Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

July 29, 2011     

Daily Living for Seniors
     
You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.  --Leviticus 18:4-5

Author Timothy Munyon once wrote:

"While living in Florida, I had several friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. They spent their work breaks running barefoot in the sand. The problem was the inn required all employees to wear shoes at all times while working.

"I noticed the employees responded in one of two ways.

"The majority thought the rule restricted their freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting, delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach. To them the rule to wear shoes was nothing more than employer harassment.

"But a minority of the employees looked at the rule differently. Sometimes late night parties would produce small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be found hidden in the deep shag piles. Some knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed frame while making a bed. This minority saw the rule as protection, not restriction.

"Were God's laws written to make life miserable? Or were they written by a loving heavenly Father who cares about His children?"

Deuteronomy 11:1 says, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always."

Over and over again in Scripture, followers of Jesus are admonished to obey the commands and laws of the Lord. Many believe these "laws" are meant to restrict Christians from living a free and happy life. Others realize they are meant to provide certain boundaries for believers as a form of protection while walking with the Lord.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the laws, commands, and biblical boundaries found in His Word. Pray that He would bring them to your mind as you walk daily with Him.

[Judy Harder]

Watch me," [Gideon] told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.'"  --Judges 7:17-18

In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote:

"One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door.

"This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion.

"This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where you're going. Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!"

In the Bible, God chose Gideon, an Israelite judge, to lead a group of men in overtaking the Midianites. Over and over, the Lord instructed Gideon on what to do and what steps to take. Because God ordered his steps and he obediently followed, Gideon defeated the Midianites with just 300 men.

Do you know who you're following? Is it your pastor, Bible study leader, or friend? Is he or she obediently following the Lord? If you're in a leadership position, are you following the Lord faithfully and thereby leading others down the right path?

Know who you're following and where they are going. And when leading others, follow the Lord so that you will always walk through the right door.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for those leading you in life and ask God to reveal to you the right doors you are to walk through when leading others.

[Judy Harder]

August 02, 2011     


Daily Living for Seniors
     

[Jesus said]: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  --Matthew 5:13-16

In the December 1987 issue of Life magazine, Brad Darrach wrote:

Meryl Streep is gray with cold. In Ironweed, her new movie, she plays a ragged derelict who dies in a cheap hotel room, and for more than half an hour before the scene she has been hugging a huge bag of ice cubes in an agonizing effort to experience how it feels to be a corpse.

"Now the camera begins to turn. Jack Nicholson, her derelict lover, sobs and screams and shakes her body. But through take after take—and between takes too—Meryl just lies there like an iced mackerel. Frightened, a member of the crew whispers to the director, Hector Babenco, 'What's going on? She's not breathing!'

"Babenco gives a start. In Meryl's body there is absolutely no sign of life! He hesitates, then lets the scene proceed. Yet even after the shot is made and the set struck, Meryl continues to lie there, gray and still. Only after 10 minutes have passed does she slowly, slowly emerge from the coma-like state into which she has deliberately sunk.

"Babenco is amazed. 'Now that,' he mutters in amazement, 'is acting! That is an actress!'"

That kind of dedication amazes people! God has also called all believers to be dedicated—to be salt and light in the world—not lukewarm Christians. Jesus said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15).

Be completely committed in your walk with Christ every day—so committed that others will look at you and say, "Now that is a Christian!"

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to increase your commitment to the faith, so that others may see a reflection of Christ in you and they can come to know Him as a result.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
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

In his book Lost Moon, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell tells the story of the intense competition between aerospace companies over the contracts to build the lunar and command modules for the Apollo space programs.

He tells how no one really wanted the lunar module, the "consolation prize" whose glory during the moon landings would be short-lived. Everyone wanted to build the commence module, which they believed would be the backbone of NASA for years.

As it turned out, North American Rockwell won the contract to build the coveted command module, and Grumman begrudgingly accepted the lunar contract.

In his book, Lovell notes how the lunar module actually became a lifeboat for the Apollo 13 astronauts who almost died on their now infamous journey into space. What was once thought of as the "consolation prize" ended up saving three lives!

I want to ask you today, do you ever feel like you've been given the consolation prize? Are there areas of your life where you feel like you're not getting the recognition you deserve?

In John 1:10, the Bible tell us that Jesus Himself wasn't recognized for who He was or what He would do. Like Him, we often have to wait to see the fruits of our actions or the impact they will eventually make.

But the fruit of your actions will reap a harvest. Psalm 37:3 says, "Trust in the LORD and do good." There are no conditions to this command from the Lord! Each of us should do good all the time, trusting that God will reward us for our faithfulness to Him and work everything for our good.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust in His faithfulness and that He will work everything for your good.

[Judy Harder]

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. --Deuteronomy 7:9

"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up across the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies)...."

So begins Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, a novel containing what is widely considered one of the worst opening lines ever penned. So bad, in fact, that the English department at San Jose State University sponsors a whimsical competition every year challenging those who enter to write the worst novel opening possible!

Despite Bulwer-Lytton's shortcomings as an author, did you know he coined several phrases still used today? Phrases like "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword." He also served as Interior Secretary of Canada, and a town in British Columbia bears his name. But unfortunately, he is most famous for that "dark and stormy night" opening line to his novel!

