Why and How You Should Pray Before You Need It

Jesus’ Prayers Are Still At Work

Do you realize that Jesus prayed for you? Those prayers are still at work in your life -leading, guiding, protecting and comforting you. If Jesus knew and acted on the need to pray ahead of time, so should we.

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15)

Prayers never die. That is a comforting thought to me. It gives me a measure of peace to know that every single prayer anyone has ever prayed for me is still working for my good, even if that person is no longer alive. Also, every prayer that I have personally ever prayed is still alive and well. That doesn’t mean that I don’t need to pray today, but it does mean that If I’m having a stressful day, I can lean on prayers that I prayed in the past.

If you’re like me, and the rest of humanity, you have rough days. You might be sick, overwhelmed by decisions that need to be made, the recipient of someone else’s terrible choices, or even your own terrible choices. Some days, I wake up feeling like I can go to hell with a water gun (as my husband likes to say.) Other days, I stumble and fumble, just trying to make it through the day in one piece. On these days, I can barely think right thoughts, and I certainly don’t pray my best prayers.

Proactive Prayers

With this in mind, I make a point to intentionally pray for my future self when I’m going through difficult times. On a beautiful sunny day, when I’m feeling well, and there are no major catastrophes to deal with, I will pray like this:

”Lord Jesus, thank you for this moment. Thank you for the sunshine, the strength in my body, the peace I feel in my soul, and that I can feel you so very present with me right now. Lord, on some day in the future, when I don’t feel well, when I’m confused, or sick or anxious or overwhelmed, remind me of this moment. On that day, hear this prayer that I’m praying right now, and touch me. Give me peace, and remind me that you’re bringing me through that situation. Remind me that you’re working for my good, and that the difficult season will pass. In Jesus’ name.”

I’ve also learned that when I’m having a difficult day I can call to remembrance the prayers I’ve prayed in the past. That prayer might sound something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I feel terrible. I’m so confused. I feel like giving up. I feel so hopeless. I feel like there is no end in sight to this situation. It feels like it’s going to go on forever. BUT I remember that day when I was walking in the sunshine. I felt so good, and I was full of faith and joy. I remember praying for this exact moment. I didn’t know when it would come, but you knew. Lord, I’m calling on that prayer right now, and the faith I felt on that day. Let me feel that hope, faith and joy. Thank you for letting me remember that this is only a season, and a good season is right around the corner. In Jesus’ name.”

I might also say:

“Lord, I’m calling to your remembrance every prayer that has ever been prayed for me for peace and victory. Prayers that Granny prayed for me as we knelt in the blue bedroom all those years ago, let those prayers come before your throne right now, and pour out the answers to them at this moment.”

Praying A Hedge of Protection

Of course, I pray for myself and my family to be protected as we go through our days because we never know what the satan has planned for us that we will need a Divine Intervention for. As for future protection, there is one prayer that I have prayed over and over since being Born Again. I have seen so many people give up on their relationship with God when they’re going through difficulties. To preempt the mental attacks that I know will come in the future, I have prayed this prayer many times:

“Father, if there comes a time in the future that I become confused or disoriented spiritually. If I begin to wander away from your will, I pray on this day while I’m in my right mind, that you will keep me forcibly in your will until I am thinking right again. Don’t allow me fall into temptation and be led away from your will. On that day, I pray that you would remember this prayer that I’m praying today. In Jesus’ name.

Be Proactive In Prayer

“The biggest reason our prayers are not answered is because we don’t pray them.” Click To Tweet

Prayer is serious business, and accompanied by the Word, it is the Christian’s greatest weapon against spiritual darkness. I’m not an elite prayer warrior like Sis. Vesta Mangun or Sis. Joy Haney, but I do believe God hears and answers my prayers, as He does yours. The biggest reason our prayers are not answered is because we don’t pray them. Pray now. Pray in advance.

Warm Regards, -Pat

!!! I’d love for you to leave feedback by pushing the tiny LEAVE A COMMENT button under the article title, or email me from my CONTACT page. Thanks in advance!

Do I Have To Speak In Tongues? It’s All About Yielding.

A lady told me years ago that she wanted to speak in tongues like I did because I didn’t make crazy faces. She was trying to pay me a compliment, but I confess I didn’t know how to receive it. It did, however, cause me to pay attention to other people speaking in tongues. Sure enough, a great majority of them made facial expressions that appeared spastic and even painful to watch. This began my search for an answer. Why did some people seem to speak in tongues effortlessly, while others appeared to be chewing on unripe persimmons? The answer, I discovered, is in the yielding.

