NFY!
We need a new button, t-shirt, bumper sticker, or cap that reads…NFY!
It stands for “Not Finished Yet!”
Regardless of the label people put on you (senior, baby-boomer, retired person), regardless of the number of birthdays you’ve celebrated, you are still here. And as long as you are here, you are not there, and as long as you are not there, it means God still has a purpose for you here.
When Jesus was on the cross, the last thing He said was, “It is finished.” After He made that statement He died. When is God’s purpose for you on this earth finished? It is finished when you die…until then, you are “not finished yet!” (NFY!)
The way in which He uses you may change, but He will never consider you useless, no matter what your age.
A few years ago, I remember someone telling me that my writing days were behind me and my creative work was a thing of the past. Those words did not discourage me, because a few weeks before those comments were made, I heard God saying the very opposite to my spirit. The Scripture God used to assure me things were “not finished yet” was from Psalm 92…
I have been anointed with fresh oil…The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Psalm 92:10, 12-15
This passage helped me realize that my ability to flourish in life, to be fruitful in ministry, and to be fresh in creativity, had nothing to do with my age, but with the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit upon my life.
Many define “the retirement years” as the time when our work is done and we settle into an easy chair as a reward for our productive years. For the child of God, our best years do not have to be a thing of the past. God called Abraham to leave Haran and go to the Promised Land when he was seventy-five years old; God commissioned Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt when he was eighty; God gave Zachariah and Elizabeth a child when they were “well advanced in years;” Paul was still ministering to the body of Christ from prison when he called himself the “aged one;” the 2nd and 3rd books of John are written by the “elder” John; Caleb, at the age of eighty-five was still a mighty warrior and received Hebron as an inheritance; Anna, a prophetess who was well past 80, continued to maintain a powerful prayer ministry, and was one of the earliest believers to see the Lord with her own eyes.
Does the thought of getting older discourage you or make you fearful? Consider these words the Lord spoke to Isaiah…
I will be your God throughout your lifetime– until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. Isaiah 46:4
NFY!
Thank you so much Roy, I’m still in my mid 30′s but I get discaurage easily from the things which I should do.
Thank God , Not Finished Yet!!
May God Bless You and your team !!
In Him
Such a beautiful message, that I have a God who will be with me till my hairs grow white.
Thank you so much for this message, i really needed it. Your writings are still very much anointed by the Lord. Myself and many other people are glad you are NFY! I have been a nurse for 20 yrs.,but have not worked for awhile now, due to a bad injury. I felt so useful when i worked at the Hospital, and loved giving of myself in that way. Since i have not been able to work, i have felt a little, or a lot useless as of late. I thank you so much for giving me that message from the Lord. I’ve read that He was not finished with me in the scripture, but i guess it didn’t sink in, or i was not ready to receive it in the spirit yet. I guess i was ready now, if i can stop my tears flowing long enough to type this. God is NFY with me, this time, i really know it it my spirit. Thank you!
It will be interesting to watch God’s continual plans for you unfold, all to His glory!
Love it!
Janice
I love this! You inspire me in my work and life!
Barbara
Thank you so much, Roy. I have to listen and obey to what the Holy Spirit has spoken in my heart these days, and what you shared has the same main message for me, reinforce it. Yes, you’re right… it is nothing to do with my age and the stage I am in, but with the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit upon my life. He NFY with me. Thanks again and God bless you richly, Roy.
Thank you so much for this post.I’ve been so discouraged lately but God encouraged me through this today.
Mr.Lessin,
Please pray for me as I am planning to do a course in school psychology in the US.I have all the prerequisites, just need recommendation letters .All my education has been from India,It’s been a decade now and I am unable to get recommendations from my professors,due to lack of contact.I tried hard but could get just one I will be needing two more to get an admission.Iam afraid that it may be too late,I’ve been trying for an admission since last year and for the lack of recommendations, I could not apply.May I request a personal prayer from you Mr.Lessin?
Roy, Thank you for this one! (I actually look forward to receiving all of your work.) But this one especially hit me, as I have been wondering if I was still of any worth to the Lord. Thank you for your words, and, I am one that can tell you that you personally are not finished and your creativity used up. Not everything we are told by others is correct, but their words can sting. Keep going, your readers appreciate you!
Your words of encouragement really spoke to my heart. Some times i feel use less. I have been put on hold big time because of some health issues that came out of now where. One day i woke up and everything had changed…just like that. I have been dealing with this health issue for 4 years now.
