Scripture: The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ —Numbers 6:22-26 Devotional: Nazarites are those who took special vows to abstain from a list of things in Old Testament, Jewish scripture. It is said that these vows helped them to “separate themselves to the Lord.” In Numbers, as a prerequisite for the text we are reading today, you can learn more about these vows (Numbers 6:1-21). To close this time of praying and fasting, I am giving you the Nazarian blessing. Not as people who are expected to follow this path, but as people who have given up some things in these last 21 days that I believe in giving up for a period, has helped and will help you live into a new level of blessing for a lifetime. James 1:17 tells us that all good and perfect gifts come from God. I want to remind you today, as we center in this blessing, that it is because of God's mercy that we can operate as a church, and independently as a catalyst of change and love. Though the words may come from pastors or leaders, the blessing and approval comes from God! As I looked up what a blessing was scripturally, a source said it was: “First, a public declaration of a favored status with God. Second, the blessing endowed power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing.” I pray that the last 21 days helps you to pursue a new course of life. I pray that we are encouraged to dream, to listen, to increase our capacity, and to learn. Let’s pursue what’s next! Let’s take a higher way of thinking and move forward in what God has for us. Let’s use this time as a beginning to a beautiful “BETTER!” Centering Prayer: “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
