Doctrine & Disciplines

Why and How You Should Pray Before You Need It

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

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

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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

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

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment

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

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

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment

“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

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

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)

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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.

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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?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

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)

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  • 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

What Should Prayer Sound Like?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


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.

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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.

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

Ten Often Overlooked Benefits of Fasting

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


We all know that Christians are called to the spiritual discipline of fasting. The most obvious benefit of fasting is to keep our flesh under control and become more sensitive to the voice and will of God. There are other lesser known benefits of fasting, however. Here are ten.

1. Weight Loss
I’m listing this benefit first, not because it’s the most important, but simply to get it out of the way. Obviously, if you eat less, you will lose weight to some degree. Even though fasting shouldn’t be looked at as a diet or weight loss program, losing weight is usually a byproduct of the process.

Why is losing weight good? A large percentage of people carry more weight than their frame can adequately sustain to live a healthy and productive life. For most of us, losing a few pounds can only be a benefit to our quality of life. If you can move better and breathe better, you can serve God better.

2. Clear Thinking
Most of our diets are filled with all manner of chemicals, preservatives, environmental pollutants and pesticides. When we fast, the process clears out the toxins that bog down the physical and mental systems in our bodies. In just a short time, we find that we can actually think more clearly than before we fasted.

3. Clear Skin
How much money is spent on acne medication yearly? A crazy amount. The truth is one little change will take care of almost all acne problems for even hormonal teenagers. Cut the sugar. That’s it. Just remove all forms of sugar from your diet. Yeah…that’s probably not going to happen. Fortunately, fasting on a regular basis will go a long way to clear the skin of blemishes. Eating healthy after the fast is broken will keep things under control. 

Acne isn’t the only thing that bows to fasting, though. People who fast regularly, generally have glowing, and much younger looking skin than others their age. The cosmetics industry definitely doesn’t want you to know this little fact.

4. More Free Time
Consider how much time you spend thinking about food, planning meals, grocery shopping and in food preparation. Food is so very time consuming in our lives. When you’re fasting, that amount of time is decreased considerably. If you’re self-disciplined, you can use that time toward other interests. 

Granted, if you have a family to care for, then this perk isn’t as beneficial to you at this season of life. If you’re single, however, or if your children are grown and out of the house, you can take full advantage of this benefit.

5. Saving Money

Food is so expensive. Eating healthy is even more expensive. What if you chose to fast one meal every day? That would amount to seven meals a week. How much would seven meals cost on average? If you use the extremely moderate amount of $5 per meal, you could save $35 a week. Again, even though fasting isn’t about saving money, it does offer this added benefit.

6. Refined Taste

Do you ever get to the point where nothing tastes good? I have learned to recognize this as a red flag that it’s time to fast. Food is suppose to taste good. If your coffee that you love to drink begins to have a weird taste, it’s probably because your body is full of toxins that are changing the way you taste your food, and need to be expelled from your body by the process of fasting. Fasting purifies our taste so that we can enjoy our food again.

7. Appreciation For Simplicity

I know a man who fasted for seven full days with water only. This was a man who would have regularly enjoyed expensive and extravagant meals. As he approached the end of his week long fast, I remember him saying how he would love to have a saltine cracker spread with butter. The process of fasting caused him to appreciate simple foods without needing excess. After a prolonged fast, we can once again appreciate food in its simplest form, either raw or cooked without all the added sauces and seasonings which are often unhealthy.

The same can be said of other simple elements in our lives that we take for granted like fresh air, clean water, soft bedding and honest conversation. We are a generation that has everything at our fingertips, yet God wants us to appreciate the simple elements of a healthy life.

8. More Compassion

When you do without something, you begin to have empathy for others who do not have. In a day’s time, most of us are satiated with foods shipped in from all over the world. It’s all at our fingertips. Our bellies are full to the tipping point while we are planning our next meal. When we empty ourselves of all the excess, we are reminded that there are many many people who live hungry. Our gnawing stomachs cause us to remember to pray for those who still won’t have food or clothes or medical care when we decide to eat again. Hopefully, we will remember that gnawing once we’re full, and allow it to spur us into prayer and action to assist the needy.