I “use to be” very active in the church and on staff. People use to call me their “fearless leader.”
For now….I have been put on hold….that’s the only way i can describe whats going on in my life now. I’m on hold.
I miss the ol’ Susie I use to be. Full of life and loving everything I did for the Lord.
I know that God isn’t finished with me and I know he’s right beside all the time…… but at times I feel very discouraged. I’m learning to trust the Lord in ways that I never had to before and when i receive your encouraging words of wisdom it puts a smile on my face and hope in my heart. Thank you again.
NFY…. So true isn’t it? Yes it is!
Sincerely,
Susie
Thank you so much for your NFY message! Such strong encouragement, and that can come only from God’s Word to one’s heart who is receiving it with trust and joy! I print out many of your messages; they are spiritually discerning and God-sent. Thanks again!
Gratefully,
Virginia
Dear Roy,
Thank you for your splendid and encourage message of 24 August 2010. Yes, like you, I’m NFY too.
God bless you and do continue to send your powerful messages.
Congratulations on your great work.
MERVYN,
aged 77 years.
P.S. I’m looking for someone to model an NFY button.
This very thought has been on my mind recently. I expressed it in my journal even…that I am grateful to Him for continuing to “knit” me even has he did in my mother’s womb.
Mr. Lessin,
Your devotion encouraged my heart today. My husband passed away of cancer almost a year ago. I am lonely beyond words and wish that God would send a kind Christian man into my life; someone with whom I could walk on this pilgrimage on earth.
I am only 47 years old and have a 10 year old daughter. I feel as if I have many more years left here on earth and want to make the most of them for God’s sake and to serve Him and His Kingdom. I just wish I didn’t have to serve alone…
Please pray for me, if you would, sir. I am starting an online master’s degree program on Monday and am very nervous. My self-confidence is rather low at this point in my life.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely in Christ,
Jeannie
I love this blog and am very happy to have found it
Praise God for all of your inspiring messages. May He continue to use you for His Kingdom’s work.
I have, also, always believed that every day of every life of every person is precious to God. I met a woman yesterday, who, at 72 is playing softball. She said she gave up fastball a few years ago. Never quit! That’s the Jesus Way!
Roy, my 74th birthday was in April and I was beginning to feel “done”! After serving in many of our church leadership capacities over the past 40 years I was beginning to feel a little tired and yet loving my Savior so much never wanting to quit serving. On April 21st, one week after my birthday our 20 yr. old granddaughter sent me a text “Grandmother, will you be my accountability partner and trade Scriptures with me every day?” Of course, my answer was an immediate YES!! Over the past 4 months we have developed an email FAMILY SCRIPTURE CLUB with all of our family. There are NO DUES and the only requirement is that each person will come to love God’s Word more each day
This development has made me KNOW that God is NOT FINISHED YET with me and I can certainly encourage others to continue on. NFY is the first time I have been to your MEADOW and now I have signed up to receive these messages every day. THANK YOU!!!
I have been pondering on this issue as I continue to age. Your message is a great encouragement. I need to remember always that I am NFY as long as the Lord allows me to live here on earth.
Way Cool!
Wow!!! I am turning 60 in another month and have been dreading it. Your message was a wake up call from God that He still has plans for me. I’m not finished Yet!
What a powerful message. Thank you.
At the healthy age of 62 years, your devotional message reminded me
that NFY is a motto for Christians who know deep down that God will use every day of our lives to His Glory.
How refreshing this Christian message is, especially when compared to the World’s view of “FA” “Finished Already” at retirement age.
Thanks again for the NFY reminder!
My Dad has been in the ministry for almost 40 years and he has health problems that make him feel like giving up at 85. Your blog gave me some words to send to him to encourage him to finish strong as I know that he feels like giving up. May our heavenly Father Yahweh bless you and your work.
Thank you… I needed encouragement tonight.. I am now 60 years old…I grew up in a loving Christain home.. I have been very blessed.. but I am very lonley…and I feel that the best part of my life is behind me.. not sure why I am here .. sometimes.. Sharon
Thank you for this comment, it speaks to me of my life at present, when at this time, the whiteness of my hair represents the fleeting of my faith, to some people.
