A Personal Testimony:
I have been a believer for more than 50 years, After graduating from high school, I accepted the Lord through a friend who brought me to a revival meeting.
Over the years, I notice that some believers left the church...
- Left due to blessings
- Left after starting work
- Left after getting married
- Left after having children
- Left due to difficulties:
- Disappointed in God due to challenges, tragedies, and hardships.
In life, we face various challenges and difficulties. Without the help of the Lord, I wouldn't know how to navigate through life.
Psalm 37:25: "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."
B Challenges in Old Age:
- Difficulty in preserving one's integrity
- Being stubborn and inflexible
- Holding onto old ways of thinking and being rigid and stubborn and rude
- Becoming confused with age and behaving irrationally and foolishly
- Being disliked by others, being cursed as "old but not dying"
- Aging gracefully
- Having elderly parents, they are like treasures
- Respected and kind
- Radiant appearance and dignified presence
- Psalm 71:9: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone."
- Psalm 71:18: "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."
- Dealing with Depression: Seeking and finding assurance in God
- James 5:11 - "The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
- Psalm 34:18 - He is close to the brokenhearted.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6 - He comforts the downcast.
C Measuring Growth - The Spiritual Maturity
- Growth of the Soul
- Spirit - Justified once by Christ. Rebirth and Connected to God
- Soul - Need to be renewed in holiness - does age influence the extent?
- Body - Physical age such as 60+.
The question is - Does our physical age matches with our spiritual age?
D Striving for self-improvement in pursuit
- Goal
- Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
- Ephesians 4:13-14: "Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."
E Different Aspects in Each Stage:
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die."
- Stages of Growth:
- These stages of growth signify:
- Different levels of maturity - Different believers at different stages, not treating everyone the same.
- Everyone starts from a beginning stage. There are no shortcuts or leaps.
- We might stall at a certain stage or even regress to a lower stage.
- Growth is a time- and practice-intensive process.
- Spiritual Growth Stages in 1 John:
- 12 Little children - Abiding in the righteousness of Jesus
- 14a Young men - Overcoming the evil one
- 13b Fathers - Knowing the eternal One
- Psalm 23 - Stages of Life.png
- Confucius:
- At 15, I set my heart on learning.
- At 30, I firmly established myself.
- At 40, I had no more doubts.
- At 50, I knew the decrees of Heaven.
- At 60, my ear was obedient.
- At 70, I could follow my heart's desire without overstepping the boundaries.
F Mindset in Old Age:
- Trust in God's Plan: Lean on God
- Isaiah 46:4: "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."
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
- 1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
- Embrace Change:
- Change is inherent to life. Only death remains constant.
- Embrace change as opportunities for growth and blessings.
- In change, find opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and improvement.
- Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
- Cultivate Inner Beauty: Beauty within shines brighter over time.
- Proverbs 16:31: "Gray hair is a crown of splendor."
- In righteousness, find the value of wisdom and experience.
- Titus 2:2-3: "Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good."
- Share Wisdom:
- Accumulated years bring diverse experiences - both joys and challenges.
- Value the wisdom gained and generously share it with others.
- Psalm 145:4: "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts."
- Living in the Present Moment:
- Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
- Reflect on life's brevity and draw insights from it. [Pulpit]
- Steve Jobs - 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech:
- "Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now, the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." - Metabolism, life's perpetuation.
- "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." - Positive Mindset towards Growth
- Embrace Learning and Growth Mindset:
- Embrace new challenges, dare to try new things, and don't fear making mistakes – these are the keys to growth. Every setback and failure is a precious experience that helps us grow and progress. Learn from mistakes, adjust your course continually, and walk further along life's path.
- Don't cling to your ideas just because you're getting older. Be ready to accept new viewpoints and thoughts. Interact with people of different age groups, and learn wisdom from their experiences; it's an essential way to grow.
- Colossians 3:12: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
- James 4:6: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Conclusion:
- As we grow in age, we also grow in grace.
- Continue living as a witness of God's faithfulness and thanking Him for His care.
- Appreciate the value of wisdom and experience that come with age, and share them generously with others. Attract the younger generation to follow your example. Instead of becoming stubborn, become a respected and kind elder. Enjoy the blessings of today and look forward to the day of meeting the Lord.
- It's not about the length of life, but about its meaning and contribution. A longer life provides more opportunities for impact. Strive for a long, impactful life. Shine for the Lord, illuminate others, and glorify the Heavenly Father. Embrace life to the fullest and witness God's faithfulness throughout.
- Steve Jobs: "Stay hungry, stay foolish."
