THE PRACTICE OF GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY

Faith Filled Thoughts
August 4th, 2009
Thank you for your Patience while I recuperated

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THE PRACTICE OF GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY


A. BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS...
1. "...be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in
love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1Ti 4:12
2. There is no way you can avoid being an example to others
a. You will be either be a good example
b. Or you will be an example of what not to be
3. Determine to be an example of those who believe, and this will
set you on the right track of one who grow old gracefully!

B. COMMIT YOURSELF TO THE WORD OF GOD...
1. "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine." - 1Ti 4:13
2. Commit yourself to studying and teaching the Word of God to
others
3. This will assure that you have an open line to God's wisdom
4. So study the Bible daily, and share what you learn with others!

C. CULTIVATE YOUR TALENTS...
1. "Do not neglect the gift that is in you..." - 1Ti 4:14
2. The degree to which you reap will be based upon the ability
with which you can sow
3. If you want to reap a large harvest of good in this life,
develop your talents!

D. APPLY DILIGENCE TO YOUR EFFORTS...
1. "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that
your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself
and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you
will save both yourself and those who hear you." - 1Ti 4:15-16
2. Growing old gracefully, like many good things, does not happen
by accident
3. It takes concentrated effort, so be diligent and persevere!

CONCLUSION

1. "To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful,
reverent--that is to triumph over old age." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich

2. Is it possible to triumph over old age, to grow old gracefully? Yes,
for I have seen it happen time and again!

3. But those of us who are young must realize the experience is reserved
for those who...
a. Follow the wisdom of God
b. Understand the abundant life is not found in worldly things
c. Sow in such a way as to bear fruit and reap a harvest leading to
eternal life

4. Such a person will be like those described in Ps 92:12-15...

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

Don't you wish to be like that? By the grace of God you can! In Christ
Jesus you can become a new creature (2Co 5:17), made possible by the
washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5).

The sooner you begin this new life, the less "baggage" of the old life
you will have to contend with, and the more you can do for the Lord...

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!
With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFHD1kCgJNU