Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.'  Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you:  Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it.  Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." --Genesis 27:6-10

Rebekah was a woman of faith in her youth. She was chaste, beautiful, courteous, helpful, industrious, hospitable, and trustworthy. As the chosen bride of Isaac, God rewarded her faithfulness with a monogamous marriage and twins, Esau and Jacob.

But because of Rebekah's weakness in faith, she later brought about rivalry, deceit, and contention in her home because of a lack of respect for her husband's leadership and favoritism among her sons.

Rebekah took into her own hands the future of her sons and manipulated the situation of birthright and blessing given by Isaac to the eldest. Even if her motive was pure, her actions were wrong. In the end, she paid the price by living out the rest of her life in separation from both of her sons and in a broken relationship with her husband.

Although we may not recognize this as often as other sins, manipulation is rooted in pride and selfishness. It involves viewing others as objects, not individuals, and seeks to limit situations through control. The direct tools of manipulation are position, power, deception, and distortion.

Scripture is full of examples dealing with manipulation. Just as Rebekah manipulated Isaac, so did Sarah manipulate Abraham, her husband, and her servant, Hagar, so that she could control what God had already promised. In every instance, manipulation brought about sorrow rather than joy.

Anytime a believer loses trust in God and begins focusing on self, then the possibility of manipulation exists. Never take matters into your own hands or attempt to control the outcome. Instead, examine your own heart and determine that you will trust in God no matter what to do the right thing in every situation.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to keep your focus on Him and root your faith in trusting Him alone through everything in life.

[Judy Harder]

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. --Romans 12:12

Dr. Paul W. Brand was a noted surgeon and expert on leprosy. He traveled once to London by plane and then took a long train from there to his final destination.

As he was getting ready for bed that night, he took off his shoes and suddenly discovered there was no feeling in his heel. To almost anyone else, this would have meant nothing. But Dr. Brand knew that this numbness was a symptom of leprosy.

Brand found a pin, pricked his heel, but felt no pain. He pushed the pin in deeper until blood showed, but still he felt nothing. All night the surgeon imagined his life as a leper—an outcast separated from humanity and his family.

But the next morning, he jabbed his heel with the pin...and yelled out in pain!

Dr. Brand realized that he had numbed a nerve in his heel during the long train ride, and wasn't suffering from leprosy. From then on, whenever he suffered any kind of pain, physically or emotionally, he thanked God.

Pain is a part of the God-given consequence to humankind for falling into sin (Genesis 3:16-17). Everyone is subject to pain. However, the New Testament focuses on pain's partnership with joy.

It was Christ who endured a horrific suffering and pain through His death on the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

When you suffer in this life, remember that one day, "there shall be no more...pain" (Revelations 21:4), and until then we should rejoice in the Lord for He walks with us through our most painful hours (Isaiah 41:10).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy that comes from affliction in this life.

[Judy Harder]

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10

At a recent diving competition, an Olympic gold-medal diver was asked how he copes with the stress of competitions.

He responded by saying that he climbs to the board, takes a deep breath, and says to himself, "Even if I blow this dive, my mother will still love me." Then he goes for the gold!

As a believer, Satan can take advantage of your failures and try to weigh you down with feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem. However, the Bible tells us as believers that we are 100% accepted and loved by Jesus Christ! His grace covers all of our sins and failures.

If you are dealing with low self-esteem, then keep in mind these biblical prerequisites to a healthy self-esteem:

• Recognize your need for a Savior (Isaiah 53:6).
• Accept your worth in Jesus and know that He loves you (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:1).
• Press on toward God's purpose for you (Philippians 3:13-14).
• Develop a realistic view of yourself in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:3).
• Avoid comparing yourself to others (2 Corinthians 10:12).

At the beginning of each day, step up to the day's challenges, take a deep breath, and say, "Even if I blow it today, my God will still love me." And then go for God's glory!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for turning your tragedies into triumphs and for loving you even when you fail.

[Judy Harder]

And they crucified Him. --Mark 15:24

A medical doctor once gave a detailed description of what happens when someone is crucified:

"The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders again the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.

"The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain--the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.

"As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.

"Hours of this...pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

It is now almost over--the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level--the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues--the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...finally he can allow his body to die."

The Bible records this process of death by crucifixion in just a few simple words. How often we take for granted the pain and suffering Jesus endured when He died on the cross for you and me. Let us remember this Easter the sacrifice He made.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the price He paid for your sins through His painful death on the cross.

[Judy Harder]

Monday, March 22, 2010 

[Jesus said]: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." --John 5:24

Early in Julius Caesar's political career, the people of Rome hated him so badly that he thought it best to leave his country. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but on the way pirates attacked his ship and Caesar was captured.

The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent to make the arrangements for payment. For almost 40 days, the pirates held Caesar captive.

He would jokingly tell them that he would someday capture and crucify them. The amused kidnappers dismissed his threats. But when the ransom was paid and Caesar was released, the first thing he did was gather his army together to pursue the pirates.

The prirates indeed were captured and crucified!

This was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. This cruel death was reserved only for the worst criminals. It was meant to show extreme contempt for the condemned. And the pain and humiliation experienced by someone crucified by the Romans was unmatched by any other.

They condemned and humiliated the person and name of Jesus thousands of years ago just as many people do today. And even though He died a lowly death, we as believers can rejoice in knowing that "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).

Jesus died for the sins of all--including those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. You may know of someone today who doesn't know Jesus. Will you be the one to tell them about the forgiveness He gives? Will you be the one who points them toward eternal life through Jesus?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring someone into your life this Easter who you can share the story of His death, burial, and resurrection, and the price He paid for their sins.  

