August 24, 2025 – CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday August 24TH 2025, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

As I wrote about last #Sunday Scripture – I’ve celebrated 19 years of salvation in Jesus Christ, and now I’m at the start of my 20TH year since being born again. I’m looking forward to sharing some miracles – some blessings – some experiences – and yes – even some lessons learned since 2006. I’ll be sharing online – and also offline – LIVE and in-person – to anyone who cares to read or listen to my story.

Last month here on #SundayScripture I began transcribing my original sermon that I preached to my church family in Homestead Florida on Sunday October 16TH 2022. The title of the sermon is “Blessings & Benedictions”, and it’s my 50TH sermon as identified on my SERMONS page.

Here’s Part 8:

And at the end of Hebrews is this Benediction:

Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus – the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood – may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you – through the power of Jesus Christ – every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever ! Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

That’s a good Benediction right there. Another one to take out there to the world.

I like that part about Jesus being “the great Shepherd of the sheep”. It reminds me of the 23RD Psalm (1-4):

The LORD is my shepherd. I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows. He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths – bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley – I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

That Psalm right there makes me smile. It comforts me. It brings peace to my heart. The LORD is our God of peace.

That’s a good Psalm right there to wake up to and say first thing in the morning. That’s a good Psalm right there to take out into the world to testify about Him.

And so finally – we come to our Pastor’s favorite Benediction – “The Priestly Blessing”. A portion of it is actually on our sign out front. It’s also on this picture right here – which has been sitting in our front lobby area for as long as I’ve been here. And I’m going to put it right back where it belongs right after I’m done here. It’s good to read as you walk out the door – back into the world out there.

It’s from the Old Testament. It’s from the Book of Numbers (6:24-26). You’ve heard this so many times before:

May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you His favor and give you His peace.

That’s the New Living Translation, but I like the English Standard Version. This is the version that I use the most for this Benediction:

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.

When I first learned that version (right there) it all made sense – except for that word “countenance”. I had never heard of that word before. They didn’t teach that word to me in school in Maryland some 45 years ago. So “countenance” or “favor” or “face” is God’s approval. It’s His attention to, for, and on us.

If you Google “What does the Bible mean by countenance” – you get “calm facial expression; composure; approval or favor; encouragement; moral support”.

The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. That’s what I want.

(To be continued next week.)

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, a testimony, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord – and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know – then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.