by Gale Futterman

Hold Fast!  Press On!

            This is my last letter to you as Support Group Leader, and the message God gave me for you is Hold Fast, Press On!  I recently re-read second Timothy, Paul's last letter, written when he knew that he had "run the race set before him, finished the course, kept the faith," but that Timothy and the other believers would certainly be facing hardship and opposition.  I was impressed by the things Paul wrote knowing that his time to communicate with his beloved disciple Timothy was coming to a close.  There was a sense that he knew he had to say the most important things.  Will you take a few moments to "sit at the feet" of the apostle Paul, the person whom God used to pen most of the New Testament, and consider his passionate final challenge and encouragement?

            I will be placing particular emphasis on the verbs, the action words that Paul chose.  He told Timothy to STIR UP the gift of God in him, because "God HAS not GIVEN us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."  You and I are not the only ones who feel like we're "losing it" sometimes!  What a comforting reminder for this young man, the leader of a fledgling congregation.  Remember, this was after the Messiah had been crucified, and Timothy also knew that he was about to lose his mentor.  Paul was helping him to keep his focus, get ready for whatever was ahead, and stay the course.  "DO NOT BE ASHAMED of the testimony of our Lord," Paul told him, but "SHARE with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who HAS SAVED us and CALLED us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which WAS GIVEN to us in Christ Jesus before time began."

            As Paul spoke to Timothy of enduring the "perilous times that WILL COME", he gave several "word pictures" to help him (and us) to understand and communicate the appropriate response – good soldier, competitive athlete, hardworking farmer.  He reminded Timothy that even though he was suffering in chains, the gospel IS NOT CHAINED!  "I ENDURE all things for the sake of the elect," Paul both told and modeled for his "son" in the faith.  Paul reminded Timothy that "all who DESIRE to live godly in Christ Jesus WILL SUFFER persecution."  That's a promise you don't often hear "claimed"!  "For if we DIED with Him, we SHALL also LIVE with Him.  If we ENDURE, we SHALL also REIGN with Him," was followed with the dire warning, "If we DENY Him, He will also DENY us."  In our weakness, we may be have been tempted to give up, if that phrase had not been followed with, "If we are FAITHLESS, He remains FAITHFUL."  We endure because of His faithfulness. 

            "REMIND them of these things, CHARGING them before the Lord NOT to STRIVE about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers" – how this has applied for millennia!  Many will recognize the AWANA theme verse, and perhaps appreciate it even more in the context of Paul's last words.  "BE DILIGENT to PRESENT yourself APPROVED of God, a worker who DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED, rightly DIVIDING the word of truth."  "Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God STANDS, having this seal:  'The Lord KNOWS those who ARE His,' and, 'Let everyone who NAMES the name of Christ DEPART from iniquity.'"  We hold fast, because He holds fast to us!  Our lives are to reflect His holiness.  

            In a great house, Paul wrote, some vessels are for honor and some for dishonor.  Paul knew that those who really know Him want to honor Him, so he said, "Therefore, if anyone CLEANSES himself  from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, SANCTIFIED and USEFUL for the Master, PREPARED for every good work."  Also in the midst of Paul's final charge we find the familiar, "All Scripture IS GIVEN by inspiration of God, and IS PROFITABLE for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly EQUIPPED for every good work."  The Word of God completes and prepares and equips us for every good work set before us, HalleluYAH!

            Many of us are facing personal challenges or losses – loved ones, finances, health, parenting issues.  Remember that gold can not be purified without the refiner's fire!  I leave you with a great encouragement from the end of Paul's epistle to Timothy, "But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . ."  We who follow Messiah Yahshua (Jesus) don't walk through anything alone, and He WILL NOT GIVE us more than we can endure.  Read 2 Timothy and be encouraged! 

It has been a joy to serve you with my wonderful sisters and fellow servants, Lyndi Ruzicka (your 2005-2006 Support Group Leader), Lezanne Hutcheson, and Thelma McMahon.  Hold Fast and Press On, for the crown of righteousness awaits you!