When Daddy moved to Heaven, I publicly vowed to preach God’s Word, to share the Gospel, and to live my life in such a way that five minutes before I see Jesus, I would have no regrets (2 Timothy 4:6-8). As I reflect on the doors God has opened for me in the last several months, my heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve been given to keep my vow. Enjoy the following pictorial reflection and join me in praising God for the privilege of going to the ends of the earth to help people turn to the Lord.…
Daddy’s funeral was live-streamed, then rebroadcast multiple times worldwide. I took the opportunity to announce the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 indicating Jesus is coming, then publicly made the vow I stated above.
It was officially estimated that 500,000 people gathered on the parade grounds in Hyderabad, India, for the 2nd Annual National Day of Prayer. With my interpreter John Sinai echoing the message at my side, I challenged those in front of me to pray as Daniel did. I was able to share the Gospel in this Hindu dominated nation by emphasizing the need for a covenant relationship with God in order to be guaranteed answers to prayer.
Although I no longer chair the National Day of Prayer, I participated in a panel discussion at the dinner which was held the night before this year’s annual observance in D.C. In one of my answers, I misspoke and Greg Laurie called me out. It was a moment of hilarious levity. But then all became serious as we prayed for God to hear us, forgive us, and heal us as a nation.
Bible Translation: I had the opportunity to encourage those attending the Seed Company’s forWORD Retreat to support the worldwide translation and distribution of God’s Word, while encouraging them to read it for themselves. Friends and Neighbors: Nearly 400 people came to UNC Lady Tarheels Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Sylvia Hatchell’s annual spring picnic. Sylvia uses her platform to host a weekly Bible study on campus taught by my daughter, Rachel-Ruth. Those gathered on her front lawn attend her Bible study, and also the one begun by my husband for men in Chapel Hill. After a great barbeque supper, Rachel-Ruth and I answered questions, followed by challenging those gathered to examine the choices they are making, then choose to stay in the Word over the summer months.
The highest levels of leadership in America acknowledged the power of the simple Gospel when Daddy was laid in honor at the center of our Nation’s Capital in Washington, DC. That evening, President and Mrs. Trump graciously invited my siblings and myself to dinner at the White House. Sitting next to the President as we prayed for God’s blessing was an unforgettable moment for me.
It was a unique experience to speak in the venue of the Museum of the Bible to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association on the evening of their annual book awards banquet…and to encourage them not only to publish God’s Word, but to read and apply it to their own lives. Pictured on the left is my new publishing team from Waterbrook Multnomah, which includes my daughter, Rachel-Ruth Wright, who will co-author a book with me in the future.
Jerusalem: What a thrill…and awesome responsibility…to be invited to speak at the 2nd annual Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. Over 650 delegates from 70 nations gathered to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. I was given three opportunities to speak: at the Israeli Knesset (Parliament), at a concert, and at the Prayer Breakfast itself. On each occasion I shared what I believe: that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, that He died as God’s Lamb sacrificed for our sin, that He rose from the dead to open Heaven for us, and that He is soon to return. (Pictured is an open-air interview I gave to Chris Mitchell of CBN that was aired on Jerusalem Dateline while I was in Jerusalem.) The Church: Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX, was pastored for years by my uncle, Clayton Bell. My cousin, Janie Bell, now helps lead the women’s ministry, which sponsored a Legacy of Truth evening. The stately cathedral-style sanctuary was packed with standing room only as I used the apostle John’s vision to describe Heaven, then explained the Way to get there. Multiple people raised their hands to claim Heaven as their home by placing their faith in Jesus.
In this six-session video Bible study, Anne looks at the life of Daniel and unpacks the prayer he prayed in Daniel 9. Unlike the everyday now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep kind of prayer, this is a prayer birthed under pressure. A prayer that changes hearts and nations—even in our world today. A prayer that works. Learn how to pray as Daniel did.
• Session 1: Bible Study Workshop • Session 4: Pleading in Prayer
• Session 2: Preparing for Prayer • Session 5: Prevailing in Prayer
• Session 3: Prompting in Prayer • Session 6: Battling in Prayer
THE DANIEL KEYEvery day we make multiple choices. Bad choices can be destructive, but the repetition of right choices builds our character and strengthens our faith. Regardless of whether you have made good choices or bad ones, right ones or wrong ones, this book will challenge you from this day forward to choose to follow Daniel’s example…choice after choice after choice…until others see Jesus in you!
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One of God’s richest blessings in my life has been that of a godly heritage. How I praise Him for parents who read, studied, loved, and lived by His Word, and taught me by their example to do the same.