As an Anglican I help to take Holy Communion to people who live in nursing homes and I was filled with joy when the Priest, in her sermon, reminded the residents present for this service, that they might feel their lives were nearly finished now but God was not finished with them, this was the most important time in their lives, because the world needed their prayers, now, their faiths were stronger than ever and God was always listening, He loved and trusted their beliefs. I could feel the residents listening and understanding where they fitted into the world and the lives of their families.
If a message carries the name of Roy Lessin I always read it, as it speaks to me with the words of my Lord.
Thank you
Good Morning Man of God,
I just walked into your meadow. What an awesome experience. Thank you for the refreshing waters that you give to your readers. I just love the way God reveals himself to each of us. I have been in a desert for what seems like such a long time, and only God can know how much we as seniors want to keep on giving for “His Glory”. Thank God, that “He” knows what we need, when we need it the most. God Bless you and all your readers.
From “The Rose of Sharon, Karen
As someone who’s slipped over the 3score yrs + 10 marker, who’s hair (what remains) has turned white and being a bit “dog eared” around the edges I am aware that what can be seen is definitely “wasting away”, no matter how well I take care of it by way of healthy eating & exercise (important factors). HOWEVER I am accutely aware that what God sees in us(the heart)is capable of being renewed on a daily basis. My experience is that as you “Seek after The Lord” with all your strength you WILL have your strength (resolve) renewed, you WILL rise up as an eagle and have your youth renewed. Why? Because Gods word is dependable and true if we will only embrace it, fulfill the attached conditions (yes, there are conditions)and live in the hope we have! Please see Isaiah 41:30.31 & Psalm 103. God Bless
This was just what I needed. At 52, our financial situation and the economy is influencing me to return to college to become a nurse. A hard thing to do! But knowing that God has a plan for me and will guide and use me is very empowering.
I have enjoyed all your writings and just recently was able to get ahold of a copy of the book ‘ Gone the Golden Dream’. Which I understand is your families history from the terror of Russia to the ghettos of New York. This book gave me such hope to see how God drew your family to a wonderful relationship with Him. I was just wondering why this book is no longer in print? It should be in the Book Stores so others can read of how God works in peoples lives. Your messages have blessed me, thank you and God Bless You LilMarie
NFY is a confirmation to my search of knowing why at 55 I am still working about environment, about people, about linking those have less in life and those who have plenty. Because I am not finished yet, that is why I am still here but in another plane of life. I used to work with farmers and fishermen, and now I work with rich people in the chamber of commerce. I wonder why in all the earth, God transferred me here. Now i know, I am not finished yet as He prepared me almost 30 years understanding lives out there and bridging them here in my new work. The farmers/fishermen producing while the rich buying the produce. It is indeed a direct link of better partnership. God is good, all the time! – Ann
This article is beautiful and comforting for an
old lady of 87 yrs. who has been a Christian since
the age of 8. I have learned that, when we are no
longer active physically, God needs us to keep
praying for others. There is still a job for us
down here until He needs us up there.
Dear Roy,
I just finished reading the story of your family by Jan Markell. I was so blessed! I have several wayward siblings and it is so precious to see in your lives how he answered prayer for your Dad and brought you to Himself. It gives me renewed hope for one brother in particular who seems so wayward but for the other two as well.
I had a question though. What ever happened to your Mom? The epilogue does not mention her. Thanks!
God bless,
Rachael
How this posting uplifted me greatly as I am at that time in my life where I hve been rejected from all that I have worked for over my 64yrs. Having been deeply depressed and discouraged in the skills that I have known has been horrible. To know that I may have something the Lord will want me to continue in has touch me to the core. Thank you
This could not have come at a better time as my 60th birthday is fast approaching…..(Sept.23, and I was feeling a little down about entering a different decade of my life. Thank you for giving me the scriptures that once again let me remember that God is always there, no matter what our age, and I am gladly NFY!!!!!
thanks so much Roy for this reminder that we should see things not with earthly eyes but with God’s spiritual eyes…a much needed reminder…GBU
Thank you very much for your messages,now I’m 63 years old and some time I think it’s too old for me to do soming.this morning God told me by your sharing when I still alive never late to do everything life is new and fresh everyday.
Thanks God for His love and care.
Thank you for this encouraging message. You remind us of God’s purpose for us while we are still breathing – as Jesus said :
…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1 : 8
God bless you
The best gift to the younger generation is a good example.Thank you for reaffirming the honour God has given to those of us who are older. At 81, and with my husband who is 87, we dwell on the verse in Psalm 71:18. With 30 great grandchildren we know our life is to daily be about God’s business.
