Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

The only sure way to fix your mistakes

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Bette Nesmith had a good secretarial job in a bank when she ran across a problem that interested her. She needed a better way to correct the errors she made on her electric typewriter. Bette had some art experience, and she knew that artists who worked in oils just painted over their errors. So she concocted a fluid to paint over her typing errors.

Before long, all the secretaries in her building were using what she then called "Mistake Out." Bette attempted to sell the product idea to marketing agencies and various companies (including IBM), but they turned her down. However, secretaries continued to like her product, so Bette's kitchen became her first manufacturing facility and she started selling it on her own.

When she sold her enterprise, the tiny white bottles were earning $3.5 million annually on sales of $38 million. The buyer of the product later dubbed "Liquid Paper" was Gillette Company and the sale price was $47.5 million.

Bette Nesmith found great reward in acknowledging she needed help with her mistakes. Liquid Paper would have never taken off if she had been perfect. In much the same way, it's in our own weaknesses that Jesus Christ is glorified... when we rely fully on Him to cover our sins. So trust completely in His cleansing power and honor Him even in your shortcomings!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God for covering your mistakes through Christ. Pray that Jesus would be glorified in your weaknesses as you rely on Him for forgiveness.

[Judy Harder]

Showing God's love by putting others first

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

Despite his busy schedule, Abraham Lincoln often visited wounded Civil War soldiers in hospitals across the Union. On one occasion, he walked in to see a man who was near death. "Is there anything I can do for you?" asked the President.

"Please write a letter to my mother," the young man replied. Unrecognized by the soldier, the President sat down and transcribed exactly what the soldier told him to write:

"My Dearest Mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty, and I won't recover. Don't sorrow too much for me. May God bless you and Father. Kiss Mary and John for me."

The young soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and then added this postscript: "Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln."

Very often in life, Christians are called to do things outside of their normal roles in order to show kindness to a person in need. Maybe that means stopping your daily routine to help a friend who is in need. Or maybe it's pulling your car over to help change a tire for a complete stranger.

Don't let you role or status limit the love you show for others. The greatest love you can give is a love that's shown even when it isn't convenient. And when you do, you'll receive the remarkable blessing that comes with following Christ's example of putting others first!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to show you opportunities where you can step out of your daily routine to show the love of Christ to others.

[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]

How to stay calm in the midst of stress

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. - Proverbs 15:18

A story is told about a little league coach who pulled one of his young players aside and asked him, "Do you understand what cooperation is?" The boy nodded yes.

Then the coach asked, "Do you understand that what matters is that we win together or lose together as a team?" The little boy again nodded yes.

"So," the coach continued, "when a strike is called or you're out at first, you don't argue or curse the umpire. Do you understand that?" Again, the little boy nodded.

"Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain it to your mother."

It happens, doesn't it? In the heat of a moment, when emotions are flying and tempers are hot, it's tempting to sometimes lose your patience and just unleash on whoever is around you. And what's really interesting is that quite often, it doesn't even matter what the issue is!

But God has a better plan for you when it comes to managing your temper. As today's verse says, people who are patient and not easily angered don't just benefit themselves; they calm others around them as well.

So when you're tempted to lose it, ask God to give you the patience to react differently. When you do, you'll notice that your overall stress level will decrease as you foster an environment of patience among those around you!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you the strength to react calmly when stress hits and to foster an environment of patience with those around you.

[Judy Harder]

How you can be fulfilled in every way

... in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Colossians 2:10

Boris Becker, the famous tennis star, was at the very top of the tennis world. Yet despite all of his success, he was on the brink of suicide. He was quoted,

"I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string."

You don't have to read many biographies to find this very same kind of frustration and disappointment. The famous author Jack Higgins, for example, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: "That when you get to the top, there's nothing there."

There are so many people today who believe that if they can simply do this or that, then their lives will be fulfilled. Yet they're sorely disappointed when they reach their goal and discover that the view from the top isn't as great as they thought it would be.

Maybe you thought your life at this stage would be better or more exciting than it has been. Many may have even grown cynical about life itself because they've decided it's not what it should be. The solution to this problem is to look to Christ, not the world, to fulfill you. He is the one who gives you fullness and the only remedy to any emptiness you feel inside!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to change your perspective from looking to the world for fulfillment to finding your fullness in Christ alone.

[Judy Harder]

How you can endure hardship through obedience

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? - 1 Peter 4:16-17

Arabian horses go through rigorous training in the deserts of the Middle East. The trainers require absolute obedience from the horses, and test them to see if they are completely trained.

The final test is almost beyond the endurance of any living thing. The trainer forces the horses to go without water for many days. And when he turns them loose, they, of course, start running toward the water. But just as they get to the edge, ready to plunge in and drink, the trainer blows his whistle.

These horses that have learned perfect obedience simply stop. They turn around and come pacing back to the trainer. They stand there quivering, wanting water, but they wait in perfect obedience. And when the trainer is sure that he has their obedience, he gives them a signal to go back to drink.

