Encourage Love | Inspire Good | Hold Fast

teach me through every good thing and every challenge in my life. These would be holy lessons and values, all precious and not taught in schools or colleges.

God taught me from His Word and through His abounding love to learn and unlearn certain things. Even as I went through this season of hopelessness, I learned to have hope. When I faced shame, I learned to stand up high. During times of distress, I learned to destress myself. When pushed away, I learned to swim back. At times of failure, I learned to win. He taught me to reconstruct myself with His power alone. I learned that if I held on to Him, God would take care and make all things beautiful in His time.

Faith reposes completely in the love of God. Hope vividly anticipates that God will fulfill His promises in a particular way. And this hope is noticeable and contagious. So today, nothing from the past affects or disturbs me. Every day starts fresh and free, because the past day has ended with the eternal peace, love and joy that comes from the Lord who keeps my heart, soul, spirit and body safe from all evil. 

by Deepthi Paul Nalla

Sister Deepthi Paul Nalla was one of several Telangana Baptist women leaders who took part in Baptist Women’s Life Circles leadership training this spring. She is in her final year of studies for her Bachelor of Divinity degree.

It’s a Two-Way Street

let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV)

It was absolutely traumatic! I had just purchased an expensive zero gravity chair for my daughter on her third post-op day following complete knee replacement surgery. A chair of this type had been my best friend following the same surgery a number of years ago, and I longed to see her gain some relief from the painful recovery she was experiencing. She was able to get out to the patio, sit in it, and enjoy the sun for about 30 minutes. Then, quoting “a funny feeling of distrust,” she returned to the house to lie down. Since I had a business call to make, I settled comfortably into the chair. Not five minutes into that call I heard an ominous C-R-A-A-AC-K. Suddenly I found myself lying on my back, knees at my chest, arms squished, completely folded into that chair! My husband came running. The chair would not open. He literally had to pry me out of the chair, as I clung to him for dear life. If I let go of Doug to try to help myself, I would simply end up still folded in the chair on the ground. It was only when I grasped his strong arm that he was able to wrestle me out of that horrendous position. Little did I realize last week that this encounter with a chair would be the life-picture of Hebrews 10:23!

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by Linda Ellsworth

Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada. READ Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 10:23-24 (References from the NKJV and NLT unless otherwise stated)

What do you think the writer means when he refers to “. . . holding firmly to what we believe” and “. . . hold fast the confession of our faith”?

_________________________ It is so interesting to realize that even our Saviour, Jesus Christ, had to cling to the Father in order to fulfill His purpose on earth.

READ Isaiah 42:1-9 Through the prophecy of Isaiah regarding the coming Messiah, God revealed several wonderful truths.

In verse 1, God refers to Jesus as His: a) ____________________, Who is _____________ by the Father b) _________, Who brings the Father ____________________.

As His “Servant Elect” Jesus is ordained by, upheld by, and delighted in by the Father.

In verse 4 God promises that the Messiah will not ______________ , nor will He be

In verse 5, God establishes His “credentials” as a trustworthy Father

by stating three creation facts: 1. ________________________

_________________________ 2. ________________________

_________________________ 3. ________________________

Are you getting the picture of a God to whom you would want to cling?

Way #1 of the “Hold Fast” TwoWay Street READ verses 6 through 9. In these verses, God addresses Jesus directly. verse 6: “I the Lord, have called You in righteousness, AND WILL HOLD YOUR HAND!”

Jesus, very God of very God, was CALLED by the Father to a specific purpose.

God the Father promised the Son that He would “hold fast” to the hand of the Saviour . . . keeping and guarding Him.

In the last half of verses 1 and 6 and in verse 7, God then spells out the four-fold mission and purpose for the sending of the Son to the world: 1. ________________________

_________________________ 2. ________________________

_________________________ 3. ________________________

_________________________ 4. ________________________

I can just imagine the Triune God shouting the victory exclamation mark in the words of verse 8. State verse 8 in your own words.

_________________________

God the Father promised to hold fast to the hand of the Son throughout His time on earth . . . that’s way one of the two-way street. (As we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, just picture those tiny fingers clinging tightly to Mary’s hand!)

Take a few moments to search through the Gospels and list the many times cited where Jesus had to cling to the His Father’s hand. (John 17 is particularly beautiful). Did you find a common thread?

Way #2 of the “Hold Fast” TwoWay Street READ Luke 23:44-46 Even in His final breath, the Son was holding fast to the Father’s hands. Write verse 46 below in your own words:

How does the “Two-Way Street” work in your life?

God promises to cling to you!

READ Psalm 37:23,24 and record His promise to you

READ Psalm 63:1-8 and record the two-way-street statements I will . . .

_________________________ Because You…

READ Isaiah 40:10-11 He will . . .

READ Isaiah 40:28-31 Because He will

_________________________ “They” (you) will My tale of woe with that chair Remember my tale of woe with that chair? Picture that chair as the everyday circumstances and sins of life that trap me in their vice, keeping me from fellowship with the Father who loves and sustains me.

Just like the Father, upon hearing my shrieks of woe, along comes my husband Doug who, for 50 years, has fulfilled his vow to love, cherish, and rescue me from my self. Doug immediately gripped my arm with his strong hand. He was not about to let go until I was safely on my feet. However, when I had the brief brilliant idea that I knew better how to get myself out of the tangled mess, I pulled away, landing myself on my side . . . still trapped in the chair.

Only when I returned to the safety of Doug’s grip was he able to extract me from my predicament. And so we are . . . with the Father who has vowed to hold us in the palm of His hand—loving us, protecting us, and saving us from ourselves. Yet how often do we choose to let go and try to save ourselves?

Holding fast . . . clinging to . . . really is a two-way street! Keep holding on to Him—He never lets go of you. 

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