Keep Your Focus...

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." 

~ 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (ESV) 

The story is told about a coastal life-saving station that saved a great many lives every year. As time passed the station became famous and efforts were made to buy better equipment and build a bigger building. The volunteers continued to give much time and energy to improve the looks and quality of the station. It eventually became more beautiful than any other station with more volunteers than ever. With all the activity focused on the station itself, one thing ceased to happen; saving lives. They lost their focus.

I enjoyed the privilege of being the pastor of three churches in three states for over forty years. From the very beginning my heart yearned for lost souls to come to Jesus. In each church, various programs of evangelism were organized and people came to the Lord. But, evangelism always had an ever pressing competitor ... the church building. Money, volunteers, time, and constant effort would drain our resources. One project would be completed just in time for the next to begin. It eventually came down to a spiritual battle between reaching the unbeliever or restoring the old building. Sadly, we often lost our focus.

The story for most of us isn't about building a beautiful palatial worship center that will "wow" the crowds. We usually inherit grand old legendary buildings that were built by spiritual stalwarts of days gone by. Yes, we're grateful for places to worship, but we are so often haunted with the ongoing cry for building restoration. While such needs press upon us, may Paul's word of counsel always call us to arms... "First of all". Let us keep prayer, preaching, and the saving of people first and foremost. Pastors, never let buildings cause you to lose your focus.

 ~ PJVS

You Can't Win Them All...

"This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." 

~ 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (ESV)

He had been a successful church planter for ten years in his home country. We welcomed him to our church and community with open arms. Soon afterwards a promising opportunity developed for him to take the lead in a new church plant. He confessed that he was being pressed by the Lord to accept the challenge. But, the "American Dream" wrapped it's ever-enticing arms around his heart and he shipwrecked. As his pastor and friend, I was greatly disappointed. But, you can't win them all.

Paul knew the taste of ministry drop-outs all too well... ("Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem..." ~ Acts 13:13)  Over the years, some dropped out, some fell into dibilitating sin (1 Corinthians 5), and others, as Hymenaeus and Alexander, totally shipwrecked their faith. No matter what the cause, when we invest our lives in others and they fall by the wayside, it's disappointing. But, we can't win them all. 

The concept of "we can't win them all" may seem trite, but when those to whom we minister walk away... it stinks. We know all the Biblical and theological answers to the sad fallout that so often comes, but we need to press on and prepare for the next "Timothy" that comes our way. In the years that followed the experience I mentioned earlier, I had the incredible privilege to mentor my two sons. These two young men of God are now passionately serving the Lord in pastoral ministries with undying devotion. Keep looking for the winners!

~ PJVS

Proven Results...

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 

~ 1 Timothy 1:15-17

I rarely purchase untested products. I often spend hours and days reading reviews and rest results on cars, electronics, and tech equipment. I’m not impressed with the slick design or brilliant colors used in making something. I need to know one thing, does it work? Someone once coined the phrase, “the proof is in the pudding”. Proven results are far more convincing than promising rhetoric.

Every occasion that any pastor proclaims the life changing truth of the gospel, they are on display. People aren’t concerned with their style of dress, hair color, or oratory finesse. The most important issue boils down to their walk with Jesus. Has the message been experienced and well proven in the pastor’s personal life? Proven results are far more convincing than promised rhetoric.

Paul made a simple claim … “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. Then he made it clear that Jesus saved him, the worst of sinners. He was transparent and forthright with his readers. Just because you are a pastor and a trusted leader doesn’t mean that you should be seen as flawless. God has put you out on display to proclaim the gospel and give personal evidence that it really works. Don’t hesitate to stand shoulder to shoulder with Paul as the worst of sinners, having been gloriously saved by God’s amazing grace. Proven results are far more convincing than promised rhetoric.

Mercy and Grace...

^“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (ESV)

During his teen years, Nicky Cruz ran away from home and started living on the streets of New York City. He became a member of the Mau Maus Street gang, eventually becoming their Warlord and ultimately their president. After a dramatic conversion to Christ, Cruz went on to Bible college and answered God’s call to gospel ministry. For the past 50+ years, he has shared the gospel message worldwide to nearly 50 million people and written 17 books on the at-risk youth culture that has been decimated by crime, drugs, and gang activity. Does our past always determine our future?

