Fallen by the wayside...

Poet Randy L. McClave provides us with some provoking thoughts to consider when those we disciple fall by the wayside ... 

      

               ~ JUDAS ~

"Judas had the very best pastor

And the wisest master,

He had the very best advisor

And the only one who was much wiser.

He had the very best teacher

The ultimate preacher,

He had the very best counselor

Be it now, or ever before.

The problem wasn't Judas's leadership

Or how he did worship,

Nor was it the temple that he went to

Or all that he knew. 

Nor was it because of any of the disciples

Or even any of their rivals,

It wasn't even a sadness or a careless whim,

It was all because of him.

If your character or attitude doesn't change

If your soul stays estrange,

And if your heart doesn't ever transform

And sin stays your norm.

If unto peace and salvation you will not proclaim.

You will then always stay the same

And then like Judas the fool,

You will then become the Devil's tool."

On a personal note... 

I would encourage you with further application... You can Pastor, preach, lead,  advise and counsel just like Jesus and still have elders, deacons and congregants go completely off the rails. 

So, just keep your eyes on Jesus and praise God for those of your leadership and flock who, by the grace and power of God are staying the course. 

Keep pressing on, 

~ PJVS

Keep it Real!

What do you think Paul had in mind when he wrote Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season"? 

Paul certainly had more change of seasons than most … “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:24-28) 

So, however wild your week has been, let’s keep it real my brother!  Hold on to His promise… “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

~ PJVS

Hold Fast!

“I have prayed for new men, fiery, reckless men, possesed of uncontrollably youthful passion - these lit by the Spirit of God. I have prayed for new words, explosive, direct, simple words. I have prayed for new miracles. Explaining old miracles will not do. If God is to be known as the God who does wonders in heaven and earth, then God must produce for this generation. Lord, fill preachers and preaching with Thy power. How long dare we go on without tears, without moral passions, hatred and love? Not long, I pray, Lord Jesus, not long....” 

― Jim Elliot

“The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens...

 ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name... Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown." 

~ Revelation 3:7-8, 10-11

Stay on Point...

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." - 1 Peter 2:21-23

Some time ago I watched a "Voice of the Martyrs" video that followed a group of teenagers who were on a V.O.M. visit to Vietnam. At one point they asked a Christian leader if he felt anger when the authorities would often tear up his ministry center. He responded without any ill feeling, that he was committed to reach his world for Christ, no matter how much opposition came his way. He entrusted himself to the Lord and stayed on point. 

Persecution of any kind will bear witness to genuine faith and real discipleship. Every committed Christian leader knows that there will be suffering for their faith and opposition in their ministry. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Jesus is our example in this matter, as he suffered without retaliation or threats. He entrusted himself to the divine purpose and stayed on point. 

My brethren, we're in a battle led by the Captain of our salvation. We will be persecuted and oppressed at every point. While some will suffer great loss and others will suffer humiliation or disappointment, just keep on committing your way to the Chief Shepherd. As David wrote in Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."  Entrust yourself to the Lord my friend, and STAY ON POINT!

 ~ PJVS 

No Greater Success!

"To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." - John 3:27-30

John's ministry was difficult at best. It all ended abruptly without any great success. But, was it really unsuccessful? Some say yes, but there is a very different view from heaven.

We who serve the King of Kings labor in the highest positions known to man. Wherever our Master chooses for us to serve is a privilege. We would be more encouraged if we would reflect on this fact, "It's not about us, it's about HIM" and it's His world, His work and His Glory. It all belongs to Him, and "a man can only receive what is given him from heaven."

May we daily "wait and listen for Him". Our greatest joy should be the sound of His voice as He directs our steps and expresses His pleasure in our ministry progress. In all that we strive to accomplish today, may every moment be filled with one single goal ... that He becomes greater; and we become less. There is no greater success!   ~ PJVS

  "Do little things as though they were great, because of the majesty of Jesus Christ who does them in us, and who lives our life; and do the greatest things as though they were little and easy, because of His omnipotence." 

~ Blaise Pascal

Leaders are People...

I recently read a quote by the actor, Tom Selleck... 

"Few of us are as good as we think we are; and none of us are as good as we can be."

"So, instead of looking at our frail humanity and complaining about our deficiencies, let’s joyfully accept our humanity with all its potential and ask God to help us make the most of it. David asked the Lord, “What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Ps. 8:4). 

What are mere mortals? We are the precious objects of God’s love! If the Lord has called you to be a leader, it’s because He knows you better than you know yourself, because He loves you, and because He planned it all before time began. Your genetic structure was designed by God so you could do the work He has called you to do (Psalm 139:13–16). 

