Psalm 92:14 (NKJV) They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, INTRODUCTION Honoring God is not restricted to young people who seem to have unlimited strength and energy. Even in old age, devout believers can produce spiritual fruit. There are many faithful older people who continue to have a fresh outlook and can teach us from a lifetime of experience of serving God. Seek out an elderly friend or relative who can tell you about his or her experiences with the Lord and challenge you to new heights of spiritual growth. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL In old age blossom at the end like a night-blooming cereus." This statement was written by a missionary to India, the late Dr. E. Stanley Jones. He made a profound impact on all those around him because of his extraordinary faith and service to others. Later in life his work was acknowledged by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi. In spite of a stroke at age eighty-seven that disabled him and impaired his speech, he addressed a world congress in Jerusalem from his wheelchair shortly before he died. The night-blooming cereus (a family of flowering cacti) that he spoke of brings a beauty to the desert when it opens up at nightfall. Some say these plants produce fruit large enough for people to consume. Dr. Jones certainly knew something about blossoming and producing fruit. Do we do the same? At every stage of life, are we producing fruit that replenishes others, or do we complain about our circumstances? No matter our age, we must not miss the chance to impact the younger generations by exemplifying reliance on Him and hope in His unchanging promises. How can you be a blessing to other generations? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] COMMENTARY We think of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as great patriarchs of the faith, and indeed they are. But they were pretty flawed people too. Abraham, as godly as he was, had serious lapses in his faith. Isaac was biased and didnt listen to the Lord. Jacobs mistakes are legendary. So when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and said, I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Exodus 3:6 NLT), I think He was telling Moses that He was giving him a second chance. I think God was saying, Moses, I am the God of men who have failed and who need second chances. I am the God of ordinary men and women who have accomplished extraordinary things. That means I can use you. Moses was 80 years old, an age when people are long past retirement. This shows us that God has a plan for every stage of our lives. God wants to use us when were young. God wants to use us when were middle-aged. And God wants to use us when were old. Researchers have done extensive studies on those who have entered retirement. People who chose to live a life of leisure or no longer had any purpose in life died at a younger age. And in a study that followed 7,000 people at the age of 50 for more than a decade, experts found that people died at a younger age if they felt their lives had little purpose. As a Christian, your life has purpose. God has allowed you to go through all that youve gone through to mold you into the man or woman that He wants you to be. You have something to offer. You have something to do. God still wants to use you. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] TEXT FOR FURTHER STUDY Proverbs 11:30 (NLT) The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/