Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36

Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.

His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.

Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).

What are you investing in right now?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.

[Judy Harder]

The importance of being a 'doer'

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. - James 4:17

In the early years of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln became so angered at the inactivity of Union commander George McClellan that the President wrote his commanding general this one-sentence letter:

If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while.
Respectfully,
A. Lincoln

One of the most frustrating things we can experience in life is to watch people like McClellan who can make a difference stand idly by when something must be done. And at the core of this frustration is the simple belief that those who can make a difference should make a difference. Yet very often, we excuse our own inactivity because we believe our circumstances are unique.

But over and over again in Scripture, God is clear that inactivity isn't just unwise, but it's very often sinful, like in the case of today's passage. That's why it's so important not only to recognize when something must be done, but to act when you have the ability to do so. This is true in so many areas of life!

So when it comes to doing the right thing, don't just be a complainer; be a doer. When the desire to do what is right meets the opportunity to act, God can use you in a powerful way to make a real difference in the world!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you the strength and courage not to be just a complainer, but to be a doer!

[Judy Harder]

he importance of taking personal responsibility

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. - 2 Corinthians 5:10

Not long ago, a young woman was attacked in a New York residential area while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. And during the course of the 30-minute assault, not even one person telephoned the police. The young lady sustained critical injuries and died for the simple reason that no one would pick up the phone and call for help.

Interviews conducted with the people who witnessed this terrible crime revealed that they were not totally indifferent as many had suspected. In fact, many of them were horrified when they saw what was happening. But the main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take responsibility and get help.

Now, most people will never find themselves in such a critical situation. But how often, in the seemingly mundane events of life, do you find yourself saying, "I'll let someone else do it"? Yet all the while, everyone else is thinking the exact same thing. This kind of attitude has created a vacuum of responsibility in our society where people simply point fingers instead of doing what's right.

But on the day you stand before God, there will be no finger-pointing. You'll be judged based on what you did with Christ, and then you'll be rewarded for the works you have done in the flesh. So in this life, take responsibility for your actions and stand up for what's right when others sit and point fingers.

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you a strong sense of personal responsibility to do what's right when you're tempted to point fingers.

[Judy Harder]

Staying committed to your higher calling

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. - John 12:25

The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more people like Elijah Lovejoy. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was committed forever to fighting the awful sin of slavery. Time after time, mob action was brought against him. But neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him.

Repeated destruction of his presses didn't even stop him. He said, "If by compromise is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more that I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post."

And he did... four days later at the hands of another mob. And not one member of the mob that killed him was prosecuted or indicted or punished in any way for this murder. But one young man was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom. He had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.

As a Christian, you have a calling that's much greater than even your own life. And while most today won't experience martyrdom, the commitment should be the same. So devote yourself to the calling of Christ above all others and you'll be blessed forever!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you the strength to commit yourself to Him, no matter the cost!

[Judy Harder]

The danger of having a jealous heart

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15

The famous novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett received great recognition for his work—but not from everyone. Beckett's marriage was plagued by his wife's jealousy of his growing fame and success.

So one day in 1969, Samuel heard her answer the phone, listen for a moment, and hang up. She turned to her husband and with a disappointed tone whispered, "What a catastrophe." She had just learned that Beckett had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature!

Jealousy comes in different forms—good and bad. There is the good, kind jealousy that we see in Exodus 20:5 where God tells the Israelites to have no other God except for Him. This is not a jealousy birthed out of insecurity. God was not jealous of other gods... He is jealous for the hearts of His people.

On the other hand, there's the bad kind of jealousy, a jealousy that is rooted in sin and shame and wishes failure on others instead of success. This is the kind of jealousy that, as Christians, we're to avoid. In fact, as we see others who are successful in life and who God blesses abundantly, we're to rejoice with them in those blessings!

Don't allow jealousy to embitter you. Instead, rejoice with those whom God blesses and in due time, He'll bless you, too!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to help you encourage others who are experiencing His blessings and rejoice with them. When you're blessed, they'll rejoice with you as well!

[Judy Harder]

You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. --Acts 22:15

Many years ago, a new preacher moved to a large city. One day, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. After taking his seat, he noticed the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change.

He thought about it and finally told himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it."

Then he thought, "Oh, it's only a quarter. Who would even notice? Besides, the bus company will never miss it. Just accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."

When the bus came to his stop, the preacher paused at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change."

The driver smiled and replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I've been thinking lately about going to your church. I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."