Do I Have To Speak In Tongues?

This leads me to my title question, do I have to speak in tongues? If you’re asking whether you HAVE to, you’re focusing on the wrong thing. The truth is when you are yielded, you WILL speak in tongues. If you go to the book of Acts which records the first outpourings of the Holy Ghost, there is no record of them asking, “Do I have to speak in tongues?” When the Apostles laid their hands upon potential new converts, they began to worship out loud, yielding themselves to the power of God, and they simply began to speak in tongues. It is the natural overflow of someone who is truly yielded.

Good Ground Yields Fruit

The men in my family farm row crops. Corn and soybeans. If they plant seed into prepared ground, that ground will yield vegetables. They plant with the expectation of harvesting. They trust the yielding process.

“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:8-9)

Trees Yield to the Wind

A healthy tree is not moved out of it’s place by a strong wind. When the wind blows, a tree will yield it’s branches which allows the wind to flow over, around and through. Here on the farm, I’ve been amazed many times at how far a tree will bend to allow for the moving of a strong wind without snapping. I’ve seen the same in altars when people bend and sway physically almost all the way forward and then almost all the way backward under the powerful wind of the Holy Ghost, without falling. The ultimate yielding, however, is when a person yields the most powerful body part, the tongue, to the flow of the Holy Ghost. When this happens, they will speak in tongues.

Crashing Is Not Yielding

We had a gorgeous beech tree in our back pasture when we first bought our property. I loved that tree. It was a majestic sight to behold, and home to much wildlife that made their nests in it’s branches. Even though it had stood for decades, one day a storm came, and it refused to yield. It was a sad day when that giant beauty fell.

There are many signs of someone being touched by the Holy Ghost -Joy, quivering, shaking, jumping, dancing, crying, swaying, but the only God-given evidence of a person being filled with the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. Furthermore, when someone comes crashing down like that old beech tree, you can be sure that person didn’t yield. Note, I’m not speaking about sinking down,  “slain in the Spirit,” which I have been. But I don’t care how many so-called men of God blow on you, if you come crashing and thrashing down, that is flesh, not Spirit. The biblical evidence of a person yielding to God’s Spirit is speaking in tongues.

Biblical examples of people falling back (again, I’m not referring to sinking down under the overwhelming Presence of God’s Spirit) actually point to people who were in sin and resisting the Holy Ghost. 

“And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.” (1 Samuel 4:17-18)

“Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” (John 18:4-6)

How Do I Yield?

To yield means to give over to. We must give ourselves over to the flowing of God’s Spirit. Admittedly, this is more challenging today than in biblical times. We live in a complicated world in which we are bombarded with external stimuli on a continual basis. The world’s influence, advertising, pressures constantly vie for our attention and mold our thinking. By the time someone is at an altar seeking the Holy Ghost, they have already been exposed, and often saturated, with false teaching concerning what is required for receiving the Spirit, as well as negative opinions about speaking in tongues.

Scripture is very plain, however, that speaking in tongues is the evidence that God chose to prove the infilling of the Holy Ghost. That being the case, how do I yield to the Spirit, and allow myself to be filled?

  • Repent of all sin. To be filled with the Holy Ghost, we must stand before God truly remorseful of everything that we have said, done or thought against His will and word. We must also have committed to turn away from sin from that moment forward.
  • Be Baptized in Jesus’ name. Although many people do receive the Holy Ghost before they are baptized, we should do as much as we have the power to do before we expect God to do His part. Repentance and being baptized for the remission of sins is our part.
  • Begin to Praise and Worship God out loud. God comes close when we lift Him up. Verbally, thank Him for his goodness to you. Say the things individually that you are thankful for. Tell Him out loud how you love Him, adore Him, worship Him, thank Him, trust Him, etc.
  • Lift your hands high to him in surrender to His Spirit and will. This is a universal sign of surrender. I’ve never seen anyone receive the Holy Ghost with their hands balled into fists at their sides.
  • YIELD every part of yourself to Him -every member of your physical body, every emotion, every thought, and your very speech.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

What If I Don’t Receive The Holy Ghost?

If you don’t receive the Holy Ghost the first time you pray, you can pray again. It actually took me five years to receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost because no one told me these things. If you look at the biblical accounts in the book of Acts, however, you will find that after the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, no one ever “tarried” for the Holy Ghost again. The gift is available to you any time you decide to submit to the process.

