If I was to look at a calendar of birth dates of members and friends of Living Legacy Church, I would discover that I am the oldest member of the church. My September birthday will mark the beginning of my 85th year. Is that old? Does a calendar date determine who is old?

Should mobility be a factor? Does the use of a cane, crutches or a  walker signify old? Probably not. I recall long ago before the polio vaccine was discovered a friend in Junior High School contracted polio; she lost the use of her legs. The use of crutches gave her

mobility but did not make her old.

Is mental outlook a factor? Perhaps.  Self-talk concerning aches, pains, sadness, happiness, the desire to be with others, the desire to be alone may be a way to express 'I am getting old'.

Scripture does have some things to say about 'old age' but does not define when 'old age' occurs.

Isaiah 46:4 NIV 'Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you'.

Job 12:12 NIV  'Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?'

Proverbs 16:31 NIV  'Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness.'

For what it is worth, this soon to be 85 year old believes we are as old

(or young) as we think we are.

Do you ever wonder that? I know I do. I suspect that most of us do at times in our lives.

Maybe you're a youth being bullied at school or struggling with learning a difficult subject or what do you want to do after school, i.e.: college? job?, etc.  Maybe you're a young couple adjusting to a welcome but life changing event of caring for a new baby.  Maybe you're struggling financially, wondering where the money will come from for medicines or next month's bills. Maybe you're struggling with a serious illness and wondering, "Why is this happening to me?"   Maybe you're someone who through separation, divorce or death wonders, in a world of couples, "Where do I fit in"?  I think each of us have been or will be in one of the above situations at some time in our lives.

Storms and struggles are inevitable in life. Do we respond by asking  "Why is this happening to me or what am I doing wrong"? Or do we look up to our Lord to see His purpose in the storms - what He wants us to learn from them, knowing that nothing can happen to us unless God allows it.

In one of my daily devotional books, "Every Day With Jesus", there is a "Love Letter From Jesus" at the beginning of each month. The one below is one especially comforting to me when I'm facing the storms and struggles of life. I pray it will be to you as well.

              LOVE LETTERS FROM JESUS
                     Calming the Storm

My Faithful Followers,

When you encounter a storm in life, it might feel like I'm asleep or I don't care what happens to you. But nothing could be further from the truth. Just as I was on the boat that night with My disciples, I am always aware. I care more than you can imagine. I promise I will never fail you. Nothing escapes my notice. I am intimately acquainted with every detail of your life.

"Fear not" is the most oft-repeated phrase in the Bible. That's because I want you to take that command to heart. When your feelings lead you to fear, hold fast to the truth I have told you. I love you, and my perfect love casts out fear. I am with you. I will strengthen and uphold you. I will not allow you to fail. Nothing--not even the worst storm--can separate us. I am your Protector, your Provider, your Prince of Peace.

Trust me. I see the big picture, the beginning and the end, and I will do what is best. I alone have the power to speak peace into the storm. And in My perfect timing, My perfect way, I will call the storm. The wind and waves obey My voice. I am in control. I am in the boat with you--I never leave you alone--and you can count on Me to see you through.

I love you forever.

From Every Day With Jesus
  Daily Joy for the Journey
       2018

Robert and I woke up early one morning this week while we were off and there was a light drizzle of rain outside. He asked if I might want to go out for a quick walk before the kids got up. Initially, it gave me pause because it was raining but then I thought, “why not?” As we walked around the beautiful campus that we live on, we talked about how sweet God is and how beautiful his creation. The air was fresh, different birds flew from tree to tree and little critters scurried along. Despite the rain, everything was teeming with life. So many trees and bushes were glistening with different colors. 

In considering all this, it just really highlighted how amazingly creative our Lord is!  Psalm 104:24 says, “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” 

This week, we had a mock trial performance for one of our kids, dance, gymnastics, and ninja classes. There was yard work to do, friends and family going through various trials, and medical appointments for my daughter. Just like every week, things were busy and it could have been very easy to be overwhelmed or discouraged. 

However, taking a moment out to walk and reflect on the goodness of God in the midst of our busy and sometimes chaotic, messy, or broken lives can put things into perspective. God is good, all the time. Even when it looks like there is no hope, after the bleakness of winter, the April rains come down and wash everything clean and bring out the new life from the hibernating trees and flowers. Tiny buds form and blossom, causing splashes of color to explode from flowering trees and then just as quickly litter the ground with the fading flowers as they wither and dry. If we stop and look, we will see it. If we get too busy though, it will just look like another mess to clean up in our already hectic lives. 

The Psalmist tells us to "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." How much sweeter is this life when we take the time to reflect on his goodness and give thanks for all of his many mercies. 

Jesus warned that we would have troubles in this life. What are yours? A poor exam score? Difficult relationship? A daunting medical diagnosis? Chronic pain? An ill parent or family member? Mockery for your faith in Christ?

We buried our miscarried child 7 months before the due date. We don't know the gender or the name, but we love our child, both then and now. We also know this sorrow pales in comparison to the ache in some of your hearts. Even still, more sorrow and pain are certain to come. So, with this knowledge I wonder, "will I curse God and lose my faith when sorrow comes, but abandon Him in times of ease?" No, I will cling all the closer to the Rock of our salvation.

Let Christ's words comfort you:

For those of us mocked for our faith:

John 15:18;20

18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.

20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'[b] If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also

For those of us troubled deeply to the heart:

John 16:1;33

1 All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.

33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

For those of you suffering:

Ecclesiastes 4:9;10

Two are better than one...if one falls the other can pick him up.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn

James 2:14-19

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, I have deeds" Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

I know we will never be able to learn the intricacies of each sorrow in our precious church, but we are ready and able to support in any and every situation. Rely on the members of the body of Christ. It is our calling and our joy.

This Easter, this Resurrection Sunday, remember that we do not serve a bunny, or a god who sleeps, or a god who is weak, or a god who falters. We do not celebrate a good teacher with nice words, or an admirable example. We celebrate that "Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, Who was raised - Who is at the right hand of God, Who indeed is interceding for us." (Romans 8:34) It is He Whom we serve, He Whom we fear with our soul and spirits, and He Whom we trust as the eternal and all-sufficient propitiation for our sin.

May He find us on that Day as good and faithful servants.

The Apostle Paul said I have learned in whatever state I am to be content  You have to learn contentment because it's not natural. It’s not normal. The default attitude in every fallen human heart is discontent. Many in the charismatic movement and health-and-wealth leaders prey on that discontent. They are always offering people something more, something better, something higher. That’s basically taking advantage of the default position of human nature. These false teachers know that people are discontent with their lot in life, their job, spouse, family, income, house, car, and wardrobe. Because that is the default position of every human heart, promising people something better is the best way to con them. So if your ministry preys on this discontentment, if you’re telling people God wants them to have whatever they want and they have a right not to be satisfied with their place in life, marriage, or physical condition, you’re doing the devil’s work.

The purest form of worship is contentment. When you talk about worship, people think of music primarily. They think it happens in a church service, but the purest form of worship is contentment. You accept what God has provided. That’s mature faith. You learn to be content, and you learn it by the experience of providence. You learn it by understanding the nature of God. Providence gives you what he desires for you, for your good and his glory. So you have true spirituality which could be defined as contentment, the purest form of worship. Paul says, I know how to be abased and I know how to abound in everything. I'm content. That's the purest form of worship, accepting what God has provided.

                                                                                              

 (This message is from the desk of John MacArthur and is used with permission.)