Anne Ferrell
Tata

Contributing Writer

Anne Ferrell grew up as an “Army Brat,” moving frequently both in the US and Europe with her parents and five siblings.

She earned a BA from Florida State University.  She has been an award-winning medical sales representative, political fundraiser, inventor and patent holder and tri-athlete. She's also the author of the novel Of Great Worth. 

Anne Ferrell lives in Virginia Beach with her husband Bob. They have 4 children.  She currently works for KLOVE/Air1 Christian Radio Network. She is a host for TBN’s "Joy In Our Town" and a frequent content contributor for myCBN App.

More from Anne Ferrell Tata

More from Anne Ferrell Tata

sunrise behind a cross

Five "R's" to Get Ready for Easter

Jesus Is All We Need

God Is with Us in This Pandemic

“All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NLT)

We live in troubling times. We are facing a worldwide health crisis. The novel coronavirus has invaded almost every country in the world, and while scientists and politicians are trying to sound positive, no one knows the outcome. The future appears bleak. What do we do? How do we respond?

Times such as these are a great motivator to look back and remember how God always comes through! The celebrated verse above, from Isaiah, is a steadfast reminder of the love of God for His people everywhere. At the time the prophecy was made, King Ahaz of Judah faced a terrifying situation with another type of invasion. King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel set out to invade Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. The two kings were mad because they wanted King Ahaz to join forces with them to fight the Assyrians.  The Prophet Isaiah counseled King Ahaz to trust God and not align himself with foreign allies.

The Bible says when King Ahaz heard the news of the invasion,

“the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.” b (NLT)

The Lord instructed Isaiah to tell King Ahaz to stop worrying because he had nothing to fear.

But this is what the Sovereign Lord says:  This invasion will never happen; it will never take place….”  (NLT)

And then through Isaiah, the Lord gave the King a sign to confirm His word.

“…Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel which means ‘God is with us.’” (NLT)

A child was born. The invasion never occurred.

The Old Testament prophetic sign was given as an immediate assurance of God’s presence, protection and provision. Centuries later, it had a messianic fulfillment. In the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew clearly views Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled in the birth of Jesus by the Virgin Mary.

“All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (NLT)

When Isaiah announces, “Look!” He is saying something wonderful is about to happen! Something extraordinary! ‘God with us’ is a declaration of His presence.

The declaration is as much for us today as it was for King Ahaz and as it was for the early Christians. While we are prone to worry, let us try not to. When we are tempted to be afraid, let us remember the promise: Jesus is Immanuel: God with us! He is our hope in the midst of adversity. He is our comforter. He is our Shalom. He loves us. He forgives us. He guides us. He is our rock and our shield.

Immanuel, God With Us, is the best gift ever! With His presence, we are never alone.

During this time of fear and uncertainty, let us refuse to worry or be afraid, and instead, ponder the greatest gift ever given and rejoice!  

Digging Deeper:

  1. How has God’s presence helped you to overcome fear and worry? Have you been able to experience the peace of God, the kind which exceeds anything you can understand?
  2. How has your family responded to the current health crisis?
  3. Can you describe your emotions and how your family is coping?

Copyright © 2020 Anne Ferrell Tata, used with permission.

I’m a New Creation ... Why Don’t You Believe Me?

How could her husband trust her? Why should he believe her? Those were the concerns my friend expressed to me as we sipped our coffee. It had been only six months since she ended her affair. She knew her relationship with Jesus Christ was real. She knew she was different. She knew there was no going back, but how could her husband know it too? She was living proof of OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ,

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)

Her husband told her he forgave her; however, it became evident he was still skeptical. She accepted the fact it would take time to rebuild trust, but she was eager to show him her transformation was real. 

I told her she needed a Barnabas. Looking puzzled, I shared the story of the Apostle Paul. Just before his conversion on the road to Damascus when his name was Saul, the Bible says he “was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the LORD’S followers.” (NLT)

However, as Saul walked, the LORD revealed Himself and set Saul on a life-changing journey where he would never be the same. God gave him a new name: Paul. The Bible tells us right after his conversion, the Apostle Paul immediately began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues. Again, understandably, the people were skeptical. They even questioned, “isn’t this the same man who caused the devastation in Jerusalem?” Eventually, he traveled to Jerusalem and tried to meet with people, but everyone was afraid. They did not believe he was for real. Then Barnabas! 

“Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the LORD on the way to Damascus and how the LORD had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.” NLT

Barnabas advocated for Paul. Like Paul, my friend needed an advocate to help her husband know she was serious about her new faith in her Savior. If only there was a person to speak to her husband on her behalf, he might believe. She knew just the person. Their pastor. They had met with him many times. He knew her story, and he had helped her through her confession, healing, and restoration. 

They set up a meeting. Having their pastor verify her remorse and sorrow over her bad decision helped her husband understand her conversion was sincere. The pastor counseled them. There were tears of joy and reconciliation as her husband saw true transformation.