The two questions you should ask yourself if you do not receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues are:

1. Is there sin in my life that I have not truly repented of? Repentance is not just saying you’re sorry. It’s not even just being sorry. There is a brokenness that comes with true repentance -a godly sorrow, and a commitment to turn away from sin. Check the smallest dark recesses of your heart. Be honest with yourself and God.

2. Are you truly yielded? When your hands began to shake, your lips began to quiver, and your tongue felt like it was going to do its own thing, did you close your mouth and refuse to speak out loud? I realize this is a down to the brass tacks question that doesn’t seem spiritual, but God will not make you speak in tongues. You can stop the flow if you choose, and delay receiving His Holy Spirit until the next altar service, or even the next decade.

So…I Do Have To Speak In Tongues?!

For the love of all things holy, please stop focusing on speaking in tongues. What you have to do is REPENT and YIELD. When you do those two things correctly, you will receive the Holy Ghost, and when you receive the Holy Ghost, you WILL speak in tongues. It’s all about the yielding.

P.S. The answer to why some people speak in tongues more effortlessly than others is all about yielding as well;)

Warm Regards, -Pat

Hey, I’d love your feedback! Leave a comment (by pushing the tiny Leave a Comment button under the title) or shoot me an email (from my Contact page in the menu), and let me know what you think.

Distractions Galore!

Yesterday, I sat in an “express care” line for about an hour and a half to be tested for YOU KNOW…I tested negative:) As I pulled away and headed home, I thought, What a waste of time! I could have been doing something productive with those hours. Then reality set in, and I wondered if I had those hours back, would I actually use them productively?

Distractions. We face them countless times throughout the day. Some people the devil can get to sin. Others, he can get distracted. Let that sink in.

Just trying to get through my Bible reading this morning, I felt the continuous pull to check my social media. I may or may not have given in…I have to refocus very often.

Let’s ask ourselves a few questions:

1. What is it that I’m suppose to be accomplishing in my life?

-This will be more than one thing. It will be comprised of one or more ministries, but also practical and family related tasks.

-This list should include long term and short term achievements.

2. What giftings/talents has the Lord given me to assist in accomplishing these tasks?

3. What continually vies for my attention that plays no part in achieving these goals?

The enemy of our souls is so very clever. He knows exactly what to use and when, to keep us from fulfilling our calling. It can literally be anything, and the more harmless it seems, the more chance it has of working.

Social Media, Hobbies, Phone Calls, Texting, Movies, Books, Podcasts, Exercise, Sickness, Shapes in the Clouds, Unexpected Visitors, Aches and Pains, Fear, Relationships, Anxiety, World News…Feel free to list more in the comments.)

We must focus on what’s truly important in our families and ministries. We must continually break free from the distractions that keep our minds scattered, and tether ourselves to the purpose God has called us to.

The scripture I have used is specifically talking about being content if you’re unmarried because a single person can focus exclusively on the things of God. However, it can be applied to anything that distracts us from our calling.

“And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35)

God’s Amazing Grace…Let’s Not Make It a Disgrace.

“We have preached grace until it’s become a disgrace.” -Unknown 

I have found this to be true. People who claim to be Christians, live any way they want, and claim God’s amazing grace as their hope of eternity with Him. We have come to think of grace as an all inclusive, anything goes, God will overlook all manner of sin salvation plan. Be assured, God still requires repentance, obedience to the gospel, and holiness in order to be saved.

If you are sinning against God’s commandments, you have no reason to expect God’s grace to save you.

What is grace? Let’s start by looking at the definition of both mercy and grace:

  • MERCY is when God doesn’t give you what you deserve. (Judgement)
  • GRACE is when God gives you something that you do not deserve. (Blessing)

Both mercy and grace feel awesome. It’s understandable why people come to believe that they are saved after being the recipients of these gifts. Along with feeling light and free of the burden of judgement, and all goosebumps and glory from His many blessings, we constantly hear of the love of God. Granted, He is a loving God…He is also a just God, a jealous God, a holy God and a righteous God.

Compare These Two Scriptural Accounts.

  1. God sent Jonah to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. They repented of their sins, willingly accepting his mercy for the moment, and averting immediate judgement. Eventually, however, they were destroyed because they never followed through in His grace, and turned to Him completely.
  2. God met Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Saul was a Christian killer. Not only did Saul take advantage of God’s mercy, he followed on into His grace. He was converted. He changed. He turned 180 degrees, and lived for God with everything in him.

There are going to be a massive amount of people who claim Christianity that will be lost because they accepted God’s mercy for the moment, but never followed on into His Grace. God’s grace is big enough to cover any number of sins, but only if they are repented of and turned away from.

