Page 9 - Good News July 2006 paper

Coming forth as Gold in the Golden Years the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:21-
Continued from p. 7 35). Bitterness is something which can creep into
revelation that to be absent from the body, is to be our hearts and if it isn’t nipped in the bud, it can grow
present with the Lord? (2 Cor. 5:8). Our Saviour and overtake us (Hebrews 12:12-15).
Himself exhorts us in John 11:25, 26 - “I am the * Set aside time each day to pray and read the Bible.
resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, With more time on your hands than a younger
though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives person, you can pray and intercede for others,
and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe delighting in seeing your prayers answered. Talk to
this?” God; be open and honest, like a child.
We live in a youth-orientated world, and many have Develop an intimate, personal, pure relationship
believed the lie that old age spells gloom and with the Lord. Come to know Him and His love for
despair and a preoccupation with a decaying body... YOU. No-one on the face of the earth will ever love
Beloved of Christ, it is not meant to be so; but rather you more than HE does.
to be a time of coming forth as pure gold! * Worship Him. He builds His throne in our hearts as
I remember a number of years ago, in the Church, the we worship Him. He inhabits our praises (Ps. 22:3).
prophetic catch or buzz phrase was “the Joshua- * If you are mobile, reach out to help others, seeking
generation”. Now, I think that at the time, people to fulfil practically Jesus’ commandment to love
pictured this generation being the “young guns” - all others. Be a servant, emulating Jesus, believing that
youthful zeal, enthusiasm and passion, rippling it is better and more blessed to give than to receive.
muscled bodies, etc. Servanthood deals with the selfishness in all of us.
What a figment of imagination...the Biblical account * Be humble (James 4:10). In the sight of God, and in
reveals to us that Joshua and Caleb were old, and the sight of men, take the lowly seat (Luke 14:7-14).
the estimation is that Joshua was in his 80’s when he * Be thankful. In everything give thanks. Don’t
took the Israelites into the Promised Land. grumble (1 Thess. 5:18). Embrace
According to Jewish historian Josephus, Joshua for your life Phil. 4:4-8.
endured 40 years of cruel slavery in Egypt before his * Be a blessing to your children
40 years in the wilderness. and grandchildren. Do not hide
Having read this, as older or elderly people, we may yourself from your own flesh
find ourselves encouraged and affirmed. However, (Isaiah 58:7d).
some may find their personal experience is far * Offer your pearls of wisdom with
removed from the sentiments expressed above, and grace and humility. Let your
the temptation may be to feel discouraged and tongue be as choice silver,
condemned. feeding many (Proverbs 10:20a,
The latter response and position is not our Lord’s 21a; 15:1-2). Don’t use your
desire for us. His heart is to lift us out of the mire of tongue for curses, gossip and
gloom and uselessness, for the Kingdom of God is backbiting (James 3:1-12).
all about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy * Remember a key principle of the
Spirit (Romans 14:17). Kingdom is that what you sow,
you will reap. The measure you
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS use will be measured back to you
* Examine and judge your life, past and present. (Gal. 6:7-10). If you want the
Confess and repent of sin that has not been dealt blessings of God on you and your
with (1 John 2:9; 1 Cor. 11:31). Make right with life, seek to live the Beatitudes of
people. One of the greatest blessings and graces of Matthew 5.
the Christian walk, is the washing away of the filth of * Finally, focus on the inner man
the sins we have committed. and try not to be obsessive with
Jesus gives us the chance to start afresh with a your earthly shell and its aches
clean slate, daily. Today can be a fresh start. and pains.
Examine your heart especially for bitterness, The flesh profits nothing (John
resentment and unforgiveness. Forgive everyone 6:63).
who has ever hurt or harmed you in any way. Read [From: Prepare the Way]