What Spirit Is Controlling You?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Marco ten Hoff on Unsplash

I recently listened to an episode of the podcast Apostolic Life In The 21st Century where the question was asked, “Why don’t we see more devils cast out in North America?”  My immediate thought was that the enemy doesn’t have to rely on possessing people in America or other developed countries. Most of humanity in these areas have already forfeited control over their lives and souls to him.

SIDE NOTE

Demon possession most often happens when a person has repeatedly initiated, invited or otherwise opened themselves up to demonic activity, often through occult practices.

Revelation chapter six describes four spirits that will control masses of people in the years before Jesus returns for His people, and sets up His earthly Kingdom. No one enjoys the feeling of being controlled. We like the feeling of having the ability to make autonomous choices. Those of us who are part of the born again Church, however, willingly give control over our lives to the Spirit of God. People who are not part of the born again Church, even many who proclaim Christianity, are being controlled by one of these four endtime spirits without even realizing it.

The skeletal structure of the book of Revelation consists of Seals, Trumpets and Vials. Together, they reveal Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer and King of all kings. The seals are the long story ending at Armageddon. The trumpets are the shorter story ending at Armageddon, and the vials are the really short story, also ending at Armageddon. The four spirits we cover today are loosed when the first four seals are opened.

These four endtime spirits are symbolized by riders upon different colored horses. Notice that it is Jesus, symbolized as the Lamb, who actually opens the seals, and allows these four spirits to be released in the earth. As we study each one, we realize this isn’t for a time in the far distant future. All four of these evil spirits have been influencing masses of people on the earth for many years.

THE WHITE HORSE

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2)

Upon first glance we might think the rider on this white horse is Jesus Christ. But remember, these four spirits are evil spirits sent forth to influence, deceive and control masses of the population. This horse is white symbolizing a false holiness. It is not Jesus. Nor is it His true church. On the contrary, the book of Revelation calls her the “mother of harlots.” This false church looks and teaches nothing like that of the early Church birthed in the book of Acts. Revelation 18:4 admonishes us to “…Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” The rider wears a crown symbolizing false royalty or deity. He carries a bow with no arrows symbolizing spiritual warfare. Yet he is sent forth to conquer the masses. This spirit had already infiltrated the Church, and controlled many as early as the 2nd century, and had become a stronghold over the masses by the time of the Counsel of Nicea in 325 A.D. The rider of the white horse is CATHOLICISM.

THE RED HORSE

“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Revelation 6:3-4)

The rider upon the red horse is sent to rob masses of the population of their peace. He brings much death through warfare. What geopolitical system in modern time has consistently caused much bloodshed through its influence and warmongering ideology? It began in 1848 with the publication of the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and continued to become a full fledged political system by 1917. It is an ideology of warmongering, and government control, recognized by the color red. The rider of the red horse is COMMUNISM.

THE BLACK HORSE

“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”(Revelation 6:5-6)

The rider upon the black horse is carrying a set of balances or scales. A voice is heard that sounds suspiciously like a stock market report. Commodities are being weighed and adjusted. The rider of the black horse influences commerce. He is CAPITALISM.

I’ll take a little time here because most of the people reading this live in North America where the spirit of capitalism has such a stronghold. It’s known as the Land of Opportunity and the American Dream. Sadly, that dream most often revolves around getting, having, buying, owning and acquiring more stuff. Not only tangible possessions, but hobbies, pastimes, activities, events, trips, vacations, sports, concerts, clubs, groups, fashion, technology, business opportunities and the list goes on.

Our culture is completely consumed with wanting, pursuing and having more. All of this together leads to the constant feeding of flesh, and promoting of self. People who are controlled by the spirit of capitalism find it very difficult to become grounded and consistent in their local church. They may claim Christianity, and even be born again, but allow the smallest thing to keep them from being faithful in their walk with God.


