#modern application

Have you ever spent time reading the Old Testament? It's the first part of the Bible, contains 39 different books, was written between 1500 B.C. - 400 B.C., and encompasses thousands of years of history. It holds history, poetry, prophecy, and apocalyptic writings. Names included are hard to pronounce, many places mentioned are now archaeological sites, and it's filled with some things that seem just old. So what could this part of the Bible have for us and why would we even spend time in it.  If you take a look at the verses above from Romans 15 you'll find out exactly why. Today we still have questions about relationships, marriage, parenting, money, and anger. We struggle to end racism, injustice, and cruelty toward immigrants. We wonder what place God's Word has in our world and so much more. The people about whom and for whom the Old Testament was written struggled to answer all those things and so much more. And God answered them all thousands of years ago! There really is nothing new under the sun as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes (that's in the Old Testament). God's Word in the Old Testament provides us godly insight for today's life. Over the next several weeks, we'll begin a new series of devotions entitled, "Ancient Stories, Modern Application". We'll look at a variety of accounts from the Old Testament to find encouragement and instruction for godly living. The God of all grace hasn't ever changed in this ever-changing world. We'll discover his truth for our guidance and growth from ancient sources while we apply them to our modern times. The past is filled with all sorts of instruction. We just need to open our ears to hear it and apply it to our own lives.  Jeremy Belter, Pastor Shepherd of the Valley Church Candelas campus svlcandelas.org