Luke 2:38. And she (Anna) coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
And on this damp and cloudy Tuesday morning with only eight days left to the riotous climax of the Christmas season, we try to keep our spirits lifted high, as we spread the peace, LOVE and goodwill to all men that our Lord and Saviour came to spread when He came to us in human form. Yes my brethren, that’s what we ought to be about in these last days; making the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our world! That’s the LOVE, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control!
And with strife and negativity becoming more rampant in our world every day, if we can only get a toehold in the enemy’s fortifications with those things, then we’d be away and laughing. But friends, it all depends on us; on us being selfless and sacrificial enough to put our desires on hold and pursue those of Christ. And there’s no better time than this Christmas season when the enemy has let down his guard to enjoy the merriment engendered by Christ’s birth. So please, let’s get out there and use this festival season to remind others of Christ’s importance in the annals of man, and invite them to come to Him for help and encouragement, despite their circumstances.
And to help us do that, here’s an interesting prayer I found in a set of ‘Praying with Purpose’ inspirational cards recently put out by the In Touch Ministry. These prayer cards deal with topics ranging from boldness to the persecuted church, and will help us pursue greater intimacy with our great God. So here’s this prayer dealing with ‘Growth in Christ,’ based on this inspirational verse from Romans. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom. 12:2)
Yes, my fellow believers, we desperately need to have our minds transformed and renewed so that we don’t follow the ungodliness being propagated and perpetrated by this sinful world. So please pray with me: ‘Father, I praise you for giving me new life in Christ. What a joy it is to become more like Your Son! Help me to stay focused on Your Word as I learn to follow him. When my heart begins to drift, lead me gently back. Show me how to let go of old ways, even as I rely on Your grace to transform me. Thank You for helping me grow every day.’
Oh friends, that’s a simple but right on the money prayer! And it’s oh so easy to be conformed to the ungodliness of this world, but we do have the power within us to resist it. We need to actively seek to be like Christ. But to do that, we first must do as James advises; ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you.’ (James 4:7-8a)
Yes my fellow saints, it’s all about getting as close to God as possible, and then sticking to Him, sticking to Him like white on rice! That’s the only way we’ll ever resist the devil. Now, let’s wrap up the prophetic stories that were noised about at Jesus’ birth. Yesterday we saw where the devout man Simeon had been promised life until He saw the Messiah. And that promise was faithfully fulfilled when he met Jesus in the temple as His parents came to sacrifice on His behalf according to the law.
Today we’ll look at another amazing occurrence that took place on that same day. The Bible tells it thus: ‘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 her 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 (Anna) 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)
Poor Joseph and Mary! All that prophetic and redemption stuff must have driven them crazy. But again, they knew that they had a special child and with God’s unfailing grace, took it all in their stride. No doubt all of that was just more stuff for Mary to store up in her mind and ponder on as Jesus’ earthly life was fulfilled. Then the Bible states: ‘And when they, (Mary and Joseph) had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.’ (Luke 2:39-40)
And that’s the last we hear of Jesus for at least a dozen years. Until His escapade at the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem at the age of twelve, when, unbeknown to His parents, He left the homebound caravan and could not be found for three days. Eventually they found Him back in Jerusalem, ‘in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors (teachers), both hearing them, and asking questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they (his parents) saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us (done this to us)? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing (anxiously).
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not (didn’t you know) that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2:46-52)
Jesus was blessed to have such understanding parents, because even now, when a twelve year old gives his parents that kind of lip, especially in public his teeth are in perilous danger of being knocked out. Thankfully though, after that, Jesus seems to have settled down, ‘was subject unto them.’ And that takes care of all the prophecy and intrigue that surrounded Christ at His birth. (smile)
Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one sincere and grateful voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And having said that, it now behooves us to go out and spread the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…if there wasn’t much fanfare around Christ’s birth…then all the Bible prophecies would have been for nought..
SCRIP-BITS 