“Unamuno, the Spanish philosopher, tells about the Roman aqueduct at Segovia, in his native Spain. It was built in AD109 For eighteen hundred years, it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly sixty generations of men drank from its flow.

“Then came another generation, a recent one, who said, ‘This aqueduct is so great a marvel that it ought to be preserved for our children, as a museum piece. We shall relieve it of its centuries-long labor.’ They did; they laid modern iron pipes. They gave the ancient bricks and mortar a reverent rest. And the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating on the dry mortar caused it to crumble. The bricks and stone sagged and threatened to fall. What ages of service could not destroy idleness disintegrated.”²

God has given everyone at least one talent. While some people may have ten talents and others only one, we are all responsible for what we do with what we have been given. The important thing is to develop whatever talent/s we have and to use them wisely, and to invest them in things of eternal value, for we will reap what we sow.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the talent/s you have given to me. Please help me to know what my best talent/s is/are, to get the training I need to develop it/them, and find a place where I can use it/them to the best of my ability in the work of your Kingdom here on earth. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 25:25-26, 28-29 (NIV).

2. Resource, Sept./ Oct., 1992, p. 4.

Jose Addison said that the “three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

These ideas certainly are a great start but to discover lasting happiness and have a fulfilling life I would suggest having and achieving the following:

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“Johnny Fulton was run over by a car at the age of three. He suffered crushed hips, broken ribs, a fractured skull, and compound fractures in his legs. It did not look as if he would live. But he would not give up. In fact, he later ran the half-mile in less than two minutes.

“Walt Davis was totally paralyzed by polio when he was nine years old, but he did not give up. He became the Olympic high jump champion in 1952.

“Shelly Mann was paralyzed by polio when she was five years old, but she would not give up. She eventually claimed eight different swimming records for the U.S. and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

“Lou Gehrig was such a clumsy ball player that the boys in his neighborhood would not let him play on their team. But he was committed. He did not give up. Eventually, his name was entered into baseball’s Hall of Fame.

“Woodrow Wilson could not read until he was ten years old. But he was a committed person. He became the twenty-eighth President of the United States.”²

No matter what handicaps you and I may have, God has a place for us within his Body, the Church, and a work for us to do. Nobody ever said it would be easy. What Jesus did for us wasn’t easy either. So whatever it is that God has for you to do, never give up, for God never calls any of us to do anything that—with his help—cannot be done.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please show me what your purpose for my life is and give me the faith, determination, and perseverance to never give up until my work on earth is done. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).

2. Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com

Bruce Larson tells this story in his book, Faith for the Journey. Once there was a successful factory that made drills. One day the owner told his corporate officials that he was going to retire and that he had chosen his son as his successor. At the next board meeting the son asked his four vice presidents, “What are your goals for the company for the next five to ten years?”

One vice-president replied, “Well sir, we’re looking at new sizes and shapes for different drills.”

The son then dropped his bombshell. “I have news for you—there is no market for drills.” One could feel the tension in the air. He continued, “From now on we will not think drills. We will not sell drills. We’ll sell holes! People don’t want to buy a drill; they want to make a hole!”

As they began to think of other ways to create holes they developed, among other methods, lasers for drilling holes. This attitude change and other innovations keep this company in business while its competitors lost large shares of the market and some even went bankrupt.²

It wasn’t aptitude but attitude that made the difference!

Reports by research specialist, George Barna, in recent years have shown that the church and Christians as a whole in the U.S.A. are not making any significant impact on the culture. Also, there is little difference in the manner of living between Christians and non-Christians. Others such as Chuck Colson are saying that in the U.S. we are now living in the post-Christian era. Alarming observations.

So what is wrong? A scary thought is that we could be rapidly heading in the same direction as the church did in Great Britain a century or so ago. Then the great spiritual and missionary endeavors were coming out of their country. But today the church there is but a shadow of what it was. As one British rector (minister) poignantly said about the church in England: “The times changed, the people and their needs changed, but the church remained the same, and little by little it became irrelevant and lost its impact.” Instead of looking at itself, the church then blamed the indifference of the people for their leaving in droves.

True, our message never changes but the application of it and our methods of presenting it must apply to the needs of today’s generation—not yesterday’s. Furthermore, we are NOT in the business of building churches with a little “c”. We are in the business of saving people and making disciples.

Like the disciples and early Christians, when we do God’s work in God’s way for God’s glory may it be said of today’s Church: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, today’s world has become so much more complex and the competition for the hearts and minds of today’s generation is all but overwhelming. As your children and church members please help us and our leaders understand the needs of our neighbors and communities and apply the gospel to meet the needs of our children, youth, adults and the aged. And perhaps even more importantly help me to so live that people seeing Jesus in me will want what I have. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: Please prayerfully consider joining the ACTS People Power for Jesus movement. See www.actsweb.org/people_power.

1. Acts 2:42, 46-47 (NIV).

2. Cited by Brent Porterfield at: www.eSermons.com.

I have read that “Studies show that older people who hold jobs from which they do not have to retire get along best. Those who have a chance to do something creatively after they retire get along second best. Those with less chance to do something creatively go down most quickly. The body is a closed unit with lots of energy in it. Unless the individual has a way to discharge the energy, he gets into difficulty, and the difficulty is sickness and death.”²

Remember that “Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel lying on his back on a scaffold when almost 90; Paderewski at 79 played the piano superbly; at 88 John Wesley preached every day; Tennyson, when 83, wrote Crossing the Bar. Booth Tarkington wrote sixteen novels after 60, some of them when he was almost totally blind. Benjamin Franklin went to France in the service of his country when 78, and wrote his autobiography when over 80.”³

