Luke 2

Someone once said that on every tomb stone there is found a dash between the date of birth and date of death, which begs the question, what will you do with your dash? Or more explicitly, what will your legacy be? Anna is only afforded three verses in the entire Bible, but there is a lot of information packed into them. Notice,

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

We’re told that she only lived with her husband for seven years. If she married at the usual age of other girls back then, that would have placed her in early twenties when her husband died and young enough to remarry and still have a family, but Anna preferred to remain in the temple to worship, pray and fast for some sixty years!  Imagine that! I wonder how many other women back then, or even now, would consider this to be a life well spent.

But there is a lot I’ve learned from Anna:

1.      Anna's focus was on her God not her circumstances.

How long have you stuck with something in spite of little to no support? Women were not permitted into the inner courts of the temple. Their primary duty was to marry and raise children. She went against the culture of the day to remain in the temple.  I don’t think I would have been so inclined to persevere, but think of how many people Anna was able to share her faith with, pray for and support over those sixty years. I believe she could remain there because her eyes were fixed on God and not her circumstances:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3

2. Anna’s life was one of obedience.
Anna obeyed God. She surrendered her will to God and did what God told her to do. How about you? Has God told you to do something but you've been hesitant? How quick are you to obey when God gives you a directive knowing the blessings of being obedient far outweigh the blessings of getting your way?

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

3. Anna’s life demonstrates that with God all things are possible.
Even in the toughest of times (Anna being widowed at such a young age) God is with us. Anna assures us that we can be used by God no matter who we are, or what situation we find ourselves in.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.
-Psalm 138:7-9

4. God provided for Anna.
How was Anna able to provide for herself residing in the temple night and day? The answer is, she didn’t, God did.  Being a widow, Anna, had to rely on others to feed and clothe her. The Lord provided for her and He will provide for us too!

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
–Psalm 17:5-6

5. Anna was courageous and committed.
I don’t think I need to go into the kind of courage and commitment it would take for anyone to remain in God’s house night and day ministering to others and telling others about the coming Savior. I thought of Joshua 1:9 for courage,

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, [push past your fears to reach your goals] for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And Romans 5;3-5 for commitment:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6. Anna understood what patience meant.
She waited for Christ to come despite the many years that had past. This one truly hits me right at my core, for patience has never been one of my best virtues. I am not sure I could have waited that long, but Anna could wait because of all the reasons I stated above. She knew God, she was completely surrendered and committed to Him, and she knew more so than anyone perhaps, that with God all things are possible.

I believe Anna could have penned these words herself:

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. - Col 1:11-12

Blessings, 

sue

 

 Revelation 21 

After all of the judgements are over, after all of the wicked have been punished, and after all of the old has been wiped away, we learn of the future. A magnificent future planned by God for those who put their trust in Him. And it starts with Jerusalem 2.0.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the old one passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” (vs. 1-2) Could you just imagine being John as, "in the Spirit", an angel carries him to a “great and high mountain”, where he sees the new Jerusalem? Oh the wonder and awe he must have felt as he beheld the breathtaking majesty of the eternal holy city!

As it descends from heaven, John sees the new Jerusalem shining with the brilliance of a diamond. It has a great high wall with twelve gates attended by twelve angels, and written upon them are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The wall of the city has twelve foundation stones, and written upon those are the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Why is this significant? Because those names show that the residents of the new Jerusalem, will be both believing Israelites and believing Gentiles dwelling and worshipping God together.

The city is in the shape of a cube with its height, width, and length the same measurement; 1500 miles on each side. The thickness of the walls measure 72 yards. If a city this size was in the middle of the United States, it would stretch from Canada to Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains to the California border! The walls of new Jerusalem are made of clear jasper, and the city itself is made of pure gold. The foundation stones are formed from every kind of precious stone and each of its twelve gates are a single pearl. The city’s main street is paved with gold and has the transparency of glass. Yet even as beautiful and illustrious as this city is, the most wonderful part of it all is that there is no need for a temple.

“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are it’s temple.” (vs. 22) Think of that! We will be able to worship God whenever and wherever we want, for we will constantly be in His presence! There will be no need for alternate light sources, for no longer will there be night. The shekinah glory of God, with Jesus as its Lamp, will shine so brightly, the entire world will be illuminated. Everyone on the earth will walk by its light, giving glory and honor to God and His Son, and it’s gates are always open, yet only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life may enter.

Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? Will your eternal residence be in the new Jerusalem? The Lord has prepared a place for us beautiful beyond imagining, where we will never again be separated from Him. A place where, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” (vs. 4)  To enter this glorious place, all we have to do is receive His free gift of salvation. Won’t you ask Jesus into your heart today and confirm your living arrangements in the holy city of God forever? 

That was until the Lord came to Nathan that same night, “Go and tell David My servant, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another.”-1 Chronicles 17:4-5
 
That got me thinking…how can we be sure that even our great ideas are God’s will? I’ve come up with a few, “keys” to unlocking His will that have worked for me and should you think of  others, I hope you’ll share them with us as well.

Keys to Discerning God’s Will

If we want to know God’s plan for our life, we will need to learn to walk with God.  Christianity first and foremost is all about a relationship with a holy God, rather than just a religion. We need to seek to know Him and not just to know about Him.
The very best ways of growing to know Him more is by spending time in His Word, taking time to pray, and taking every opportunity you can to be involved with other believers who are also seeking to know Him more.

Often times when we claim to be seeking God’s will, we may already have an idea in mind and what we really want is for God to agree with our idea. Especially if it’s a good idea, like in David’s case. Even our “good ideas” may not be “His best” for us. Therefore, before God will begin to reveal His will, we need to be committed to doing whatever it is that He desires for us to do. This step might even seem scary at times, for He wants our hearts to be wholly His; trusting Him completely, and He may hold back from revealing His will until He knows your heart is His.

If we don’t obey the things that God has already clearly shown us to be His will, why would we think He would reveal any further information regarding His plan for our lives? Therefore, before we begin asking and seeking His will we need to confess and repent (turn from) of any unconfessed sins.

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”- Proverbs 11:14

Once you’ve done steps 1-4, and you’re continuing to seek His will, perhaps it’s time to seek godly wisdom from others. The church (body) is designed to help you.  The more you involve yourself with a community of believers, the greater your chances will be of finding godly men and women who can help you discern God’s will.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”- John 8:27

When you are seeking, be sure to be in tuned to His Spirit and you will be able to recognize when the wisdom you’ve been seeking comes. The greatest turning point in my own prayer life came when I began taking time to simply listen while I was praying. I began keeping a journal and I would write down specific question I needed answers to. Often, as I meditated on the questions, God would start speaking to my heart with ideas and information and I’d write it all down as fast as I could. (I love when He does that!)

Today’s chapters read like a construction progress report. Not too exciting at first glance, especially since the author seems to be writing to those who would know much of the significance to all he’s added here, but once you do just a bit of investigative work things begin to pop and the excitement begins to build!

One aspect found in chapter six and seven tells us that this is more than just a building project. It’s actually the beginning of a whole new era in Israel’s history. Israel had spent 430 years in Egyptian bondage (before God redeemed them), and since, Israel has spent 480 years of wandering (so to speak) before God gives them the gift of rest. For some reason God has decided Israel’s wandering days are over, and allows Solomon to build Him a Temple. It’s as if God would not rest until He had given His people rest. Pretty cool, huh? But there’s one more thing I discovered in chapter 7 that may just fire up your prayer life,

“He (Solomon) set up the pillars at the portico of the sanctuary: He set up the right pillar and named it Jachin; then he set up the left pillar and named it Boaz. The tops of the pillars were shaped like lilies. Then the work of the pillars was completed.” 1 Kings 7:21–22

It’s important to note that these two pillars are not described as supporting any structure or roof. They were a free-standing testimony to all who entered the Temple, and Solomon actually gave each pillar a name. Did that peek your interest while reading? It did mine! Why would Solomon erect two pillars that serve no purpose in supporting the structure and name them?

It’s also important to note that the portico was the entrance of the Temple, therefore the men of Israel would pass by these pillars as they entered the Temple, but the true significance is found in the names Solomon gave them and not so much in their placement.

One, Solomon named Jachin which means, “He will establish.” It may also be construed as a prayer, “May He establish.”. The second was, Boaz which means “In Him is strength” or “By the Lord, the King is mighty.”

Here we have “He will establish” and “In Him is strength” serving as majestic (standing some 35 feet in the air) statements in front of the Temple for all to see while passing by..
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have these two reminders before us always as we meet with God each day? I was reminded of what Paul had said about Abraham in Romans 4:20-21, “He (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise, but was strengthened in His faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what he promised He was also able to perform.” (emphasis mine)


In essence, you could say, Jachin highlight’s God’s grace, while Boaz points to our responsibility highlighted in Psalm 105:4, “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.”
 
If you approached God always between these two pillars of thought, how much more powerful would your prayers be?