9. Increased Gratitude 

Again, it is often only when you are without that you realize how much you have had. During a fast, God brings to our attention how many ways He has blessed us. Our minds focus on food first and foremost, but as the fast progresses, we begin to realize the abundance of blessings that He bestows on us. We begin to name them one by one, and as we name them, more come to our minds. Good food, fresh water, soft bed, comfortable and safe home, a job to feed our family, the use of our limbs and minds. Then we are able to focus on more important things we’re grateful for. Family, friends, church family, godly relationships. We begin to look at people for who they are and what they mean in our lives, and our hearts swell with gratitude when we remember what it’s all about. Relationship.

10. Better Health

There are endless eating plans that are marketed for health. Eat this way, and you’ll be healthy. Eat this way, and your body will be transformed. While there are many valid eating paths to aid in achieving health, the one, God-given plan is most often overlooked. Fasting is the main tool which God has given His people in order to stay healthy. The path to health is not about eating a certain way, but about eating less, and less often. 

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As long as you are consuming food, the systems of your body are focused on digestion. It is only when your body is emptied of food that it can focus on healing. There is a process called Autophagy. The word autophagy means “Self Eating” which sounds rather gruesome, but is so very beneficial to our health. It is the process whereby our bodies begin to break down and consume everything unnecessary, and even harmful to our health. It is our body’s way of housecleaning. During autophagy, toxins, defective cells, tumors and cancers are either destroyed, or used for energy in the place of food.

The key is that this powerful process of autophagy only starts after we have been in a fasted state for a minimum of sixteen hours. Some medical reports suggest that it doesn’t begin until the 24 hour mark. This is only the beginning of the process, however. Obviously, the longer you fast, the more benefits you receive. While fasting one or two meals will be beneficial to keeping your flesh under control, it will not do much toward healing.

God put this self-healing mechanism in our bodies that is triggered and sustained by regular and prolonged fasting. It should come as no surprise that He told us we would experience health benefits when we fast properly:

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,
and thine health shall spring forth speedily:
and thy righteousness shall go before thee;
the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.” (Isaiah 58:8)

With all of these benefits of fasting, why wouldn’t we want to participate in this God-given tool? Don’t let the fear of a few hunger pangs deprive you of this holy, life changing process.

*NOTE: Please consult your doctor before embarking on a fasting journey. A good doctor knows the health benefits of fasting, and will work with you in planning a fasting course suitable to your particular health needs and restrictions.

No One Walks A Tightrope By Accident.

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


I’m not much of a thrill seeker, but I did get coerced into zip lining once, at Niagara Falls, of all places! Two of my sweet friends were doing it, and I wanted to appear brave, so I did it too. It was actually super fun and energizing, but not really much of a risk. I definitely would not have done it if I had thought there was a smidgen of a chance that I could fall. I hadn’t intended to zip line that day. The opportunity just presented itself, and I took it with no preparation or forethought.

Click Here To See a Really Cool Video Of Me Zip Lining Niagara Falls!

Many, many thrill seekers had done it before me. Many, many were doing it along with me, and many, many have done it since I did. People were lined up to have the experience, and those lines of people have been refreshed thousands of times since my zip lining experience.

It takes no forethought to go along with the crowd.

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TIGHTROPE WALKING…now that’s a different thing all together. Tightrope walking takes focus, balance and self-discipline.


FOCUS

No one just decides to go walk a tightrope one day, unless it’s a pretend one in the back yard. It takes a deliberate intent. If you want to be a tightrope walker, you must learn the techniques involved. Not because they will make you look better, but because they will save your life…if you’re a tightrope walker.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

 

BALANCE

Walking a tightrope involves a great deal of continual balance. Many times you will see a tightrope walker or slackliner using a long pole for balance. This helps the walker center himself and balance from his core. Lest you think balance is an insignificant thing, just remember that one misstep to the right or left will likely end in you plummeting to an untimely end…if you’re a tightrope walker.

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

 

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Tightrope walking is serious business. It’s not for the faint of heart. Once you’re walking, from your first step to your last, you must remain disciplined, applying every single thing you have ever learned every moment of the journey. Although you may have had many coaches who have given you great advice, when you’re walking the rope, it’s you calling the shots. You making every decision. You feeling every nuance of the tension in the line, and the direction of the wind in your face. You, who must control every stray thought and temptation to give up. I mean…where would you go once you quit…if you’re a tightrope walker?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Bookstores For Christians

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

I love bookstores. Truly. I could hang out in a bookstore for a whole day and be perfectly happy. I was in a McKay’s recently, which is a used bookstore that I enjoy frequenting. As I browsed the divisions of book genres, I realized how much information this generation has at our fingertips. (We won’t even talk about the internet here, but save that topic for another post.) Unlimited information isn’t always a good thing, however.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

POSSIBILITIES

When I walk the aisles of a bookstore or library, I see endless possibilities. Limitless information, instruction and adventure.

