Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s momentarily pivot to extending God’s answers to others the same way He answered us.

Today’s scripture, Colossians 4:5‭-‬6 (ERV) says…
Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

Consider…
Have you ever thought of God being kind and wise? I know we acknowledge that He is loving and good. But, let me direct your attention to Ephesians 1:6‭-‬8 (NLT), which says…
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Today’s scripture tells us to always be kind and wise when we talk, and we just read that God has showered His kindness, wisdom, and understanding on us. The combination makes me think of an immersion program.

An immersion program is an educational experience that aims to teach students a second language by fully immersing them in an environment where that language is spoken. The primary goal is to help students become proficient in a second language while simultaneously acquiring academic knowledge in various subjects.

I believe God wants us to become bilingual in our speech, which is why He SHOWERED (Immersed) us in His kindness, wisdom, and understanding.

When I read today’s scripture again, I noticed God addresses how we act, before dealing with how we speak. I believe that’s because actions speak louder than words 🗣. Think about it, would you want someone acting like a fool to tell others that they’re with you? So why do we think God would be good with us acting foolishly, and declaring that we’re Christians.

God wants us to embody, not embarrass, Him with our behavior. 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT) emphasizes it this way…
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

And of course we remember Jesus exhorting us…
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. – Matthew 5:16 NLT

We should be walking billboards for Christ, before we speak a word on His behalf. Said another way, we should be the Bible people see, before the one they hear.

This makes me think of the very cool “He Gets Us” advertising that has been peppering TV screens, billboards and social media feeds since a national launch in 2022. Primarily funded by the family that owns Mardels Christian Books and Hobby Lobby, the goal is to promote Jesus and Christianity.

According to CNN, the campaign is arresting, portraying Jesus as an immigrant, a refugee, a radical, an activist for women’s rights and a bulwark against racial injustice and political corruption. The “He Gets Us” website features content about of-the-moment topics, like artificial intelligence and social justice.

And the campaign’s main point is, “Whatever you are facing, Jesus faced it too”.

By the way, the campaign’s point is Biblically accurate. Hebrews 4:15 (NLT) declares…
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This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

As impactful as that advertising is, it may not reach all the people that you can reach for Christ. Although, it does make me pause and ponder about what God expects our scripts to look like? The good news is SCRIPTure is full of SCRIPTs about how we should advertise Jesus.
One that comes to mind is Ephesians 5:1‭-‬9 (NLT), which reads…
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Another script I found is Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 (NLT), which exhorts…
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Notice both scripts tell us the worldly things we should no longer do in lieu of the Christ-like things we’ve been transformed to do.

Speaking of transformation, part of God’s immersion program is outlined in Romans 12:2 (NLT), which says…
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

And Ephesians 4:21‭-‬24 (NLT) reiterates God’s immersion technique…
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

The only way we can properly advertise for God, is to let go of our way, which is the world’s, and let God have His way. When we are saturated by God, every pore of our being will ooze Him.

That’s what will enable us to act wise and kind. That’s what will transform the tenor and tone of what we say to be full of God’s unfailing love and amazing grace.

So today…
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:12‭-‬14 NLT

Immerse yourself in Jesus and be His walking and talking Bible verse. The verse that says…
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. – 1 John 4:9‭-‬10 NLT

And…
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20 NLT

Inspire others with your desire to live for and like Christ. Remember, your transformed life speaks louder than a thousand words

Today’s song is…
I’m Yours

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)