I’ve always enjoyed trees with character. You know  them—old, gnarled, and still going strong, like the one in this photo. They have defied the odds and the ravages of the years. 

Getting older always carries some scars and disappointments. There is a pervasive lie circulating in our society. It tells us that once we have hit “retirement age,” our usefulness is done, and our role is to spend the balance of our lives in some form of recreation and play.

It’s even visible in the church. Far too many people tell me they have served their time and will not be ministering to others. They have hit their magical retirement age and quit contributing.

Nothing could be further from the truth. There is nothing wrong with a round of golf or a day of fishing, but we got to be older for a much larger purpose.

As we’ve aged and experienced our share of health and other issues, indeed, we can’t do everything we used to, and we are certainly slower. We might have more in common with the gnarled old tree than one in its prime.

Yet, we are still called to serve, give, and love. Ministry has no upper age limit. By God’s grace, we have been given some modicum of wisdom and experience that younger folks can benefit from. Let’s use that.

That doesn’t mean we tell all the young folks how to do it, or insist that the church music never changes. We don’t become curmudgeons who rejoice in telling everyone how it was different in our day.

We do it by seeking to glorify the Lord every day. We build relationships with younger generations and mentor. We do the tasks that we can do. We encourage. We pray.

The psalmist proclaims, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” Psalm 71:18

Not everyone makes it this far. It is a gift and a privilege, and isn’t always easy. Yet God has allowed it for a reason.

Be a person of true character. Live a righteous life, even in your later years, and serve the Lord always.

Let us boldly proclaim God to the next generations.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

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We live in a suite in the home of one of our sons and his  family. Their cats, our “grandcats,” Leeloo and Vader, often come down to visit.

The grandcats love sitting in our living room to watch the birds come and go at the feeder. Periodically, they get to see an exciting bonus, one of the pair of squirrels will visit the feeder. I recently snapped a shot of Leeloo and the gray Squirrel. Leeloo was almost beside herself in active hunt mode, hunkered down, tail twitching and making excited sounds.

The squirrel, on the other hand, was curious. She moved to watch from different spots, some closer, others further away, and checked the cat out from all angles.

The most closed windows ensured a standoff. The Cat couldn’t get out, and the squirrel didn’t have to run away. It was fun to watch.

There is a view out there that is prevalent even in many Christian circles in which the battle between good and evil, God and the devil, is some sort of a cosmic standoff. It’s misguided thinking.

Satan has power, but no more than God permits. Satan is a created being; God is the omnipotent creator. The battle belongs to the Lord and always has.

It can be hard to remember that at times because the world seems increasingly dark, and evil seems to be on the rise.

Do not be deceived, dear friends.

Satan and his minions will face final judgment.  Sinners will be judged and separated into those destined for glory with the Lord and those set apart for eternal torment. It’s only by the Lord’s mercy and grace that any of us will make it through the great judgement.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

Satan is no more able to defeat the Lord than Leeloo was able to break through the widows and get at the squirrel.

Hold fast against the rising tide of darkness, the last days are coming, and our ultimate victory is assured, guaranteed by God Himself.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

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___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.