Daily Treasure

“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years”  (Luke 2:37a).

There is much debate over Anna’s age. The fact is, in spite of her age, she continued to glorify God. When it comes to working for the Lord, there is no retirement plan.  There is no record that Anna had any health issues to hinder her service. Living long enough to look into the face of the Messiah was the primary focus of her life.

It’s wonderful to see aged women still going strong for the Lord.  They may be moving at a slower pace, but the desire to finish life’s race in service to God remains strong.  God doesn’t look at age or capability.  He focuses on availability.

As an aged Anna awaited the promise of  the Messiah, she kept busy serving God.  Can we do any less as we commemorate His birth?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for any unsaved family members. Ask God for an opportunity for sharing a word about Christ and His gift of salvation during the holidays.

“…He has done what he said he would do”  (Zechariah 1:7b NLT).

That phrase really jumped out at me this morning.  It’s like it was written in bold print or spotlighted with a high-intensity beam of light.

It spoke to my heart.  It began processes in my head.

It’s true.

God is the only one who has done just what He said He would do.

My husband intends to pick milk up from the grocery, but forgets.

My son, I’m sure, has the greatest intentions to pick up his room, but alas, clothes remain on the floor.

The sales clerk assures me he will be available when it comes time to install my new printer, and then leaves for lunch.

People disappoint, err, fail and fall short of what they say they will do.  Human limitations are sometimes the reason.  Emergencies come up.  Lies are uncovered.

But God?  He has never and will never fail to do what He says He will do.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christmas outreaches today in home missions churches.

“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning”  (2 John 6  NLT)

Every commercial.  Every Hallmark movie.  Every retailer.  Every recipe.  Every children’s program.  Every holiday open house.  Every Christmas song.  Every charity.  Everything about Christmas, from the secular to the holy, wants us to be reminded of the fact that Christmas is love.

Some of us, however, have a hard time understanding what they’re trying to convey.

We know love has nothing to do with a price tag or money spent.

We know love has little to do with gushing emotion or weepy plots.

We question how much of the change we throw in the red bucket warms the heart of the needy.

We have all experienced human love, the kind that has failed to be returned or to be genuine.

We are well aware of the lyrics that speak of the Baby in the manger and the ones relating to the red-nosed member of the deer family.

A real definition of Christmas love?  I think I’ve found it and it has little to do with economy, tinsel or melodies that stay in your head year round…

“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning” ( 2 John 6  NLT).

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Spend time in the Temple—alone with God today; sit quietly before Him and listen to His voice.

“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years…”  (Luke 2:37a).

No matter how long a woman has been married, the death of her spouse turns her world upside down. Anna was very young and could have remarried.  Her dreams were surely shattered as she grieved.  Anna had to get past  all  the “what ifs” and “what might have beens.”  She could have become bitter and strayed away from God.  Instead she drew closer to Him and chose to hold on to the hope of one day seeing her Savior face to face. She would remain a widow and live out her days in service to God.

Sometimes, especially if you are older, there’s a tendency to think your life is over when you lose a mate.  Your life must go on.  It’s not time to give up, but to keep going. God wasn’t through with Anna. Trust God.  He’s not through with you, either.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would use Christmas music programs in Japan to plant the seed of the gospel in many lives.

“…she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity” (Luke 2:36b).

All indications point to Anna as a normal little girl. At a very early age, according to custom, Anna’s dreams were simple.  She dreamt of being someone’s wife and having children.  Anna did marry but had no children.  Though we don’t have any information, we can assume her husband was a fine man, and she had a happy marriage. Tomorrow we will learn that, for a relatively short time, Anna felt fulfilled in her life.  Yet, after seven years of wedded bliss tragedy struck.

Are you or persons you know experiencing grief, tragedy or loss? Find comfort this week as Anna did—in the house of God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would multiply gifts to Free Will Baptist Bible College’s annual Ketteman Student Scholarship Drive.

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel…” (Luke 2:36a).

In my research I found the following statements: “In middle-eastern culture family connection or genealogy is linked to status, wealth, honor, and respect.   Even though Anna was once married, the Scriptures do not mention the name of her husband, but rather her father, Phanuel.  This could be an indication that Phanuel was a man of wealth and influence.” Other theories have been stated about Anna’s tribe and lineage.  Little is known of Anna’s early years.

The fact she was well-versed in Scripture makes me feel she grew up in a godly Jewish home. I could go into much speculation. She may have been the youngest in the family and been the apple of her daddy’s eye.  Anna was devoted to her heavenly Father. Her status in society was a secondary issue.

You, too, are a cherished daughter of the Heavenly Father. How will you show Him your devotion today?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the FWBIM board as they meet this week and make decisions concerning world evangelism.

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;  And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years,, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38).

Let me introduce a “gem” of a woman whose name was Anna.  The meaning of her name was “gracious or one who gives.”   The latter pretty much describes the lovely Anna.  She was a godly woman and a scholar of the Bible.  She believed in the proclamations found in the books of Isaiah and Micah.  She believed that the Messiah would come to redeem Israel.

She believed God would keep His promise, though she had no idea when that would happen.  In the meantime, she was passionate about sharing her hope with others. This was her primary purpose in life. She lived an exemplary life in dedicated service to the One she longed to see. Do you long to see Him? Will you follow her example in dedication and service today?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Elizabeth Hodges as she participates in her first official Executive Committee meeting as WNAC Executive Director.