Want to learn how to crochet, paint with oils, or the art of origami? There are books for that. Want to immerse yourself into another culture, see the Blow Holes in Tonga, or learn about the weightlessness of deep space? There are books for that. Want to learn a knew language, figure out how to fix the dishwasher, or acquire the how to of a new start up business? There are books for that. Want to read about the horrors of the Holocaust, the biography of Florence Nightingale, or the memoirs of Elie Wiesel? There are books for that.

Truly, the possibilities for learning and experiencing are limitless. Readers are Leaders, and leaders are readers. If you want get a step up on any topic, as well as life in general,  there’s a book for that.

PITFALLS

Unfortunately, there are also many pitfalls when sifting through the shelves of a bookstore or library. Not every option is godly or beneficial to your life’s journey, and many are terribly destructive.

Options vs Distractions

Call me weird, but when I walk down the aisles of bookstores, I’m acutely aware of the enormity of choices. Anything you want to learn about is right there within reach. (Much like the internet) In fifteen minutes of browsing bookstore shelves, I can find enough distractions to sidetrack my life’s purpose for years. I’m looking through the Christian Living section one minute, and then I’m four aisles over, and absorbed in a book about the plight of the Blue Bumble-footed Wildebeest.

The struggle is real. More options necessitate more personal convictions. Satan will use anything to get you sidetracked from your calling.

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Truth vs Error

Another real issue with having so many reading options (Much like the internet) is the possibility of not being able to tell Truth from error. Again, you’re scanning the shelves in the Christian section of the bookstore. You’re in the “safe zone.” Unfortunately, not everything that is marketed as  Christian is.

True readers consume a lot of material. Yet, it’s never wise to do so without checks and balances, God’s Word being the standard. If you don’t consume as much, or more, of God’s Word than you do of other material, how will you know what is true and what is not? No matter what or how much you choose to read, the Word of God should be your foundation and  litmus test for everything else you read.

So many options of reading material, and not enough grounding in God’s Word, can lead to a shipwrecked life.

Holy Spirit vs Familiar Spirits

In most public bookstores and libraries, there are sections of books that every Christian should steer clear of. It is usually labeled as Religious, Spiritual or New Age. Trust me; Not everything that is spiritual is from the Holy Spirit, and not everything that is religious is Truth.

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The very first book that I can remember checking out from a school library was called The Witches of Worm. It was about a young girl who found a pitiful, orphaned kitten, and brought it home. The kitten ended up being a Familiar Spirit (even though this term wasn’t used in the book) It was possessed by a demon, which the girl interacted with. I was seven or eight years old, and this was my first introduction to witchcraft. I had checked this book out of my elementary school library…Just think how much more blatant and wicked spirits are that are attached to the books in a public bookstore or library forty-five years later.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)

Evil spirits attach themselves to books, and are carried along into people’s lives and homes as they are passed from one place and person to another. Many times, the authors and/or publishers of such books actually “pray” curses over their material before setting it loose into an unsuspecting world. At the very least, readers will pick up spirits from the households and lifestyles of previous book owner/readers.

We must take care of the material that we consume. It becomes a part of us just as surely as the natural food we eat. To live an overcoming life, we must also be aware and take responsibility for what we bring into our homes. Books, music, games, magazines, movies…all of it should be held suspect until it is vetted through the Word and Spirit of God.

HOUSE CLEANING

If you are a  Christian, and are experiencing unfounded fear, anxiety, nightmares or any type of ungodly supernatural manifestations in your home, you need to do some house cleaning.

Spend some time removing every item in your possession that does not promote true godliness. Once you’ve done what you can, ask the Lord to show you anything else that might be tucked away unseen, or that you have forgotten about. Ask Him to show you anything that has an evil spirit connected to it that you wouldn’t have ever considered.

