Devotion 

The Lord Will Be With Us

Frances Taylor 

Just as the Lord promised Paul that he would be with him in Corinth, he is with us when we speak of all that the Lord has done for us. God gives us the words we need when we need them.

Have you ever had a friend come and ask for advice or just to share what is happening in his or her life? Sometimes, you are offering them advice or consolation and wonder where the words came from. One of the gifts of the Spirit is understanding, a heart open to the other. When we allow ourselves to open ourselves, we can be open to the other as well. Sometimes we are unaware of our influence on another. I know that there are times when something I heard weeks ago, pops into my head at just the right moment and I'm sure the speaker had no knowledge that his or her words would have such influence. It is the same with us. God gives us the words to say and then they bear fruit in the hearer without our ever knowing about it.

As a teacher, I have had students come up to me years later thanking me for something I said – and I have no idea what they are talking about. God is with us when we are explaining our reasons for our beliefs as well. We needn't be afraid to speak what is in our hearts.

Prayer 

Lord, thank you for the presence of the Spirit in our lives. The gifts we have received are there for us to make use of at all times, all we need to do is ask. Amen.