“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:15
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
Pregame routines are helpful to keep athletes busy and minimize butterflies in their stomachs in preparation for big events. Usually, coaches and key leaders give passionate speeches to teach younger players about the dedication of former players who blazed the trail for players today. As anticipation builds, these cherished customs build camaraderie among teammates to help everyone join together as one united group to seek victory.
Though some customs are discarded because they are wrong or outdated, the apostle Paul emphasized that basic beliefs should be passed from generation to generation. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15).
We may not travel as far as Abraham, but we learn from his story to trust God even when we don’t understand His ways. “Then the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.’ He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram (Abraham) believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:4-6).
When God introduced Himself to Moses at the burning bush, the Lord demonstrated His holiness and said He is the God for all people and for all times. “When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is the holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:4-6).
Are we doing what we can to pass on our faith to future generations?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com.
