Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. --Hebrews 13:16

One of the most popular syndicated newspaper columns of our time is "Dear Abby," the well-known advice column. It was started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the original author. Today it is written by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who continues to offer advice and guidance to people who write in. Several years ago, a "Dear Abby" column, written by Jeanne, included this Thanksgiving Prayer written years before by her mother:

          O Heavenly Father:
          We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
          We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
          We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.
          We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
          May these remembrances stir us to service.
          That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

This prayer parallels the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by remembering those in need and giving praise to the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." In addition, we are to remember and serve the hungry, sick, poor, friendless, and imprisoned people in our world.

We are to put actions behind our gratitude to God by serving others. Just being thankful isn't enough. We must share the blessings God has given us with others, and through this God will be pleased. Learn to be thankful for God's many blessings—no matter their significance or value—and remember to think of others who have less than you.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you serve others as a way of thanking Him for His many blessings in your life. Pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for you to share and serve others.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." --Mark 12:28-31

A mother and daughter were spending their last moments together at the airport. As they hugged, the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."

To which the daughter replied, "Mom, your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too."

As the daughter boarded the plane, the mother walked to a nearby window, ready to cry. A man noticed the woman but didn't want to intrude. Thankfully, she volunteered, "Have you ever said goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have," replied the man. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?"

The mother responded, "I'm old and she lives far away. I have challenges ahead of me and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral."

The man said, "I heard you say 'I wish you enough.' What does that mean?"

Before walking away, she smiled and tearfully said, "It's a wish that has been handed down to others for generations, so that they might have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them:

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get through the final goodbye."

It has been said that it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire life to forget them. Remember the people you love and take some time today to tell them how much you care!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for loving you enough to give you salvation and for those in your life whom He has blessed you with.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." --Luke 15:22-24

On such a great day for celebration as this, every chair was filled except one—the chair next to the robe-covered prodigal. The chair belonged to the elder brother—the "good boy" who minded his own business, lived by the rules, and stayed clear of trouble. He was on his way home after a hard day of chores on the land and he was unaware that the fuss had to do with a surprise homecoming of his younger brother.

As far as the eldest figured, he didn't think he'd ever lay eyes on his brother again. In fact, that his younger brother even had the nerve to come back home brought up some deeply negative feelings. The prodigal had asked his dad for his inheritance and took off without leaving a trace!

How could his dad even consider throwing a welcome-home party for the prodigal? The eldest brother was bitter and resentful for his father's actions and for his younger brother's wasted living. In this famous Bible story of the prodigal son, there's an underlying question we can all ask: How can a blessed person become so ungrateful? The eldest brother was performance-driven, possessions-blinded, and relationally distant.

Many people often miss their share of the happiness because they haven't stopped to enjoy it. What standard do you use to determine your blessings? The younger brother learned that poverty came out of his poor decisions, but the older brother didn't take time to discover his father's heart. If we are unable to share in the joy of the Father's heart, then something is wrong. The prodigal-like people flock to Jesus because they are truly thankful for what He's given them—salvation, hope, and a future.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Stop and thank the Lord for His blessings. Pray that God would help you discover His heart for people who are in need.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6

In her classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister went through Nazi inspections at a death camp. They were forced to suffer the humiliation of taking off their clothes. Corrie stood in line feeling forsaken, defiled, and desperate for answers. Suddenly she remembered that when He hung on the cross, Jesus too was naked.

During that seemingly degrading moment, Corrie was struck with a great sense of awe and worship to God. In her amazement of His holiness, she leaned forward and whispered to her sister, "Betsie, they took His clothes, too."

Betsie gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, I never thanked Him for that."

Thanksgiving does not require any re-payment, but instead requires recognition of what our Savior has already done for us. Some people are appreciative by nature and others aren't. It is the latter who especially need God's power to express thanksgiving. Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness. The selfish person believes they deserve what comes to them, but the unselfish person realizes that everything is a gift from God.

During this season, survey your own life and make a list of things for which you are thankful. Maybe it is the small favor a friend did for you, the house you live in, a loved one who phoned to see how you are, a Bible study group you're active in, the ability to walk, or the opportunity to worship freely each week in God's house. Take some time to thank the Lord for His blessings and at least one person who has blessed your life this year.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the gift of life, salvation through Jesus Christ, His Word by which you are to live, His constant comfort and love, His provision, and the eternal life we have with Him.

[Judy Harder]

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. --Psalm 102:1-7

For most, this time of the year is the happiest. For others, it is one of the loneliest. There are three needs of people who are disappointed by loneliness: to love others, to be loved by others, and to be understood. Many times life's circumstances cause the loneliness: someone moves, life gets busy, or death or divorce separates us.

Jesus knew loneliness when He was on earth, and He understands your loneliness today. He never married or knew the intimacy of a mate. Jesus experienced loneliness in the desert of temptation as He went head-to-head with the devil. And He was even rejected and abandoned by the people in His life that were supposed to be tried and true.

Ultimately, Christ experienced loneliness and abandonment on the cross when He cried out to His Father, "Why have You forsaken Me?" The good news is that when Jesus came, died on the cross for you, and rose again on the third day, He promised you would never be lonely again. Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).

A psalmist said, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). In Him, you can fulfill the three things everyone needs to avoid loneliness. Jesus loves you unconditionally, desires your to be loved by you, and understands what you're going through!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord that He would relieve your loneliness this season, or the lonliness of someone you love.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6

At the end of the 17th century, August H. Francke, a German preacher, founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of the city of Halle. At one point , he desperately needed funds to carry on his work. A destitute Christian widow suddenly showed up at his door begging for a ducat—a gold coin.