THE PALE (GREEN) HORSE

“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:7-8)

There was a religious belief system birthed when the Arab military leader Muhammad received a visitation from a supposed angel, proclaiming him to be the messenger of God. From this, the radical belief system emerged that has promoted all manner of persecution, torture and death to anyone who wouldn’t convert. We’ve seen the rise of groups such as ISIS beheading people in public executions, and we continue to see radical leaders from these groups getting control over our cities and communities through liberal political policies. Americans are generally very naive and slow to realize the lengths these radical followers will go in order to establish a worldwide caliphate. Green is their banner. The rider upon the green horse is ISLAMISM.

SIDE NOTE

I realize this passage uses the word “pale.” The original Greek word, however, is “Chloros,” which means GREEN. It is the same root word that we get the word chlorophyll from, obviously referring to the process whereby grass gets its green coloring. The original translators of the scripture knew there was no such thing as a green horse, so they used a word they thought was more fitting. The AUTHOR of the Bible, however, knew there would be a religious ideology in the last days that would use the color green as their banner of recognition.


IN SUMMARY

The riders of the four horses in Revelation 6 are CATHOLICISM, COMMUNISM, CAPITALISM and ISLAMISM. They are not simply life choices, ways of thinking, or groups of people who choose to believe the same thing. They are ideologies propagated by evil spirits, whose purpose is to influence masses of the population away from the One True Living God.

The hard truth is that if you are not willingly influenced by, and submitted to, the Holy Spirit of God, then you are most likely controlled by one of these spirits. This is the case for most of humanity. If this is the case for you, then satan has no real reason to attack, persecute, oppress or possess you. He has already drawn you away from seeking God in Truth.

Hopefully, you will become more aware of the influence of these spirits in the world, as well as in your own life. In order to insure you do not fall under the control of one or more of these spirits, you must be born again. Your enemy satan is the god of this world. He will use one of these ideologies to control you unless you take action. The way to be born again and make sure your life is submitted to Jesus Christ is found in the book of Acts.

“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)

***Again I ask, what spirit is controlling you?***

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

~Pat~

How To Tell If It’s God’s Voice You’re Hearing

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Stephan Widua on Unsplash

Every person who has ever lived for God, or considered living for God, has asked this question. Even people who have lived for God many years often find themselves wondering how to hear from God, and how to know for sure if they did, indeed, hear God’s voice. First, let’s be clear. God does want to communicate with His people, and is, in fact, talking to us continuously. It is us who must learn to “tune in.”

In order to answer the question of how to hear God’s voice, we first have to talk about the ways God actually speaks. Here are the main ways He communicates with us.

1. HIS WORD

God has given us His Word through anointed men of God who wrote under the unction of His Holy Spirit. We call this collection of writings the Bible (the books), and it has stood the test of time through the millennia. The Bible is the account of God’s creative works, His plan of redemption for a lost humanity, the history of His people, His commandments and principles to live by and ultimately his prophetic words concerning the grand revealing of endtime events culminating in His return and establishment of His everlasting Kingdom.

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.“ (2 Peter 1:21)

God’s written Word, the Bible, cannot be separated from His Voice. Just like your word cannot be separated from your voice. Whether you think it, speak it, or write it, it is still your word which has imitated from your mind.

God’s Word is the first way He speaks to His people. He will never speak to you in any way that will go against or circumvent His written Word. This is one reason it’s so important to be students of God’s Word. We must study to know His will, and to be able to detect deception.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.“ (Psalm 119:11)

2. THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY

In addition to His written Word, God has given us a structure of support in the church called the five-fold ministry. These offices include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

*For further reading on the five-fold ministry, see my blog post, Unpacking The Five-fold Ministry.

The people who hold these positions are gifted and trained specifically to guide, teach, build up, encourage and instruct God’s people. His intention is for us to look to these ministers for help in finding God’s will for our lives. Beyond reading the written Word, it is by the preached Word that we hear God’s Voice in a practical way. This includes seeking confirmation on something we think could be the voice of God, but are unsure. God has strategically placed the five-fold ministry in the church for our guidance, and will not circumvent their influence in speaking to you.