Now many may say this is severe, but when you are on the trackless desert of Arabia and your life is entrusted to a horse, you had better have an obedient horse. In much the same way, we must accept God's training and obey Him, even if that means we should suffer for His namesake. Obedience must come first in our lives.

So when you're tempted to find the easy way out through disobedience to God, remember to obey. Trust that He knows what's best for you and that even if it means suffering, He'll care for your every need!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you the strength to obey Him even when it results in hardship.

[Judy Harder]

How you can be fulfilled in every way

... in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. - Colossians 2:10

Boris Becker, the famous tennis star, was at the very top of the tennis world. Yet despite all of his success, he was on the brink of suicide. He was quoted,

"I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string."

You don't have to read many biographies to find this very same kind of frustration and disappointment. The famous author Jack Higgins, for example, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: "That when you get to the top, there's nothing there."

There are so many people today who believe that if they can simply do this or that, then their lives will be fulfilled. Yet they're sorely disappointed when they reach their goal and discover that the view from the top isn't as great as they thought it would be.

Maybe you thought your life at this stage would be better or more exciting than it has been. Many may have even grown cynical about life itself because they've decided it's not what it should be. The solution to this problem is to look to Christ, not the world, to fulfill you. He is the one who gives you fullness and the only remedy to any emptiness you feel inside!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to change your perspective from looking to the world for fulfillment to finding your fullness in Christ alone.

[Judy Harder]

The impact you can make by encouraging others

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

Years ago during the world lightweight boxing championship match, a Scotsman was fighting against a man from the United States who was six years younger. The Scot was the reigning champion, and the bout was being fought before a crowd of 20,000 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Soon after the match began, it was clear that the fight would be a close one. So chanting began to arise from the Scottish crowd. It was singing. It became louder and louder, with hundreds of male voices singing a strange Scottish melody!

These men were singing to encourage their champion. As he fought for his title, but even more for the respect of the Scottish people, they wanted him to know they were behind him.

As a member of the body of Christ, it's your job to encourage one another as well in the great battle of faith. When you see some who are struggling in obedience to Christ's call on their lives, and others who are on the front lines expanding the kingdom of God in places all over the world, your role is to be an encourager and cheer them on. Then, when it's your turn to step into the ring, they'll encourage you too.

Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Studies have proven that words of encouragement help those who are struggling. So find someone today who needs an encouraging word and help them fight their battle of faith by encouraging them!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would show you someone who you can help fight the battle of faith today with an encouraging word or note.

[Judy Harder]

How to know for sure you're in Christ

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 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 10:27-29

The famous preacher, H. A. Ironside, once stated that salvation was like Noah inviting a pagan in his day to place his trust in God and come in to the ark. Yet some mistakenly view salvation like Noah offering to put a peg on the outside of the ark saying, "If you just hang on through the storm, you'll be saved."

It's been said, "If you can lose your salvation, you already have." That's exactly right, because the saving work of Christ simply cannot be dependent upon the work of man. If your efforts were enough to merit you good standing before a holy God, then Jesus' death and resurrection would have been for nothing at all!

In Christ, your salvation is never dependent upon you holding on to God. Rather, it depends entirely on you being securely held by and in Christ. And just as Jesus promised in today's passage, no one will ever snatch a believer out of His hand. It simply can't be done!

So many Christians today worry about their security in Christ. But Scripture couldn't be clearer: if you're truly in Christ, there's no way you can lose that. It's given to you forever and is a guarantee of your salvation. So when you find yourself worrying about your eternal destiny, remember the truth of Philippians 1:6, that He who began the good work of salvation in you will bring it to completion!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and ask God to give you clarity and confidence that you are His child. If you've never trusted Christ to take away your sins, do it today and be confident that you're His forever!

[Judy Harder]

How to find the courage to share your faith

And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. - Philippians 1:14

On Memorial Day weekend in 2002, a barge pilot passed out and hit a bridge span of I-40 over the Arkansas River. The accident destroyed a 600 foot span of the bridge, and 14 unsuspecting people died as their cars and 18-wheelers dove over the edge of the missing span.

Several fishermen happened to be on the river in a bass competition when they saw the bridge collapse. Realizing that the cars and trucks were still coming, one of the fishermen below the bridge reached into his boat's emergency kit for the emergency flare. Whipping the flare up into firing position, the fisherman shot up into the air.

That flare hit the windshield of the next 18-wheeler speeding down I-40 at 70 miles an hour. The shocked driver hit his brakes, and his front tires slid over the drop-off. Putting his truck into reverse, he pulled his wheels back up onto the bridge and warned the other drivers.

All it took was for one man to pick up his flare gun and fire it to save the lives of many. If it weren't for him, who knows how many more would've died in the accident? In the same way, you've been given the "flare" of the Gospel to save others. The question is, will you fire it? Live your life to share the life-saving message of Christ with others and just watch who gets saved!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you the courage to share the life-saving message of Jesus Christ with those who don't know Him. And pray that He would save those who are headed over the edge into eternity apart from Him.