Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

The priceless reward of a good friend

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

During World War I, a Protestant chaplain with the American troops in Italy became a friend of a local Roman Catholic priest. In time, the chaplain moved on with his unit and was killed. The priest heard of his death and asked military authorities if the chaplain could be buried in the cemetery behind his church.

Permission was granted. But the priest ran into a problem with his own Catholic Church authorities. They were sympathetic, but they said they could not approve the burial of a non-Catholic in a Catholic cemetery.

So the priest buried his friend just outside the cemetery fence. Years later, a war veteran who knew what had happened returned to Italy and visited the old priest. The first thing he did was ask to see the chaplain's grave. To his surprise, he found the grave inside the fence.

"Ah," he said, "I see you got permission to move the body."

"No," said the priest. "They told me where I couldn't bury the body. But nobody ever told me I couldn't move the fence."

A good friend is a rare commodity. Yet so many people go through life and never really connect with others on a deep level. But the good news is that it's never too late to start. Find a good friend who you can share life with because God never created you to live life alone!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to bring you godly friends who you can share life with.

Questions for Thought

Why do you think it's difficult to find good friends?

Who are some people in your life today with whom you can put more effort into building relationships?

[Judy Harder]

What's the point of pain?

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. - Colossians 1:24

The great professor and author C. S. Lewis once wrote on the subject of pain,

"We can rest contentedly in our sins and in our stupidities, and everyone who has watched gluttons shoveling down the most exquisite foods as if they did not know what they were eating, will admit that we can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

So often, Christians experience pain on seemingly intolerable levels. Yet what keeps them going through the hard times and trials of life is the fact that God is in control. In fact, God is so in control that He often will appoint suffering to His people in order to help them strengthen their dependence on Him.

Yet unfortunately today, much of the Christian message has been distorted, with many "preachers" of the Word proclaiming that God only wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. This is a dangerous message not only because it isn't biblical, but because it directly contradicts the experiences of so many faithful followers of Christ.

Pain is real. But in Christ, you have the hope that it's temporary. So if you're suffering today, deepen your dependence on God and remember that there will come a day when all pain will end and you'll be with the Lord forever!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you the strength to persevere through pain and fully rely on Him through hard times.

[Judy Harder]

The best way to deal with anger

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:9

The author Jim Taylor tells a story about his longtime friend, Ralph. One morning, Ralph woke up at 5:00 a.m. to a terrible thumping noise up on his roof. Still in his pajamas and groggy from just waking up, he walked out into the backyard to investigate.

As he gazed up high, he found a woodpecker on the TV antenna pounding its little brains out on the metal pole. Ralph was so angry that he picked up a rock and threw it at the little woodpecker. The rock sailed over the house and he heard a crash as it went through his car windshield on the other side of the house.

Even angrier, he reared his leg back to give a good kick to a rock on the ground, only to remember too late that he was still barefoot!

Anger is a very interesting animal. There are times that anger, when it's controlled, can be good. Then there are those fits of uncontrolled anger that often have consequences that were never intended. That's the kind of anger that should be avoided.

When you're angry, learn to have self-control. Don't allow impulsive behavior to rule your life. Instead, make good, sensible, Spirit-led choices on how to express your feelings. When you do, you'll avoid negative consequences and live with much more joy!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help express your anger at the right time and in the right way.

Questions for Thought

What are some examples of how you've expressed anger wrongly in the past?

How would it have looked for you to express your anger properly in those situations?

[Judy Harder]

God's greatest commandment to you

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Luke 10:27

A pastor once told the story of the public library in his town that had a system called "Dial-A-Tale." With this system, anytime a young child wanted to hear a story, he could call the number and a voice would read a short story to the listening young ear. However, the number the children were to call was only one digit different from the pastor's number.

Because small fingers often make mistakes, the pastor would receive frequent calls from a child listening for a story. After several unsuccessful attempts to explain a wrong number to the small child, he felt he had only one alternative. He obtained a copy of Three Little Pigs, and set it by the phone. And whenever a child would call, he would simply read them the story.

The pastor gives us a great example of what it means to put others first before ourselves. He didn't, as you might have thought, change his telephone number to avoid the invasion of his privacy. But instead, he used the situation to give joy to others.

As Christians, part of our greatest commandment is to put others before us—considering their wellbeing first and thinking of ourselves second. So today, find ways you can consider others better than yourself, and you'll reap the rewards of obedience!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you put others first when you're tempted to think of yourself.

Questions for Thought

Think of a time when someone put you first and himself second. How did that make you feel?

How can you be more intent on considering others better than yourself in your daily life?

[Judy Harder]

The powerful influence you can have on others

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. - 2 Timothy 4:2

When Rosina Hernandez was in college, she attended a rock concert where she witnessed a young man brutally beaten. The next day she was shocked to learn that the youth had died as a result of the pounding. Yet neither she nor anyone else did anything to help him. She could never forget the young man, nor her lack of inaction.

Some years later, Rosina saw a car driving in the rain ahead of her suddenly skid and plunge into a frosty river. The car landed head down in the water with only the tail end showing. A woman appeared on the surface shouting for help and saying her husband was stuck inside.

This time Rosina waited for no one. She plunged into the water, tried unsuccessfully to open the car door, then pounded on the back window as other bystanders stood and watched. She screamed at them, begging for help and telling them there was a man dying in the car.

First one man, then another, finally came to help. Together they broke the safety glass and dragged the man out. They were just in time—a few minutes later it would have been all over.

It was one person's action that saved a life that night. And had Rosina done nothing, no one would have acted. In the same way, we as Christians must also act to save others from a Christ-less eternity by sharing the gospel. When we do, others will follow our example!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you the initiative to lead out and introduce others to Christ.

Questions for Thought

Who first told you about Jesus Christ? Do you think you'd be where you are today if they hadn't?

