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This is the daily devotion from the book, “Holding On and Letting Go” and the companion audio from the July 21, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

Here is day thirteen with an important reminder to seek out, follow, and hold on to sound teaching.

Hold On To Sound Teaching

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)

What is the best advice you have ever received?  Do you still follow it?  Why?  Have you ever been taught something that you later found out was not true?  How did you feel?  How does the teaching that you hold on to influence the actions you take when times are chaotic?  What is some sound teaching that you need to hold on to and put into practice today?

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Unfortunately, in the midst of chaos we often grasp at anything that offers a semblance of stability.  It is in times of disaster that it becomes extra critical that we seek out sound advice and teaching.  When we are in desperate need of help, it becomes very difficult to see through the motives of offers that are actually designed to take from us rather than help us.  It is especially true in these times that we must recall the sound teachings that we have learned in times past.  While good advice from friends and family can be quite helpful, there is nothing as lasting as holding on to the sound instruction of God’s Word.  Part of the beauty of God’s Word is that it portrays people that sound eerily similar to you and I.  Through their stories and examples, we find the value of holding on to God’s teachings in the midst of disaster — and we find the consequences of not doing so.  While there will be many decisions you must make that will feel rushed, none will be so hurried that you can’t take time to ask God for His instruction.  Holding on to sound teaching will give us a strong foothold to stand against not only the schemes of satan, but also against the schemes of those who would want to take advantage of our misfortune.

As you pray, ask God to refresh your mind with the sound teaching you have learned from Him — and of Him.  Pray that you would see through all the bad advice and hold on to sound teaching as you find hope in the midst of your chaos.

In prayer,
Tom