Leaders are people—God’s people—God’s chosen people—chosen to do His will and His work, and to help others to do His work. His promise is, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5)." 

- Warren W. Wiersbe, On Being a Leader for God, 

2011, Baker Books

Ride the wave of God's incredible loving call and ...  "Be as good as you can be" for the all surpassing Glory of God! 

The Fox and the Hedgehog...

"One of the most talked about concepts in the last few years involves a fox and a hedgehog. The story comes from ancient Greek literature and was summarized in an aphorism by Greek philosopher Archilochus. It simply states, “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Foxes tend to move around quickly, chasing new ideas. They find it difficult to stay with one vision or direction for very long, preferring to jump from one idea to another. Hedgehogs are quite the opposite. They tend to move much slower but find it easy to stay with one vision or one direction until it is accomplished. Pastors can be foxes or hedgehogs. If they are foxes, they may not have the patience or tenacity to stay long enough to see revitalization take place. Revitalization leaders are hedgehogs to one degree or another. They keep moving forward until revitalization happens. In short, they stay the course and never give up. Former prime minister Winston Churchill said, “Success is not fatal, failure is not final; it is the courage to continue that counts.” God said it more clearly: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58)."

- McIntosh, Gary L.; There’s Hope for Your Church:

 First Steps to Restoring Health and Growth (pp. 159-160). Baker Publishing Group 

As I was preparing for ministry I was blessed with a pastor and mentor who was a hedgehog! He successfully planted two churches and spent twenty-eight years as the pastor of a third. Upon His retirement, his words appropriately centered on 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Following such words of wisdom and the example of “never giving up” in the ministry assigned by the Lord, kept me on point for forty-plus years. So, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ...  stay the course and never give up... great things will happen in His time.

Accountability...

"It was the belief in the accountability of man to his maker that made America a great nation. Among those earlier leaders was Daniel Webster whose blazing eyes and fiery oratory often held the Senate spellbound. In those days the Congress was composed of strong, noble statesmen who carried the weight of the nation in their hearts and minds.

Someone asked: “Mr. Webster, what do you consider the most serious thought that has ever entered your mind?”

“The most solemn thought that has ever entered my mind is my accountability to my Maker,” he replied.

Men like that cannot be corrupted and bought. They do not have to worry if someone listens to their telephone calls. What they are in character and in deportment results from their belief that they will finally be accountable to God."

 - A. W. Tozer, Echos from Eden 

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood."

- Acts 20:28 (CSB)

"Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." 

- 1 Peter 5:2–4 (CSB)

During the years of my pastorate I placed a plaque on the pulpit that read..."Sir, We would see Jesus". It kept me focused on the One I was to preach about and the One to whom I was accountable. May you always preach and minister to and for an audience of ONE.

Determine to Finish!

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." -- Acts 20:24

A lot happens along the way of a marathon. There are moments of exhaustion, occasions when a runner may stumble and there are times when injuries will almost overwhelm. But every committed athlete is determined to finish.

Paul was just such an athlete. He was on a course received from the Lord. The race was far more important than his personal life. No matter what challenges or setbacks came his way, he had only one goal. Paul was determined to finish.

You are also in a race assigned by the Lord as a Pastor. Your course is set and it will take you through many turns and over numerous hills. The hardships will be great and exhaustion may be unbearable. But, with the grace and strength of the Lord, you will run well. Just be sure to have one goal... be determined to finish. 

~ PJVS

"Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you."  

-  George Whitefield 

Never a Waste!

"And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me." -- Matthew 26:8-10 

With the intention to evangelize the previously unreached Huaorani people, five young missionaries began making regular flights over Huaorani settlements in September 1955, dropping gifts. After several months of exchanging gifts, on January 3, 1956, they established a camp at "Palm Beach", a sandbar along the Curaray River, a few kilometers from Huaorani settlements. Their efforts came to an end on January 8, 1956, when all five — Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian — were attacked and speared to death by a group of Huaorani warriors. Some people at the time may have said, "Why this waste?"

The above mentioned woman, Mary of Bethany (John 12:3) , poured out a personal sacrifice to honor the Lord. No matter what the sacrifice, great or small, Jesus sees it as a beautiful thing. It is never a waste when we give our all to worship and serve the Lord. He sees the value in a far different manner than others. Our sacrifices for Jesus are never a waste.

When you evaluate your efforts made for the kingdom of God and wonder if it was worth it, remember that his ways are higher than your ways and his thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9) and "He has made everything beautiful in its time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) In retrospect, a number of those responsible for the above martyrdom became strong followers and preachers of Christ. In addition, over the years, many young people were inspired to give their lives for Missionary work. No sacrifice for Jesus is a waste! 

~ PJVS