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

We do not receive grace so that we can continue in sin. Please hear me. If you are living in sin, judgement is coming to you.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2)

Grace is a space of time that God allows us to repent and turn from wickedness. It is not God condoning sin. I beg you, if you are living in a sinful lifestyle, please repent and turn from your sin.

Be Not Deceived 

Please don’t be deceived into thinking that God’s grace allows you to live in sin. Don’t be deceived into believing that God’s love is so all-consuming that He won’t hold you accountable for your sin.

We are living in a space of grace in which God is drawing humanity to repentance by His Word and by His Spirit. Great deception has come upon the world. Scripture calls it “gross darkness.”

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.“ (Isaiah 60:1-2)

You might think that you could never be deceived by this spiritual darkness, but if you are living in sins such as are listed below, and believing that you will be saved doing so, you are most definitely deceived.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)

Note: The word fearful in the above scripture is Strongs #G1169, and means “faithless.”

Just because it’s accepted by a whole society to have intimate relations outside of marriage, or have an abortion, or identify as the opposite sex, or live a homosexual lifestyle, or consume drugs and alcohol, or steal, or lie, or dabble in witchcraft such as with horoscopes, or worship politicians and movie stars and sports heroes…and the list goes on and on…It is not acceptable for a child of God.

I beg you to take God at His Word, and take advantage of His Gift of Grace by repenting of your sins, and being Born Again according to Acts 2:38.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

IN SUMMARY 

  1. Have you ever felt convicted of something that everyone around you felt was acceptable?
  2. Have you ever repented of a sinful lifestyle, and suffered persecution from friends or family who didn’t understand your conviction?
  3. Think of a time when God’s Spirit brought conviction. How did you feel until you repented? How did you feel after you repented?
  4. Have you ever felt conviction over something that you had not even known was sinful?
  5. What has brought the most conviction in your life, the preached Word or the written Word?
  6. Be honest with yourself…Are you living a sinful lifestyle, and trying to justify why you think God won’t hold it against you?
  7. Why do you think it is so hard to repent and turn from sin even when you know it’s necessary?
  8. Do you truly believe God will forgive you if you repent?
  9. What is your greatest fear of turning away from sin, and turning fully to God?
  10. What sin is worth more than your soul?

As always, I encourage feedback.
Warm Regards, 

-Pat

 

Why After-Maintenance Is A Big Part of Fasting Success

There is a phenomenon among people who fast (including myself) where the person tends to be a bit (or a lot) overweight. You would think that if a person fasts regularly, they would be thin, or at least a moderate healthy weight. This has led many, many people to shy away from fasting because they have seen people who do fast gain weight afterward. I have experienced this phenomenon for myself, and I too have had to talk myself into a season of fasting when I know that I’m likely to gain weight after.

I actually complained to God during my morning prayer about this very thing, “God, I’m so frustrated that the more I fast, the unhealthier I get when it’s over.” In reply, He just silently nudged my memory to how I had gone back to unhealthy food and lifestyle choices after my fast…very effectively letting me know that it was my own fault.

I use the word phenomenon because most people don’t understand that it can be explained. (Along with UFOs) The problem is a lack of after-maintenance. Good intentioned people think of their seasons of fasting as a separate and set apart time from their normal life. They (we) are very committed to this fasting season. As a result, the body naturally gets healthier. Unfortunately, after this season of fasting is past, they (we) go right back to eating the way we did before fasting.

This is a terrible shock to our bodies after functioning in pristine conditions. Our bodies immediately begin packing on pounds, holding on to fluids and become unable to purge toxins or process foods properly. We soon start to ache all over. Our movements are restricted. We can’t, or don’t have the will power, to exercise regularly. Sleep evades us. Sicknesses begin to manifest in our bodies. We become cranky, and feel hopeless. Does this cycle sound familiar? (I can write about it because I’ve experienced it over and over.)

I’m telling you, as I tell myself, that this problem can be corrected. Fasting isn’t the problem. Fasting isn’t the problem. Fasting isn’t the problem. Our mindset after we end our season of fasting is the problem. Before we begin a fast, we need to already be thinking of how we plan to end the fast, as well as how we plan on maintaining the healthier state of our bodies.

Ending A Fast

No matter how long or short the length of our fasting season, it must be ended correctly. It should take as many days as you fasted to get back to eating normally. Even a 24 hour fast requires a 24 hour period of breaking back into eating solid foods so as to not shock your digestive system. 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, 30 days…Take the time to end your fast appropriately.

