Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

The right way to speak truth into others' lives

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3

A mother recounts how her kids won four free goldfish at a school carnival. So she went out and bought a used 10-gallon aquarium for a mere 5 dollars. Of course, it was dirty, but the savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze. Those four new fish looked great in their new home... at least for the first day.

But by the next day, one had died. Too bad, but three remained. Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up. So she called in an expert, a friend who had a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover the problem: She had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. Her uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives she was trying to protect.

All too often, in our zeal to clean up the world around us, we unfortunately use "killer soaps"—condemnation, criticism, nagging, and angry words. At the moment, it seems like we're doing the right thing, but our harsh, self-righteous treatment is more than others can bear.

So what's the answer? Well, we have to use words of love when dealing with the sin of others. We can't expect people to respond to our negative attitudes, but must affirm we love them and express a genuine concern for their well-being. That's the key to speaking truth into others' lives!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you speak the truth to others in a spirit of love and unity.

Questions for Thought

How have you seen the power of words to tear down or lift up in the past?

Who are some people in your life today to whom you can speak truth in a spirit of love and affirmation?

[Judy Harder]

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:11-13

Most people think of St. Nick as a jolly, bearded man who rides around in a sleigh delivering gifts to all good boys and girls. But, he is more than just a children's Christmas legend—he was a genuine man of God. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in Patara about 270 A.D., and was still very young when they died and left him a fortune. However, he was a humble young man and secretly gave of his wealth to the poor.

Nicholas eventually forsook his wealth to answer the call to ministry, and was soon chosen as bishop of Myra. He was destined to lead the church through the worst tribulation in history. In 303 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Christians were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. But Nicholas and thousands more refused to denounce that Jesus Christ is Lord, so they were dragged to prison where they were savagely tortured, beaten senseless, or brutally murdered.

However, their persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Instead it spread. After years of imprisonment, they were freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. Saint Nicholas was welcomed into his city once again by the people. Although the bishop was beaten, he was not broken. Through the prayers and witness of this faithful soldier, many found salvation in Jesus.

St. Nick's fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God—the red color of his bishop's robes, his lectures to children about good behavior, and his secret gifts of food and money to those in need. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself as he did centuries ago, and point people to his Master. Shouldn't you do the same this holiday season?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you point others to Him. Pray that your faith would be unshakable and that you would relentlessly pursue and confess Christ at all costs.

[Judy Harder]

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. --Luke 1:35-39

Imagine this—a young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. However, Mary was called out by the Lord. Probably no older than 15 years of age, she certainly had no job and no intentions of becoming a mother just yet. But God entrusted her with a great responsibility.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task, she didn't respond as most would by saying, "But I can't take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don't want you to call me to do this!"

No, instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord and submitted to His will for her life. Many people confuse Mary's status—some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and some even worship her as they would the Lord. But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.

As believers, we must learn the meaning of surrender. When God places a call on your life, there is no room for questions or hesitation. Is God calling you to some specific task? Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? You must simply say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas story.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life, and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to Him.

[Judy Harder]

How to have victory against your spiritual enemy

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:8-9

One famous and effective tactic thieves often use to rob a store is to distract. They enter the store as a group. Then, one or two separate themselves from the group while the others start a loud commotion in another section of the store. This grabs the attention of the customers, as well as the store clerk.

As all eyes are turned to the disturbance, the accomplices fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and then leave the store before anyone even suspects what happened. Hours, or even days later, the merchant realizes things are missing and calls the police. But it's too late... the thieves are long gone.

This strategy is effective for stealing—as well as for tempting! You see, the enemy loves to seduce us into paying attention to the distractions of life, all the while causing havoc unnoticed in other areas. And if this tactic is successful, we don't realize it before it's too late and sin has already taken hold of our lives!

It's crucial we check our spiritual pockets now and then to stay on-guard against Satan. It's helpful to have others in our lives who can point out weaknesses in our defense as well. When you keep watch against the enemy, you'll be better positioned to fight off temptation to sin and experience victory in your daily spiritual battles!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you the soberness of mind to stay alert and identify when the enemy is trying to distract you from obedience.

Questions for Thought

Why do you believe the enemy wants to see you fail spiritually?

Who are some people you can talk with regularly about areas of spiritual vulnerability in each other's lives?

[Judy Harder]

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... --Job 7:6

Where are we going so fast? Scientific measurements indicate that we are moving even when we are standing still. Continental land masses sit on enormous slabs of rock that slide very slowly at the rate of 1 to 8 inches per year. In addition, America is gradually moving westward, away from Europe, at the rate of 3 inches per year.

Consider this: our Milky Way galaxy is hurtling through space at 375 miles per second or 1.3 million miles per hour. And within our own galaxy, the sun and its solar system are zooming along at 12.4 miles per second toward the star Vega in the constellation Lyra.

If you were to lie on your back in a quiet park on a cloudless day, you may feel as though all time and movement have stopped under the warm rays of the sun. And when you're walking down the street, you don't notice the earth spinning beneath your feet. But the scientist and the Christian know otherwise. Just as we are hurtling through the heavens at unimaginable speeds according to science, so too are we moving from here to eternity.

