Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

What makes you uncomfortable?

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. - 2 Timothy 4:3

Whenever you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, "Does this hurt?" Now if you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there's something wrong, and the doctor will say, "We'd better do some more tests!"

This is often true when pastors preach on touchy subjects, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard, which is possible. Or perhaps there's something wrong underneath the surface.

Today's Scripture is clear that there will come a time when people will stop putting up with sound doctrine. They'll want to hear what makes them feel good instead of the truth. They'll prefer living under the illusion that things are okay with them instead of discovering the truth that there is something very wrong underneath the surface.

The Bible is a tool that the Great Physician uses to poke and prod in order to identify areas of concern in our lives. So the next time you read Scripture or hear teaching that makes you uncomfortable, ask yourself if the pressure is too high, or if maybe there is something under the surface that needs to be checked out.

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to help you discern if there are any areas of your life where you have problems under the surface. Pray that He would give you the resolve to react appropriately when the "prodding" hurts!

[Judy Harder]

The best news you'll ever hear

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:1-5

A farmer went to meet with his banker and announced that he had some bad news and some good news. "First, the bad news... I can't make my mortgage payments. And that crop loan I've taken out for the past 10 years—I can't pay that off, either. Not only that, I won't be able to pay you the couple of hundred thousand I still have outstanding on my tractors and other equipment. So I'm going to have to give up the farm and turn it all over to you for whatever you can salvage out of it."

After a few moments of silence, the banker said, "What's the good news?"

"The good news is that I'm going to keep on banking with you."

With so much bad news in the world today, it's often true that the good news you receive does very little to make you feel better. Yet the greatest news of all, that which is found in Scripture, is the one piece of Good News that can counteract any bad news you'll hear.

What is this Good News? It's the simple fact that if you're in Christ, He's saved you. He's brought you out of the depths of sin and despair and has raised you up to be alive with Him. That's fantastic news!

So whenever you feel overwhelmed by bad news, remember that Christ died for you, and in Him, you have eternal life!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God for the Good News that Christ has died for you and you can have eternal life through faith in Him!

[Judy Harder]

How you can impact the next generation

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:18

In a recent survey, the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics reported that 61 percent of the high school students and 32 percent of the college students polled admitted to having cheated on an exam during the past year.

In the same survey, 33 percent of high school and 16 percent of college students said they'd stolen something in the last year. And, 16 percent of high school and 32 percent of college students said they'd lied on a resumé or job application.

Lying, cheating, and stealing are becoming an acceptable norm among many of the next generation. And while it's easy to look at young people and shake our heads at their lack of integrity, it's important to remember that they have received much of their guidance from members of the older generation—who have often placed so much emphasis on helping themselves that they haven't invested much time in those who will follow.

The good news is that it's never too late to make a difference in the lives of younger people. So help the next generation learn from your life experience by mentoring a younger person. You'll learn from them as well, and find you have much more in common than you might think!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you find a younger person to mentor so you can impart wisdom to the next generation.

Questions for Thought

Did you have a mentor growing up? If so, how did it help? If not, how might a mentor have helped you in life?

Who is a younger person in your life today with whom you could spend more time imparting wisdom?

[Judy Harder]

How to have wisdom along with zeal

The fear of the LORDis the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7

The Methodist pastor, William Sangster, told the story of an eccentric church member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber, the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?"

The frightened customer bolted out the door with lather on his face!

People often ask the question, "What's the right balance between Christian zeal and wisdom?" But if you think about it, that's really the wrong question to ask because it makes it seem like zeal and wisdom are in opposition to one another. A better question, then, is, "How do you have wisdom along with zeal?"

Some people are like that eccentric church member... all zeal and no wisdom. Yet there others who put aside zeal in order to be "reasonable" and "prudent." But in every situation, God wants us to take our cue from Him. So when confronted with how to have wisdom along with your Christian zeal, seek God. Pray and look to His Word for guidance. When you do, He'll show you the right path and use your zeal and wisdom in amazing ways!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and zeal when it comes to making Him known!