When the preacher stepped off the bus, he grabbed hold of the nearest light pole. As tears filled his eyes, he prayed, "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Just as John was sent to testify to others about Christ, so are believers to be a witness "so that...all men might believe" (John 1:7). Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. People are always watching to see how you live. Be on guard and remember that you bear the name of Jesus on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk upright with Him every day, so that others will come to know Jesus as a result of your life and testimony.

[Judy Harder]

Are you wise, or just smart?

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. - Proverbs 9:9

The famous author and inventor, Arthur C. Clarke once wrote,

For every man, education should be a process which continues all his life. We have to abandon, as swiftly as possible, the idea that schooling is something restricted to youth. How can it be, in a world where half the things a man knows at 20 are no longer true at 40—and half the things he knows at 40 hadn't been discovered when he was 20?

There's a misconception many people have today that once they're finished with formal schooling, they have nothing left they need to learn. They passed all their tests and have a diploma on the wall, yet in all their time of growing smart, they've never truly discovered what it means to grow wise.

The reality is that finishing school should actually be the beginning of a life-long learning process that never ends. It's a starting point that you've reached by becoming smart, but actual wisdom is attained through life experience. That's exactly why you have young men and women who graduated at the top of their class, yet struggle when they get out into the real world—they have to grow in wisdom.

Never, ever stop learning. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Word daily. Ask God to give you clarity and understanding when it comes to applying it to your life. When you do, you'll find out that there's so much more to be learned than you already know!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you the discipline to continue growing in wisdom all the days of your life!

[Judy Harder]

Winning the battle over sluggishness

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. - Proverbs 20:4

And old mountaineer and his wife were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just passing the time. Soon, they heard what they thought were raindrops falling on the roof of their small house. So after a few minutes, the wife said, "Jed, I think it's raining. Go outside and see."

The old man continued to gaze into the fire for a brief moment, sighed, and said, "Why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet."

There's no doubt that, just like that farmer, there are those days when you just don't feel like doing much. But the problem with so many today is that one day turns to two, then a week, then months go by and you're still just calling in the dog to see if it's raining outside!

Now there are different reasons for being "sluggish". Some of involve your physical or emotional state. Yet all too often, sluggishness is simply an indication of laziness, which the Bible says will have a negative impact on your life.

So if you find yourself having feelings of sluggishness, first, figure out why. Is it because you're having physical problems? Are you dealing emotions, like depression, that affect your desire to be active? Or, have you perhaps just become a little lazy? Whatever it is, find ways to stay active. Not only will you be healthier, but you'll also find greater fulfillment in life!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you find ways to stay active and find greater fulfillment in life!

[Judy Harder]

The importance of nourishing friendships

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. - 1 Samuel 18:1

The world-renowned psychologist, Sigmund Freud, died at the age of 83, a bitter and disillusioned man. Though he was one of the most influential thinkers of our time, Freud had little compassion for the common person.

In 1918, he wrote, "I have found little that is good about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash, no matter whether they publicly subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to none at all" (Veritas Reconsidered, p. 36).

As a result of his bitterness toward humanity, Freud died friendless. Many of his loyal followers had even abandoned him, not out of psychological disagreements, but because they were disillusioned with how bitter he had become.

Apart from your relationship with Christ, your relationships with people are some of the most valuable commodities you'll ever have. Yet many, as they grow older, tend to become like Freud: bitter, angry, and cynical toward others.

But as you grow in your faith, you can be the exact opposite as the joy of the Lord overcomes your life more and more every day. So nourish your friendships and keep people close. They're some of the most important things you can have in life!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would surround you with good friends with whom you can share life and the love of Christ!

[Judy Harder]

How you can be used to impact eternity

Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:20

In 1994, The New York Times reported that graffiti from the 1800s was discovered by workers renovating the Washington Monument. It was quite a different tone from much of the graffiti found today on walls, railcars, and street signs. Here's what it said:

Whoever is the human instrument under God in the conversion of one soul, erects a monument to his own memory more lofty and enduing [sic] than this.

The inscription was signed with the initials, BFB. No one knows who that is, but this anonymous author's words can now be seen by the thousands who visit the monument each year.

Though written so long ago, those words ring very true today... and they're at the heart of today's verse. Whoever God uses to turn people away from their sin and toward a faith relationship with Jesus Christ makes an impact on eternity!

Perhaps today, there are people in your life who you can point toward Christ. Maybe they live nearby, shop at the same store as you, or you see them in your daily routine. Whoever it is, God wants to use you to tell them about Jesus. And when you do, you can be confident that you've made an impact that will last longer than any monument ever built!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to show you people in your life who need to hear about Jesus. Pray that you would be open to being used by Him to impact eternity!