Reluctant Retiree

When we leave bread uncovered on the kitchen counter it becomes stale and hard. If we fail to clean our shoes after walking through mud, the dirt becomes crusted and difficult to remove.

Our hearts and minds can become hardened in many ways. If we are repeatedly hurt by someone, we may tend to close them out of our hearts. If we struggle with some task, we may avoid similar tasks in the future. Pain, struggles, and hurts can cause us to shut down, effectively hardening our hearts and minds.

Psalm 95:7-9 says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your father put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.” It is possible to harden our hearts toward God. It happens as we repeatedly say “No” to Him and go our own way. He has demonstrated His love for us by sacrificing His own Son for us, even though we were sinners.

Don’t say “No” to the God who truly cares for you. When you hear His voice today, receive it with joy and go where He leads.

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished, ‘ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

Jesus came to earth and dwelt as a man at the eternal plan and purpose of the Father. He came to seek and to save those who were lost. The Father’s salvation and redemption was completed by Jesus. We cannot add to what Jesus has already done for us. Our religious activity and good works cannot reconcile us with God. We must simply believe in Jesus and trust in His salvation. God’s Word and Jesus are clear when He said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Stop trying to earn God’s favor,but trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

Throughout history we have used many forms of communication to spread the news. Some civilizations drew pictures on cave walls. Some cities had a town crier broadcast the news as they walked through the town. Pony Express delivered mail across country while also bringing news from far away places. The invention of the telegraph sped up news transmission, followed by radio, television and the internet. But the one form of communication that was used for centuries and is still in use today is storytelling from one person to another.

Some cultures still rely on this communication tool for the transfer of information, even in places where technology is available. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of this communication form and the important news that he was compelled to deliver. He wrote, “If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” Jeremiah had a message that was so important that he could not hold it in. It was the message of God’s salvation offered to men. He was compelled to tell others because of all that God had done for him and his desire to see all men be saved.

When Christians speak the gospel message, we are not trying to convert anyone to a religion. Instead, we are speaking of God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We have been given a gift of life, mercy, and hope. The gift is available to all people and we don’t want anyone to miss out.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

The above verse comes from Jesus’s prayer just before His crucifixion. It expresses His desire for His people. He wants us to grow in moral purity and holiness (sanctification). So He asks the Father to sanctify us through His Word.

You can’t wash something in dirty water and expect it to be cleaned. In the same way, we can’t expect to grow in moral purity by immersing ourselves in worldly pursuits and opinions. Immersing our hearts and minds in God’s Word, the truth, strengthens our hearts, souls, and minds. God’s Word will enhance our resolve to walk in righteousness and forsake sin.

Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Read and study God’s Word and grow in moral excellence.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

I have noticed a disturbing trend on social media. Some people are increasingly calling for the abandonment of friends in order to do “self-care”. While I agree that we must take care of ourselves, it seems that the call to protect ourselves comes too early and at the expense of relationships. Many times self-care is an excuse to be selfish rather than a legitimate effort to become stronger in some way.

God is consistent in calling us to consider the interest of others, even as more important than our own interests. Jesus is our example. He came to serve, not to be served. He gave His life to save us. All relationships would improve with less selfishness and more sacrificial love. Let’s not abandon humility in the name of self-care. Let’s be good friends by loving others and caring for them.