Questions for Thought

Can you think of a time in your life when you had wisdom without zeal or zeal without wisdom? If you could go back and do things differently, what would you change?

As you look at your life today, do you think you need to work more on having greater wisdom or greater zeal? What can you do to increase one or the other?

[Judy Harder]

The Power of Reconciliation Through Christ

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:23-24

Keith Hernandez was one of baseball's top players. He is a lifetime .300 hitter who has won numerous Golden Glove awards for excellence in fielding. He's won a batting championship for having the highest average, the Most Valuable Player award in his league, and even the World Series.

Yet with all his accomplishments, he has missed out on something crucially important to him—his father's acceptance and recognition that what he has accomplished is valuable. One day Keith asked his father, "Dad, I have a lifetime 300 batting average. What more do you want?"

His father replied, "But someday you're going to look back and say, 'I could have done more.'"

There's very little that can emotionally damage a man or a woman more than a wounding statement like this from a parent. Yet the sad truth is that all too often, parents make these kinds of comments without ever even realizing their ramifications.

But in Christ, it's never too late for reconciliation. Maybe you've been wronged by a family member. Or, maybe you've wronged someone else. Whatever it is, God's desire is that you would live in peace with all people by sincerely humbling yourself and finding reconciliation through Him.

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to show you where reconciliation with a friend or family member is needed in your life.

Questions for Thought

Who are some people in your life today with whom you need to be reconciled?

What are some tangible steps you can take to love those who've wronged you and begin the process of reconciliation?

[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]

How to experience abundant grace through obedience

(B)ut each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:14-15

Many accidental deaths result from taking risks. That's the conclusion of an organization in Canada that is seeking to decrease accidents between cars and trains. Roger Cyr, the organization's national director, puts most of the blame for fatalities on drivers who are risk takers.

"Studies have shown that when people hear a train whistle, their minds tell them to accelerate their speed," says Cyr. "About 43 percent of the accidents occur at crossings equipped with flashing lights and bells or gates." Cyr also said that many drivers "even have the audacity to drive around or under gates."

Drivers take the risks, thinking they can beat the train and somehow miss the collision. But the consequences are often tragic, because when a car and a train collide, the train will always win.

While it's easy to look at such sad statistics and shake our heads, the truth is that many people today, even Christians, do the exact same thing with sin. They think themselves to be invincible to sin's effects, and they charge headfirst into situations that often result in them succumbing to destructive behavior.

When it comes to sin, don't take unnecessary risks. Guard yourself against falling into the destructive behavior and live your life in obedience to God through His grace!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you the wisdom to avoid taking unnecessary sin risks.

Questions for Thought

What are some times in your life that, as you look back, you took unnecessary risks that caused you to fall into sin?

How can you avoid falling into those same traps in the future?

[Judy Harder]

The key to real spiritual growth

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

It was a simple clerical error, but it could be the most expensive typo of all time. In 1978, Prudential, the largest insurance company in the U.S., loaned $160 million to United States Lines, a shipping firm. As part of the deal, Prudential got a lien on eight ships.

In 1986, U.S. Lines went into bankruptcy proceedings and started selling off assets. Prudential said it was owed nearly $93 million, the value of the lien, from the ships' sale. Or so the insurance company thought. A close look at the lien documents disclosed that someone had omitted three little zeros, thus entitling Prudential to only $92,885 instead of $92,885,000.

The clerical error was corrected, but it cost Prudential millions in legal fees and contract negotiations, all of which could have been avoided if only the contract were correct in the first place.

In the Christian life, the little things matter. Not with regards to salvation—that's already settled if you're in Christ. But when it comes to growing in God's grace and deepening your relationship with Him, it's the small, daily acts of love that serve as steps toward a more fulfilling relationship with God.

So remember, focus on the small things. Spend nuggets of time in God's Word. Find everyday ways to show His love to others. It's those small acts that will help you grow in big ways!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to show you how you can grow in His grace through small, everyday acts.

Questions for Thought

Why do you think many people become frustrated and quit when trying to make dramatic changes in their spiritual lives?

What are a few small practical things you can implement in your life today that will help you grow spiritually?