A Seasoned Believer
According to U.S. Census, 76.4 million people were born during and between 1946 and 1964. We became known as the baby boomer era. The first of my kind turned 65 on January 1, 2011.The U.S. Census reveals that an American turns 50 every 7 seconds. That’s more than a whopping 12½ thousand people every day. AARP states that by 2015, those aged 50 and older will represent 45% of the U.S. Population.
You would think? That all these babies would have grown up and became wiser by now. Why has our Nation’s morals withered? Where is Jesus booming in the offspring produced by this generation? Where is the spiritual health of a Nation reared by Boomers? Why are Christians a languishing minority?
Why am I not seeing a Booming revival and repentance in America? Surely, wisdom comes with age and boomers are realizing their mortality and getting right with God! Surely, the gray hairs on the heads of so many Americans shows a reflection of Yeshua’s wisdom in the mirror of life. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 16:31)
Everybody want’s to bellyache and moan about the sad state of affairs our country is in today. What have you, or are you Baby Boomer Elders of our society actively doing about it?
Everybody want’s to bellyache and moan about the morality and lack of respect in the younger generation. What have you, or are you Elders and Heads of the House teaching your children?
“Woulda Coulda Shoulda” It is not too late!
Not All Are Guilty
I realize that not all are guilty. Some have honestly tried. Some have just begun to come to grips with aging and mortality. Sadly there are still some that are stuck in the past, clinging to a lost youth and childish ways.
Thankfully! Some of you have proven your wisdom and insight. Rising to become sagacious leaders imparting a legacy that fears God, and evangelizes the salvation of Jesus. Astute to realize that ‘living in the moment’ is taking advantage of the Holy Spirit’s guidance to teach the word to others. Investing your waning resources in projects and people, which promise to have a lasting meaning to the Glory of God and His Kingdom.
They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, (Psalm 92:14)
The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head. (Proverbs 20:29)
Vanishing Vapors
In youth life appears to take too long and seemingly inexhaustible. It seems like an eternity before being respected as an adult. As adults we look back on our sprightly younger versions as an epoch journey maturated.
We realize how swiftly the years have passed. Becoming wholly aware of an impending legacy we are destined to embrace. Throughout life all have been given the freewill opportunity to either nurture and build or forget and ignore a legacy inherited by our descendant generation.
Will you leave a legacy full of wisdom nuggets and guidance, transferring the essence and nature of God throughout life. Or, will you leave a legacy self-centered and myopic. Full of neglect, forfeiting the opportunity to have even left a fingerprint in the dust of a Bible.
Whereas
you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is
even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14)
Satan’s Perversion
Satan wants to trick humanity into Hell. Satan would have you believe there is plenty of time. Satan says, “Go ahead and ignore the future because you can not alter destiny anyway.” Satan would have you procrastinate your salvation and its fruitful witness. Satan would have you believe that as you get older no one will care, and that you slowly become invisible without influence. Satan would like you to think that your spouse, loved ones, friends, children, and the younger generation will not listen to YOU.
Satan is a LIAR, there is no truth in him. (John 8:44)
Satan’s perversion of Hope is Hell.
Your Human Duty
The message of scripture in Ecclesiastes still rings just as true today as when it was penned around 931 B.C. Most believe King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes from the persona of “the Preacher”.
The goal of Ecclesiastes is to spare future generations from the misery of committing the same mistakes as the one they followed. Just as in ancient times people were seeking after the foolish, meaningless, materialistic, and empty things in life. The lesson taught in Ecclesiastes is to have a heart for truth, through God’s wisdom. It teaches us to seek with the heart, not the mind.
Knowledge
of the mind for good works, without a heart to take the action required
to DO the work, is barren of fruit and full of sin. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)
Remember
now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days
come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”
(Ecclesiastes 12:1)
And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher
sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words
of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of
scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further,
my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end,
and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of
the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s
all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret
thing, Whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14)
A Seasoned Believer
There are seasons in life which parallel the seasons of the earth. Just as spring is like birth, and all things made new. Summer is likened to a period of growth to mature, and the formative years to midlife. Fall and its many splendid colors brings an end to growth, and comparable to the golden years of life. Alas winter is an analogy to the death of some, or redemption for believers in Christ.
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
As a seasoned believer every gray hair on your head and wrinkle in your face should make you smile with satisfaction; overcome with joy. A sign of your discerning wisdom to walk with God. The fruition of your faith. Evidence attributed to all the faithful years you devoted in service to God. Led by the Holy Spirit.
Even
to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I
have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.(Isaiah 46:4)
‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:32)
Winning in Winter
Wintertime is holiday time. Festive and full of joy! Winter in life should be embraced with the same zealous passion. Wisdom of years passed and the twilight of life cultivated with God.
Many people, including Christians, are afraid of death or dying itself.
In fact, some people are consumed by the fear of death and dying. Or they are afraid of suffering as they die. Another common fear is being a burden to others in their latter years, or that their spouse or children who are left behind will suffer. Let the following passage speak to your heart and bring you peace.
Therefore
we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the
inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are
temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
As Believers we should in fact embrace death of the flesh. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.(2 Corinthians 5:8) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
We should yearn for our redeemed bodies and immortality in Heaven. Long for the eternal bliss of God’s love. Forever free from sorrow, sufferings, heartaches, and pain. Bathed in the essence of all that is holy, pure, and perfect. Surrounded by our loved ones, friends, family, and God forever in the perpetual tenderness of love. Paradise.
And
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the
former things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4)
So
when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
O Hades, where is your victory?”
Your Last Day
The apostle Paul sets a good example of dignity, confidence, unshakable faith, and enduring love for the gospel of Jesus Christ; As he faces his death in 67 A.D. In Paul’s last epistle before his death he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Satan has perpetuated a lie reiterated by the secular world that states, “We all die alone.” This could not be further from the truth for Believer’s.
When you come face to face with your last day; Face it with pride. Know that you have been fruitful and served God. Take absolute comfort in the knowledge that your death is holy for God is with you. Be at peace in your soul with the wisdom that at the very point of death, God considers your passing precious. The Lord Jesus will lead you Home.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15) We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Pray this simple prayer to trust Jesus as your Savior:
“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I need a Savior. Right now I will turn away and repent from my sin and accept you as my Lord and Savior. I trust and believe that You are the Son of God, my Lord and Savior for my salvation, I know and believe that You died on the Cross and rose again from the grave to pay for my sins. I thank you for saving me. Amen.”