When I was a girl growing up, Mother led us in family devotions every day. She read the Bible, prayed and that was that. When Daddy was home he led in family devotions. But when he read the Bible he would stop and make a comment, ask a question and lead us in discussion. So, my mother taught me by her example to love reading my Bible every day, and my daddy taught me by his example to think about what I was reading. A little over 10 years ago when my mother went to heaven, my daddy started asking me to read him the Bible. At first it was very intimidating. And then it became such a joy. Because he was hard of hearing, there were times I would sit in front of Daddy knee to knee, and he would ask me to give him a full 60-minute message. He never took his eyes off my face. Once in a while he would interrupt me, ask a question or we would discuss what I was saying. But he loved to hear God’s Word.
Two weeks to the day before Daddy moved to Heaven it was my privilege to be a keynote speaker at Moody Founder’s Week in Chicago, IL. With the exception of the reserved first row, Torrey Grey Auditorium was packed. Facing significant changes at the Institute, the audience listened with rapt attention as I challenged them to pray as Daniel did.
As he got weaker we went from 60 minutes to five or ten minutes. But the pattern was always the same—whoever was in the house was called to gather around him whether he was at the kitchen table, or sitting in his study chair, or more recently when he was in his bedroom. But before I read a passage of Scripture, I would explain why I had chosen it. Then I would read the passage to him. I would always end by telling Daddy I loved him.
My efforts to get the National Day of Prayer into our nation’s Capitol Rotunda last year fell one vote short. As I listened to the incredible speeches given by POTUS, Sen. Mitch McConnell, and Rep. Paul Ryan glorifying God, exalting Jesus and presenting the Gospel as my father lay in honor in the same place I had been denied, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had simply been one year too early. Praying 2 Chronicles 7:14.
At Daddy’s funeral service, with twenty-five hundred people in front of me, and millions more watching the live broadcasts, for the last time I led in “family devotions.” The passage of Scripture that I chose was 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The reason is this: I believe from Heaven’s perspective that my father’s death was as significant as his life. I know that February 21, 2018 was the date God had preordained to take my father home. Why? What was significant about that day? When I did a web search, I discovered that February 21, 2018 was the day when the Scripture reading for Jews focused on the death of Moses. Moses was the great liberator. He brought millions of people out of bondage to slavery, got them to the edge of the Promised Land, then God took him to Heaven. At that point God brought Joshua to lead them into the Promised Land—to take them home.
The day following our motorcade that escorted Daddy from the mountains to Charlotte, I requested an interview with WRAL-TV, our local NBC affiliate. My purpose was to use the news broadcast to thank as many people in North Carolina as I could for their outpouring of love and condolences. Their tears, signs, and words comforted us all. Click here to watch this interview.
Like Moses, my father also was a great liberator. He brought millions of people out of bondage to sin, and he has gotten us to the edge of the Promised Land—Heaven. Then God called him Home. Could it be that God is now going to bring Joshua to lead us into the Promised Land? To lead us to Heaven? To take us Home? And do you know what the New Testament name is for Joshua? It’s Jesus!
I believe my father’s death may be a shot across the bow from Heaven. Is God saying wake up church? Wake up world? Wake up Anne? Jesus is coming! Jesus said in Matthew 24:14 when the gospel is preached to the whole world—as it was during my father’s funeral service, as it is through churches, missionaries, ministries—then the end will come.
The morning after Daddy was interred, my brother Franklin sent me this picture of Mother’s tombstone alongside Daddy’s. Hers is inscribed with the old Chinese character for “righteousness” which is the picture of a lamb over me. Daddy’s stone is inscribed with a cross. Together they present the Gospel because the Lamb over me on the Cross makes me right with God.
