Beneath the Cross ...

David F. Wells insightfully wrote the following in his book Losing Our Virtue...

“It was the contention of the Protestant Reformers that Christian faith will always be misunderstood if the Cross is misunderstood. Or, to put the matter positively, those who understand the Cross aright, grasp the meaning of Christ aright and can then see the entire purpose of revelation clearly. For Christ and his Cross stand at the center of God's disclosure of his moral will and saving ways in Scripture. Indeed, without the Cross we are without the magnifying glass through which his love and holiness are most keenly seen. To stand beneath the Cross is to stand at the one place where the character of God burns brightest and where his resolution of the problem of sin is sounded for all time.” 

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” ~ Ephesians 2:14–16

My Pastor friend, may you keep it simple, but powerful, as you "stand beneath the Cross". Only there will we see the death of "hostility".

~ PJVS

Stand Firm...

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 

My wife and I collect lighthouses. We visit them while on vacation and regularly add to our collection of miniatures and pictures. Lighthouses remind us of being a light in the darkness and a guide to the wayward. They are those great stone edifices that stand firm in the storms and send forth the light that saves from a watery grave. God also places lighthouses on the shores of this world to save souls from eternal damnation.

Paul writes of coming days of increasing evil and tribulation. He assures believers of their deliverance from this time, but until those days arrive he calls us to stand firm and hold to the teachings passed down to us. The winds of time may bring change, but the truth remains the same: Those who refuse to love the truth will perish, and those believe the truth will live eternally. As we spread the light of this truth, we are God's lighthouses.

There is no lighthouse of worth that doesn't stand firm in the midst of the storm. The lighthouse serves the mariner with the same purpose today as it did hundreds of years ago: it gives light to show the way to safety. Every Gospel preaching church is a lighthouse in a world of darkness, and you as the pastor, are the lighthouse keeper. May you stand firm as you hold forth the Light of Life, leading souls from eternal damnation to the safety of redeeming grace. 

~ PJVS

What are Your Plans?

"When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing." - Luke 9:10-11

Plans, plans, plans! Day by day we plan the hours to the minute. We live by tight schedules that will be the most productive and get the job done. Plans keep us focused, plans keep us busy, and plans bring us success. Sadly, too often plans become the goal, an end in and of themselves. The question is... "Do our plans allow room for the unplanned?"

Jesus planned to debrief the disciples and further mentor them alone, in a restful place. But the crowds came and he "welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God".  Most often, the unplanned turns out to be people. Jesus always made time for the unplanned and welcomed the providential occasion with open arms. Because he loved people, "His plans allowed room for the unplanned".

What's your plan for today pastor friend? Will you get it all done the way you want? Are you focused with the intensity of an Olympic athlete? Or are you prepared for the unexpected intrusion of people who need the Lord? Are you willing to make time for those who didn't make an appointment? The question is... "Do your plans allow room for the unplanned?" 

~ PJVS

Impartial Love...

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory."

~ James 2:1 

"Brethren, you will shortly appear before an impartial God, see that ye be impartial stewards; take the same care, manifest the same love, attend with the same diligence, the poorest and weakest souls that are committed to your care, as you do the rich, the great, and honorable."  ...  "The precious and immortal souls of men are committed to us; souls, about which God hath concerned his thoughts from eternity; for the purchase of which Christ hath shed his own blood; for the winning and espousing of which to himself, he hath put you into this office; at whose hands he will also require an account of them in the great day." 

- Flavel, John, The Whole Works of the Reverend John Flavel, 

vol.6, The Character of a Complete Evangelical Pastor

May the Chief Shepherd gives you an impartial love and care for every precious soul under you watch this week. Blessings as you continue in such a high and holy office.

~ PJVS

The Right Remedy...

"And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey." -- Ezekiel 3:3

In bitter days of crime, abuse, and darkness of soul, there is sweetness to found. When the morning news speaks of godless agendas and immoral conduct, there are pleasant words of which to partake. When the heartache and grief surrounds us with painful wails, there are comforting songs in which to rejoice. 

Where can we find such relief and promising words? Look to the pages of God's Holy writ and hear His counsel... "Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears." (Ezekiel 3:10) There is good hope for great hurt, precious promises for pressing pains... just the right remedy for every physician of the soul to prescribe. 

My pastor friend, as you search the Scriptures you will regularly find sweet truths to nurture and feed your flock. No matter how troubling the days may be, there will always be a word from the Lord. And that word will lift them high above the storm and sooth their hearts with unspeakable joy. These are the words that are... "More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10)

~ PJVS 

Great Goals demand Great Sacrifices...

"Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" - Mark 14:35-36

A young person desires to become a doctor. The path of education and internship is more than grueling. Another individual plans to become a Navy Seal. The training is more than overwhelming. Then there is an athlete that has an eye on an Olympic Gold medal. The preparation absolutely consumes their life. Great goals demand great sacrifices.

Our Lord saw the incredible cup of suffering that was ahead, and He prayed for possible deliverance. But as always, Jesus was fully committed to the will of the Father. He knew the value of our souls and our need for deliverance from sin. He went to the cross with his eyes wide open and heart surrendered. A great goal demanded a great sacrifice.

What has the Lord called you to accomplish my pastor friend? Where has he placed you in His vineyard to labor? Is the work too demanding, or have the years been too discouraging? Have you come to the place where you have experienced your own "Gethsemane"? After you have poured out your heart, may you join the Lord in the words of surrender... "Yet, not what I will, but what you will." Why should you willingly yield? Because, great goals demand great sacrifices.

~ PJVS

Back to Basics ...

"Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”"

~ Luke 11:1

PRAYER is vital to the life of the preacher. Read the biographies, and the autobiographies of the greatest preachers throughout the centuries and you will find that this has always been the great characteristic of their lives. They were always great men of prayer, and they spent considerable time in prayer. I could quote many examples, but I must refrain as there are so many, and they are well known. These men found that this was essential, and that it became increasingly so as they went on…

… From every standpoint the minister, the preacher, must be a man of prayer. This is constantly emphasized in the Pastoral Epistles and elsewhere, and, as I say, it is confirmed abundantly in the long history of the Church, and especially in the lives of the outstanding preachers. John Wesley used to say that he thought very little of a man who did not pray four hours every day. Nothing stands out so clearly likewise in the lives of people like David Brainerd and Jonathan Edwards, Robert Murray McCheyne and a host of other saints. That is why one is so humbled as one reads the stories of such men.

BIBLE reading is essential in the preacher’s life. This is obviously something that he does every day regularly. My main advice here is: Read your Bible systematically. The danger is to read at random, and that means that one tends to be reading only one’s favorite passages. In other words, one fails to read the whole Bible. I cannot emphasize too strongly the vital importance of reading the whole Bible. I would say that all preachers should read through the whole Bible in its entirety at least once every year...

… One of the most fatal habits a preacher can ever fall into is to read his Bible simply to find texts for sermons. This is a real danger; it must be recognized and fought and resisted with all your effort. Do not read the Bible to find texts for sermons, read it because it is the food that God has provided for your soul, because it is the Word of God, because it is the means whereby you can get to know God. Read it because it is the bread of life, the manna provided for your soul’s nourishment and well-being.

~ Adapted from: Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” ~ Psalm 119:17-18

“I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.”

~ Psalm 119:46-48