SIDE NOTE

Every local church will have a pastor and teachers. Their guidance should be sought first. There will not be apostles, prophets and evangelists in every local assembly because their ministries reach further than the local church. They will, however, be available regionally, and known by the fruit of their ministries.

3. PRAYER

Prayer is to be our continual channel of communication with the Lord. We should spend as much time listening as we do speaking. He will drop a thought into our minds as we wait on Him in prayer. Anything He reveals to us should always be checked and weighed against His written Word, and the counsel of the ministry.

4. OUTSIDE VOICES

Sometimes God does use other godly people who are not necessarily part of the five-fold ministry to speak a word, make a suggestion or help us make a course correction. HOWEVER, we must take into account the first three avenues of His communication with us. He will never use an outside person to give direction that goes against his basic established structure of the Bible and the Five-fold Ministry. Most often. When someone gives us a “word from God,” it will most often be a confirmation of what we have already felt by reading His Word, counseling with the ministry and have sought in prayer.

5. SIGNS

This is the avenue that many people want to start at to hear from God, but it should be the last. This area is very often used by the enemy to draw us away from Truth and godly counsel. Many good, God-fearing people have been led away and deceived in this manner. While scripture assures us that signs will follow believers, it also very plainly tells us not to be sign seekers.

When we depend on signs above God’s Word, above the counsel of ministry and above consecrated prayer, we open portals into the spiritual realm of darkness called the occult. It is through these access channels that the enemy gains control of our minds, and ultimately our souls. Not everything spiritual is holy. It is sad when people will make decisions based on a sign, but refuse to read and apply God’s Word or seek godly counsel. When God chooses to show us a “sign,” it is most often to confirm what we’ve already received from the first three avenues of communication.

SIDE NOTE

Here is a personal example of wrongly seeking signs. Even from a child, I’ve always had a heart toward God and a tendency toward the supernatural. However, I wasn’t raised in the Apostolic church, and had no foundation to know how to hear God’s voice. One day when I was in junior high, I was walking to a friend’s house. We lived out in the country, and it was back in the day when kids spent time outside. On my way, I saw a red cardinal. A little further down the road, I saw a red scrap of cloth on the side of the road. Yet a bit further, I saw a piece of red trash stuck in a tree.

In my desire to hear from God, but having no foundation of how to do so, I determined this must be God attempting to speak to me. It wasn’t. It was a red bird, a red scrap of cloth and a red piece of trash. Because I had this tendency, my heart and mind were open to things like evil dreams and even apparitions appearing in my room at night. I was tormented by the spirit of fear for years until I was born again (Acts 2:38) and became grounded in a local assembly that taught the truth of God’s Word. But for the grace of God, I could have been deceived and lured away from truth.

IN SUMMARY

It is true that God created us to be in communion with Him, and that involves hearing His voice. It is also true that He is always communicating with us. It is us who must learn to hear what and how He is saying it.

He has placed specific processes in place for us to hear what He is saying. These include His written Word, the five-fold ministry, consecrated prayer. Then further removed, He sometimes uses outside godly voices, signs and occasionally His audible voice. It is absolutely necessary for us to remember that each one of these processes build on the previous ones. They do not circumvent them.

Realizing how God uses these ways of communication, and how vital it is to not be deceived, we must also realize the need to be rooted and grounded in a local church that preaches truth. Many people want to have their own relationship with God without actually submitting themselves to, or investing themselves into a church family. This is not God’s plan. He designed the church to be where we learn to hear from Him as we mature spiritually.

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

~Pat~

6 Bible Characters Who Didn’t Feel Qualified For Their Calling

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

Here are four simple truths. ONE: God uses people. TWO: You are people. THREE: God desires to use you. FOUR: Most people feel unqualified to be used by God.

MOSES

Most of us are familiar with the story of Moses and the burning bush. It was at this dramatic event that he was commissioned by God to be the deliverer of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. We don’t always talk about Moses’ reluctance to tackle his God-given calling, however.