First Thessalonians, Chapter 4 beginning with verse 13 says this: I will write it out for you the way my mother taught me by putting my name in, to make it personal. Then I’ll write it out the way my daddy taught me, with a few comments. I do not want you to be ignorant, Anne, concerning those who have fallen asleep. “Fallen asleep” is just the biblical term for when God’s children die. It’s when you close your eyes to this life, and you open them to the face of Jesus. It’s when your faith becomes sight. So… I don’t want you to be ignorant, Anne, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if you believe that Jesus died and rose again, and I do! I believe Jesus has risen from the dead! He’s alive! If you believe, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord. This is God’s Word. It’s not fantasy. It’s not a wish. It’s not a hope-so. This we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself—Joshua, Yeshua, Jesus—will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. That’s my daddy. That’s my mother. That’s my husband. Then you and I who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
And this is the comfort. There is hope for tomorrow. This life is not all there is. The best is yet to come. So on the day of my father’s funeral service, I chose to make a pledge that in view of the soon appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in front of all those watching and listening, I will preach the Word. I will do the work of an evangelist—I will share the Gospel. I will run my race and live my life, so that five minutes before I see Jesus I have no regrets—I will live my life to exalt and glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I challenge you to make the same choice until the whole world hears and Jesus returns!*
For His glory,
*Adapted from the message Anne gave at her father’s funeral service — March 2, 2018
I. FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
What are the secrets to a life of impact? Daniel achieved greatness in the eyes of his contemporaries, in the eyes of history, and most importantly, in the eyes of God. His faith did not waver as he faced his critics, as he served new kings in power, or even as he confronted hungry lions. How can we achieve that kind of faith today? Twenty intentional, key choices made all the difference. Daniel’s choices can be ours, such as
• The choice to listen
• The choice to forgive
• The choice to pray
Cultivate a strong, vibrant faith when you learn to implement The Daniel Key into your everyday life.
With a foreword written by my father, this revised edition of Heaven: My Father’s House, has reflections from his charming mountain home in Western North Carolina. Join me as I take us through the apostle John’s thrilling glimpse of our Heavenly Home, as he recorded it in Revelation 21. The truth in this book has helped take away the sting of death, the fear of the grave, and has filled me with hope for the future. I pray it will do the same for you.
We are excited to offer a multitude of free Bible studies that can be used for either individual or group study.
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I. FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
II. FAITHFUL IN THE PRESENT
If you are living in such a way that you will have no regrets when Jesus comes, what can you do to help someone else be ready? Do it. Now.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2018 Newsletter.
Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives and answered the question His disciples asked, What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? He gave them signs to look for, but then indicated that when He does return He would come like a thief in the night, catching many people by surprise.
I don’t really like surprises. I remember years ago, in the third year of teaching my weekly Bible class, when I looked out at the sea of upturned faces I caught sight of my parents sitting in the middle of the class! They had come at the urging of friends to surprise me. While it was a fun moment for everyone else, it was not enjoyable for me! I felt caught off guard. While God helped me recover my composure, it was a very unsettling experience.
Surprises. Things that happen suddenly. Unexpectedly. With no time for last minute preparation. While I don’t like them, God has operated according to this pattern many times. And He has put us on notice that He will do so again at the end of the age. The question I continue to ask myself is, Am I ready for His surprises? Are you?
The worst surprise I’ve ever received was when I found my husband unresponsive in our pool. Nothing will ever compare to the horrific shock of realizing my life’s companion of 49 years was gone. The comfort God gave me then and now is that, as unexpected as the end was for us both, Danny was ready.
Are you ready for your life’s end because you know with certainty you have received eternal life through faith in Jesus?1 Because you trust Him.
Are you ready for sudden disaster, death, or disease because you are confident that whatever comes, God will never leave you nor forsake you?2 Because you trust Him.
Are you ready to hear the trumpet sound, and the loud voice of the Archangel calling you to rise and meet Jesus in the air?3 Because you trust Him.
Until the moment you see Jesus face to face, are you ready for those divine appointments when, without any preliminary notice, your teenager or co-worker or neighbor asks you how they can have peace in their hearts? Purpose in their lives? Are you ready at a moment’s notice to just give them Jesus? Because you long for others to trust Him, too.
There are many signs that are pointing to the final hour of human history. I, for one, don’t want to be caught off guard. 2018 is a year in which I want to do everything humanly possible to be ready for the surprises that await at the end of the age.
But it’s also possible that you and I could be in our own final hour and not even know it. Life can end abruptly without preliminary notice. Are you ready? Is there a person you need to forgive? An apology you need to make? A letter you need to write? A phone call you need to make? Whatever it is, do it now. I want to live life so that whenever or however it ends, I have no regrets.
By all indications, 2018 will be a trying time. A testing time. But it will also be a trusting time. Get ready….
For the glory of His Name…
1John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
2 Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:1-7
3 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
In the midst of global, national, political, social, racial, and even personal turmoil, you and I need to be anchored by faith in God’s Word. As the door closes on human history as we know it, we need to be confident that God has everything under control and is working to bring His plan to completion. While believers may increasingly be a marginalized minority, we know we are not alone, because Jesus promised that He would be with us to the end of the age.
Be encouraged as Anne challenges us to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, refocus our faith, and refresh our spirits in this final hour.
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This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2018 Newsletter.