He politely and regretfully told her he couldn't help because of his financial situation. The disappointed woman began to weep. Having sympathy for her, Francke asked her to wait while he went into his room to pray. After seeking God's wisdom, he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to change his mind and give her the money. Trusting the Lord to meet all his needs, he gave the widow the money.

Just two mornings later, He received a thank-you letter from her. She expressed that because of his generosity and kindness, she had been praying that the Lord would shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day, the German preacher received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady in town, and two more from a friend in Sweden.  Just when he thought the abundant blessings from God had subsided, he received word that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of a nearby prince.

Francke wept in gratitude to the Lord. In sacrificially providing for the destitute widow, he had been richly blessed by God. This holiday season, give sacrificially to others who may not have much. If you can relate to the needy widow, then pray that God would provide for all your needs—all the while giving Him thanks.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to provide for your needs this season and bless the lives of those who are desperate for help. Pray that He would help you give sacrificially to others with a thankful heart.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" --Matthew 25:37-40

Once there were two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds reached an all-time low, so they got the bright idea to solicit Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski, who was touring the U.S., for a piano recital. They decided they would devote the profits to their board and tuition.

The pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The fearless students worked hard to promote and stage the concert, but wound up only raising $1,600. After the concert, the two students presented the artist with their earnings along with a promissory note for $400 explaining they would earn the amount as soon as possible and send it to him.

Paderewski said, "No, I'm sorry, but that won't do." He tore the note to shreds, returned the money to them, and continued, "Take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest."

Years went by and Paderewski became the premier of Poland. As war came upon the world, Paderewski strived to feed thousands of his starving Polish countrymen. Paderewski knew there was only one man in the world that could help his people. He called upon him, and tons of food began to flow into Poland for distribution.

After the people were fed, Paderewski traveled to Paris to thank his friend, Herbert Hoover, for the relief sent. Mr. Hoover replied, "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski. Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to serve others in need this season. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and for taking care of all your needs.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. --Galatians 5:22-23

Two golfers stepped to the first tee on a local golf course. The elder of the two men was kind, while the younger was prideful and impatient. On the first and second holes, the young man made bad shots and began shouting at the caddie: "Keep your eyes peeled. I'm not here to do your job!"

Every bad shot thereafter seemed to be the caddie's fault. After the first nine holes, the young man angrily discharged the caddie and carried his own bag. He said to his older companion, "I don't like him. Thank goodness he's gone!"

The older man said, "Several years ago, a kid from Yonkers, William, came here and was taken on as a caddie. He was a sweet-natured boy and everybody liked him. He had a club foot, but that didn't affect his job. A doctor and member of the club became interested in William and took him south on a long trip.

"When they returned, William went back to caddying. The doctor, however, gave up golf for health reasons and died a few months later. I later played with William one morning and he gathered flowers all along the way. I asked him, 'Who's the girl?' And he replied, 'I haven't any girl, sir. They're for my friend, the doctor. Twice a week I take flowers to his grave.' You see, the doctor took William down south to operate on his foot. He helped the boy, and William never forgot his kindness."

The younger man said, "Now that's a caddie worth having. What happened to him?"

The older man said, "He carried your bag today for the first nine holes."

This holiday and every day throughout the year, show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life by being kind to others.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your kindness would spill over into the lives of others.

[Judy Harder]

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34

A father and mother of a young man killed in the military approached the pastor of their church one day.  They told him they wanted to give a monetary gift in remembrance of their son. The pastor said in response, "That's a wonderful gesture on your part. Is it alright if I share this with the congregation on Sunday?"

They agreed, and the next Sunday the pastor told the congregation of the gift given in memory of the deceased soldier. On the way home from church, another couple was driving down the highway when the man said to his wife, "Why don't we give a gift because of our son?"

His wife said, "Our son didn't die in battle! He's still alive!"

Her husband replied, "That's exactly my point! That's all the more reason we ought to give in thanks to God."

It's interesting that we most often give gifts to God in memorial rather than in appreciation. But it should be the exact opposite! We should give to the Lord consistently in our tithes and offerings from what He's blessed us with. And we should daily thank the Lord for providing our needs in both hard and plentiful times.

It's the same way in our prayer lives. We tend to pray the most when troubles come our way, not when we are being blessed. Remember to give thanks to the Lord through praise and prayer each day. And determine to give back to the Lord in obedience what He has given to you!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He's given you. Pray that He would make you a faithful steward and cheerful giver.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Living for Seniors
     
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. --Psalm 91:4

Sundar Singh, an Indian evangelist, wrote about a treacherous forest fire that swept through the Himalayas where he was traveling. Many men were trying their best to fight the fire, but there was one group that stood staring up at the flaming branches of one tree.

They watched as a mother bird flew frantically in circles above the treetop. She was chirping an alarm and warning to her nest full of babies. As the flames reached her nest and it began to burn, she didn't fly away. Instead she swooped down and covered her fledglings with her wings to protect them. However, in a matter of seconds she and her nestlings were consumed by the fire.

The men standing below were awe-stricken. Singh then used the opportunity to share with them: "We have witnessed a truly marvelous thing. God created that bird with such love and devotion that she gave her life trying to protect her young. ...That is the love that brought Him down from heaven to become man. That is the love that made Him suffer a painful death for our sake."

What a stirring, vivid portrayal of Christ's love for us. How often have you stood in awe and amazement as you think of the cross where Jesus gave His life for you? Where the fire of holy judgment burned down upon Him? It was on Calvary that Jesus willingly suffered, gave His life for us, and "bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness..." (1 Peter 2:24). And it is "by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for dying in your place and forgiving you of your sins. Show Him every day how grateful you are for what He did on the cross by living for him.