We Are Family

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50, NKJV)

This week we’ve looked at the life stories of several women in the Bible. Most were familiar to us, although not all were what we might call a “major character” of the Bible. We’ve talked about Eunice and Lois, Shiphrah and Puah, Naomi, the women in Jesus’ genealogy, Priscilla, and Abigail. Hopefully, their stories have blessed us and encouraged us.

One source says that ninety-three women are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, but only forty-nine are named. I haven’t personally counted them, so I can’t verify those numbers. I do know there are many more stories to tell than the few we’ve studied together. Some of them include—

• Deborah, an Old Testament prophetess and the only female judge of Israel. She even went to war.
• Rachel and Leah, the sisters who were switched by their father as the bride of Jacob.
• Hannah, who prayed desperately for a child and then dedicated Samuel back to God.
• Jehosheba, who saved her young nephew, Joash, from being murdered by wicked Athaliah.
• Lydia, a successful businesswoman in the early church. She led her entire household to become a Christian.
• Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchreae.
• Mary Magdalene, a faithful follower of Jesus. She was at the cross and the tomb.
• Anna, a widow who recognized baby Jesus in the Temple as the long-awaited Messiah.
• The four daughters of Philip who prophesied.

Wouldn’t you love to hear each of these women relate their experiences in their own words? I would. There is so much we could glean from them.

I feel especially close to the women of the early church who shared the same Acts 2:38 experience I also have received. They may have lived more than 2,000 years ago, but they are my sisters. I also have sisters in Christ today whose testimonies challenge me and encourage me. Some of them may be sitting on the pew beside me each Sunday. We are all part of the same family and enjoy the same bloodline—all saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Today I would like to give you a challenge and two assignments.

The Challenge:

• Select two or three women of the Bible and spend some time discovering their stories. What trials did they face? How did they handle those times of testing? What lessons can you learn from them?

The Assignments:

• Ask a lady from your church to share her testimony with you. Use it as an opportunity to become better acquainted with your sister in the Lord.
• Share your testimony with someone this week. It may be just what they need to help them face a difficult situation in their life. Or it may just encourage them to “keep on keeping on.”

Blessings to you all! I’m so glad you are my sisters. We are part of a great family—God’s family.

Psalm 68:11 tells us, “The Lord speaks; many, many women spread the good news” (NET). These are the women of the Bible, but it is also us today. We each have been commissioned to spread the good news to our world today. Go tell your story.