Also, take care in what food you end your fast with. If you choose to end a 3 day fast with a pepperoni pizza, soda and a brownie delight topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, you will live to regret it.

Maintaining Fasting Results

Don’t let the words ‘eating normally’ in the above paragraphs mislead you. If you are going to fast regularly, and stay healthy, your normal eating must become healthy eating. If you go back and forth from a fasted state to an eat whatever you want whenever you want state, you will always feel bad, gain weight, and be discouraged.

Fasting is a discipline.

The act of fasting is not only for the immediate spiritual results it brings. It is also to teach us how to live consistently. If we refuse to hold on to the disciplines we learn while fasting, we can blame no one but ourselves that our health falls apart.

While we cannot live in a state of complete fasting, we can and should live a FASTED LIFESTYLE. It is not just something Christians do because we are expected to. It is something we incorporate into our lives that helps us live healthy.  It teaches us to not live in excess. It keeps lust and gluttony at bay. It instills good habits and structure into our daily lives. Fasting according to God’s Word is the basis for teaching us moderation in all things.

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5)

“Fasting according to God’s Word is the basis for teaching us moderation in all things.” -Pat Vick Click To Tweet

Tips For After-Maintenance 

  • End your fast properly with food suitable in health, portion and timing.
  • Continue to drink plenty of pure water.
  • Eat on a schedule, not giving in to mindless snacking.
  • Make healthy food choices. (If you have little will power like I do, you should make a plan and shop for appropriate food before starting your fast. If it’s in the pantry, I’m going to eat it…)
  • Continue with the good habits you incorporated during your fast such prayer and Bible study.
  • Continue to fast regularly, or satan will put fear and dread into your heart to keep you from pursuing a fasted lifestyle.
  • Move regularly whether it’s in an exercise routine or working around the yard.
  • Get daily sunshine.
  • Remember that the biggest battle before, during and after fasting is in your mind. God has put in you the ability to  make good choices.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As always, I invite you to leave feedback. Let me know your thoughts on fasting. What experiences have you had on your fasting journey?

Warm Regards, -Pat

Why Isn’t Believing In Jesus Enough To Be Saved?

Acts chapter 16 is the story of Paul and Silas being put in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They begin to sing in worship while they are bound in stocks. The Lord sends an earthquake that rattles the prison, and drops the shackles off of all the prisoners, including Paul and Silas. The prison guard that is on duty is panicked because he knows that he will be held accountable for any prisoners who escape. However, none of the prisoners flee, and Paul and Silas have an opportunity to witness to the guard. He runs in, falls at their feet, and asked to know how to be saved. They respond with the following answer:

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

If you stop reading here, it’s easy to understand why many people think all that is necessary to be saved is to believe in Jesus. However, the passage goes on to say that Paul and Silas shared the Word of the Lord with his family, AND took them that same hour and BAPTIZED them.

“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16:29-33)

 

  • SCRIPTURE MUST BE TAKEN IN CONTEXT.

We must read the Word of God in its entirety. It’s obvious that the jailer and his family didn’t believe only, but Paul and Silas thought it was important that they were baptized, as well. Not at some future time when it was convenient, but the same hour that they preached the Word of God to them, they took them to be baptized.

Anyone who is truly interested in understanding the Word of God can read the Book of Acts and see the pattern. Believers were expected to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues. This is the New Birth Experience, and the pattern can be found in Acts 2, 8, 10 & 19, plus many other supporting passages. Here are excerpts, but I urge you to read all four chapters:

ACTS 2

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.“ (Acts 2:38)

Although Acts 2:38 is not the only place the Plan of Salvation can be found, it is the most concise, because it was spoken by Peter in the first message to the Church on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus gave Peter the “Keys of the Kingdom,” and he laid out the plan perfectly. 

THE PATTERN

  1. Repentance -We apply Jesus’ death when we die to sin.
  2. Baptism -We are buried with Jesus when we are baptized in His Name.
  3. Receive the Holy Ghost -We are raised to new life, and receive resurrection power when we are filled with His Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues.

ACTS 8

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:14-17)

ACTS 10

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:44-48)

ACTS 19

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:2-6)

We cannot choose to make the scripture mean what we want it to for the sake of convenience. 

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)

“We cannot choose to make the scripture mean what we want it to for the sake of convenience.” -Pat Vick Click To Tweet
  • BELIEVING REQUIRES ACTION.

Believing is only the first step in the conversion experience. When you believe in something, you will act upon that belief. The same is true of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When you believe on Jesus, you must act on that believe with obedience.

