Folks, Pop & Cornbread

Depending upon where we live in the country, our choice of words might be different yet have similar meanings?

Is it "y'all" or "you guys"?  Pop? Coke?  Or soda?

I wanted to share with you something that happened in our last small group Bible study. Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face as it did ours. God is amazing!

I was reading aloud Acts 5:16: 

"There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one."

All of the sudden, I noticed one of our newest Bible study members, eyes open-wide, as she leaned down really close to her Bible as if inspecting it word by word. As she did so, her sudden movement caught everyone's attention and suddenly all eyes were upon her. We wondered what had caused her reaction, so we asked her about it.

"Sick folks..." she replied with a big grin, "I had to look to see if those words were really in the Bible." We all chuckled as comments were made about "good ole southern folks" showing up in the Bible. Which led to us wondering if they had cornbread and collard greens at their gatherings? FOLKS. Did you know, this is the only verse in the Bible that uses this particular word? God covered it all, didn't He? 

It was a great moment of connection with our newest member. It broke the ice and allowed a moment for the Bible to come alive for people who are just being introduced to it. And isn't that just like Jesus? He goes out of His way to reach out to anyone who is hungry for more of Him. I was thinking about the way He taught parables to those who wouldn't understand His teachings any other way. He used stories for the people of that day so they could understand and relate to it better. He didn't have to, but He did. He was a dedicated teacher then...and still is today.

Folks (or guys...or whatever it is where you may live)...the Bible is still relevant for us today. Old book. Same message. Real. True. Living. God's Word is alive and well today. Let's dig in and allow something to open up to us in new ways. The Bible...cornbread for the soul.