Once you feel that your home is thoroughly purged of unholy items, pray a prayer of repentance. Ask the Lord to forgive you for bringing unholiness into your home and possession. Ask Him to forgive you for subjecting your heart, mind and soul to things contrary to His Word. Ask Him to break any and all connection between you and ungodly spirits of darkness. Pray in Jesus’ name.

Anoint yourself, or ask your Pastor, to anoint you and your home with oil, praying a fresh hedge of protection over your mind, your life, your home, and your vehicle.

CHOOSE WISELY 

Lastly, start fresh, and choose wisely. There are many, many books that promote Truth and Holiness. Don’t just walk up and down the aisles of a bookstore, and pick indiscriminately. Let prayer, the Holy Ghost and the Word of God be your guide.

 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25)

Hey, Friends! I’d love some feedback on this topic. What are your experiences with ungodly bookstore choices?  Warm Regards, -Pat

Repentance Is Death To Self

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong, and been sorry while you were doing it, knowing you would do it again? Me too. That isn’t repentance. True repentance (the kind God will forgive your sins over) is not just being sorry, but turning away from sin. True repentance stops the offending action.

WHY ISN’T BEING SORRY GOOD ENOUGH?

We must empty ourselves of our SELF, and give ourselves over to God’s SELF.

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If I’m still living for I and ME, even if I’m sorry for it, then I haven’t repented. I must die to self. That means that no matter how much I enjoy or want something, I have to give that over to the will of God.

As Christians, we throw around the phrase, “Be Born Again” quite often. The Apostle Peter, who Jesus gave the Keys to the Kingdom, explained this process:

”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)

We can only be Born Again if we have died. Not physically, but spiritually. We must die to our own will and desires, putting God’s Will above our own.

WHAT DOES DEATH TO SELF LOOK LIKE?

When it comes time for a caterpillar to transition to its next phase of life, it will weave a cocoon. There’s nothing appealing or attractive about this cozy little spot. It’s purely functional. While wrapped tightly inside it’s self-spun coffin, an amazing metamorphosis takes place at its cellular level. The caterpillar doesn’t just put on a butterfly costume, it BECOMES a butterfly. It is changed.

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Before its change, the caterpillar was probably quite happy and content doing caterpillar things. Crawling, chomping green leaves and basking on branches in the warm sunshine. What would make it want to end all that and die to self? Because God has put something deep inside of that little creature that longs for more. It doesn’t even know what that more looks like, but it instinctively seeks it out, and does whatever is necessary to achieve it.

NEW BIRTH IS NEW LIFE

When the butterfly comes out of its place of death, it is reborn with silken wings of splendor. She cautiously stretches them out to their fullest expanse. What are these lovely appendages for? It begins to press them ever so gently up, down, in, out…There…Did you feel that? Lift! That never happened while she was in her caterpillar body. Something…or Someone…is calling her out to the edge of the limb and even further. Should she? Dare she? She must see what’s beyond where she’s been before. She takes a breath and steps out past the solid branch, trusting her new wings to carry her…and they do.

She looks down from her new vantage point as she soars high above all the other caterpillars that haven’t spun their cocoons yet. They think they are living, but she knows differently. She can FLY, and it was only made possible by dying to SELF.

AN INVITATION

You may be thinking that your life is awesome, and you don’t want anything to change. Trust me…You do. Because what God has in store for you is so much more amazing than what you have ever experienced. Like the caterpillar living its best life can’t fathom what it means to have wings, you can’t fathom what a life given completely over to God will look and feel like.

HOW DO I GET FROM HERE TO THERE?

That’s the tricky part because no one can do it for you. Just as the caterpillar must weave its own place of dying, you must take whatever action is necessary to die to self. You alone know what is in your heart. You alone know what you need to turn away from. You alone know what you need to ask forgiveness for.

Start with one strand. Think of everything you can that you have done against Gods’ Word and Will. Ask Him to forgive you for it. Think of everything that you plan to do that is against His Word and Will. Ask Him to forgive you for it. Commit to Him and yourself that no matter what, you will live for Him. That means His Will takes precedence in your life.

When you have woven enough strands of repentance tightly around your bare soul, the process of transition will begin. God will take your sincere repentance and change you from a caterpillar to a butterfly. You will be able to begin your new life from a fresh vantage point because it comes with WINGS.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)