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Say What? Sound Off... I hope you enjoyed this li

Say What? Sound Off...

I hope you enjoyed this little mini-series on common phrases and facts about what the Bible really says.

I believe it highlights the importance of reading and studying the Bible for ourselves to truly know what it says ... and what it doesn't say...especially when it comes to our favorite Bible stories from childhood.

If we read with fresh eyes, we may just discover something we never saw before.

Did you enjoy this series? What was your favorite part?
Was something missing?

Would you like to see a second edition to this series?

What are some things you think should be included?

Now it's your turn...SOUND OFF 👇

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Be sure to download this month’s reading list. It contains favorite childhood Bible stories to re-discover in a new way.

Say What? Does the Bible really say… BE IN THE

Say What? Does the Bible really say…

BE IN THE WORLD, NOT OF THE WORLD?

Again, this exact phrase is not found in Scriptures. However, here are a few verses that were probably the inspiration for this saying:

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19 ESV

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
John 17:14-16 ESV

Do you have another verse you could add? Add it below 👇

Say What? Does the Bible really say… Two of eac

Say What? Does the Bible really say…

Two of each animal went into the ark?

Yes and No.

The first mention of how many animals Noah should bring into the ark is in Genesis 6, which reads:

“And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.” Genesis 6:19 NASB

Then, God gives instruction to Noah on how many clean animals to bring for food and sacrifices in Genesis 7, which reads:

"You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth.” Genesis 7:2 NASB

So as you can see there were at least two of each kind of animal, but there were actually MORE clean animals taken inside the ark so Noah and his family could have food and also continue to give their sacrifices to God.
I don’t know about you, but that was a big surprise to me when I read this as an adult. I think we just remember our children’s lessons from Sunday School and don’t actually revisit them as adults.

This is why it is so important to re-read familiar stories within the Bible as an adult. There are often details left out when we are taught them as children, and some for good reason.

I mean, I don’t know about you but I’m not going to be the first to volunteer to teach small kids about sacrificing animals in the OT. How about you? It’s hard enough to understand the laws of the OT as an adult. I can’t imagine trying to explain it to kids!

Were you like me and surprised when you re-read these verses?

Or, was this something you already knew?

Isn’t God amazing to think about all the details for us?

Let me hear from you below 👇

Say What? Does the Bible really say… Three wise

Say What? Does the Bible really say…

Three wise men visited baby Jesus?

No and No.

First, the Bible never records how many wise men actually visited Jesus. It has been generally accepted there were three men because the Bible mentions the three gifts they brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, there is no mention in Scripture of their names or how many came to visit.

Second, the Bible doesn’t say these wise men visited the stable where Jesus was born, and therefore, did not see Him as a baby.

“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 NASB

The Scripture records they found the CHILD with His mother, indicating He was no longer an infant, inside the HOUSE.

It is believed Jesus was 1-2 years old given King Herod’s order to kill all the young male children under the age of 2 within Bethlehem and the vicinity after he learned the wise men had left and did not report back where they found Jesus.

“Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.” Matthew 2:16 NASB
After the wise men’s visit, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee with his family to Egypt because Herod would be seeking to kill the child.

Did you know Jesus would have been a small toddler at the time of the wise men’s visit?

What surprised you the most about all these facts?

Tell us below👇

Say What? Does the Bible really say… THE GOLDEN

Say What? Does the Bible really say…

THE GOLDEN RULE:

Treat others the way you want to be treated

When my children were little the boy came to us crying because his sister had hit him. When my husband asked the girl why she hit her brother, she confidently, and with a straight face, stated, “Well, he must have wanted to get hit because he hit me first. And that’s what the Bible says.”

With all the strength we could muster to keep from laughing, my husband sent her to her room. After her door shut, we busted out laughing and said, “Well, it’s kinda hard to argue with that.”

While we were happy our daughter was learning Scripture and figuring out how to apply it, she didn’t quite get it right! Of course, we took the opportunity to explain the real meaning of the verse to her and how she could apply it more correctly next time.

While the Bible does indeed contain the verse we know as “The Golden Rule,” and although you may find the section heading in your Bible states “Golden Rule,” the actual text of the Scriptures do not call it this. This heading was added after it became known as “The Golden Rule.”

Further, it depends on what translation of the Bible you are reading as to how this saying is phrased.

Here are some translations of Matthew 7:12 to compare:

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” NASB
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ESV
“Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.” NCV

We can see the Bible does indeed tell us we should treat others the way we want to be treated. Although I may be tempted at times to do just like my daughter did and reciprocate when others hurt me, I must remember to show compassion and grace—the way I would want to be treated—instead of lashing out. I think this is exactly what Jesus meant when He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Stay Golden!

Say what? Does the Bible really say... Adam and E

Say what? Does the Bible really say...

Adam and Eve ate the apple in the garden?

Hopefully this is an easy one for you!

The answer? No!

The account in Genesis tells us the two ate of the tree’s fruit but never specifies what fruit.

Some believe it was a fig because immediately afterwards, the couple covered their nakedness with fig leaves.

There are many other theories on what fruit they actually ate: pomegranate, apricot, banana, and grapes.

However, the Bible never states and we may never know.

Did you know the Bible didn’t identify the fruit? Why do you think God didn’t give us that detail?

===========
“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.” Genesis‬ ‭3:6-7‬ ‭NASB‬‬
==========

Say What? Does the Bible really say… MONEY IS T

Say What? Does the Bible really say…

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL?

Not exactly.

Surprised? Well, we get that saying wrong almost 99% of the time.

The scripture actually says it’s the LOVE of money that is a root of all kinds of evil.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

When we leave out the word LOVE the meaning we convey is that money is evil. Money in itself is an object that can be used for good or evil. Think about how we use our money to help minister to others and to give our tithes to God. We are choosing to use money in a positive way.

It is only when someone begins to love or crave money and put it above everything else in their life, creating an idol out of chasing money, where they begin down a path that carries them away from where God is leading.
Hebrews says we should keep ourselves from the love of money and be content because we have JESUS:

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Finding satisfaction in our current circumstances brings peace and contentment because we know Jesus has our back. He’s watching out for us, providing for our every need.

And as long as we have JESUS we have all that we need! Amen?

Did you know this verse is misquoted often? Have YOU actually said it wrong before? Tell me your thoughts

Say What? Does the Bible really say… THE PRAYE

Say What? Does the Bible really say…

THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON HAS GREAT POWER 🙏💥

Yes.

And James 16 says it several ways in different translations:

"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." NKJV
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." NASB
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." ESV
"When a believing person prays, great things happen." NCV

WHAT DO YOU NEED PRAYER FOR TODAY?

List it below and let's watch some great things happen.
👇🙋‍♀️🙏 💥

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