The Lord still teaches new things in His word...

    I have been learning quite a bit lately. Not only in my studies for school, but from the Word of God. It has seemed that lately too much was just reminders of things I have learned before in the 30+ years as a Christian. I was beginning to feel stale in my study of the Word. Last Sunday, my pastor started a study in the book of Daniel. I was thinking, OK, more about eating good food, lion's den, fiery furnace, etc.

    Yet the pastor brought a new look I hadn't thought about before. In order for Daniel and his three friends to be able to be taken away from home as teenagers and to be so strong in their faith, they had to have great parents that instilled in them a love for God and faith in Him that was unwavering. I had never thought about their parents! They were not even mentioned, but they didn't have to be. These boys showed in their actions what they had been taught growing up. Another interesting thing was when the pastor referenced Josh McDowell and a statistic. Did you know that it is best for fathers to be involved with their kids to keep them from trying drugs? Yes, that seems to be common knowledge. BUT did you know that it is better for the father to be missing in action than to be around yet not involved? It seemed the stats showed kids between two or three times more likely to try drugs with a non-caring father that was part of their lives.

    Another verse I had overlooked was 2nd Corinthians 2:17, "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." Direct hit for the TV evangelists that beg for money. The Lord still amazes me every day with how His word can be related to everyday life over 2000 years later.