A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Friday, December 28, 2007  Steam engine at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania  Listen to this message on your audio player."Anna" "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" (Luke 2:38). Yesterday we gathered with our Amish friends, Jesse and Anna Ruth, for a meal and a visit they arranged for us to see the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania near their home in Strasburg. Although they don't use the internet they are interested in our writing ministry and we often take over printed copies of our messages for them. They're quite knowledgeable about the Bible and read it together as a family each night. I quizzed them concerning my current topic of examining the two elderly people who came on the scene at Christ's consecration in the temple recorded in Luke 2:21-38. They recognized who I was writing of (Simeon and Anna) and, as you might have already guessed, Anna is named after one of them! This Anna (the only Anna recorded in Scripture) was the second of the faithful believers who, like Simeon, encountered the infant Messiah at the time of His consecration in the temple. She was an old widow prophetess who "never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying." She must have been an interesting person! Somehow when I read this description I form a mental image of her as a rather eccentric, perhaps charismatic type, and I have learned to appreciate the contribution this type of believer makes to the Body of Christ. She, like Simeon, first "gave thanks to God" as she encountered the holy family. Apparently she was in such rich communion with God that she knew this was no ordinary family or baby. She also may have witnessed the exchange that had just taken place with Simeon that is recorded in the previous portion of Scripture. She then "spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." The content of her words are not recorded for us, but I sense they surely related to our Lord's redemptive work. Today let us also thank God for the gift of His Son and let us also faithfully speak "about the child" who became the Savior of the world. As we focus on the wonder of the Christmas story, remember, this Baby was born to die for our sins. Let us recognize the full redemptive scope of the mission of the baby that Anna encountered and wholeheartedly worship and serve Him today. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we read of Simeon and Anna who praised You in the temple for the blessings of the Christ Child. We also praise You in the House of the Lord and in heaven and earth for the past, present and future blessings that we enjoy through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our Peace who has broken down every wall and someday we'll thoroughly enjoy the future setting of the lion laying down right beside the lamb because of Christ's redemptive power. We'll also see every tribe and tongue united under one Leader and we will know and thoroughly enjoy the full scope of Christ's redemption. In Your time, Lord, in Your time You will bring these marvelous blessings to pass but even now we thank You for the countless blessings we enjoy at the present. Today's Scripture portion concerning Anna in full context.   Jesse and Anna Ruth are truly family farmers. Yesterday before we shared a meal together I helped him get the cows in from the pasture and into their stalls. Jesse's always happy to enlist me for a little extra help whenever I stop by for a visit!  I always enjoy examining the lifestock when I visit Jesse's place and this newborn calf was pleased to have a photo taken for the first time! Today's Suggested Music "Christ Is Come" (Audio) "I Surrender All" (Instrumental Audio) "Press On" (Video) Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. |
Administration Information  Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 11/28/07  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details.Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! * "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.  Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!)Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  |
