0074 - Honouring Older Christians

 

In an age when so much emphasis is placed upon the younger “now” generation, it is an easy thing to lose sight of the need and place of the older generation in what they have to contribute to help to mature the Body of Christ. Our older, more mature Christian believers still have much to contribute to Christianity today. Their words of advice can spare us from many a pitfall ~ that is if we will take heed to them. Their example of living should be a constant means of inspiration to us. If we are disheartened over the lack of active involvement among our “fathers and mothers of the faith,” the blame might not be all theirs. Maybe our loud cryings for change (and to “get-with-it”) have been some of the causes behind their present inactivity? (Change is necessary, but change merely for the sake of change is not). Whatever the situation might be, we want to encourage ALL ~ young and old ~ to know that God is vitally interested in all of us, regardless of our age. He has a mighty plan for every one of us! As long as we have breath we can be an instrument in God’s hand to bless our generation. We are never too old for the Lord!

Our older brethren have been through many problems, trials and testings in life and, as a result, have much experience, and many lessons learned, to pass on to us younger believers. The Lord has need of every member of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). It is not about age ~ it is about function. And we need to let the older Christians function!

The Bible gives wonderful testimony and encouragement to the using of elderly saints when it shares with us the ministries of Abraham (started coming to the fore at 75: Genesis 12:1-4);Moses (had his best years from 80 onwards: Exodus 3; Acts 7:20-38), and Anna the prophetess(was still going strong for the Lord at 84: Luke 2:36-38). These (and other) great Biblical characters served God to the full in their older ages ~ and so can you! Let us ever be mindful to honour and respect our older brothers and sisters in Jesus! We owe them a lot. Many have walked through much more difficult seasons than we have.

Whatever your age, if you are a Holy Spirit-filled believer, then you can expect the Lord to use you in a wonderful and fruitful way to speak to, and sow into the lives of others the blessings and the goodness of God. There are no limits to what God can do with us when we are available!

Many ministries are kept functioning today because of the faithful giving of the elderly who give of their “widow’s mite”; who spend time praying God’s continued blessing and anointing upon the work of the Lord. We in The GFM Ministry are very grateful to every person who prays for and supports us in getting the Gospel out to the nations. We live in a day of tremendous challenge to make Christ known among the nations. The devil is working overtime to confuse and blind the minds of the masses. It is an urgent hour for “every hand to the deck” to be rallied and involved in proclaiming “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Are you available? Will you be one who will rally to the cause of Christ to drive back the evil forces of darkness that seek to prevent this present generation from hearing the true Message of Jesus Christ? Let nothing ~ age or otherwise ~ stand in your way to being used of the Lord today! ~ Rodney W. Francis.

Bible  Readings:  Isaiah 6; Mark 16:15-20; 2 Timothy 4:1-8.

Please Pray This Prayer:

“Dear God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Your Living Son. I lay my life before You, and ask that You will stir me more and more to rise to fulfil my destiny. Please help me to be free of any disappointments, hurts and knock-backs that have come my way from my Christian brothers and sisters. Help me not to let my age become an excuse as to why I cannot serve You better. You love me! You chose me! You called me to be Your witness! Pick me up, Lord, and use me again and again, for Your own praise, honour and glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.