BLESSINGS OF GROWING OLDER

 So many people seem to dread birthdays. Those days that send you over 30, over 40, over 50, over 60 and so on. Each and every day is a gift from our creator.

Seems like the "growing younger" market is thriving. People striving to regain or recapture youth. I am not condemning this as I have done it too. There are commercials touting a miracle cream to take away spots and wrinkles modeled on television by a "twenty something" girl who will not see this occur for years. Why not embrace where God has you in life and look for ways to prosper and grow right where you are? Stop thinking you are too old for trying new things. You should want to keep working for the Lord and seeking to do things for his kingdom and making an impact in the world. It is good though to keep "God's temple", your body, in shape to be able to enjoy the years He gives you though.

Job 12:12 tells us 'Wisdom is with aged men and with long life is understanding.' I don't know about you but I kind of like having advanced wisdom. Older people can sort of get left behind and sadly made the butt of jokes but we are to love, honor,and respect them. You can indeed learn lots from those who have "gone before you".

2 Corinthians 4:16 is a superb verse of hope and cheer. It says 'Therefore we do not lose heart, for though our outer man is perishing, our inner man is being renewed day by day.'

Embrace where you are in life. Do not succumb to depression because you have another birthday but celebrate another day to live for Jesus and make an impact in this world.

PRAYER: I am so thankful Lord for each and every day of life you have given me. Forgive me if I start thinking I am washed up. I know at any age there is always hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dedicated to our firstborn son Matthew Miller who celebrates his 31st birthday today.

THIS IS THE BIG ONE!!!

Birthdays are a blessing! Another year of life God has blessed you

with. Seems like there are birthdays people classify as "the big one".

Let's see would that be the 30th birthday? Turning 40? Surely it must

be the half century mark? No it is that stepping stone of 60? Of course

the big one has got to be 70? You see the point.

Humans put these milestones out there and card companies take advantage of getting

older. Friend, getting older is nothing to be ashamed of. For whatever

reason some people will not tell people their age. Maybe ashamed of

it. Not really sure. Something from a person's past which maybe made

them fear and dread being another year older. What is the alternative?

Dying right? A good thing for believers as then you are transported instantly to your heavenly home with Jesus! 

We do all we can to stay young. I even do. But there is a time to be proud of how many years you have under your belt and not hide it. What is going to happen anyway if people find out your true age? It will not matter. Your friends will still like you.

2 Corinthians 4:16(ESV) says 'Though we do not lose heart. Though our outer self  is wasting away our inner self is being renewed day by day.' 

Proverbs 20:29(ESV) says 'The glory of young men is their strength but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.'  I admire people who have gone gray and do not hide it. I have a few friends like this and they look absolutely beautiful and/or handsome.

Titus 2:2-4(NIV) says 'Teach the older men to be temperate,worthy of respect, self controlled, sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to slanderers or addicted to too much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.'  See ladies we have a job to do! 

Psalm 92:12-14(ESV) says 'The righteous flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord. They flourish in the courts of our God.They still bear fruit in old age. They are ever full of sap and green.' 

Today is another day God haas given you to work for Him before it is your time to enter His kingdom. Do not fear getting another year older. Be happy and content as you have much to contribute to those around you. I challenge you if you have not told someone your age due to whatever reason, let someone know and give God the glory. 

PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for each year of life you have blessed me with. I thank you for people of all ages that are in my life. Both young and old h ave things to contribute. W need not fear getting older but rejoice. In Jesus' name. Amen.