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Listen while you read: "Let Us With A Gladsome Mind"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 15:31 – The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn't been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. (NLT)
I was told by medical personnel not to be surprised about some symptoms that I was asking about. They said that at 85, one can expect signs of memory loss, pains that were not there before, or dimming eyesight. At one point, a healthcare worker visited me and tested my walking and getting around. Next day, a walker was brought to my door, a walker that was measured for me. Needless to say, I had apprehensions about using it, thinking that it would lower my stance somehow. Quite the opposite occurred, and I am thankful for the support that it gives me for easier getting about. I am now one of many who depend on the support of a cane or walker.
I see many with canes and walkers and wheelchairs and scooters. We see all around us those who are dealing with geriatric and old age problems.
Prominent atheists have made pronouncements like, "Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help." Strangely, they don't say that faith in God is a crutch. Christians readily admit their weakness without Christ, because we are all crippled by sin until we find forgiveness in Christ. No one ridicules handicapped people.
Just like a walker for me is the Bible, God's Word. The Word of life in God's Son, Jesus, is my support in this life and its many situations — a guiding light and comfort through all of life.
God's Word is not to be trifled with in its sacred contents. Thanks be to God that many know that, and are rewarded with wisdom and peace.
Let's think of ourselves as spiritual geriatrics who have faced the truth about our sin and have not been ashamed to rely on Jesus as our spiritual walker to get around in strength and victory.
We are all somebody in God's eyes. And we matter to Him so much that He sent us a Saviour in Whom we have the way, the truth, and the life! Let's open our eyes and ears for such good news. Let's greet those around us with the way, the truth, and the life that God has revealed to us. Let's show Jesus in us!
Prayer: God, thank You for examining us with Your true love. Thank You for opening our eyes to receive Your support to get around. Thank You that everything is possible to You. Thank You for Your decision to save us. Be our measured support all our days, for these days are evil. Come, Lord Jesus, in Whose name, we pray. Amen!
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Thursday, January 16, 2025 – In the Middle East — Right now, the highlight of my week is my informal language lessons with my friend. I really enjoy discussing different topics with her and asking cultural questions. A few weeks ago, I told her the story of Jesus's death and resurrection. Pray that God continues to speak to her, and that she would come to faith in Christ.
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Thanks Kirsti for a good word. Keep writing – and walking.
Ah, to be skipping like lambs in the eternal kingdom, one day… just not yet!
Kirsti – I loved your analogy. Amen to your prayer!
Blessings.
Dear Kirsti
I really enjoy your story “Walker”.
Thank you.
Love your devotional for today.
We all NEED Christ.
Thanks so much.
May God bless you Kirsti. Thank you for your devotional.
I am 90 and have a walker too. I am so grateful to have God as my strong support for all my days.
Blessings.
Kirsti – thank you so much for your devotional today. My husband is in palliative care at home and not doing well. It is amazing how our God sends the right words and encouragement exactly when we need them. May you be greatly blessed.
Hello!
Thank you for your message today. It really hits home with me. Today I was fitted with “Lifeline” in case I fall, physically. Having read your message, it reinforces my faith and when I feel my Lifeline (hanging around my neck) it will be a wonderful reminder of my Lord and Savior, who is my lifeline always.
God bless you.
Hi Kirsti,
I really enjoyed your devotional.
I am going to copy it for my mother-in-law. She is 96 and has finally been told to use a walker all the time. She doesn’t!!
I have enjoyed your total message and the comparison of God’s support is great.
Thank you.
85! My goodness, Kirsti, that’s something about which to be proud!!!
Thank you for today’s devotional, a good one as always. I just take exception with one line you wrote, that being, “No one ridicules handicapped people.”. Unfortunately, there are those who delight in making fun of people with a variety of and degrees of handicaps. Otherwise, it was a good message. Take care and keep writing.
Kirsti – I loved your devotional! I have used a walker for a number of years. A dear friend of mine came over one day and said, “Here, I have brought you this walker, so get up and start walking. You are getting to be a couch potato.” Believe it or not, I didn’t think I was old enough to use one. I left the tags on it, in fact, and stared at it for possibly a couple of weeks before I would use it. It sounds like you accepted it better than I did.
God bless.
Hello Kirsti Sipila,
I have an friend who is 88 years young and who is still getting around very well, although he fell a couple of months ago and had to go to a retirement home for care for a short time and needed a walker and a wheel chair to get around for a portion of that time.
What a positive response from a servant of God that a walker is like a support for getting about.
God’s word is our daily support to help us get around and deal with the situations of life.
May God bless you and make you a blessing.
I can’t use a crutch with my right hand because of carpal tunnel syndrome. I can’t use a crutch with my left hand either. Thank God for the marvels of hip surgery. My walker is just great. Without it I couldn’t walk more than a block. With it I can walk two km. However I do get short of breath returning home! I was embarrassed using a walker at first, but soon got over that and discovered that I enjoy the birds and breeze. I am learning to hold a big umbrella with my good left arm. I wouldn’t feel steady in a scooter and I wouldn’t be getting the exercise I need to be fit.
Dear Kirsti:
Thank you for your devotional today.
My Mom will become 85 years young soon – just like you. For several years now my Mom has been using a walker to get around the home and outdoors. She has had several strokes over the years and I’ve seen her graduate from a cane to a aluminum foldable walker to a more solid 4-wheeled walker with a seat and hand-brakes. Yet she keeps motoring on with the help of the Lord.
Your comparison of relying on God’s Word like a walker is quite accurate. If my Mom didn’t use a walker she would wobble and fall and wouldn’t get very far at all.
I trust that you continue to do well as you serve the Lord up in Brantford. Hope the snow isn’t too much there.
Wonderful Words Kirsti, Thank you so much for this message. Blessings I send you.
Hello Kirsti,
Thank you for today’s devotional. Where will we be without His support and love?
Yes we matter to Him. Please join me and pray for His support for healing in all areas of our lives. We are blessed.
Hello Kirsti. I just want to let you know how much I enjoy your devotionals, and how much your spiritual maturity has impacted my life.
No, I cannot give you any concrete examples, but it seems that every time I read a devotional that “grabs” me, it’s almost always yours.
It is with sorrow I read of your left arm & hand developing a life of its own. In a way, your life is probably getting exciting. Your New Life and New Home are getting closer! Wow!! What a delicious thought.
Anyway, I just wished to let you know that God is using you in mighty ways, and I am grateful for it.
I pray that God is giving you joy in your soul, peach in your
mind, and comfort in your body. I am very much looking forward to your next devotional.
Thank you, take care of yourself, and may God bless.
Dear Kristi,
Such a great devotional you have written. It is so very to the point and full of truth.
Keep writing.