I could have just as easily titled this post, “The Longer I Serve Him”. My father-in-law, Bishop B.J. Hurst and my brother-in-law, Pastor Wendell P. Elms who you see in this picture have been serving the Lord for many years. I heard my father-in-law say just tonight that he has served the Lord for 52 years. As you can see by the joy on their faces, serving God has been a beautiful experience for them.
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
The more that I love Him, More love He bestows.
Each day is like Heaven. My heart overflows.
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
I love to be around people that have served the Lord for many years because they have proved time and again the faithfulness of the Lord. When I hear an elder saint in the prayer room simply say, “Jesus! Oh how I love You,” it touches me like nothing else. I know they have been through valleys and climbed mountains. Had trials and tribulations, and yet they say, “Jesus! Oh how I love You.” They don’t have to give some great speech or testimony of many words. Their lives tell it all. “GOD has been good to ME!” I am reminded of the following scripture concerning faithful people:
Psalm 92: 12-15 (The Amplified Bible)
The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].
Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].
[They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
I love that last verse that says, “they are living memorials”. How very true. Keep on serving Him faithful Saints of God. YOU ARE an INSPIRATION to ALL of us.
I love that picture! God just sent us an elderly couple and we are so thankful. You can just feel that undercurrent of the Holy Ghost when they begin to pray – it’s awesome!!
Oh, what influence our faithful, elderly people have on me. They encourage me more than they will ever know!
Wonderful post! I agree whole-heartily! There are not very many elderly saints in our church at the moment, so when I heard Bishop and Sis. Hurst (Nathan Hurst’s parents) were moving to Hollister, I was soooo excited! I feel like I can glean so much wisdom and get so much inspiration from those who have lived for God a long time – through the good and the bad. I am very, very glad Bishop and Sis. Hurst are here! They are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. And they have the wisdom and experiences of life, living for Jesus, to bless us all with. I pray as I get older that I too can be like them to other younger people. 🙂
I too, love being around the elder saints, just to hear them pray and to testify of the goodness of the Lord! I remember as a new convert, my pastor would have his elderly mother read Scripture every Sunday morning. Her voice would shake some, but you could feel the Holy Ghost as she read and hear the conviction in her voice. Thank God for the influence of faithful, elderly saints!
AMEN to everything that has been written! I love the picture, too! 🙂
Linda, of course you like the picture. LOL
Brother Elms always looks so put together. I, on the other hand, so do not.
I have often been refreshed by being the company of an elder of the faith. They have been through the fire and been tested. The beautiful thing about it is what you have stated here. A true soldier of the cross, though they may have some wounds, still have a joy and contentment that the world cannot give. Thanks for reminding us. (By the way, I really love and appreciate these elderly men pictured here!)
Anyone sitting by Bishop Hurst will soon be laughing. We were in church and I was trying to keep a straight face, but not possible! Oh well, laugh and live for God.
LOL, “Elder” Elms! That is the truth. Dad has been a real joy to have here.