It has been 20 years. Their marriage is stronger than ever. People can change. Saul changed. My friend changed. While transformations can be genuine, people from our past may be reluctant to believe change is real. We may need a Barnabas, an advocate to verify our change and good standing. 

Once my friend’s pastor convinced her husband to trust her, there was no stopping the restoration of their marriage. Once Barnabas convinced the apostles to trust Paul, there was no stopping the growth of the new church.

“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the LORD. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.” Acts 9:31 NLT

It all began when Barnabas declared to the disciples what had taken place. The Apostle Paul went on to spend the rest of his life teaching, preaching, and baptizing.  

For anyone who has had a transformation, they know they are a new creation. They know their past is gone. Having others see and believe the change may take some time, and it might help to find a Barnabas!

Copyright © 2017 Anne Ferrell Tata. Used by permission.

May We Look Upon the World as Our Parish

In the early 1700s, a small group of religious fugitives formed a village in a part of Germany called Moravia. They named their village Herrnhut which means “The Lord’s Watch.” While Herrnhut had become a community of religious exiles, many spoke different languages and creeds. There were Lutherans, Separatists, Reformed, and others, living side by side. Disagreements developed. Relationships deteriorated.

The community was on the way to ruin when the people decided to “give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (see OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ) They began to study the Bible, hold all-night prayer vigils, and confess their sins to one another.

On August 13, 1727, an amazing miracle happened. There was a baptism and communion service, and the Holy Spirit moved through the room. A spirit of love came over the attendees. Differences dissolved, and they all embraced one another in love and forgiveness.

They established a 24-hour around-the-clock prayer vigil which lasted 100 years. Their vision was based on the passage in . 

“O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.” NLT

The influence of the continual prayer was far-reaching. Their burden for mission work was birthed. Missionaries were sent all over the world. Many people were influenced by the dedication and commitment of the Moravians including John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist Church and William Carey, missionary to India.

The early church understood continuous prayer was necessary because spiritual warfare is continuous. Prayer became their priority. Shortly after Pentecost, the number of disciples multiplied as did their obligations. It became clear the disciples needed help with responsibilities like taking care of the widows. Instead of sacrificing the ministry of prayer, deacons were chosen to care for the church and its people. The ministry of prayer was paramount, and as the church grew, they understood even more prayer was needed.

The same is true for us today. The ministry of prayer and the ministry of the Word should be a top priority. Can you imagine if we all made prayer a priority? Can you imagine if we all committed to the ministry of the Word? What would our families or communities look like if we all “gave ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word?”

Knowing Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever inspires me to look back and see the work of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am encouraged and motivated to continually pray and seek opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

John Wesley said, "I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”

Let us adopt the calling, “all the world is our parish.” The world is hurting. The world needs the good news of Jesus Christ. Continual prayer and ministry of the Word is the answer. We can learn from the early church. We can grow as the Moravian Church. We are here for such a time as this, and the more we continually seek God through prayer, the more He will accomplish His purpose through us.

The Apostle Paul reminds us of our responsibility in ,

“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (NLT)

Copyright © 2017 Anne Ferrell Tata. Used by permission.

praising God with hands lifted

When Forgiveness Escapes You

Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie had been arrested for hiding and protecting Jews during World War II. They were sent to Ravensbruck, a concentration camp for women. Betsie died in prison. Two years after the war, Corrie was in Munich speaking at a church about forgiveness. A former guard from Ravensbruck was in the audience that night. 

After her talk, the guard approached Corrie and extended his hand asking for forgiveness.  As the horrible memories flashed before her, she realized she was not capable to forgive.  Corrie prayed. Lord Jesus, forgive me and help me to forgive him.

She describes what happened next in her book, The Hiding Place:

“I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness.

I then took his hand and the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me. And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”

Forgiveness is central to the Christian faith. Jesus often spoke of forgiveness. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He gave them the words, “and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) NLT

Yet often it is difficult to forgive. Evil exists. We are broken, and we live in a fallen world. People have experienced horrible atrocities.  And yet, Jesus clearly tells us we must forgive. How? 

“And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” NKJV

We learn how from the passage above. It was shortly after Mary Magdalene discovered Jesus was missing from the tomb. The disciples were hiding behind closed doors in fear. Suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst. He brought comfort and encouragement. He also brought their assignment. He was there to send them out for mission. 

Jesus commissioned his followers. They would not be ready for their work without the power of the Holy Spirit.  Their work included teaching others the expectation of forgiveness. Without Jesus, it is nearly impossible to truly forgive. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we fall short of genuine forgiveness. Jesus never expected us to go at this alone. He knew we would need him. 

Notice he told his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit before he spoke to them about forgiveness. 

As followers of Christ, we too are on assignment. We are called to forgive and to teach others about forgiveness. Jesus gives us his love so we can love others. On our own, we are not capable to forgive. We must allow Jesus to breathe on us. We must receive his Holy Spirit. 

Corrie says it best: “Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.”

Copyright © 2017 Anne Ferrell Tata. Used by permission.

