Romans 8:5 – 10 – “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”

Have you ever looked at an older person and thought, it looks like they lived a very tough life? What about looking at someone whose face looks like they have been a very angry person in their life-time? Talk to them for a short-time and that confirms it. You may think how you look when you get older depends on your family’s genes. But that is not always true.

I have had some of my relatives live past 100 but some died in their sixties. Sometimes it has been for medical reasons but usually it has to do with how they lived and what they believed. Some were taught and believed in God but they also walked away from God. We can have our minds set on what our nature desires or it can be set on what the Spirit desires. Our mind and soul must decide which we will choose.

If we select what the Spirit desires we can have a life of peace. But if we let our flesh influence us we can have all kinds of problems. For every sin we commit there is a consequence. Satan will try to deceive us as he did Adam and Eve. He will try to convince us there is no consequence to sin but there always is. Yet, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven.

Do you know Christians who have an unforgiving spirit? Their problems are because of what someone else did to them. What about those who do not trust God or continually worry? What our mind dwells on can affect our health to a major degree. Do you realize stress, depression or anger can cause physical problems? What we conjurer up inside of us will come to the outside. I have had a life/health insurance license since 1987. I read lots of material about how our attitude and disposition are reflected in our aging.

Scripture tells us that if we live according to God’s will we will be blessed. Psalm 1:1 – 3 – “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” You cannot live without water and God offers plenty of it. Whatever we do, God will help us prosper provided we do His will.

How do we see ourselves? There are things I have shared with you that will keep you younger. We must feel loved and accepted. We must feel worthy. We must believe we are competent and capable of being productive. We must not try to become someone else. Keeping up with the Jones’ means we are not happy with ourselves, our position or status in life. We must realize God created us to be who we are. Accept our strengths and weakness and do the best with what we have been given.

How many negative, angry and cranky ninety year old people do you know? Compare that with those with positive attitudes, free of stress and worry, with pleasing personalities. People with peace and joy in their hearts usually live much longer.

I like what Dr. David Jeremiah said: Justice is receiving what we deserve. God’s mercy is keeping us from having to experience what we deserve. God’s grace is receiving forgiveness for which we do not deserve. I don’t want justice I want God’s mercy and grace. Receiving it will change our lives for the better, forever.