Chatty Bus

[Walter and Deborah]

 

Saturday 4-9-22 7th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Abib/Nisan 7, 5782 21st. Spring Day

Chatty Bus

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Read: Colossians 4:2–6 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 13–14; Luke 10:1–24
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Let your conversation be always full of grace. Colossians 4:6


In 2019, the Oxford Bus Company launched the instantly popular “Chatty Bus,” a bus with designated people on board willing to talk with interested passengers. The route was initiated in response to government research which found that 30 percent of Britons go at least one day each week without a meaningful conversation.

Many of us have likely experienced the loneliness that comes from not having someone to talk to in a time of need. As I reflect on the value of important conversations in my life, I’m especially reminded of discussions that were full of grace. Those times brought me joy and encouragement, and they helped to cultivate deeper relationships.

At the end of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul encouraged his readers with principles of authentic living for believers in Jesus, including ways our conversations can exhibit love to everyone we encounter. The apostle wrote, “Let your conversation be always full of grace” (4:6), reminding his readers that it is not simply the presence of words but the quality of those words—“full of grace”—that would allow them to be a true encouragement to others.

The next time you have the opportunity to connect deeply in conversation—with a friend, co-worker, or even a stranger seated next to you on a bus or in a waiting room—look for ways your time together might bring blessing into both of your lives.

When have you experienced the blessing of grace-filled words? How might you extend encouragement to someone today through what you say?

Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to everyone I speak with today, filling these conversations with Your grace.

INSIGHT
Paul’s normal pattern for writing letters to churches is well evidenced in this epistle to the Colossians. That pattern calls for the first half of the book to be primarily theological in nature with the remainder providing practical application of that doctrinal teaching.

The first two chapters of Colossians describe the relationship between Christ (the head of the church) and the church (the body of Christ). Chapters 3–4 then give the practical outworking of those realities. In today’s Scripture reading, we find clear counsel on how to live and function as the church body.

This includes the need for intercessory prayer (vv. 2–3) and the importance of personal testimony, which includes graciously using the opportunities God gives us (vv. 5–6). This is wise counsel that’s still needed today.

By lisa m. samra|April 9th, 2022

Love For Others Colossians 4:2-6

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

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Love, Walter and Debbie

[Mama Etna]

This ties directly in with the study I posted on my facebook about the tongue.  The unbridled tongue can do a lot of harm.  Gracious speech is the opposite.

[Sower]

7 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

The apostle wrote, “Let your conversation be always full of grace” (4:6), reminding his readers that it is not simply the presence of words but the quality of those words—“full of grace”—that would allow them to be a true encouragement to others.

 quote;  "Lets be kind, for everyone we meet is fighting a battle we know nothing about"

                          Neat opportunities to start/encourage a conversation, and then listen...
                                       "Quick to listen, slow to speak"