Like most of us, Moses had legit excuses to justify his hesitancy, the first being, “Who am I?” The second, “They won’t believe me.” And the third, “I’ve got this stuttering problem.”

“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10)

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

I can sure relate to this one. Like Moses, I wasn’t raised in the Israelites’ faith. I’ve often said, “The world raised me.” This doesn’t negate the love and provision that was granted me as a child, only the culture of the world that surrounded me.

I know what it is to feel unqualified to teach, write and speak what God has called me to when surrounded by saints who were born and raised in the Church. Who am I, indeed? Yet, just like Moses, God has given me a promise that He will be with me every step if I simply continue to be faithful.

12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.” 

GIDEON

What are the words most associated with Gideon? Mighty Man of Valor! To be clear, he didn’t start out feeling or being a mighty man of valor. His first excuse was that his family was poor, and he was the least in his family. Boy, oh boy! I know what this feels like. Being adopted, and never knowing my birth parents, let’s just say I know what it is to feel insignificant.

“And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

“And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:14-15)

Still, God gave Gideon a promise to be with him every step of the way to victory over the Midianites. Even when Gideon tested God with back to back fleeces, God answered by the supernatural, and affirmed his calling.

And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:16)

SAUL

Ahhh…King Saul, the first king of Israel. Surely, he had a confident start to his calling. Actually, not so much. He had previously been anointed to be king, but when the Prophet Samuel came to make him king publicly, he was hiding among the “stuff.” I’ve always thought this word referred to junk or clutter. The Strong’s Concordance number H3627 clarifies its meaning as any apparatus such as implements, utensils, weapons, armor, artillery, instrument, tools, etc. Saul wasn’t just hiding in the clutter. He was staying busy with needful things while avoiding the most important thing.

That sounds like someone I know. Me. I’m someone. I can find endless important things to tackle physically and mentally while I purposely push THE THING to the fringes of my consciousness.

“And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.” (1 Samuel 10:20-21)

“Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff.” (1 Samuel 10:22)

ESTHER

When the wicked Haman came against the Jewish people to have them slaughtered, Mordecai appealed to his niece, Queen Esther, to intercede before the King for their protection. Understandably, she was more than a little hesitant to do so because of the law stating that anyone who approached the King without a personal invitation could be killed. When he pressed her, she made a decision to push past her fear, and trust God.

There have been plenty of times in my walk with God that I’ve been terrified to do the thing He called me to do. Some times, I allowed my fear to win. Other times, I trusted God, and pressed through.

“All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” (Esther 4:11)

”Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15-16)


PAUL

The great Apostle Paul. Previously Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians. (Not to be confused with Saul, the first king of Israel.) I love this guy! Paul only met Jesus once that we know of, and that was after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension into Heaven. It was on the road to Damascus. Saul/Paul was on his way to wrangle up yet more Christians to be thrown in prison, tortured and likely even killed. He was on a mission, for the Lord no less. But when the resurrected Jesus called to him on the road that day by a great light and voice of all authority, he was never the same. It was a Divine Intervention. From that day until his death, he labored tirelessly for the One who changed the course of his life, always acknowledging that he wasn’t worthy.

Even though Paul knew he was unworthy to be called an apostle, he allowed his thankfulness to keep him focused on ministry. I’m ever so thankful for the Divine Intervention in my own life, and agree with Paul that I am the least of these.

“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:8-10)

MARY

She was just a girl. Betrothed, but not yet officially married. She is approached by the angel Gabriel who tells her she has been chosen to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah. The Savior of the world. No pressure. Talk about feeling unqualified. She wasn’t exactly doubtful. She simply wanted to know HOW??? When Gabriel explained that it would be a supernatural act by God’s Holy Spirit overshadowing her, she still didn’t fully understand. How could she? Yet she placed herself in the path of scandal, and in the hollow of God’s Hands, and responded by saying, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”

I can’t count the times I’ve asked God, “HOW???” When it makes no sense in my head. How? When I can’t see all the pieces in place. How? When others won’t cooperate with the plan. How? When I’m fearful of what others will think. How?

