Benediction

Good Morning!

I was a terrible student in Latin … my second year Latin teacher had mercy on me which is the only reason I passed the subject. The reason was I hated homework … but that’s another subject for another day. Anyway, about the only thing I gained from my two years in Latin was the ability to grasp that many English words have Latin roots. One of those words was the subject of yesterday’s sermon. The word is “benediction” which loosely translated means “good words” or “good statement”.

As I said the sermon was on a benediction. Here’s the verse:

Hebrews 13:20-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
Benediction

20Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 13:21 Some manuscripts you

The writer of Hebrews (we don’t know if it was Paul or Luke or someone else) ends this letter with some good words for the people. I think it is one of those jewels that we often overlook in our studies. Think of it for a moment:

The writer is asking that God equip us with every good thing. Isn’t it nice to have someone praying for you and wishing that God bless you with good things? Doesn’t it make your day to think that thousands of years ago, this writer asks of God to equip you so you might do the will of God? It does me.

How about you? Have you offered any good words up for someone else? Have you ever asked God to bless someone with His spiritual blessings so that person might become more like Jesus? Have you ever shared a benediction with a friend or a loved one? Imagine how good it would feel to let someone know that he or she is special enough for you to have good thoughts and good words for him or her.

Why not try it today …

Agape’


Mr. Jim


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