Jay's Message-October 24

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

“Over the river and through the woods...

…to Grandmother’s house, we go!”

Now there’s an old song for you. Just hearing it, or even reading the first line, brings back many memories to me of Thanksgivings long ago. Did you know that the author’s original words were, “to Grandfather’s house we go?” But over the years it was changed to “Grandmother’s,” and so that settled in as the tradition.

The holiday period is filled with traditions. They are great reminders of our past and give us foundational comfort for the future. Some we love, some we come to dread, but they tend to prevail.

Christians sometimes have trouble separating “traditions of men” (which can become spiritually deadly, Mark 7:8, 9, 13), from apostolic tradition. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church about holding to the traditions which they were taught, he meant those things which would grow them closer to God and empower them to live a life of faith and obedience.

The apostles taught absolute truths given to them directly by God (2 Peter 1:20,21). It was not human opinion, something that would change with time, politics, society, or culture. We have these traditions in the Word of God, the Bible. Everything that will prepare us for eternity with Christ is there (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Thank God for the incredible gift of His Word, and the inde-

scribable gift of His Son (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15)!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving and be a blessing to someone else,