The Fellowship of Suffering ...

 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." - 1 Peter 5:8-9 

Elijah complained in 1 Kings 19:14, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” To this the Lord responded in verse 18 with, "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." In the face of spiritual warfare we often feel alone in the battle, but we find new courage when we are aware there are others who are fighting with us. We're strengthened by the Lord and inspired by the fellowship of suffering.

As Peter wrote to the early church under severe persecution, he charged them to resist the devil and stand firm, because there were others in the fight as well. He reminded them that they were not alone in the battle, so they would be encouraged to remain steadfast. As Elijah of old, there were others who suffered persecution but remained true to their faith. There was strength in Lord and inspiration in the fellowship of suffering.

The spiritual warfare is difficult and the pressure is great, but we are never alone in the battle. Every pastor will, at some point think ..."I am the only one...", but be steadfast my friend, resist the devil and stand firm in your faith. Take time to remember, there is strength in Lord and inspiration in the fellowship of suffering.

~ PJVS

Why You're There...

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." ~ Matthew 9:36

As you're reading through all your seminary notes on how to effectively minister in an upside-down, inside-out world, here are a few words of focus in the midst of the confusion. 

"When genuinely hurting people call, pastors know they were ordained “for such a time as this” and move with compassion. “A man in our congregation, a sweet Southern-gentleman kind of guy about seventy years old, came down with a brain tumor about two weeks ago and died within a week,” said Steve Harris. “To be in that little room with his wife and their kids when they found out, and to have them later say ‘Thank you for being there,’— that’s when I sense I’m doing what God put me here for.”

    ~ Kevin A. Miller,  Secrets Of Staying Power

Over the years I've wept with and prayed for families who lost their children unexpectedly, others who lost mates to suicide, and families who lost their homes and all their earthly possessions tragically. The list goes on without number, as does yours. As your ministry continues, you may be sure that unexpected tragedies will continue as well. I encourage you to count each encounter as an incredible privilege to be the heart and hand of God for broken lives... For the Lord has truly ordained you "for such a time as this" You may be confident that our Lord will give you strength and words of compassion as you do what He put you here for. Love them like Jesus my friend, love them like Jesus. 

~ PJVS

Stay the Course ...

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first... I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first." - Revelation 2:4-5, 19

 In the film "The Patriot" there is an underlying theme that contrasts the patriotic passions of a father and son. Age and experience had dampened the father's passion, while youth and idealism fired the son's. At the same time a phrase from the past is mentioned numerous times; "Stay the Course". As the story develops, the father comes to put his guilt, fears and reservations aside for a new vision and renewed patriotic passion. In the end, he was determined to "Stay the Course".

  As Jesus addressed the early churches, he found a similar contrast. One church had, through time and experience lost her first love, while another church, through love and faith did more than she did in the beginning. For the one church, time had taken its toll. For the other church, time had stoked the fire. Jesus commended the second church for staying the course.

 Are you doing more for the Lord today than when you first began? Or, have recent experiences dampened your spiritual passion? Has time eaten away at your vision and drive for the kingdom of God? Remember, and return to your first love and... "Stay the Course"!

~ 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 spiritual 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

“Lord, make my way prosperous

 not that I achieve high station, 

but that my life be an exhibit 

to the value of knowing God.” 

― Jim Elliot

The Almighty Appointment...

"Effective spiritual leadership does not come as a result of theological training or seminary degree, as important as education is. Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you” (John 15:16). The sovereign selection of God gives great confidence to Christian workers. We can truly say, “I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group but by the almighty appointment of God... Yet spiritual leadership transcends the power of personality and all other natural gifts. The personality of the spiritual leader influences others because it is penetrated, saturated, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As the leader gives control of his life to the Spirit, the Spirit’s power flows through him to others." 

~ Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership 

May the power and presence of the Almighty flow through your messages and counsel in the coming weeks as His appointed agent of Change!

~ PJVS 

SUFFICIENT!

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient.”... “There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” 

~ J. Hudson Taylor

However your week has been or what lies ahead of you tomorrow, know this... "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Stay the course my pastor friend and rest on the fact that "His grace is...and always will be SUFFICIENT"! 

In His Eternal Grip, 

~ PJVS

An Awful Weapon...

"A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. A word spoken by you when your conscience is clear, and your heart full of God's Spirit, is worth ten thousand words spoken in unbelief and sin... It is the voice of Christ that wakens the dead soul. Jesus speaks through the Bible, through ministers, through providences. His voice can reach the dead. He quickeneth whom He will. They that hear, live..." 

- Robert Murray McCheyne

My pastor friend... May you be in every setting, an awful weapon in the hand of God. May the voice of Christ be heard through your preaching, teaching and counseling. May spiritual life and growth come to all those to whom you minister.

Great Blessings and Abundant Fruit in your labor, 

~ PJVS