the peaceful sights and sounds of dusk must have softened him up a little. So he took his pipe out of his mouth and said, "When I think of what you've meant to me all these years, Judith, sometimes it's almost more than I can stand not to tell you!"

Samuel Butle may have been onto something when he said, "Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value to its scarcity." However, most of us would prefer to err on the side of giving too much praise than too little.

When others think of you, how do you think they would rate you on the amount of praise and encouragement you give them? Are you a force for encouragement in their lives? Or, do you tend to be discouraging as you interact with them?

Today's Scripture couldn't be clearer... every Christian should be a force for encouragement in the lives of others. Even in times of disagreement and rebuking, you can still speak to others in an encouraging way, letting them know that you care for them. So when it comes to your dealings with others, always be encouraging and let the love of Christ shine through you.

Prayer Challenge - Pray that God would reveal to you someone who needs a word of comfort today. Then, go encourage them with the love of Christ!

[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]

The importance of remembering God's provision

The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." - 1 Samuel 7:11-12

The American painter John Sargent once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. And although he was offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it.

When asked why he would never sell this painting, Sargent said he considered it his best work and was very proud of it. So whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him.

In the spiritual life, it's important to set up milestones so you can remember where God has come through for you in the past. Maybe that means you start a journal so you can write down how God has blessed you, and then go back and read it. Or perhaps it means you take an old shoebox and put things in it that remind you of God's faithful provision in your life.

However you do it, God's blessings are worth being remembered so that you can move forward with full confidence in Him. So find a creative way to continually remember God's faithfulness in your life. When you do, you'll be ready to receive and recognize all the blessings He has yet to give you!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to bring to mind ways He's blessed you in the past. Reflect on them and find ways to remember them often.

[Judy Harder]

How you can avoid the trap of false teaching

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." - Matthew 7:15

Chuck Swindoll tells a story about how years ago, a man went into a fried chicken place and bought a couple of chicken dinners for himself and his date. But instead of chicken, the young woman at the counter inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day—a whole bag of money.

After driving to their picnic site, the two sat down to enjoy their meal. But they discovered a whole lot more than chicken—over $800! So the man quickly put the money back in the bag, got in the car, and drove all the way back to the restaurant.

The manager was thrilled to death. He said, "Oh, great! I'm gonna have your picture put in the local newspaper. You're the most honest man I've ever met!" So the man quickly responded, "Oh no, don't do that!" Then he leaned closer and whispered, "You see, the woman I'm with is not my wife... she's somebody else's."

Now I'll be that you absolutely loved this man up until the last sentence. And now, you probably think he's a sleazebag! Isn't it amazing what can happen to our impressions of people once we know the full story?

In much the same way, many "spiritual leaders" today look good on the outside. But when you find out what they're really teaching, you discover they may not be all they proclaim. So be careful what you allow yourself to be taught by "pop-spirituality" and cling to the truth of Scripture!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you good discernment between what's true, biblical teaching and what is false "pop-spirituality."

[Judy Harder]

The best way to discover God's truth

"The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a meadow?" - Hosea 4:16

Are you strong enough to face how mistaken many of your most cherished beliefs are? Well, here are a few things you may not have known:

1.      Marie Antoinette never said, "Let them eat cake." This phrase was attributed to her but had actually been used by other prominent figures long before.

2.      Charles Lindbergh was not the first person to fly nonstop across the Atlantic. He was the 92nd, although he was the first to do it alone.

3.      The centipede doesn't have a hundred legs. It usually has 21 or 30, though some have more than 100. And the millipede certainly doesn't have a thousand legs. In fact, very few have more than 200.

4.      A red flag to a bull is meaningless because bulls are colorblind.

5.      The idea that people never use more than 10% of their brain is false.

6.      An ostrich never buries its head in the sand. It only looks that way when it lowers its head in fear, to feed itself, or to cover its eggs for protection.

When it comes to our ideas of God, it's important that we don't have a stubborn heart and are willing to accept when we might be wrong. So instead of assuming you have the Christian life all figured out, live your life with a humble and teachable attitude and let God guide you in His truth each day!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to reveal to you areas where you have been stubborn and unteachable. Pray that He would soften your heart in these areas so that you can grow in His truth!

[Judy Harder]

How to deal with feelings of betrayal

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. - 2 Timothy 4:9-10

No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 B.C. was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, but he favored him as a son.

According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of his assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, "You too, Brutus?"

Dealing with betrayal is never easy. The bitterness and anguish that betrayal creates can last for years, decades, and even a lifetime. The apostle Paul understood this well. One of his closest disciples, Demas, who traveled with him extensively, deserted him. And after his other disciples had gone to other areas to minister, Paul was left alone with the sadness of Demas' betrayal.

Maybe today you're feeling betrayed by someone you love. Well first, you should take comfort that others who have gone before you, including Jesus Himself, felt that feeling as well. But take heart also in the fact that God is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and will never leave you alone. In Christ, you'll never be betrayed!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would reassure you of His goodness and His presence in times of loneliness and betrayal. Ask that He would give you the grace to forgive others who have betrayed you.