This obedience to the gospel is not works. Works are benevolent deeds. Repenting, being baptized in Jesus’ name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues is not works. It is OBEDIENCE.

Is it rational to think that all we must do is to think in our minds and hearts that we love Jesus and accept Him as our Savior? Jesus specifically said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) He also said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)

  • BELIEVING WITHOUT ACTION IS WISHING

Isn’t it sweet to see a child blow dandelion fluff into the wind, scrunch tight their little eyes, and make a wish? Such it is when an adult believes in Jesus without following through with any acts of obedience. They are simply wishing. Placing their eternity in a puff of air and a feeling, and sending that wish into the great beyond. Hoping when they get to the end of their life that something magical has happened. All the while, Jesus has been waiting for their obedience to the Gospel.

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16)

If you have thoughts on this post, I’d love for you to leave comments. Even if you don’t agree. Truly. Tell me what you agree with and why. Also, tell me what you disagree with and why.

Warm Regards, -Pat

Day By Day


We have each been called to walk a certain path with the Lord. One that He alone has chosen for us. I’m not referring to doctrine, but the course of events that comes after we are Born Again. If we could choose our own path, we would always choose the easy way. God, on the other hand, is more interested in our spiritual growth rather than our comfort.

The Fear
All of us have fears that would seem insignificant to others. Something that others would laugh at might make us quake in our skin. Such is what happened when I opened the mail a few months ago, and found a summons to federal jury duty. I would like to not share with you how embarrassingly nervous I was, to the point of physical sickness, but that would not benefit you.

After opening the summons, I knelt and prayed. It was during this prayer that the Lord impressed in my spirit that He would lead me day by day, and that He was using this process to teach me to trust Him day by day.

There was a short list of parameters that could be used to be excused from serving. Trust me when I tell you that I wanted very much to be able to claim one of them. I had been dismissed from local jury duty a few years back because we were already scheduled to be out of the country on a mission trip. That wasn’t to be the case this time around.

I immediately began to think of the month of days stretched out before me, and remember thinking, This is going to be a long month.  I was on call for the whole month of June, and had to call the jury line every weekday evening to find out if I was required to appear the next morning. The first few times I called, I literally thought I was going to be sick while listening to the recording. I called every evening for two weeks, and got the same recording informing me that, “At this time, you are not scheduled to appear.”

I was praying specifically every day, and multiple times throughout each day, that I wouldn’t have to appear at all. After two weeks of not having to go, I had let myself relax a bit. I mean, God knew how desperate and fearful I was, and I had been praying like crazy to not have to go at all.

The Submitting
The above facts made hearing the new recording, “You are scheduled to appear Monday, June  —— at 8:30 am,” very distressful. As soon as I heard the words, however, a determination came over me that could only have come from the Holy Ghost. As I had done when I first received the summons in the mail, I knelt down and prayed. I told the Lord that, apparently, what I wanted (to not have to go) and what He wanted were two different things, and I would submit to His Will. I told Him that I knew He must be working something that I didn’t know at this point, and that I would trust Him to see me through. Again, He impressed in my spirit that He would lead me day by day.

The Preparation 
So, back to the topic of all of us having fears. I do not drive downtown in any city. I. Do. Not. This was federal jury duty, so it was held in Jackson, which is over an hour’s drive from my home. This was Thursday. I knew there was no way I could wait until Monday morning to drive downtown Jackson, locate the federal courthouse, find public parking, walk several blocks, and check in by 8:30 am, so I determined to drive to Jackson the next day.

This may have been a walk in the park to you, but it was a very brave thing for me. I prayed most of the way, and for sure, once I got downtown. Thankfully, I found the courthouse and parking with little trouble. I decided to walk to the courthouse to see how long it would take. I got turned around a few times coming and going, but once I got back on the main highway, I felt so powerful, and was so thankful I had the mind to drive there ahead of time.

The Process
Monday morning came, and I set out at 6:30 am on my prepared route. I got there in perfect time, walked to the courthouse and checked in. Everyone was super nice. I’m sure they were use to many people being nervous and frustrated.

The selection process began, and that’s when it got interesting, and anointed. Some of the prospective jurors were given numbers. Others were not. I received number three which meant I was in the group to go first. The eight of us marched into the courtroom, and walked to the jury box, each sitting in our designated seats. One prospective juror was asked to step to one of several microphones placed strategically within the jury box, and tell about themselves. Thankfully, I was third, so I was able to listen to the first two, and gather my thoughts.