Our days and opportunities to live for the Lord and share Him with others pass so quickly that we cannot afford to waste any more time. It is important that we remember our days are numbered and life is but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Time is God's gift to you, so worship Him, live for Him, and bring others to the saving knowledge of His grace and forgiveness in the days you have left. Live dynamically for Christ today because tomorrow may not come.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you live without desperation or futility as you travel quickly from your earthly home to your heavenly home.

[Judy Harder]

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. --1 John 4:11-12

Space shuttles are propelled out of the earth's atmosphere by a fuel mixture producing millions of pounds of thrust and exertion. Indianapolis race cars travel at speeds averaging more than 200 mph, and they are powered by a highly volatile fuel concoction. So, what fuels you as a believer in Jesus Christ?

The indwelling Holy Spirit motivates you to perform Christ-like deeds of compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and self-sacrifice. The apostle John wrote, "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:12-13).

It's like the mother who asked her young son to clean her shoes. He worked on them diligently until they were spotless, shiny, and scuff-free. To show her appreciation for his hard work, she gave him a dollar. As she went to put her shoes on, she felt something wadded up in the toe of one. It was her dollar and attached to it was a note that read, "Here's yur doller, mom. I done it fer luv."

Fueled and motivated by the Holy Spirit living in you, you too can serve others in the love of Christ. The Scripture says, "We love because he first loved us. ...And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:19, 21). This coming year, be motivated to serve others and give of yourself to them as Christ did for you on the cross so long ago.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to move your heart and feet in service for Him. Pray that He would empower you with the sacrificial love of Christ, so that you may bless someone's life by your service to them.

[Judy Harder]

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. --Philippians 3:14, 17

The 16th-century Venetian artist, Titian, portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads in his painting, "An Allegory of Prudence." One head featured a youth facing the future, another represented a mature man eyeing the present, and the last head portrayed a wise old man gazing back at the past.

Over their heads, Titian wrote a Latin phrase that translates, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future." Oftentimes our past failures and fear of repeating them again torment us. But we need to remember the kind of wisdom Titian displayed in his painting, so we can avoid the kind of anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.

The apostle Paul was able to forget his past and look forward to his future. He said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

While his memory wasn't completely erased of past faults, he knew that God had forgiven him and he was free from any guilt or pride that had been bottled up inside. As you live in daily fellowship with the Lord, trials only make you more like the Savior. Don't let your past cloud your present and future. Determine this year to have one driving passion—to know Christ more intimately than ever before.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray and rededicate your life to Christ following Paul's example. Ask Jesus to enable you to live fully in the present, gain wisdom from the past, and face the future with courage.

[Judy Harder]

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9

Each year at this time, thousands of them stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It's simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.

Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year's Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.

The old year's problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God's promise that He would never leave or forsake them.

As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assure that He "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.

[Judy Harder]

The Kind of King You Have in Jesus

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. - Isaiah 53:3

Long ago, a wise and good king ruled in Persia. He loved his people, so he wanted to know how they lived and about the hardships they faced. To do this, he would often dress in the clothes of a working man or a beggar and go to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited knew he was their ruler.

On one occasion, he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later, he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, "I am your king!"

The king was sure the man would surely ask for a gift or favor, but he didn't. Instead he said, "You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the coarse food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!"

Just like that Persian king, the King of Glory—Jesus Christ—gave Himself to you and me. He lowered Himself to be born as a baby in dark, dreary Bethlehem. He ate the food we ate, and died on the cross in our place. Worship Him as King today and give Him thanks for giving Himself to you!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God today for sending Jesus to live like an ordinary person and that He gave His life for you.

Questions for Thought

What does it say about the value God's placed on your life that He sent King Jesus to earth for you?

How can you declare this wonderful truth to others in your life this Christmas season?

[Judy Harder]

the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17

There's a story that tells of General Robert E. Lee, a devoted follower of Jesus, who visited a church in Washington, D.C. soon after the Civil War ended. During the time of communion in the service, he knelt beside a black man. A friend of his later said to him, "How could you do something like that?"

Lee humbly replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."

Prejudice, bitterness, anger, and hatred are uprooted in front of the powerful cross of Calvary on which Jesus died. Christians should be the one group of people who harbor none of these things in their hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status. Jesus offers salvation to all people!

It's easy to lose sight of this sometimes. But when we show partiality, we fail to realize that the Lord loves all people and desires for all to come to know Him as their Savior. Christians are no better than any other group of people. The only difference is that we have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus...we are the recipients of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.

Seek to see all people as God sees them—with love and compassion. Have you ever put yourself on a pedestal because you can call yourself a Christian? Or do you kneel before the Lord in humility each day and thank Him for dying on the cross for your sins, so that you—a sinner—could have eternal life with Him?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for forgiveness if you have let prejudice, bitterness, and anger fill your heart. And pray that He would fill your heart with His love and compassion.