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be,…” (Luke 1:34)

“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.“ (Luke 1:38)

 

IN SUMMARY

We all have plenty of reasons to push back against God’s plan for our lives. Perhaps like Moses, we weren’t raised in the Church. Or like Gideon, we feel insignificant compared to others who are more qualified. Maybe like (King) Saul, we are too focused on being busy for God that we can’t say yes to the thing He’s calling us to. It could be that we are like Esther, afraid to follow through with God’s calling because of repercussions for not following the established rules. Maybe like Paul, we remember where we came from, and everything we took part in before Jesus found us, and granted us a Divine Intervention. Or perhaps we are most like Mary, and love God with all our hearts. Like everyone around us, we’ve waited in anticipation for God’s plan to unfold, and then we realize what that unfolding will cost…us. Perhaps it seems like the most outlandish and impossible plan. More extreme than anything we could have ever dared to dream. I pray we can find enough faith to say, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

~Pat~

 

7 Areas Where Consistency Is Key

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Loh Weytor on Unsplash

 

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.“ (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Most professing Christians have good intentions toward serving the Lord. It’s the day to day follow through that gets in their way. Neither the enemy of our souls, nor our flesh is ever going to make it easy for us to serve God, and be fruitful. There must be something within us (dare I say it?…) in addition to the Holy Ghost. There must be a resolve to continue, to keep pressing, to get back up. Lack of consistency is a major factor in why good people fall away from their walk with God. Here are seven areas where practicing consistency counts:

1. PRAYER

When a baby is born, we listen for that first cry, and rejoice when we hear it. That’s certainly not the only time that baby cries. His voice is heard from that day forward, and matures into full conversation throughout his life. So it is with prayer. When we come to the Lord in heartfelt repentance, we begin our conversation with him. That conversation continues to develop and mature throughout our lifetime. We should wake up talking to Him, go to sleep talking to Him, and visit with Him throughout the day. In his book The Book On Prayer, Rev. Ken Gurley calls this “practicing His presence.” Becoming consistent in prayer isn’t simply asking the Lord for more and more stuff. It’s Lear I g how to be “with” Him.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

2. FASTING

Most Christians don’t give the process of fasting enough credit. The world and the devil know its benefits, however. This is another discipline where implementing it only one time will likely make you cranky and frustrated. We must give ourselves to the process of fasting with consistency. Ask the Lord to give you a fasting plan, and then be consistent in the follow through. He has promised in His Word that fasting properly breaks yokes, tears down strongholds and causes our our health to “spring up speedily.” None of this will happen if we only fast once in a while.

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)

3. BIBLE STUDY

Being consistent in Bible study makes an invaluable difference in maturing spiritually. Perhaps you read the Bible every day. But do you study it? We can read God’s Word on many levels. One of the first ways we learn to read His Word is by starting with “Bible Stories” such as David & Goliath, Noah’s Ark. Daniel In The Lion’s Den. Perfect. This is absolutely the best place to start. However, there are so many other ways to study His Word in a deeper way. There are so many nuggets to mine out of the Word. Read deeper. Study deeper. Memorize scriptures. What do people’s names mean? They matter. What do the names of cities mean? They matter. How did a Bible character handle a similar situation to what you’re dealing with? It matters. I’m a firm believer that there is an answer in the Word of God for every question, situation or problem we might have. The answer will either be found in commandment, example or principle.

”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

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

4. SLEEP

This may seem an odd thing to think about being consistent in. Many will be happy to read it here. The truth is we don’t get enough of it. Sleep is when our body and mind heal, resets and gets refreshed. Our generation stays so stressed and filled with anxiety. We go go go, and fill the rest of our time in front of screens. Bodies weren’t designed to function properly in that condition. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Sick? Frustrated? Undone? Overdone? Anxious? Sorrowful? Go to sleep.