Jerry Beavan, at age 90, is another man who is still living a very active and productive life. He has worked in various foreign countries for extended periods of time … has been a professor in both a Liberal Arts College and a Theological Seminary … has been involved in the American government process as a state and federal lobbyist … and has been a journalist and news commentator. For 15 years he worked with the Billy Graham team ending up as Director of Crusade Planning and Organization. Dr. Graham said of him, “Jerry Beavan is the architect of world evangelism as we know it today.” In his so-called retirement years Jerry has been able to develop a weekly email newsletter, “American News Commentary,” which discusses and explains current events in the light of historic Christian viewpoints. His comments are well worth reading. You can read his website blog at http://american-news.notlong.com/. To subscribe send a blank email to american_news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Speaking personally, I am currently 76 and admit that I have never been healthier in my life or more productive. And Carol, my proofreader, is 81 and is a very capable and excellent help for our work. Being actively involved in something to live for that is bigger than one’s self and big enough to die for is a great help for productive and fulfilling living for most, if not all, of one’s life.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you have a purpose for my life. Please help me to know what that purpose is, help me to get the training I need to sharpen my skills so that I can serve you more effectively and therein glorify your name all the days of my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 16:31 (NKJV).
2. Dr. Ewald W. Busse, in Knight’s Treasury of Illustrations, p. 244.
3. Walter B. Knight, Ibid, p. 243.

Some years ago the Raleigh, North Carolina, News & Observer published an article entitled: “How Do You Measure Up as a Man?” The article stated that some extensive research had been conducted on the 20th century standards for measuring a man. The criteria were quite interesting to say the least. They were as follows:

1. His ability to make and conserve money; 2. The cost, style and age of his car; 3. (This is my favorite) How much hair he has; 4. His strength and size; 5. The job he holds and how successful he is at it; 6. What sports he likes; 7. How many clubs he belongs to; 8. His aggressiveness and reliability.

Jesus Christ’s estimation of the measure of a man (and/or a woman) was in stark contrast. His values are as follows:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers…those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”²

Hmm…I wonder how I measure up. Sobering thought!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to evaluate my life not on the basis of what the world or others think or say, but on what you say in your Word, the Bible. And help me to live and love accordingly. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. See Matthew 5:1-12.

2. Ibid.

A former mentor of mine, the late Cecil Osborne, spent most of his working years as the pastor of a church that helped found a number of daughter churches. He also saw the need for a counseling ministry for hurting people and when he retired from the pastorate at or about age 65, he set up a full-time counseling ministry. He was close to age 60 when he published his first of a dozen books, The Art of Understanding Yourself,” and kept counseling until he was well into his 80s.

Numerous other people have seen great achievements in their senior years. For example, “Cervantes completed Don Quixote when he was nearing 70. Clara Barton, at 59, founded the American Red Cross. Goethe finished the dramatic poem ‘Faust’ at 82. Verdi composed ‘Othello’ at 73, ‘Falstaff’ in his late seventies. Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister of England for the second time at 70.”²

“Pablo Picasso was still painting at age 91. Arturo Toscanini gave his last performance at 87. Konrad Adenauer was chancellor of West Germany at 87. And the accomplishments of many senior members of God’s Kingdom would make an even more impressive story if they could all be told.”³

Admittedly, in Caleb’s day people lived much longer than we do today. Nevertheless, no matter how old we are, we are never too old to serve God. Just check with your pastor and he will show you many ways you can do this.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, whatever years I have left I want to serve you all the days of my remaining life. Please lay on my heart what I can do to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Joshua 14:10-12 (NIV).

2. Today in the Word (Chicago, IL: Moody Bible Institute, 1991), p. 9.

3. Ibid.

A winner sees an opportunity in every risk while a loser sees a risk in every opportunity. Winners know that to risk nothing is to risk everything. They know that if they are going to win, they have to be willing to try, to take chances, and to risk failure. They have to be willing to strike out if they are going to hit home runs.

The year Babe Ruth broke the world record for hitting the most home runs in baseball he also broke the world’s record for the most strikeouts!

The point is if I am going to hit home runs, I have to be in the game, stand at the plate and keep swinging. Sooner or later, if I practice hard and do my best, I will hit a home run.

As somebody else has said, “To try when there is little hope is to risk failure. Not to try at all is to guarantee it.”

Some people think that success comes to those who are lucky. Luck, if you want to call it that, comes when preparation meets opportunity.

True winners make sure their goals are in harmony with God’s will and because of this, know that with his help there is a way to achieve them. Furthermore, they believe in their cause and they believe in themselves in a healthy way. They know that God never calls or expects anyone to do anything that can’t be done. Therefore, they expect to win and believe they will—and work hard to make it happen. They know that “the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

They also know that if they tried and did their best already they have won.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to see and live according to eternal values and not those of the world, and to know and do your will so that in your sight I will be a true winner. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Jesus in Matthew 9:29 (NIV).

I read a few years ago the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No,” the sensei insisted, “let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

“The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.”²

Hmmm … very interesting. When it comes to life, for some folk their biggest strength becomes their biggest weakness. For example, as Jesus said about the wealthy man, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”³ The eye of the needle was referring to a door in the wall of the city (as it was commonly called) which was too small for a camel to go through, meaning that it was impossible for a person who trusts in his riches—or his fame, personality, power or position—to get into God’s heaven.

On the other hand, when we acknowledge our weaknesses and know that we need to depend on God for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and deliverance from temptation—this can become our greatest strength.

Suggested prayer, “Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of pride and help me always remember to be dependent on you for guidance, wisdom, direction, power to overcome temptation, and for my eternal salvation. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).

2. Thought for the Day, by Alan Smith, http://www.tftd-online.com.

3. Matthew 19:24 (NIV).