=====================
活到老，成长到老 Aging Yet Still Growing
- A 个人的见证：
- 50+ 的信徒
- 高中毕业后就因朋友带到布道会信了主
- 注意到：
- 因祝福而离开
- 工作后就离开
- 结婚后就离开
- 生孩子后离开
- 因困难而离开：
- 遇到挑战，悲剧，困难等等对神失望而离开。
- 生活的际遇 - 种种的挑战和困难
- 没有主的帮助，不知道他们如何度过这一生。
- 诗篇 Psalm 37:25:
- 我从前年幼，现在年老，却未见过义人被弃，也未见过他的后裔讨饭。
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."
- B 晚年的挑战
- 晚节不保
- 老顽固 - 固执
- + 思想守舊、固執不通
- 老糊涂
- 老不死
- 老而不衰
- 家有二老，如有二宝
- 德高望重 + 和蔼可亲
- 容光焕发 + 气宇轩昂
- 诗篇 71:9
- 我年老的时候，求你不要抛弃我
- 我力衰的时候，求你不要离开我
- 诗篇 Psalm 71:18
- 神啊，我到年老髮白的时候，求你不要离弃我！
"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."
- 等我将你的能力指示下代，将你的大能指示后世的人。
- 应付抑郁
- 要寻求神确信神
- 雅各5:11 耶和华充满温情，慈悲为怀”
- 诗篇34:18 他“亲近心碎的人”
- 林后书7:6惟有他能真正“安慰沮丧的人”
- C 成长的衡量？
- 成长的灵魂体
- 灵
- 一次称义了
- 魂
- 要更新成圣 - 程度的年纪？
- 体
- 体的年龄 60+
- 在追求中完善自己
- 目标
- 腓立比书Phi 3:13-14：弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向着标竿直跑，要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。
- 以弗所 Eph 4:13-14：直等到我们众人在信仰和认识上都达到了合式的人，长成了基督长成的身量，使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端。
- D 每个阶段有不同的事
- 传道书 Ecc3:1-2
- 凡事都有定期，天下万务都有定时。生有时，死有时；栽种有时，拔出所栽种的也有时
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die."
- 成长的阶段
- 这些成长阶段的涵义是：
- 不同成熟度 - 不同信徒在不同阶段，不要同样对待每个人。
- 所有人都从起始阶段开始。没有捷径或跳步。
- 我们可能停滞在某个阶段，甚至退化到较低的阶段。
- 成长是一个需要时间和实践的过程
- 约翰1书 属灵成长的阶段：
- http://petrabthg.blogspot.com/2010/04/bible-study-1-john-chapter-2-stages-of.html
- 12 孩子们 - 活在耶稣的义里
- 我写信给你们，因为你们的罪因着主的名已经得到赦免。
- 14a 因为你们认识父。
- 13b 青年们 - 战胜恶者
- 我写信给你们，因为你们已经胜过那恶者。
- 14c 因为你们强壮， 神的道在你们心里，你们也胜过了那恶者
- 13a 父老们 -像神那样的父亲
- 我写信给你们，因为你们认识太初就存在的那一位。
- 14b...因为你们认识太初就存在的那一位。
- 诗篇23
- Ps 23 Stages of Life.png
- 孔子：
- 吾十有五而志于学
- 三十而立，
- 五十而知天命，
- 四十而不惑，
- 六十而耳顺，
- 七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。
- E 年老的思维和心态
- 1 信任上帝的计划：
# 在应对老化带来的挑战时应保持坚定。
- 上帝支撑你
- 以赛亚 Isaiah 46:4
- 我是你们的上帝，我要看顾你们，直到你们头发斑白的时候。我造了你们，也要养活你们；我要帮助你们，拯救你们【现代】... 我必怀抱你...【新译】
"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."
- 林后 2Cor 4:16-18
- 所以，我们不丧胆。外体虽然毁坏，内心却一天新似一天。我们这至暂至轻的苦楚，要为我们成就极重无比、永远的荣耀。原来我们不是顾念所见的，乃是顾念所不见的；因为所见的是暂时的，所不见的是永远的。
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
- 彼得前书 5:10
- 那赐诸般恩典的神曾在基督里召你们，得享他永远的荣耀，等你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们。
# 上帝正在恢复你，让你再次坚强！
- 上帝回应你的祈求：
- 诗篇 55:22
- 你要把你的重担卸给耶和华,他必抚养你;他永不叫义人动摇
- 耶利米 33:3
- 你求告我,我就应允你,并将你所不知道,又大又难的事指示你
# 主会给你所需的答案，并告诉你出路
- 诗篇 71:18
- 神啊，我要传扬你的大能，直到年老的时候传扬你的大能，直到年老的时候传述你的能力。
# 我们长寿的目的。
- 上帝 更新你：
- 哥林多后 4:16
- 所以我们不灰心。
- 外体虽然毁坏，内心却一天新似一天。
- 以赛亚书 40:30-31:
- 就是少年人也要疲乏困倦；年轻人也必跌倒。
- 但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。
# 靠主能使年老的胜过年少的。
- 他们必如鹰展翅上腾；
# 老当益壮
- 他们奔跑却不困倦, 行走却不疲乏
- 诗篇 Ps 71:20-21
你是叫我们多经历重大急难的，必使我们复活，从地的深处救上来。求你使我越发昌大，又转来安慰我。
"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more."