When What God Gives Isn't Enough ... Or Is It?

“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NLT)

tells the time Jesus was traveling and entered a village when ten lepers approached him. They begged Jesus to have mercy on them.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’” NLT.

 As they went on their way, the Bible tells us they were cleansed.

While it is interesting to note they were not immediately healed upon their first petition, it is clear healing began the minute they encountered Jesus. Ultimately, all ten were healed, however only one of the men came back to thank Jesus. Not only did one come back, but the passage tells us he shouted his thanks and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet.

What happened to the other nine? Were they upset the healing wasn’t instant? Were they disappointed they had to go and show themselves to the priests? Maybe being cleansed wasn’t enough. They wanted more! Perhaps they, like many of us, simply forgot they asked Jesus for help, therefore forgot to thank Him. How many times have your prayers been answered, and you forgot to circle back and thank God?

We don’t know for sure, but we do know Jesus was not thanked for healing the nine. It is hard to condemn the nine lepers when I think of the many times I have forgotten to thank God when He promptly answered prayers and the many times I am not satisfied with His provision and want more!

I pray for healing for myself or others. I beseech God to help me or a friend or family member out of a situation. I beg for grace or cleansing. Time goes by, and sometimes I forget I asked. Sometimes when the answer doesn’t come immediately or the way I expect, it is out of my head. Not only do I forget to thank God, often, I find myself asking for more!

I remember a time when our third daughter, Riley, was just learning to talk. Her vocabulary was still limited, but she could convey her needs quite clearly. One morning I had to help with a project at our older daughters’ school. Riley had to come with me, and in my rush to get all of us to the school she missed a complete breakfast. My meetings went longer than expected, and I neglected to pack snacks to hold her over until lunch. Over and over she said, “Eat!” “Eat!” Unfortunately, I didn’t have my purse so I didn’t have cash.

I remembered my sentimental silver 50-cent piece. Years before, my father had given it to me, and I kept it tucked away in a special compartment in my car. As I vacillated between parting with my beloved possession and my beloved daughter’s wellbeing, I reluctantly decided I had no choice but to spend my 50-cent piece on a package of crackers!

Riley was satisfied and while she didn’t quite have the words to thank me, I knew she was grateful. That is until half way through her first cracker, the next word came out of her full mouth, “Juice!” “Juice!”

Like my daughter, why am I always asking for more? Why do I forget to be thankful? Why can’t I be satisfied and grateful for the abundant blessings God has provided?

My desire is to be like the man who shouts my thanks and falls on my face at Jesus’ feet! I pray I will be mindful of the psalmist’s words,

“Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.” NLT

Copyright © 2017 Anne Ferrell Tata. Used by permission.

The Easy Way Is Not Always the Right Way

“Then the men of David said to him, ‘This is the day of which the Lord said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) NKJV 

Sometimes everything seems to simply line up; doors open, opportunities arise, and the choice seems obvious. Simply receive the opportunity and proceed. Or is it so simple? Are there other factors to consider?

In , the Bible tells about a time when King Saul took 3000 men to hunt David down to kill him. As circumstances would have it, and unbeknownst to King Saul, it was David who found Saul and his men first.

The Bible says David’s men rejoiced. They suggested it was the Lord who delivered Saul and his men into their hands. They encouraged David to do whatever he wanted to them. As David considered his options, he secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe while Saul slept.

Everything seemed perfect. All David had to do was kill his enemy. Instead, he hesitated. The Bible says David’s heart troubled him.

You see, David knew God’s law. He was familiar with God’s instruction about vengeance. It belonged to God alone. David understood if he killed King Saul, he would be killing one of God’s anointed, and he knew it was forbidden.

“And he said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.'” NKJV 

Can you relate to David? Have you been offered an opportunity but don’t have peace? It may be the Holy Spirit reminding you the opportunity is not God’s best. There may be an undisclosed unethical component, and God wants you to turn it down.

A friend recently confided she and her husband were going through a difficult time in their marriage. Out of the blue, she meets another man. He appeared to offer traits and qualities her husband lacked. She convinced herself it was God who sent the new man. How easy it is for us to rationalize or justify our decisions when an opportunity presents itself at just the right time. It is our human condition and frailty at work when we charge ahead in life without allowing the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

It is no wonder the Bible warns us,

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” NIV 

If we familiarize ourselves with the Bible and, like David, know what God desires, we will know how to choose right! It is much easier to obey God and avoid the heartache of bad decisions.

Like my friend, we are all tempted at times. She came to her senses when she remembered the Apostle Paul’s words,

“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face ... he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” MSG

We have choices or opportunities that may be appealing in the moment or an easy way out of situations. It is wise to filter those opportunities through NLT,

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.”  

Have you been confronted with an opportunity or decision first appearing to be sent from heaven? How did you respond? Did you jump on board or filter your opportunity through God’s Word? Sometimes the easy way is not the right way. The good news is Jesus will help us choose His way if we allow Him!

Copyright © 2017 Anne Ferrell Tata. Used by permission.