Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36

Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.

His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.

Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).

What are you investing in right now?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.

[Judy Harder]

But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6:33

Our Daily Bread published a story about a missionary, Hudson Taylor, who wrote in his journal about his trust in God's faithfulness to provide. It said:


"Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."

You may be concerned whether or not you are going to have enough to live for the next year, month, or even week, but God promises to take care of all of our needs. His provision was sufficient in Genesis 22:1-14 for Abraham.

God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham surely was tormented by the Lord's request, but he obeyed God and took his son to the altar anyway. Tied up and bound on the altar, as Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, God provided a ram in the thicket. And Abraham called the place, The Lord will Provide.

Abraham was obedient to God, and in return He provided. If you are wondering whether or not God will provide all your needs--rest assured. "Don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist more than food and clothing? ... And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? ... Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:25,30,32; NLT).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing all your needs and begin to put your complete trust in Him from this day forward.

[Judy Harder]

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven... --Matthew 5:12

There was a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. So, as she was getting the last days of her life "in order," she contacted her pastor to come to her house in order to discuss certain issues regarding her final wishes.

After their discussion of what she wanted for her funeral service, she said to the pastor, "There's one more thing that's very important. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor looked bewildered at the woman, and she quickly responded, "Does that surprise you?"

The pastor said, "Honestly, I am a little puzzled by your request."

To which the woman replied, "In my many years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the main course dishes were being cleared, someone would lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew something better was coming...like rich chocolate cake or a deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful! So, I want people to see me in the casket with a fork in my hand and when they ask, 'What's with the fork?' then I want you to tell them, 'Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.'"

As believers, we don't usually envy people who've died, unless we know where they're going. Christians never say goodbye for the last time. That's the joy of being a born-again believer...we will see the ones we love again and we will meet Christ Jesus for the first time. Challenge yourself to be an everyday witness to those around you who are lost, so they will also have the chance to experience what is to come.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for salvation and that death is not the end for Christians, but just the beginning.

[Judy Harder]

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. --Proverbs 18:24

There was a "Ziggy" cartoon recently that pictured the short, pudgy guy sitting alone in a boat. He was drifting on the water toward a tunnel with a sign above it that read, "Tunnel of Meaningful Relationships."

Loneliness plagues so many people in our society. Surprisingly, a study by the American Council of Life Insurance revealed that the loneliest group of people in America is college students. Then come those who are divorced, welfare recipients, single mothers, rural students, housewives, and the elderly.

Chuck Swindoll, noted author and preacher, pointed out how lonely people can be from an ad posted in a Kansas newspaper. It read: "I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00."

The person who placed the ad wasn't joking either...because there were those who actually answered the ad. It was only a matter of time before the person who placed it was getting 10 to 20 calls a day. The sharp pain of loneliness was so intense that some were willing to do anything just for 30 minutes of companionship with someone else.

Life may seem lonely for you, but there is a friend we have that sticks closer than a brother--Jesus. Lean on Him in your darkest hours. Jesus experienced loneliness on the cross. While He was perfect as God, He also experienced the same things we do as human beings. And even though Christ felt abandonment on the cross, God was there the entire time, seeing Him through it all.

If you are lonely, know that Jesus is constantly holding your hand as you walk through life. You will never be lonely with Him by your side.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to take away your loneliness, and thank God for His constant presence in your life.

[Judy Harder]

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. --Psalm 92:14

There was a couple who had been married for over 50 years. One day, the wife said to her husband, "Things really have changed. You used to sit close to me."

The husband said, "I can take care of that," and he moved closer to her on the couch.

The wife continued, "And you used to hold me tight."

He gave her a big hug and said, "How's that?"

The wife finally said, "Do you remember when you used to nudge my neck and nibble on my ears?"

The husband jumped up from his cozy seat and left the room. "Where are you going?" she said.

"To get my teeth!" the husband shouted back.

So many people dread old age because it is associated with loneliness, physical deterioration, and a retreat from inactivity. But once a senior, there's no need to lose that excitement in your life. And there's no need to spend all your time reminiscing about days past.

Just to sit and think is no way to grow old. God doesn't expect us to cease to live before we die. History tells us there are so many people who have made great contributions to society after the age of 65—after retirement!

Here are some seniors who did remarkable things in their old age:

·   At age 73, Galileo made his greatest discovery, the pendulum clock.

·   At age 69, Hudson Taylor was still working on the mission field, opening up new territories in Indochina.

·   And at age 85, Caleb took on the great giants (Joshua 14:10-15).

We are never to retire from spiritual activity. God would not keep you here on this earth, if His purpose for you were fulfilled. So, get out there and continue serving Him!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you His continued purpose for your life.

[Judy Harder]

Editor's Note: Please accept our apologies if you did not receive your regularly scheduled June 3 devotional. The server issues have been resolved.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. --Isaiah 64:8

During the Great Depression, a good man lost his job, used up all his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his wife just weeks later. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it had been weakened.

One day, the man walked about looking for work when he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a church building. One of the men skillfully chiseled a triangular piece of rock that didn't seem to fit in the formation they were creating. So the man shouted to the artist, "Where are you going to put that?"

The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, "See that opening up there near the spire? That's where it goes. I'm shaping it down here so it will fit up there."