Not all pastors were born with a silver Bible in their hands. As I often remind my sons, “I didn’t always walk with the Lord”. In fact, many of us remember running from Jesus, rather than walking with him. So, how and most curiously, why has God appointed us to his service? The answer will always come down to just two words … mercy and grace. This is where we began, and this is where we must continue, or our ministry will be nothing but misery. Never forget the streets from whence you came and the strength on which you depend. We are who we are as pastors because of the overflowing faith and love of Christ. Our past didn’t determine our future.

There’s no end to how God will choose to use you in his service my friend. But you may be certain of this… He will use you. Where, how and why is up to Him alone. Don’t short-change or doubt yourself. God didn’t pull you out of your past, call you to serve, and fully equip you to fail. As Paul was ever thankful for God’s profound appointment, may we too be grateful for the calling of God in our lives. Because, when it comes to God’s mercy and grace, His past always determines our future!

Blessings as You Serve, 

~ PJVS

God's Compass...

“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” 

~ 1 Timothy 1:8-11 (ESV)

If you are an avid hiker or off-road adventurer, a good compass is a must. Now, you can choose a simple $10 Hikers Compass from the sporting goods department or you can make a lifetime investment by choosing the $200 Brunton Vintage Pocket Compass. Not all compasses are created equal and your choice can make all the difference in the world. No matter what you choose, it better get you home before dark.

Pastors and spiritual leaders have been entrusted with the most valuable and dependable compass of all time. Paul refers to this compass as the law of God. This moral compass serves as a profound instrument of direction. When used correctly, it will lead a lost traveler out of the dark woods of sin and into the glorious light of the gospel. But, if it is abused or misused, it will never get anyone home before dark.

May we never hesitate to open the convicting pages God’s moral compass and provide direction for loss travelers. David wrote in Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple”. People need the law to recognize life destroying sin and they need the Lord to receive life giving grace. My Pastor friend, you hold the only compass that will make a lifesaving difference. Use it wisely and faithfully to get them home before dark.

~ PJVS

Our Stewardship...

“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.”  

~ 1 Timothy 1:3-7 (ESV)

How do you drive a borrowed car? Do you “hot-dog” around town, or do you drive very carefully? If you are trustworthy, you will treat someone else’s automobile with respect and special care. You can enjoy the ride, but you always keep in mind that it’s a stewardship; entrusted to you for a particular purpose. When you lose that purpose, there’s no telling how far off the road you’ll drive.

Church leaders, teachers and even pastors can occasionally find themselves “hot dogging” with their calling.  We step into our entrusted calling as we do a borrowed car. We can enjoy the ride, but we always need to keep in mind that it’s a stewardship; entrusted to us for a particular purpose. As in the case of “certain persons” in Ephesus, there are so many issues in today’s climate that can tempt us to swerve from the purpose of proclaiming God’s redemptive plan.

Today’s passage brings to the table a dual stewardship…the calling and the purpose. We who are leaders, teachers or pastors have been entrusted with an incredible privilege. May we never be tempted to “swerve” from this God-given trust to “hot-dog” with the popular or spectacular. If we do… there’s no telling how far off the road we’ll drive.

~ PJVS

Abilities for Challenges...

"If you have raced with people on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?" ~ Jeremiah12:5

"God made it clear that Jeremiah’s ministry would not be easy; it would be like running a difficult race. He would begin by competing with foot soldiers, but they would soon be replaced by racehorses, and what man or woman can run faster than a racehorse? God was telling Jeremiah that his ministry would get harder, not easier. Running on the footpaths was one thing, but what would he do in “the jungle of the Jordan” where there were no easy paths and where he might confront ferocious beasts? That was the bad news. The good news was that, as he faced these new challenges, he would draw upon God-given abilities he didn’t know he had! The challenges would mature him in his character and his skills. God doesn’t pamper His leaders, but He does test them so He can better equip them (Heb. 13:20–21). The familiar adage is still true: “The will of God will never lead us where the grace of God cannot sustain us and enable us.”" ~ Warren W.  Wiersbe, On Being a Leader for God

My fellow pastor, I pray that the many challenges that you may be facing today will only lead to even greater abilities to gain new ground for His kingdom!

Because our labor is never in vain,

~ PJVS