Grace Be With You

Paul closes this letter with an admonition he has used elsewhere. Grace be with you. It is also my wish for those I love and for you my dear reader. May God's unmerited favor be with you. May it walk with you. May it come after you and be extended to others as you encounter them. May it come behind you and soothe you and heal you as you deal with the challenges of life. May you know that God has given it to you as a gift and it is truly yours.

Comfort

Paul had a few like-minded friends who brought him comfort. They encouraged him. They comforted him. They gave him solace. They brought him relief. They alleviated him of his burdens. They provided him consolation.

Do you have friends like this?

Are you a friend like this?

Bring comfort to those who need it.

Sweet and Salty

Let your speech always... Not just some of the time, but always. Not just with some people you speak with but with everyone 

Be gracious... Affording joy, pleasure, sweetness, and favor to those to whom you are speaking.

Seasoned with salt... Not bland, but bringing out and enhancing the flavor of what you are saying. Not words that will blow away and be forgotten, but words that will last.

So that you may know how you should answer everyone... Know that people will question you and your faith. Know that people may attack you verbally. Also know that people will have questions and come to you. You need to be prepared. Speaking the truth in love, speaking graciously words full of lasting flavor, will help you to respond.

Our words affect those who hear them. Let us make sure to speak words that guide those around us to the Truth.