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”  (Psalm 127:2)

5. EXERCISE

Similar to sleep mentioned above, our bodies need to move. They were not designed to be sedentary. Without going into anything scientific or medical, which I’m not qualified to do, we can simply take a visit back to the Garden of Eden. God didn’t create Adam & Eve, and place them in an office building surrounded by monitors, wires and cushy chairs. He placed them in a garden, and told them to take care of it. From the beginning, their lives were filled with motion and work.Their bodies were, no doubt, healthy, muscle-toned and strong. Their lives were the exact opposite of sedentary.

When we don’t get enough movement, stretching and lifting, our bodies become weak, and depression sets in. Lack of consistent movement affects our mental state. It doesn’t have to be in a gym. I can’t with a clear conscience even suggest that unless it’s a ladies only or men only facility or class time…but that’s for another blogpost. I can suggest, however, that you make time to get outside on a regular basis. Work in the garden, do yard work, walk the neighborhood, take the grands to the park, do jumping jacks on the carport, buy a jump rope…just get moving.

6. GIVING

This one tests our spiritual maturity level, for sure. Christians are called to be givers. The first area of giving we think of is money, and it’s absolutely needful. We are called to give a tithe of our income to the Lord. A tithe is one tenth. Ten dollars out of every one hundred. You might say you can’t afford to pay tithes. Friend, you cannot afford NOT to pay tithes. Scripturally, it belongs to God. We are not only called to pay tithes, but to also give offerings. It is God’s tithe, and our offerings. The Word declares we rob God when we refuse to give.

”Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8)

Beyond tithes and offerings, we have so much we can give. Mainly, our time, attention and energy. When we spend time with people, gifting them one of our most precious resources, we assure them Jesus’ love is working through His people. Make the phone call. Cook the meal. Sit on their porch and visit. Listen to their stories with a smile and a nod…again. Rake their yard. Babysit their children. Do their grocery shopping. The opportunities to give consistently are endless.

”Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)

7. MINISTRY

Here’s an area we need to remind ourselves that takes consistent attention. We don’t say it out loud, but there is an unspoken belief that Ministry will somehow just fall upon us with no effort. Granted, our God-given calling may present itself with no previous thought on our part. God chooses callings. What we choose to do with those callings, however, become ministries. We can sit on a calling, tucking it away unseen, and it will not develop into a Ministry. Or we can focus on it, hone our skills in that area and mature it into a ministry that is beneficial to the Kingdom of God. It’s our choice.

A singer must practice singing. A teacher must practice teaching. A preacher must practice preaching. A writer must practice writing. You get the idea. What are you called to do? What is your gifting? Are you practicing it consistently? Will that song ever get written? Will that lesson ever get taught? Will that message ever get preached? Will that book ever get written? OUCH! I just stepped on my own toes! That thing you’re called to do…practice it daily.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)

IN SUMMARY

Whatever you are called to do, it’s going to take consistent doing. Let’s do a personal evaluation of what we’re called to do, and how we are working to make that happen. It won’t come to fruition without a commitment to consistency.

Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name!

~Pat~

 

Holy Cow! Why Is The Red Heifer Significant To Endtime Prophecy?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Jill Marv on Unsplash

“And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:” (Numbers 19:1-2)

How in the world can a red cow cause so much controversy? The cow I’m referring to is of course the red heifer of Numbers chapter nineteen.

The ordinance of the red heifer was a divine command from God to Moses and Aaron. It was for the purpose of bringing the Children of Israel back into purity from being in contact with death. If you continue to read the nineteenth chapter of Numbers, you will find the instructions for this ceremony which included burning the heifer with cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet. The ashes from the burnt heifer would then be mixed with pure water, and used to sprinkle the people, as well as everything used in the Tabernacle service.

IS IT THE DAILY SACRIFICE?

