What does your Bible really say?

I love my Bible. It’s one of those Bibles that has wide margins so I can draw and write stuff. It has a little heavier paper to stand up to my colored pencils and pens. Best of all, it has large print so my eyes won’t get tired reading it. And, yes, for those who know me well, my Bible’s cover is purple. (Would you expect anything less from me?)
I love reading my Bible because it is “a lamp for my feet and a light for my path,” (Psalm 119:105). It is “alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” (Hebrews 4:12).
The Bible contains stories of kings and queens, princes and paupers, disciples and apostles, sinners and saints. The Bible contains the answers to all our questions about love, money, relationships, choices, Heaven and Hell. However, there are certain things that cannot be found in the Bible.
For instance, the Bible does verify that Jesus healed many during His time on earth. He made the blind see and the lame walk. He also made the dumb speak. Unfortunately, the dumb are still speaking all over social media, and the Bible doesn’t suggest we should go on re-posting and re-tweeting such dumb-ness.
There are lots of recorded prayers in the Bible. Paul continually wrote about how he prayed for the churches he had visited on his journeys. David prayed his prayers throughout the Psalms. But search as long and as hard as you can and you won’t be able to find this frequently prayed wifely prayer: “Lord, please don’t let my husband be home when my online orders are delivered. Thank you, Lord, for my fabulous neighbor who lets me throw the boxes in her trash to hide them from my husband.” Nor will you find the husband’s frequent prayer: “Lord, please give me patience with my wife. Don’t give me opportunities to be patient because I’ve had lots of those and they don’t seem to be working. Just give me the patience so we can be done with it.”
The Bible does not say, “God helps those who help themselves,” or “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” or “Charity begins at home.” I think Poor Richard’s Almanac and some Old Wives are responsible for those tall tales.
However, in Acts 17:11, Bible does say this: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Not only are we to receive the message of God with eagerness, we are to examine the Scriptures to see if what we are hearing about Scriptures is true. Listen to the words of your teachers and pastors and check with the Bible to see if their words are true. Examine the words of those you speak on the radio. And yes, even examine the words of the columnist in your local paper!
Go ahead. Grab your Bible and search, asking yourself, “Does the Bible really say that?”
Verna Davis is available for speaking and singing at your club, school, or church and may be contacted at Vrdspeaks@gmail.com. She is married to Pastor Doug Davis. Many people will remember her columns in the Terre Haute Tribune Star. The Brazil Times is pleased to welcome her to our fold and we trust you will enjoy reading her columns.