Bless!
Consider:
Learning from the interaction between Elizabeth and Mary informs our own close relationships today. Not only does Elizabeth exemplify the importance of being filled with the Spirit, but the very first words she exclaims are a blessing for Mary.
Read Luke 1:42-45. Elizabeth uses the word “blessed” three times to speak truth over Mary. What truths does Elizabeth communicate with these three blessings?
Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s blessing also helps in knowing how to respond when we receive a blessing from another person.
Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55. Who does Mary “glorify” and “rejoice in” because of Elizabeth’s words?
Explore:
Elizabeth, full of the Spirit, poured truth over Mary, confirming the angel’s message to her. I can only imagine the relief Elizabeth’s blessing brought to Mary.
Has anyone ever done the same for you? Have you been blessed through life-giving words by another believer? Record an example from your life now.
You will have amazing opportunities to speak words of truth to people close to you over the Holiday Season! Challenge yourself to take up the prayer below in order that you might speak words of life and blessing to someone who needs relief this season.
Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s blessing also helps in knowing how to respond when we do receive a blessing from another person- thanksgiving to God. Rather than brush off a word of truth or deflect it to spotlight someone or something else, how about just plain praising the One who gives it all? It makes so much sense and places the blessing in its appropriate place!
How could you realistically exercise the muscle of thanksgiving to God when you receive a blessing?
Challenge yourself to create a response of thanksgiving to God when presented with a blessing or word of truth over your life.
Pray:
Pray for the Spirit to make you sensitive to the needs around you and to give you specific life-giving words to the person who needs it. Pray that the Spirit would give you confidence, like Elizabeth in Luke, to speak words of life and truth for a specific situation. Thank God for bringing you relief through friends and family when you needed it most and commit to a lifestyle of thanksgiving to Him each time you receive blessings in the future.
I am so encouraged by this word today. The idea behind Elizabeth’s blessing is to celebrate with praises and to consecrate blessings in prayer.
I love this idea of praying that the Holy Spirit will fill us so that we can go out and speak life and truth blessings over others.
It reminds me of Colossians 4:2 through 6 which says that we need to devote ourselves in prayer being watchful and praying that doors will open up so that we can speak the good news of Jesus. We pray that we can make it clear as we should, that we conduct ourselves with wisdom and that we make the most of every opportunity. Finally it says our speech should be like this: Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Conversations filled with grace that target the heart of each person will definitely be a blessing.
And I am learning from May’s example where she turned her blessings back to God -ust where they need to go thanks Lana for digging that out for us