Inevitably, when there is discussion about the Ceremony of the Red Heifer, people confuse it with the daily sacrifices for sin. In Bible times, the daily sacrifices for sin happened morning and evening in the courtyard of the Temple, upon the brazen altar. Since the temple was destroyed in 70A.D., the daily sacrifices ceased. They will resume once the third Jewish Temple is rebuilt.

The burning of the red heifer is technically a ceremony for purification, not a sacrifice for sin. The ashes from one heifer were saved, and mixed with new ashes before they ran out. In this way, the ashes were perpetual through the generations.

WHY DOES ISRAEL NEED A QUALIFIED RED HEIFER?

Scripture tells us that a third Jewish temple will be built in the near future before the return of  Jesus Christ, the Messiah. In order for the Temple to be built, and temple service to resume, everyone involved, plus the Temple Mount and all instruments and furnishings must be sprinkled with the water of purification made from the ashes of the red heifer.

Recent progress toward peace between the Jews and various Muslim nations through the Abraham Accords show that the stage is being set. In the near future, there will a a two-state solution deal made between the Israelis and the Palestinians. When this deal is done, it will allow for the building of the third Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem right beside the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. While it seems inconceivable from the natural viewpoint, knowing the history of hostility between these two groups, scripture assures us it will happen.

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 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 11:1-2)

Organizations like the Temple Institute in Jerusalem have already recreated all of the Temple furnishings, instruments for sacrifice and have qualified priests of the lineage of Aaron ready to perform the daily sacrifices. Everything is in place and waiting for a peace deal that will allow Temple construction to begin.

Other than the soon coming peace agreement, the only other missing element to building the third temple has been the ashes of the red heifer. However, that has recently changed.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HEIFER

In order to be qualified (pure) to be used in the purification ceremony, the heifer in question must meet several requirements. According to Numbers 19, it must be at least in its third year of life, a heifer (unbred female), completely red in color, have no blemish and have never been used for any work or had a yoke placed upon it.

HOW HARD COULD IT BE?

Considering the short list of requirements, how hard could it possibly be to find a qualified red heifer for this ceremony? Harder than you might imagine. When the second Jewish temple was destroyed by the Roman army in 70AD, the ashes which were being used at that time were hidden and/or lost.There hasn’t been a qualified red heifer in Israel for over 2,000 years…Let that sink in…TWO THOUSAND YEARS! …Two Millennia…Until recently.

THE MIRACLE OF ACQUIRING THE HEIFERS

In September of 2022, a Texas rancher named Byron Stinson facilitated the shipment of five red heifers from a ranch in Texas to Israel. These cattle had been meticulously inspected multiple times by Jewish rabbis to insure their purity. In their third year. No two hairs of any color but pure red could be touching. No blemish whatsoever. They watched, waited and inspected with bated breath, until finally the heifers could be proclaimed pure.

There were many miraculous elements leading up to the shipment of the cattle, but two stand out:

1. Normally, it would be required for cattle being shipped to be tagged in their ears. Of course, this would have disqualified the heifers immediately to be used in the purification ceremony. Because it was in the middle of the covid pandemic, however, the cattle were allowed to be shipped without being tagged, preserving their purity.

2. Also because of covid, no livestock were being shipped into or out of Israel (as well as other countries.) There was a little known provision, however, that up to five pets could be shipped in. Miraculously, five heifers were able to be shipped, under this provision, arriving in Israel on September 15, 2022.

SIDE NOTE

Remember the story of Jacob working for his uncle, Laban in Genesis 30-31. He received cattle for payment. Over time, he amassed a large herd of “ringstraked, speckled and spotted” cattle. When he left Laban’s employment, these are the cattle he took home to Israel. These spotted cattle would have mixed with whatever native cattle were in Israel, and diluted the solid-colored bloodlines. This is a major factor in why it has been so difficult to find a pure red heifer for the purification ceremony. *Jewish history tells us that there have only been nine qualified red heifers since the time of Moses…until now.