[Judy Harder]

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. --1 Peter 1:3-5

A little boy born with Down syndrome attended his third-grade Sunday School class faithfully each week. As you can expect, the other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different.

The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in small boxes--one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes.

Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would "ooh" and "ahh."

Then the child with Down syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid! It's not fair! He didn't do the assignment right!"

The little boy exclaimed, "I did so do it! It's empty...because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!"

If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave.

Don't ever forget to include the resurrection of Christ from the dead when speaking of His death on the cross. For because He conquered sin on the cross and death through His resurrection, we can have unmistakable hope in Him for eternity.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that you serve a risen Savior! Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for defeating death so that you and I may experience eternal life with Him one day.

[Judy Harder]

For as he thinks within himself, so he is. --Proverbs 23:7

An unknown author once wrote this poem:

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't. ...

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!

Many psychologists today base their practices on Proverbs 23:7 and maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life. They teach their patients that the way they think affects their emotions, their relationships, and their ability to cope with difficulty.

With the sin in the world that causes disease, suffering, heartache, and misfortune, it's easy for anyone to have negative thoughts. But the believer must be a positive thinker!

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul assured his friends at Philippi of his positive attitude in Christ saying, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

However, as believers we must understand that this contentment and positive outlook exists in us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are always to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:.

Those whose hearts have not been filled with the Spirit of God will find it harder to combat the mind tricks and temptations of Satan (see Matthew 15:19). Simply remember that the condition of your heart determines the condition of your thoughts.

Allow the Spirit of the Lord to consume your heart and thoughts so that you can live your life positively.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Holy Spirit would invade your heart and mind, so that you would think, speak, and act positively in life.

[Judy Harder]

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. --2 Peter 1:10-11

When Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski played before Queen Victoria in 1891, he won her approval. She exclaimed, "Mr. Paderewski, you are a genius."

To which Paderewski replied, "Perhaps, Your Majesty, but before that I was a drudge."

In the beginning, Paderewski was discouraged by his teachers from becoming a pianist. But through discipline and hours of practice each day, Paderewski launched his artistic career in 1885 and became known worldwide for his dynamic talents, abilities and infectious personality.

Just as Paderewski had to discipline himself to practice every day in order to grow in his talent, so we as believers must also discipline ourselves and take time each day to grow spiritually in the Lord.

Spiritual discipline is absolutely essential for Christian growth and development in the life of the believer. It is a process that continues on through the life of a believer, and helps him or her grow spiritually in Christ and know God's will.

The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to "show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure" and not become lazy, but "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:11-12).

A believer can mature in Jesus by practicing spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, witnessing, worship, service, fellowship with other believers, and other godly acts.

In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth."

If you will practice spiritual discipline each day in faith and obedience to the Lord despite the hardships that come along, then you can look forward to the abundant blessings of God (see Hebrews 12:11).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would build in you strength and determination to daily practice righteousness.

[Judy Harder]

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:13

Hospitality is the practice of welcoming, sheltering, providing for, and feeding those who come into your home--with no expectations for rewards or personal gain in return.

Hospitality is much more than exotic menus, elegant table settings and decorations, and fancy entertainment. It is sharing what you have and who you are in Jesus with the people God brings your way.

For those in Bible times, hospitality was a necessity in the harsh desert regions. It was openly rewarded when extended fully and openly punished when there was a lack thereof.

In the New Testament, Jesus modeled hospitality perfectly. He met both the physical and emotional needs of those who came to Him (Matthew 15:32-39).

New Testament writers encouraged believers to practice hospitality toward other Christians saying, "Offering hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). And elders and deacons within the church, in particular, were to extend hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2).

However, there are some exceptions. Believers are encouraged not to show hospitality t false teachers (2 John 1:10-11) or those who receive hospitality but do not work to support themselves and assist the host family (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13).

As believers, we are called to extend this gift to all who are in need. You can open up your heart and life, and minister to others in simple ways: time, food (see Psalm 104:27), money (Matthew 25:34-40), energy, creativity, and love (1 John 4:11).

If you extend your hospitality, open your home, and share your heart with someone else, your efforts will not go unnoticed (Hebrews 6:10). Allow your warm welcome to be saturated with the love of Christ, so you can easily share Him with those who enter your presence.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you ways you can practice hospitality toward those who are in need.

[Judy Harder]

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. --Ephesians 4:22-24

British actor Michael Wilding (1912-1979) was once asked if celebrities had any traits which set them apart from other human beings.

He replied, "Without a doubt. You can pick out actors by the glazed look that comes into their eyes when the conversation wanders away from themselves."

Wilding's theory is certainly true, but this self-centered trait has existed in all people since the beginning of time due to our inherently sinful nature from birth to death.

For the believer, we must understand that self-centeredness is sin. The Bible says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).

Our sinful nature causes us to automatically be self-focused and concerned with our own interests before those of others. But the Bible says this focus inward is from the world (1 John 2:16).

Certainly each person is a unique individual in the sight of our Creator, for He made you in His own image. But when your individuality, a gift from God, is turned inward, it becomes the source of sin, and is the obstacle which stands in the way of holiness.

The Bible says, "If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil" (James 3:14-15) and ultimately leads to destruction (Philippians 3:19).

If you recognize that self-centeredness has crept into your heart and mind, then ask for God's forgiveness, begin trusting Him with your innermost being, and throw off all worldliness. When you do this, His purposes will become the driving force in your life.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove any self-centeredness from your heart. Commit to Him your focus and desires going forward in your spiritual walk with Him.