Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Nov 6th, 2012 Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passages – John 1 – 3; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)

Memory passage for the month of November – Psalm 95

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 27:15

Study of Women in the Bible

ANNA – A WOMAN WHO WASN’T DESTROYED BY A BROKEN HEART

“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 them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38)

This is all we know of Anna. It’s not much but enough to show her character and devotion to God. The prophetess Anna’s life should have been one without hope after her husband died, but instead turned her life completely over to God. She not only served in the temple, she must of lived there as the Bible says she departed not from the temple. There are many, who when they lose a love one, stop living, have self-pity or flee to isolation. She didn’t become a burden or lonely woman who everyone pitied who no one knew how to help. She didn’t flee to past memories for happiness, but served the true living God who gave her peace in her heart. I am not talking about mourning, but the peace that God gives us through the valleys.

“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”(Psalms 23:4)

She and others were waiting for the Messiah to come. Is it any wonder that Anna walked in when Mary, Joesph and Jesus were there? God surely blessed her for her faithfulness by the sight of the One she had long hoped for. Immediately she thanked her heavenly Father and spread the news to others.

There is nothing more heart breaking then to lose someone dear to your heart, but we have a choose. Spiritually live or die. Continue to serve or quit. It’s not easy. We ask WHY?

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Let’s ask ourselves: “do we share the single-hearted devotion to God as Anna did? Are our spirits tuned to His voice that we hear and obey His call in our lives? When the Holy Spirit calls in that still small voice, is it drowned out by the cares of our broken hearts?” Let us turn to the only one who can heal our wounds and turn our sorrows into joy.

Thank You

1 John 5:13 – 14