As I sit down to write this devotional, I am wondering where my soul will lead me today, as I am sure that the Holy Spirit flows through my fingers as my hands dash over the computer keyboard.

The apostle Paul never had a computer, but the Lord was just as much with him back in the early years as He is with us now. In many ways, Paul seems to be a weakling, facing great dangers, yet just look at what he wrote! How did Paul function? What did he mean?

1 Corinthians 14:37-40 – If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (NIV 2011)

Yes, as Christians, everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way, but we wonder, if our services were livelier, would more people come? What does the Holy Spirit say to us? What would Paul say to us? Who will help us today as the church suffers with so few attending? Why, the same One Who helped Paul so long ago, the One Jesus called the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit. So let us commit ourselves to pray that the Word of the Holy Spirit would be evident through God's people worshipping before His throne. Let us embrace the fact that the Holy Spirit can guide us along the path to new life, for He is able to lead us into a suitable situation where He can reach the modern generation, when so many don't attend church. Yes, the Holy Spirit will speak to us and through us to this present generation if our hearts are open to Him.

Therefore, let us pray for the future of the Christian church. It has come far around the world since Paul's day. The Holy Spirit is just as active today as when He grew the church back then, and He still desires to do the same today by guiding us into new ways of being the people of God. The Lord has many ways of speaking through us, and He knows the expressions of faith in Christ that will reach people's hearts. Let's keep praying for His power to fill all of us with strength, love, and gladness. May the Lord lead us along the path to new life in His Spirit.

Holy Spirit, Truth Divine,
Dawn upon this soul of mine;
Word of God and inward Light
Wake my spirit, clear my sight.
       – Samuel Longfellow, 1819-1892

Prayer: Lord, fill us today with Your Holy Spirit, that we may have the power to share with strangers the love of Christ, and welcome them into Christ's church. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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