Again, at this point, I was so far out of my comfort zone. The courtroom seemed cavernous. The alternate prospective jurors were seated in the observation seats. The plaintiff and her lawyers were at one table. The defendant and her lawyers were at another table. The judge, in his formal robe, was reigned over the proceedings. I’m silently reminding myself that God is with me. He has either orchestrated or allowed this process. I am in this moment for a reason.

The Moment
When it was my turn, I stepped to the microphone, albeit clumsily. I looked the judge in the eyes and said in a sure voice, “I am a Born Again Christian. My husband and I have pastored a church for the last 23 and 1/2 years. Before Covid, we travelled extensively overseas, preaching, teaching and ministering. I am the editor of a Christian magazine.” I went on to tell him of our businesses and farm.

I wish I could tell you what happened inside the hearts of all those listening, but only eternity will reveal that fact. I do know that as I spoke, I was aware that my whole life came into focus for this moment. With every eye in the courtroom on me, attentive to my words, I felt the imprint of the Cross on my life, the Spirit of the Living God flowing through me, and Word and Name upholding me. I don’t believe they saw me. I believe they saw Jesus.

I wish I could say that revival broke out in that courtroom. However, in quite an anticlimactic dispersement, after all the jurors spoke, I, along with two other jurors were dismissed. Just like that. As I stepped out into the sunlight, I had a flood of emotion. Thankful for freedom and fresh air. Relief that this part of the ordeal was over. Also, an unexpected disappointment that I had been dismissed so easily after all of my spiritual and natural preparations. I still had to call every evening to find out if I had to appear for the next two weeks, but July came, and I was permanently dismissed without having to reappear.

Now, what in the world was all that about?!

Lessons From a Month of Jury Duty

  • The way to follow the Lord for one day, one week or one month, is the same way we follow Him for a lifetime. Day by Day.
  • We must be willing to accept the Lord’s will in every situation.
  • We must continue to trust the Lord even when it seems that He hasn’t answered our prayers.
  • We must realize He is working in other people’s lives as well as our own.
  • We must realize He is more concerned about our spiritual growth than our immediate comfort.
  • We must know He is very present with us even in the most trying circumstances.
  • We must accept that we may never know everything He is working through our situation.
  • We cannot follow the Lord for a lifetime until we learn to follow Him day by day.

“We cannot follow the Lord for a lifetime until we learn to follow Him day by day.” -Pat Vick Click To Tweet

Helps For Following The Lord Day By Day

Trust Him in Every Moment.

Pray Without Ceasing.

Pray in the Spirit.

Stay in the Word.

When Things Go Differently Than Expected, Continue To Trust Him.

Do Your Part. He Will Do The Rest.

Be Brave.

Speak The Truth.

Represent God’s Kingdom.

Offer Thanksgiving.

Take What You Have Learned And Apply It the Next Time.

 

What Is The Great Tribulation?

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Many Christians avoid the topic of the Great Tribulation either because they don’t understand it, or because they think they won’t be here for it. Their thinking is that if they aren’t going to have to endure it, there’s no reason to concern themselves with it. FIRST, you CAN understand it, and God described it in His Word, so He wants you to understand it. SECOND, the Church WILL be here for it. (I’ll just leave this right here for an upcoming post.)

WHAT IS IT?

The Tribulation is a time period which will lead up to the Battle of Armageddon, and the return of Jesus Christ to gather His Saints/Elect/Church. It will be a time of severe persecution of the Jewish people, and yes, even the Church. To get an idea of the scope of persecution, research the Holocaust, and know that Jesus said it would be worse.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

In Daniel chapter 9, the prophet is given revelation concerning 70 weeks of years (a 490 year period whereby God determined to accomplish some things. He tells us what those things are in verse 24:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.“ (Daniel 9:24)

  1. To finish the transgression
  2. To make an end of sins
  3. To make reconciliation for iniquity
  4. To bring in everlasting righteousness
  5. To seal up the vision and prophecy
  6. To anoint the most Holy

One week of the seventy has yet to be fulfilled. That is a week of years, or a seven year period. The Church is waiting for this seven year period to begin. It is during this last seven years that the above things will be accomplished. This time period is going to wrap everything up that needs to be completed before Jesus is anointed King of kings and Lord of lords, and sets up His earthly 1,000 year millennial kingdom.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

If asked, most people would say that the Great Tribulation will last for seven years. This, however, is not backed by scripture. While there will be a seven year period of time that leads up to the Battle of Armageddon and the return of Jesus to gather His Church, the Tribulation will only be during the second half of the “week of years,” or the final 3 and 1/2 years.