What are the names of some people you can take initiative with this week by sharing the gospel with them?

[Judy Harder]

How to live out your faith in front of others

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

To curtail petty theft, Soviet authorities put up guards around the factories to search the workers when they left. At one timber works in Leningrad, the guard knew the workers in the factory very well. The first evening, out came Pyotr Petrovich with a wheelbarrow and, in the wheelbarrow, a great bulky sack with a suspicious-looking object inside.

"Tip it out," the guard said. So he did, and out came nothing but sawdust and shavings. He was allowed to put it all back again and go home. When the same thing happened every night of the week the guard became frustrated. Finally, his curiosity overcame his frustration.

"Petrovich," he said, "I know you. Tell me what you're smuggling out of here and I'll let you go."

"Wheelbarrows, my friend."

Sometimes what's most obvious in life takes time to realize, doesn't it? The very same is true as you honor God with your life so that others will know Him. You can do good works faithfully for days, weeks, and even years before people say, "Tell me what you have because I want it!"

It's then that these people are perfectly primed to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ—that He died for them, and they can have eternal life through faith. But it first takes Christians who will live faithfully, show Christ's example, and admit when they fall short. So live each day to show God's love through your good works and watch for opportunities to share His truth!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith after living it out through good works. Pray that He would remind you that you may be the only example of Jesus others see!

[Judy Harder]

The most powerful motivation you can give others

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Dr. Ernest Mellor tells a story of him and his wife attending an outdoor performance by young violin students. After the concert, an instructor spoke briefly on how children as young as two, three, and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn—even before they pick up the violin—is how to take a bow.

"If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation," the instructor said. "But when the children bow, the audience invariably applauds. And applause is the best motivator we've found to make children feel good about performing and want to do it well."

This doesn't just apply to children; adults love applause, too. Being affirmed and encouraged in any aspect of life—marriage, work, and friendship for example—makes us feel wonderful. But on the other hand, harsh criticism tears us down and results in poorer performance.

As Christians, we're commanded to encourage others whether they are our friends, our spouses, or our coworkers. So make it a point to encourage others with the love of Christ. It will be a great motivator for them, and it will reaffirm and strengthen your relationship!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to show you how you can specifically encourage others in your life.

Questions for Thought

What's the best word of encouragement you've ever received? How did it make you feel?

Who are some people you know that could use a word of encouragement from you today?

[Judy Harder]

How to stay sharp well into your years

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. - Romans 12:2

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was and still is generally regarded as one of the greatest justices in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Because of his often heated disagreements with the other justices, he gained a reputation as the "Great Dissenter."

Holmes sat on the Supreme Court until he was 91 years old. Two years later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited him and found him immersed in reading the works of Plato. "Why are you reading Plato?" FDR asked. "You're 93 years old, and are already one of the most brilliant men to have ever lived!"

"I'm reading to improve my mind," Holmes answered.

Many older men and women fall under the impression that, at a certain age, they can stop learning. They think they know all they need to know, and there's no use getting smarter. But the truth is that, no matter your age, you should never stop learning.

Your mind is one of the most powerful tools you have to glorify God (Mark 12:30). So instead of becoming idle, keep reading God's Word regularly and meditating on His character. Give Him your body and your mind so that you'll stay sharp well into your years!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to show you how you can glorify Him with your mind today.

Questions for Thought

In what ways have you grown too comfortable with your level of knowledge today?

Besides reading Scripture, what are some other ways you can stay mentally active?

[Judy Harder]

Can you be sure you're saved?

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." - John 10:28-29

In his book Light for Anxious Souls, George Cutting shares the story of a farmer who lacked assurance when it came to his salvation. So he foolishly prayed that as an evidence of his acceptance, the Lord would cause exactly 10 sheep of his flock to gather in a certain shed out in the pasture.

Later that day, the farmer anxiously approached the shed and was relieved to find exactly 10 sheep inside. That gave him a temporary sense of peace, but doubt returned with the thought that it may have been just a coincidence. So a few days later, he prayed that 10 different sheep might gather in an opposite corner of the pasture. And they did!

When the farmer was asked, "Did this give you assurance?", he said, "No, nothing gave me certainty until I read the Word of God on it."

Christians often take issue with the assurance of their salvation for many reasons: they struggle with sin; they can't remember when they accepted Christ; or, they believe they might have lost their salvation at some point because of disobedience.

One pastor said, "If you can lose your salvation, you already have!" Salvation, once given, can never be revoked. So instead of worrying about whether or not you're saved, remember that it is a gift of God. And if you've trusted in Jesus Christ for forgiveness, it's yours forever!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would confirm in your heart that you're His if you've trusted Christ. If you haven't, trust Jesus today and receive that free gift of eternal life!

Questions for Thought

Think of some times when you've struggle with the assurance of your salvation. What kinds of feelings accompanied those thoughts?

What does it say about God that His free gift of eternal life can never be taken away?

[Judy Harder]

How to avoid sitting on the shelf spiritually

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14

Fritz Kreisler, the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument.

To his great dismay, the beautiful instrument had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. But the collector said it had become his most prized possession and he would not sell it.

Disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he asked, "Could I play the instrument just once before it is consigned to silence?" Permission was granted, and he filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world and let people hear it!"

Sadly, many Christians have been consigned to silence when it comes to sharing the gospel. Yes, they'll attend church and volunteer for committees, but they are noticeably absent when it comes to taking the message of salvation to the world. Don't sit on the shelf collecting dust. Take the gospel into the world and let people hear it!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to show you how you can get off the shelf and take His message of hope into the world!

Questions for Thought

When was the last time you shared the gospel with a lost person?

Who are some people in your life today who need to hear God's message of salvation? When and where can you share it with them?