- 2 拥抱变化：
- 活的就会有变化。 不改变的是 死了。
- 如何让变的成为祝福，好的。而不让变化成为坏的？
- 正是在这些变化中，我们找到了成长、自我发现和更的机会。
- 罗马 Rom 8:28
- 我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。
我们知道，上帝使万事互相效力，叫爱上帝的人—就是他按照自己的旨意呼召的人 都得益处 【现代】
在危机 中看到 机会。看到痛苦中的意义 - 耶稣的十字架的榜样
- 3 培养内在美：
相随心生 - 灵魂的美丽却可以比以往更加闪耀。
- 箴言 16:31
- 白发是荣耀的冠冕
# 年龄是智慧和觉悟的标志
- 这在公义的道上必能得着
# 我们通过住在基督里得到在我们身上的耶稣的义
- 约伯记 12:12:
- 年老的有智慧，寿高的有知识。
- 提多 Titus 2:2-3
- 2劝老年人要有节制、端庄、自守，在信心、爱心、忍耐上都要纯全无疵。3又劝老年妇人，举止行动要恭敬，不说谗言，不给酒作奴仆，用善道教训人，
圣灵的果子：就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、 温柔、节制。加拉太 5：22-23
- 这些品质不仅丰富了我们自己的生活，还能激励我们周围的人，留下一份超越皱纹和白发的爱的遗产。
- 4 分享智慧：
- 岁月的积累带来了丰富多彩的经历，既有欢乐也有挑战。
- 认识到这些智慧的价值，并慷慨地与他人分享。
- 诗篇Pss 145:4:
- 这代要对那代颂赞你的作为，也要传扬你的大能。
- 约伯记 Job 32:7 :
- 我说，年老的当先说话；寿高的当以智慧.教训人。
- 5 活在当下：
- 诗篇 Psa 90:12:
- 求你教导我们怎样数算自己的日子，好使我们得着智慧的心
从生命的短暂 反省人生。[Pulpit]
- Steve Jobs – 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
- 死亡很可能是生命中最好的发明。它是生命的改变剂。它清除旧事物，为新事物腾出空间。现在，新的事物就是你，但不久的将来，你会逐渐变老，并被清除掉。你的时间是有限的，所以不要浪费它于过别人的生活。不要被教条给困住，也就是活于别人思考的结果中。不要让别人意见的噪音淹没了你自己内心的声音，而最重要的，要有勇气追随你的内心及直觉。它们因某原因已经知道你真正想成为什么。其它的事情皆是次要的。--- 新陈代谢 生生不息。
- 记住我将很快死去，这是我曾遇到的最重要的工具，可以帮助我在人生中做出重大选择。因为几乎所有事物——所有外部的期望，所有的自尊，所有的尴尬或失败的恐惧——都在面对死亡时消失了，只剩下真正重要的东西。
- 记住你将会死去，是我所知道的避免陷入认为你会失去某些东西的陷阱的最好方法。你已经一无所有。没有理由不去追随你的内心。
- 积极学习* 成长的思维
- 拥抱新的挑战，勇于尝试新的事物，不怕犯错，都是成长的关键。每一次挫折和失败都是宝贵的经验，可以帮助我们更好地成长和进步。从错误中吸取教训，不断调整自己的方向，才能在人生的道路上越走越远。
- 不要因为年龄增长而固守自己的观念，而是要时刻准备接受新的观点和想法。与不同年龄段的人交流，从他们的经验中汲取智慧，也是一种重要的成长方式。
- 歌罗西 3:12
- 所以，你们既是神的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔、忍耐的心。
- 雅各Jas 4:6
- 但他赐更多的恩典，所以经上说：神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。
- 论语·述而
- “其为人也，发愤忘食，乐以忘忧，不知老之将至云尔。”.
- Steve Jobs
- “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” 保持饥饿（追求上进），保持傻劲（不子以为聪明，不断学习）
- 总结：
- 继续的活出和见证上帝的信实和感恩上帝的看顾。
- 赏识年龄带来的智慧和经验的价值。分享给他人。吸引年轻人的跟随。不要成为老顽固而是成为德高望重 和蔼的年长者。享受当今的美好日子。盼望主的再来和与主相见的日子。
- 生命不在于长短，而在于意义和贡献。但更长的生命有更大的影响力的机会。要长要好有影响力的生命。为主发光，照耀他人，荣耀天父。是活到老，成长到老的心态啊。
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