It is in the middle of the week (of years) that the antichrist will cause the daily sacrifices to stop, and will commit the abomination of desolation by standing in the newly built Jewish Temple, and claiming to be God. (their long-awaited Messiah) This incident is what will trigger the Great Tribulation. Up until this point there will have been pseudo peace for the first 3 and 1/2 years.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.“ (Daniel 9:27)

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.“ (Matthew 24: 15-21)

 

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

As we have seen, the Tribulation begins in the middle of the final seven years. We can verify the length of the Tribulation by comparing the variations of wording to describe the last half of the week.

Time, and Times, and Half a Time

“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” (Revelation 12:14)

Time is one year. Times is two years, and half a time is half a year. We see the same description of a 3 and 1/2 year Tribulation period. *NOTE* The woman in this scripture is the collective Jewish West Bank settlers who are mentioned as “them which be in Judaea” above in Matthew 24:15-21.

42 Months

”But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.“ (Revelation 11:2)

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.“ (Revelation 13:5)

1,260 Days

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11:3)


IN CONCLUSION

Whether the Tribulation is described as Time, and Times, and Half a Time, or Forty-Two Months, or 1,260 days, it is obvious that it is referring to a three and one-half year period of time. As we also saw, this period of time begins in the middle of the week when the antichrist  steps into the newly built Jewish Temple, declaring himself to be God, or their Messiah.

At this point, the seven year Jewish/Muslim peace agreement that was instituted by the world government, will be broken, and terrible persecution will break out upon the Jewish people.

This three and one-half year Tribulation period is just ahead. If you are reading this, there is every reason to believe that you will live to see it. Still, you might be thinking that you’re not Jewish, so why should you be concerned? I will cover this question in detail in an upcoming post, but I’ll leave you with this one scripture:

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.“ (Revelation 12:17)

After the antichrist, possessed by satan, sends his initial onslaught against the Jewish people, in his rage, he will then send tribulation out into the rest of the world to persecute Christians in whatever nations he can. It remains to be seen how much authority he will have over the United States of America. (And that is for a future post;) One thing is for certain. It is time to trust God, more than we ever have before.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I welcome you to leave comments. When talking about endtime prophecy and events, there is a lot to unpack, and I realize we won’t all agree. Don’t let that hinder you from leaving feedback.

Warm Regards,

-Pat

What Should Prayer Sound Like?


What prayer should sound like is based on what you are wanting to get accomplished. It’s so much more than, “Now I lay me down to sleep” and, “Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of my body.” Although there’s nothing technically wrong with these prayers, they are usually recited verbatim, and almost instinctively, spoken with no thought. They have become a ritual that we go through.

Prayer is meant to be powerful, earth shaking and life changing.

“Prayer is meant to be powerful, earth shaking and life changing.” Click To Tweet

Several years ago, I was in the prayer room at our Tennessee UPCI Camp Meeting. As I listened to the voices around me calling on God in Holy Ghost anointed prayer, I was moved to record what I heard. Sounds of travail. Sounds of intercession. Sounds of strongholds being broken. Sounds of worship. Sounds of victory. Sounds of deliverance. Sounds of rejoicing. Sounds of a holy symphony that brought Heaven close to Earth.

Prayer Room at Tennessee UPCI Camp Meeting

Familiar voices calling on God. Loud voices. Soft voices. Insistent voices. Desperate voices. Sanctified voices. Commanding voices. Holy voices. Reaching up. Pulling down. Pressing in. Walling out. Fortifying within. Hedging around. Moving Heaven. Suspending Earth.


Isn’t Any Prayer Better Than No Prayer?

 Again, technically, yes, but can you truly be satisfied with lay me down to sleep prayers? Now that you’ve heard Holy Ghost, anointed prayer with your own ears. Now that you’ve heard and felt the power of prayers prayed by sanctified saints in Jesus’ name. Now that you know there is a level of prayer that you’ve never been to, or have forgotten over the years.

The Call To Go Deeper

I encourage you to go deeper in prayer than you normally do. Deeper than you ever have. That is what God is calling you to. Pray until you get past the average and everyday humdrumness of the same old, same old rote prayers, and allow the Lord to take you into deep, life changing prayers that move Heaven and Earth. Holy Ghost infused, devil-chasing, stronghold-breaking, miracle-working, revelation-bringing, vision-casting, life-saving prayers. That’s what God is calling you to, and that’s what prayer should sound like.

“Pray until you get past the average and everyday humdrumness of the same old, same old rote prayers, and allow the Lord to take you into deep, life changing prayers that move Heaven and Earth.” -Pat Vick Click To Tweet

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)