“There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.” -Luke 2:36-37 CSB
There is one specific part of this scripture that I believe God wants to talk about today. That is serving day and night just as Anna did. There is not much about Anna in the bible. There is actually one more verse to this passage of scripture and that is all we get to know about Anna. But, how many of you know that when God gives us even one word it is something of GREAT importance?
Anna, a prophetess had been living a widow for 84 years. Her husband died early on in their marriage, only 7 years. What she did in response is amazing to me and has put me in awe. She never left the temple and served God day and night and was consistently in fellowship with God through fasting and prayer. God had me study these two scriptures this morning and this is what he revealed to me. Anna knew her place in the body of Christ, she was equipped in the place she was serving because she was placed there by God! The word serving in this passage of scripture actually means latreúō. Which actually means, properly, to render technical, acceptable service because specifically qualified (equipped). Anna served day and night to God, worshiping him with her life. Her life was a sacrifice of praise unto God.
God has equipped every single one of us to serve in some way, somewhere. Are you where God has called you to be? Many times God will speak to you about what you are supposed to do and other people say that it can’t be done. Do not let those people discourage you. Christine Caine was told she would never be able speak in front of people and that she was incapable. Jesus was not acknowledged in his home town! So NEVER let other people’s opinions defer you from what God has already equipped you to do.
If you do not know the best place for you to serve, the best thing to do is go to the one who equipped you in the first place. No matter what you are CALLED to do, it is of great importance. Do not look around at everyone else and what they are called to do. Focus on Jesus and the talents and gifts he has placed inside of you. One part of the body is not more important than the other. The best thing you can do is what you are called to do! The reason I believe that Anna was able to serve so well is because she was in CONSTANT fellowship with God, she knew WHO she was, and WHAT she was called to do and she did that, with passion and reverence for God. Are you in a position that you are not called to be in? There is someone who is CALLED to be in that spot and they are equipped BY GOD to do so. I put emphasis on BY GOD because we can only be equipped through him, not people. They are called the gifts of the Holy Spirit for a reason. I believe that people can strengthen us and the body of Christ is a living organism, growing day by day. What God has equipped us with we are to share with others!
Anna may have only had three verses in the bible, but this great prophetess of God is known for serving wholeheartedly and passionately in the position God had equipped her in. If this is something that you are unsure of follow her example and pray and fast, spending time with the Father. He wants you to do what he has per-destined you to do!
FURTHER SCRIPTURE STUDY:
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[e] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[f]
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And
the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the
greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be
seen, 24 while
the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has
put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those
parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do
we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in
unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown
languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. -1 Corinthians 12:12-31 NLT
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. -Ephesians 2:10 NLT
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