Absolutely! Let me tell you about a very special birthday celebration I went to last month… It was for my dear mother-in-law who celebrated her 98th birthday! 98! How many of us are so blessed to celebrate our 98th birthday?! Although a stroke put her into bed three years ago she hasn’t let that lessen in anyway her ability to pray for her family and to give joy to all! She offers us smiles and laughter and happiness and I know many many prayers as she looks out her window and sees much more than the almond tree without. Now, this is a woman who started to learn how to paint authentic Orthodox icons when she was in her 80s! She was the oldest student the teacher had ever had…and the best!
NFY…Amen!!
God Bless!
Ann
Thanks for the encouragement…just feeling like I am useless these days….Your words have helped so much.
Awesome, inspiring words!
Beautiful and encouraging. Even in my sixties, with my physical frailties, I can keep going on because He has a purpose for my life. Halleluiah!
When I read your words “as long as you are not there, it means God still has a purpose for you here…When is God’s purpose for you on this earth finished? It is finished when you die…”, I couldn’t help but think about my sister, who died suddenly 3-1/2 years ago at the age of 46. She was a vibrant loving woman who was active in her church and also taught troubled and disadvantaged first graders. So many lives she touched and so many kids she turned around and set on the right path, and yet God took her. Why? I guess I will never know or understand. It is hard to accept that God’s purpose for her was finished, when I think of all the kids she could have loved and helped. Our family has had a big hole in it that no one can ever fill and I look forward to the day when I can see her again.
NFY… Love this post. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Roy
NFY – Such a momentous remark TQ. So obvious your creative writing days are far from over & this is not from anything of our own but . . . from God’s anointing. Phew, That’s a relief
Stay with it, it doesn’t matter what man says but what God says….the Bible is very clear when it says, “the power of life is in YOUR tongue; according to your faith, be it unto you & when you pray, you believe, you will receive”! Some times we have to stand with God & His Word alone!
Blessings
i want prayer
i love god
what beautiful message thank u
I truly needed this! God must have guided me here!
Thank you so much!
Anne Larson
Thanx for your blog! The message is simple and oh so powerful and it speaks volumes for itself! Yes indeed we are all here for a purpose in God’s own vineyard and when His work is done, he will recall all his ‘instruments’ (we) back to his home which has many rooms prepared for us! Know that he always give grace for the day and hope in the light that we travel in. In the words of the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta,’God never asks us to be successful, he only wants us to be faithful’ holds true at the end of the day. All he wants is to take delight in us and be a blessing to Him and everyone who touch our life and whom he wants us to touch. Amen to that! Thanx Roy for your wonderful gift of healing others through words of encouragement. It gives me meaning in my purpose driven life.
What an encouragening message. I am 83 an am doing a “Senior’s” study of Ps.92. At this time in life God continues to give me the strength, desire and abilities to serve Him in the ways He has gifted me… I have loved doing things with my hands my entire life… sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, drawing….. and even at this age I am “full throttle” with overseeing and working with an annual Craft Fair… Senior Citizens Meeting, monthly…plus so many other activities….. I have never been busier or happier than now. Praise God from Whom all blrssings flow!
GOD saw my need and met it with your “far-from-finished” talent/gift to write words to this church pianist (30 years), retired Music teacher, “Memaw”, who like you, is NFY. I pray for a fresh annointing of the HOLY SPIRIT, and thank you for your hearts words. Zeph. 3:17…Sincerely, Sherry
I love it–NFY. I shared this message with a group that I minister to at a local nursing home. I wish that you would create a “NFY” button!! What a conversation piece it would be!!!!A good way to share the message that God is NFY with any of us until we die– no retirement in God’s family. Many blessings to you. Terri Eph. 2:10
Dear Mr. Lessin, like so many of your writings, today’s weaves perfectly into where I am in my life. Recalled for additional medical tests today and the outcome could be good or could be bad, and I was thinking about the fact that I am not finished yet! New grandkids and lots of babysitting to do! Please pray for me and thanks for your thoughts!
THANK YOU so much for all your inspiring writings. I really liked this NFY one…I have used it in my preaching and also in a book I recently wrote.I also appreciated the ” benediction “and prayer you gave …beginning with the words” May you set your sail of faith ” …..GOD BLESS YOU….Pastor GEORGE ISAAK.