What about you? What legacy will you leave one day? When your family and friends think of you, what will come to mind?

The book of Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning that the consequences of our sin will affect those who come after us. But in the verse above, it also promises that God will keep His covenant of love for thousands of generations for those who love him and keep His commandments.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to enable you to leave a lasting legacy for Him.

[Judy Harder]

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. --Matthew 28:19

The great Christian evangelist, D.L. Moody, was once asked to speak at a convention in Indianapolis.

One afternoon, he asked the convention's song leader to meet him on a street corner downtown at about 6 pm. When Ira Sankey got there, Moody had him stand on a overturned box and sing. This unusual spectacle attracted quite a crowd.

After speaking briefly, Moody persuaded most of the crowd to follow him to a nearby meeting place. They followed in droves and listened intently as Moody shared the good news of Jesus.

Too soon, the convention delegates started arriving, and Moody had to stop preaching. He said simply, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic 'How to reach the masses'!"

So often, we think we have to have special training or special knowledge to tell others about Christ.

But like Moody, maybe all you need to do is be creative...and think of simple ways you can share Christ with others.

Maybe it's fixing dinner for your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's making a hospital or nursing home visit with a nice card or some flowers.

Whatever it is, God wants you to share His love with those around you. Don't think or talk about sharing your faith any longer...just go out and do it!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone with whom you can share His love and plan of salvation today.

[Judy Harder]

August 08, 2011     


Daily Living for Seniors
     
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11

In December 1914, inventor Thomas Edison's laboratory burned to the ground. Edison, who stood calmly nearby watching most of his life's work go up in flames, knew full well his insurance would only cover a fraction of the damage.

However, Edison's attitude about the fire stunned those around him. The next morning, Edison returned to look at the charred rubble and declared, "There is a great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."

Just a few weeks later, Edison produced a spectacular invention: his first phonograph.

The story of Edison's attitude is similar to how you and I should view our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we accept Him, He makes all things new. Our past mistakes are gone. Psalm 103 says "as far as the east is from the west," that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us.

God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to erase your past sins...so that you could start anew!

Prayer Challenge: Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to forgive your sins. And thank Him for the chance to start anew each and every day!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  --Psalm 4:5-6

One day, as Mahatma Ghandi climbed on board a train, one of his shoes slipped off and fell to the track below.

As he bent to retrieve it, the train lurched forward and began to move. Ghandi tried to grab his shoe, but missed. He stood there for a moment watching his shoe slowly fade into the distance.

Then to the shock of everyone around him, he quietly took off his other shoe and threw it so it landed just to the side of the shoe already on the ground.

When asked why in the world he would throw away his other shoe also, Ghandi responded, "The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track will now have a pair he can use."

Have you ever given something away that you really hadn't planned to? Maybe, like Ghandi, it was a possession. Or did you give your time, your talents, your money?

Your small sacrifices might be huge blessings for someone else. Perhaps you could drive a friend to a doctor's appointment, invite someone to lunch, or teach a Sunday School class. There are many opportunities around you where you can be a blessing to others!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for opportunities where you can be a blessing to others, and thank Him for the blessings He has given to you.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. --Ephesians 6:18

When comedian Harpo Marx visited New York City many years ago, local charities bombarded him with requests to appear at their benefits.

One woman, in particular, was especially tenacious. In just two days, she called him more than a dozen times. Marx very reluctantly agreed to appear at her organization's function.

To further butter him up, she offered to personally escort him to the event. As they got ready to leave the hotel room, the phone began to ring once again. She asked him, "Don't you want to go back and answer it?"

Harpo Marx somewhat wittingly and wearily replied, "Why bother? It's undoubtedly you again!"

Aren't you glad that when you pray you never have to worry about God getting tired of hearing your requests? As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible says to "pray continually" and to give thanks in all circumstances.

God wants you to talk to Him. He wants to listen to what you have to say. In fact, He tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

He wants to hear your prayers today!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity to boldly come before His throne with your prayers today and every day.

[Judy Harder]

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." --Psalm 103:12

When a reporter once asked former Cowboys running back Walt Garrison if he had ever seen legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry smile, he replied, "No, but I was only there nine years."

The first few years Landry coached in Dallas, he had little to smile about. The new Cowboys expansion team barely won a game and, shortly after his arrival, the country suffered a tragic blow when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

The dark cloud of Kennedy's assassination would hang over Dallas for years. It was an open wound that didn't seem to heal.

But this all changed when Landry led the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win in 1972. The city that was once known as the city that killed JFK became the home of the Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys!

As I thought about this story, it made me wonder, do you ever feel like you have a dark cloud hanging over your life? Is there something in your past you are ashamed of...or something you just don't think you can overcome?

The enemy likes to remind you of your past and keep you under a dark cloud of guilt and regret. He wants to rob you of joy and hurt the witness you could have for Christ.

But don't let him! Romans 8:1 says, "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

As a Christian, you don't have to live under a cloud of guilt because Jesus paid the price for your mistakes and failures at Calvary. So claim this promise today. Because Jesus wants you to live in victory!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the forgiveness of your sins and praise Him that your past mistakes can't keep you from having a bright future.