Tears filled the poor man's eyes as he walked away. The worker's words rang clear and spoke deeply to his heart giving new meaning to his difficult situation.

You may be reading this and going through a difficult time yourself right now. It may be something even too troubling to talk to anyone about. But you can know for certain "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).

Each blow of the hammer and chisel in your life may hurt.

But have faith. These difficulties are only temporary! Sometimes the most painful blows bring about the greatest inner strength. Keep praying and believing that the Master is shaping you down here so you will be fit up there.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to turn your tragedy into triumph, and strengthen your spirit when life painfully hammers you from all sides.

[Judy Harder]

Get rid all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. --Ephesians 4:31-32

Isn't it amazing how often we kick the devil out of our lives, only to let him leave his bags behind? Think about it. Maybe you once made up with a friend or family member after an ugly fight, but you were still resentful and angry. Well, you let the devil leave his bags!

Perhaps you once said, "I forgive you," but you couldn't seem to forget what had happened and have peace in that relationship. So you let the devil leave his bags.

At one point in time, perhaps you decided to release past hurts and disappointments caused by loved ones, yet you forgot to dig up the bitterness in your heart that had taken root. You let the devil leave his bags.

When even one small piece of the devil's baggage is left behind in your heart and life, you continue to be captive in his embrace. If you want him out of your life, then make sure he takes his bags with him when he goes.

Instead of holding on to old stuff, the Bible encourages you to escape the trap of Satan who has taken you captive (see 2 Timothy 2:26). If you stay rooted in prayer, faith, and God's Word, then you can fully release any baggage in your life that belongs to Satan and live in the peace of God.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you have let Satan keep his bags and hold captive some area in your life where you don't have peace, then pray and release that baggage to God and experience joy and freedom from the grasp of the devil.
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[Judy Harder]

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. --Proverbs 21:20

Over 30 years ago, Ron England of Los Angeles, California, bet his brother he could save a million pennies. Twenty thousand rolls of pennies, 13 boxes, a full garage, and 30 years later, England won that bet.

As a result, he now has $10,000 in pennies, and that's the good news. The bad news is that England couldn't find anyone to take his 3.5 tons of accumulated copper without costing him a "pretty penny," so to speak. Now, England is stuck with a million pennies.

Saving your money is a good thing, although you might not want to use the approach mentioned above. The bottom line is that in our country, most people actually spend more each month than they earn. Some people can operate under these circumstances because of their wealth. But this is not true for most of us.

Proverbs 21:20 says that a wise man or woman saves, but a fool gets paid and spends everything he or she has. Or a wise person keeps his or her valuables safe in their home, but a fool puts everything out in the yard to sell.

Whether your income is large or small, it's wise to save a portion. That rainy day will probably come when you need it most in for a car repair, doctor visit, or something else.

Be prepared for what may come so that you can have "stores of choice food and oil" in your house when the need arises.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for taking care of you in your time of need. Dedicate to Him your tithes and offerings, and ask Him to bless the money you save for a "rainy day."
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[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

One afternoon, a teenage girl joined her mother in the kitchen. The young lady began explaining to her mom everything that was wrong with her life--she had failed an algebra test, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she just found out her best friend would be moving away soon.

All the while, the mother was baking a cake as the young girl talked. Finally, the girl's mother interrupted to ask if she wanted a snack. The daughter replied, "Absolutely! I love your cakes!"

"Here...have some cooking oil," her mother offered.

"Yuck!" the girl responded. "That's gross."

"Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?" asked the mother.

"Gross, mom!" was the girl's response.

"How about a cup of flour or a teaspoon of baking soda?" the mother then offered.

"Mom, those are all disgusting!" the girl said. "I don't want those things for snacks."

After a long pause, her mother finally said, "Dear, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

God works the same way in the lives of believers. Not everything in life is a piece of cake. Sometimes tragedy or hardship strikes and leaves you wondering, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God do this to me?" Many times we wonder why He would even let us go through such difficulties.

However, what we oftentimes don't realize is that when God puts all these things in His order, they always work for good! We must simply trust Him that each of life's events, combined by His hands, will turn out to be something deliciously wonderful!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the good and bad "ingredients" He allows to come into your life. Thank Him for working all things together for your good and His glory.
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[Judy Harder]

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for...the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." --1 Samuel 16:7

A man was strolling down the beach when he came upon a cave. He ventured inside and stumbled upon a canvas bag filled with many hardened clay balls. It looked as if someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but the man took the bag anyway and headed out of the cave.

As he strolled along the beach, he threw the clay balls, one-by-one, into the ocean as far as he could. He continued this for some time until he accidentally dropped one on the ground and it cracked open on a rock. To his amazement, a precious stone was hidden inside!

The man began breaking open the remaining 20 clay balls left in his bag and found similar treasures in each one. Then it struck him. He had just thrown more than 50 clay balls into the ocean. He could have had thousands of dollars more in treasure, but he threw them all away because they didn't look to be of much value.

This is the same way we treat people sometimes. We look at the rough exterior and decide it doesn't look like much, so we discount them and toss them aside. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful, stylish, well-known, or wealthy.

As believers, we must take time to get to know people, regardless of appearance. If we do this, then the clay will begin to break away revealing a brilliant gem inside. May we never find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in unattractive bits of clay. May we always see others as Jesus does.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal the beauty inside others and show you those people the way He sees them.