Read Psalm 92:6-15
[The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”- Psalm 92:12, 14-15 (NIV)
I have many questions that stream through my mind about many things. I visited a home recently that specializes in dementia. I left with questions. I still have questions. ❓❓❓
I would like to share a story about a man in his late 80’s still in his home named; Archie. I was told he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. I spoke with him a few times and he did seem rather confused. His wife a younger woman being his caretaker became ill and died shortly thereafter. Later in conversation he was driving again and going out on his own. He has minimum care in his home as he continues to live there and enjoy his family, friends and church.
I asked him, what happened? He said; “I prayed 🙏🏻to be better and God heard.”
I still have many questions as I ponder how to pray for those older and suffering with dementia. But, if I pause and meditate on this scripture I read, “the righteous.”
thedailylily.com 
Tonight when I opened my book, Life on the Highest Plane by Ruth Paxson, at the place where I had left off from reading last time, both of the scriptures she was elaborating on addressed the need of righteousness. Romans 6:16, “ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” And Romans 6: 19, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” The chapter was “The Believer’s Part in Becoming Spirit-filled – Yielding”. She went on to say that yielding “includes everything inside, spirit, mind, heart, will, affections.” She explained that God is ‘handicapped and hindered in all He would do in and through us by our unwillingness to have it done” (meaning yielding all this to Him.)
So then I thought about the man, Archie, above. Perhaps he is an example of someone who yielded his mind and all to God, and through his righteous, seeking petition the Lord was unhindered to do a mighty healing work in him.
Ruth Paxton sure makes it clear on how to live out righteousness. THANKS Debi for reading, studying and sharing.
What a beautiful way to pray for ourselves and those we pray for.
It is true that we cannot attain to righteousness on our own merits. But there is a solution that God has provided for us….that is the righteousness of Jesus Christ…wearing His breastplate of righteousness. That is….. the moral rectitude, character and integrity of Jesus Christ. And it is profound as to what Ruth Paxton writes concerning this. For concomitant with the donning of the breastplate of righteousness….we include these benefits in the Helmet of Salvation That is: the Mind of Christ….the will, emotions, intellect, holy imagination, behavior, attitude, intent and motives of our minds [souls] reason, focus, sequencing, understanding, wisdom and knowledge and along with all these that are covered by the HELMET is…… MEMORY! So that …..if all these areas are covered by the Helmet of Salvation as Paul proscribed…. the ”memory” so very much involved in mental health is also covered in the MIND of CHRIST.
We do not have the mind of Christ just because we say we do. We have the mind of Christ when we yield ours to His and are willing to allow Him to live, think, reason, make choices through us.
As Paul writes,” I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, but it’s not I truly,…it’s Christ that lives in me and this life I am living… I live in faith in Jesus Christ, my Savior.”
Then our minds are Christ’s minds and our righteousness is His.
This scripture is what comes to mind: James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
A benefit of righteousness I find is compassion…Jesus often had compassion and showed his compassion through action. If all people would show an act of kindness daily imagine the new world we would live in.
Matthew 9…”35). Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. 36) When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37) Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.…”
Matthew 14:14 “When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” There are many other acts, he fed them——–compassion is bigger than the moon. I am reminded of the saying that floats around from place to place…”I love 💓 you to the moon and back.’ 🌚
Some benefits of the righteous…..
In reviewing my own words this am; “I still have many questions as I ponder how to pray for those older and suffering with dementia..” My devotional this am gave the answer in just a simple prayer of action.
“SEND US FORTH, O God,
with every breath a thanksgiving,
every thought wrapped in compassion,
every word filled with kindness,
and every deed a channel of Love.
Through your grace may our lives become a prayer. Amen.”– Linda Douty
Praying in the Messiness of Life
Beautiful devotional to read and think on…thank you for sharing it.
Whe
When compassion isn’t enough….. unless… it’s wrapped in a godly act or deed to help alleviate the situation, minister the love of God or even sometimes..having to get our hands soiled with the’ humanity’ of another suffering human being. That is the compassion that ”passeth all understanding” Many are called, but few choose to do it. Only the Grace of God enables one to the extreme compassionate acts of love that Jesus showed. OH, God give us the grace to persevere in the work of the Kingdom assigned to each of u!! That we may fulfill our destinies.