SS3: Christmas Sisters (Elizabeth & Mary)

Hello, Sisters! I'm excited to share this week about two sisters we read about in Luke 1. Elizabeth and Mary were a gift to each other, both unexpectedly pregnant, because (as the angel Gabriel said in Luke 1:37) "nothing will be impossible with God." God blesses them together with the gifts of their company, confirmation of what God is doing in them, and courage to face their futures. Watch the video when you have a chance. It's a bit longer than last time, so if you would prefer to listen to the study instead of watching it, I'll post a link to the audio version of the study as well.

If it says the video is unavailable, you can also click here to watch the video in a new window. (Click on the video a couple of times when it opens.)

NEW FEATURE! Click here to access the audio version of the study if you want to listen instead of watch. (Let me know if this works or doesn't work for you!)

Here are the basic points I make in the study:

We aren’t meant to walk through life on our own. We need God AND other believers - maybe especially our sisters. We can offer each other the gifts of  Company, Confirmation, and Courage.

From Luke 1 (Written by a doctor!)

Elizabeth - old, childless.
Zechariah - also old. The angel Gabriel appeared to him, but he questioned God, and was sentenced to silence.
Elizabeth conceives and stays in seclusion for 5 months (with a husband who still can't speak!)
In Elizabeth's 6th month of pregnancy, Mary shows up at Elizabeth’s door! (Gabriel had appeared to Mary telling her she would be the mother of the Messiah. Mary believed him, and he told her Elizabeth was also pregnant. So she went there.) When she arrives, they both explode with greetings and rejoicing and praise!

God blessed Mary & Elizabeth with each other.
Company - They were together.
Confirmation - Elizabeth confirmed Mary’s miraculous pregnancy.
Courage - Mary declares God’s praise and that future generations will call her blessed.

How did this happen? 
Company - They took the risk of being together.
Confirmation - They were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Courage - They spoke truth to each other.

I need these blessings in my life. God provides them often through my sisters in Christ. (You probably need them, too!) Company, confirmation & courage are free & priceless gifts we can offer each other.

Here's my prayer for us this month.

Father God, help us be women who are safe to be with. Help us reach out to each other when we need each other. Help us make time to be together. Help us listen to You, Holy Spirit, so we can confirm what we see You doing in each other’s lives and help us to speak words of truth to each other that will fill us with the courage and encouragement we need. 

1 John 4:19, 21 (CSB) “We love because he first loved us.” “And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.”

Do you have a story to share about a time when God used another sister (or brother) to bless you with their company, confirmation or courage?

Comment on the post, reply by email, or share in the Butler Women Facebook group. We'd love to hear your stories.