I can see that getting older slows me down in different ways. I will hear something that sounds like a really good idea and I write down a phrase or a sentence that I want to write about later. Then I get distracted with something else and forget to write down the thoughts that I had when I wrote that sentence or phrase. One of those ideas was concerning Christians who retire and end up retiring from their Christian duties also. The only thing I ended up writing was pretty much a sentence from a speaker, Dr. Jimmy DeYoung, that I heard on the radio. The phrase I wrote down was, “Every Christian should be in full-time Christian service.”
When I was going through the scripture passage for this post I went through my e-notebook and saw that heading, thinking it might have some notes that would go with the direction I was going with this post. But when I opened the document…all I found was that one sentence that I had written.
What I was thinking as I read through the scripture passage (Genesis 17:1-8) was not necessarily about people just stopping their Christian activities as they get older, but more of how they stop being able to do the same things that they have always done and they just stop doing anything. I believe the statement that Dr. DeYoung made fits that situation also. God’s Holy Spirit lives within us twenty-four-seven. He never takes a day off. We should attempt to live our lives through His eyes and count on Him as we live our lives and make decisions.
I think, especially as we get older, our abilities do change, we may become less mobile and we may have to do things differently, but we should never stop finding ways to be in service for our Lord. As long as we are able, we should all do something even if it is just to be nice!
So…I can’t see to do the same type of media work I used to, but I can press a button and record the morning service at church. I am not as mobile as I used to be, so instead of being out and about running here and there, I send texts, I write notes, I write a blog. I think it could be the same for most everyone. If you become unable to be at prayer meeting, pray where you are. People discount prayer as a ministry. It is vitally important and there are many similar ministry opportunities, especially as we get older. Be an encourager where you are. As I said earlier, if we are able,, we should all do something, even if it is to give someone a smile!
If you are thinking you are getting too old to be of use to God, think about Abraham.
Genesis 17:1-8 tells us about the new adventure God gave Abraham. At this point, his name was Abram and he was ninety-nine years old, God appeared to him and revealed Himself as the Almighty God, and told Abram to walk faithfully and blameless before Him. This covenant was to be between God and Abraham to increase his numbers exceedingly.
Abraham fell down with his face to the ground as God talked to him. God told him that He would make a covenant with him, and this covenant would make him the father of many nations.
God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, because he would be the father of many nations. God would make him exceedingly fruitful with nations and kings as his offspring.
The covenant was to be everlasting between Abraham down through his descendants. He told him that He would be his God and his descendants’ God.
God promised the land of Canaan, where was Abraham was a foreigner, to Abraham and his descendants, and He promised to be their God.
Abraham did not have the luxury of reading the rest of his story as we do. He followed God in faith and God honored him and honored His Covenant with Him. I always tell my niece, “If you honor God, God will honor you.” It never fails.
What is the challenge in this passage? The challenge could be to accept that God can find ways for everyone to be active for His purposes, no matter how old we are.
How can we apply this to our lives? In the times when we feel like we are too old to move forward into something different, we need to look at God’s promises to Abraham and see that God can use anyone, no matter their age and that He is always there. Plus, we have the Holy Spirit of God Living within us and He will guide us in the way He wants us to go.
My faith is strengthened when I acknowledge that God is the Almighty God and He will always be my God. I truly want the promises of God‘s covenant through Jesus to be entwined in my life as I work for my faith to grow stronger.
Lord, thank You for Your presence throughout my whole life. Help me to be Your obedient child and help me serve You in strength and faithfulness as I move forward in this journey of life. Help me to always find new ways to serve You as I peek over the hills toward those twilight years.
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“17 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lordappeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:1-8
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net.
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 