In It's Time...

“It is not my strength that grows, so much as God's strength in me, which is given more abundantly as the days roll. It is so given on one condition. If my faith has laid hold of the infinite, the exhaustless, the immortal energy of God, unless there is something fearfully wrong about me, I shall be getting purer, nobler, wiser, more observant of His will; gentler, like Christ; every way fitter for His service, and for larger service, as the days increase.” ~ Alexander Maclaren

As I recently observed summer slip into fall, and fall slowly slip away toward winter, I couldn't help but be instructed. Ministry progresses at one speed... HIS. Just as I could never cause seasons to change faster, neither could I ever cause God's work to move faster than He planned. Since patience comes to us in the fruit of the Spirit, we have all that we need to "lay hold of the infinite, the exhaustless, the immortal energy of God" and wait for seasons to pass and harvest to come. I pray that you will stay the course my brother... and wait! Why? Because He still "makes everything beautiful in its time."

Keep looking up to the One who renews our strength,

~ PJVS

Been with Jesus...

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13

As far back as the 12th century, apprenticeships were a large part of learning a trade. Parents would often place their teenage son under the instruction of a Guild's Master craftsman. After 5 to 9 years the young man would most likely become highly skilled in the specified trade. His future success as a craftsman would depend on who he had been with during his years of training.

While the disciples were uneducated, common men, they had spent three years with Jesus. They sat under his teaching and joined him in a great many ministry activities. They had become highly skilled servants and preachers of the Gospel. But what was most significant was not so much the lessons learned as the One they had been with during their years of training.

When you minister from week to week, what do people observe most of all? Are they impressed with your Bible knowledge, or is it your vast church experience? Do you have an impressive resume from the best Bible Colleges and Seminaries? These will never have the same lasting impact as WHO you spent time with in preparation. Every day and every week, your skill in ministry should be rooted in this fact: that you have been with Jesus. 

- PJVS

"David Brainerd died at the home of Jonathan Edwards when he was 29 years old. During the few years of his life, he had such a passion for God that nothing else could satiate his heart. He would kneel in the snow and be so lost in worship, prayer and intercession that when he was through, the snow would melt around him in a wide circle. We need passion like that today. Oh, for men and women who have such a longing for God that everything else in their life would be pushed away!"

~ Tozer, A. W.. My Daily Pursuit: Devotions for Every Day

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