2021: The Benediction

Do you ever stop and think about the words in a benediction? If you have been to a church service, you should have heard at least one benediction. We often hear a benediction after a church service, or religious event.

The benediction is a prayer of covering, a blessing over all God's people. The definition in Miriam Webster is: "the short blessing with which public worship is concluded." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benediction

Whenever I hear it, I feel something. It's not about the person delivering the benediction, it is about experiencing The Word of God in your soul. I feel the hope of God through His Word. The more I speak His Word in prayer, the closer I feel to Him. Because His Holy Spirit dwells in me, and He is the Word, there is a connection.

My prayer for the world in 2022 is that we draw closer to God. This is the only way we will experience change within us and throughout the world---when we have a relationship with Our Father, and His Son Jesus.

When I repeat this Scripture aloud, I feel the Peace of God.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”

Numbers 6:24-26

According to https://www.gotquestions.org/benediction-Bible.html, "a benediction is a declaration of blessings from God upon His loved ones. Benedictions are found at the close of some New Testament epistles (e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:14 and Ephesians 6:23-24). Benedictions, though brief, offer words of assurance or precepts designed to bring joy, peace, comfort, and security to those who place their trust in God."

Despite all that has happened up to now, God has graciously allowed us to witness this year called 2021. As of this reading you are still here, by God's Grace.

I pray we can give Him honor and glory for all He has done, regardless of our feelings.

I pray each day we can grow closer to God's Word more than we gravitate to the ways of this world.

I like to pray this over myself and others, may we all be filled with Joy...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

(Romans 15:13)

When I read, repeat or hear this benediction, I feel the power of God's Word...

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

(Jude 24-25)

Be Blessed and have a Blessed and Prosperous 2022!!!

Sis Michelle