It's easy to see that the Lord was testing Daniel and his three friends' commitment to follow Him at all costs.-This test was not for the Lord's benefit- for He knew their heart already and knew the path they would walk.-No, this test was for their benefit-to reveal their faith in and commitment to their God regardless of the-consequences- to encourage and build their faith that Almighty God is ever faithful to uphold and strengthen-those who will not compromise the truth for the sake of earthly comforts and rewards. Tests in the School of-Christ come to all of us because God love us and uses them to strengthen us -1 Peter 1-7- 1 Peter 4-12-13-. We-groan over the trials, heartaches, afflictions, and tribulations that test our faith. We will despise them, curse-them, and let all of our anger out against them, UNLESS we see the good hand of God bringing them for our-good-for the building of our faith in Christ.

-1- The Desires of Christ-s Earthly Family Stated -Mark 3-31-32-- -2- The Declaration concerning Christ-s Spiritual Family Stated -Mark 3-33-35-.

-1- The Wicked Nature of the Charge Brought against Christ by the Pharisees -Mark 3-22-- -2- The Patient Defense Offered by Christ to the Pharisees -Mark 3-23-27-- -3- The Judicial Warning Brought against the Pharisees -Mark 3-28-30-.

History is often downplayed by Christians today. We tend to emphasize the doctrine and worship that is found-in Scripture. Doctrine and worship are surely important and necessary in the life of the church. What about-the importance and necessity of history- About 60- of the books of the Old and New Testaments are-historical books. The Holy Spirit considers history to have an important place in biblical revelation, and that is-why the apostles in the New Testament were continually recounting the history of God's works in the Old-Testament. Redemptive history in the Old Testament pointed to the Savior who was to come- and history-since then points back to those events in the life of Christ. History has a divine purpose only when we see it-through the person and work of Christ.

-1- Christ Was Occupied with Mercy -Mark 3-7-12-- -2- Christ Was Occupied with Teaching and Training His Disciples -Mark 3-13-19-- -3- Christ Was Occupied More with the Needs of Others than with His Own Needs -Mark 3-20-21-.

The re-education of children and young people has always been the goal of the enemy to turn our covenant children away from the Lord to serve the rulers and gods of this world. Public schools function as one means--to re-educate children through antichristian doctrine in the religion of humanism. The curriculum is designed--to lead children to question and doubt the one true living God and His Word.--Likewise, social media and the entertainment industry pick up where the schools leave off in filling young minds with every sensual pleasure and continually re-enforcing the theme that there is no higher goal than to please themselves, love themselves, and serve themselves. Self is the god of this age-ads and commercials teach that same heresy continually.--Whoever controls the children controls culture, education, government, and religion within a nation. That is why the job you fathers and mothers do in your home is a holy calling and not to be despised nor to be unappreciated. Your homeschooling and Christian education, your moral training according to God's--commandments, your teaching and living the gospel of Jesus Christ in your homes and marriages, and your influence for good in their lives is far more extensive than mine as a minister. Never minimize the high and holy calling to train up your children in the ways of the Lord-you do not know how the Lord will use them-just as Daniel's godly parents did not know how the Lord would use their beloved son to bring forth a powerful testimony for the Lord in a pagan nation.

-1- An Opportunity to Show Mercy on the Sabbath -Mark 3-1-- -2- An Objection against Showing Mercy on the Sabbath -Mark 3-2-4-- and -3- The Outcome of Showing Mercy on the Sabbath -Mark 3-5-6-.