THE MIRACLE OF ACQUIRING THE ASHES

A “practice’ burning of a heifer was done on July 1, 2025. This was done by the exact standards that a “real” burning would be done. It was performed in order to make sure everyone involved knew how to perform their role, and also to know how much ash one heifer would produce.

Even though it was intended to be a practice run, according to Byron Stinson, something miraculous occurred that allowed it to be authentic. In an INTERVIEW with Dave Robbins of Endtime Ministries, Mr. Stinson gave this account of the event. (Paraphrased):

He said they were attempting to load the heifer to be used for the practice burning. It was a small heifer that had become disqualified in some way. She was avoiding the cattle trailer, and they kept trying to hem her in, and press her into the trailer. While they were trying to corral her, one of the big, beautiful pure heifers simply walked into the trailer by herself.

Mr. Stinson said in the interview that he told the others he would get her out of the trailer. But seemingly without even thinking about it, one of the rabbis made an instant decision to leave the qualified heifer in the trailer, and use her.

What was suppose to be a practice burning, turned out to be a perfectly done ceremony, with a perfectly pure and qualified red heifer. The ashes from this heifer were collected and saved.

If, at some point in the future, they decide to burn another qualified heifer, and use its ashes, they have that prerogative, but for all practical and biblical purposes, they can use the ashes they already have.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

The only thing still missing to build a third Jewish Temple is a peace agreement between the Jews and the Palestinians. The signing of this agreement/covenant will begin the final seven years before Jesus returns, and will happen in the near future. When it does, construction on the Temple will begin very quickly. The Jews have waited 2,000 years to worship in their Temple on the Temple Mount. They are more than eager to get started.

Still, you may be asking what that has to do with prophecy, the endtime or you personally. When the Temple is built, animal sacrifice will resume. It will be into this Temple that the antichrist will step, stop the daily sacrifices and proclaim himself to be God (Messiah.) This event is known as the abomination of desolation, and will trigger the great tribulation and the final three and a half years before the return of Jesus Christ.

IN SUMMARY

While we shouldn’t allow endtime events to cause us fear and anxiety, we should pay attention in order to know where on the timeline we are. There has never been a more exciting time to be alive and serving God! If you have questions regarding endtime prophecy, events or how to make sure you are right with God, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Another great source of information on the topic is ENDTIME MINISTRIES.

Warm Regards In Jesus Name,

-Pat

 

10 Ways To Navigate Social Media Highlight Reels

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

”Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

I remember long ago in a church far, far away there was a testimony service. My friend stood up in the midst, offered a sheepish smile to the congregation, and began to expound on her morning getting ready for church. It went something like, “I slept right through the alarm. The boys refused the get out of bed. Everybody bickered at breakfast. My husband and I ended up in a full shouting match in the car on the way. As I was coming inside, I realized I was wearing two different shoes, and to top it all off, I have a run in my hose.”

There was an awkward silence followed by muffled snickers. Not be because it was funny, but because each of us could relate. We had just never considered letting anyone else know of our own struggles…especially not people in the church who we were always trying to measure up to. She concluded her testimony by exhorting beautifully about the goodness of God in the midst of her less than perfect circumstances.

This event was before social media made its entrance into our lives. Now, as I sit and peruse my friends’ and acquaintances’ newsfeeds, they all seem to have such perfectly immaculate and pristine lives. Mine included.

We post the stunning sunsets and mountain vistas. We share the joyful memories and delightful surprises. We document wedding proposals and grand babies’ first steps. But rarely do you see the days of agonizing sickness, or reckless words hurled in a heated moment. We would never admit publicly how we slammed down a frying pan, took a swing at the dog or threw our hands up in despair for the second time this month. Our fear, fury and failures are off limits to the general public…and so should they be.

On occasion, I have seen the opposite approach to social media. I’ve been inadvertently brought along on people’s nighttime refrigerator raids, included in their struggle to find the perfect outfit for an event that’s a year away, and have been caught in the crossfire of unrestrained and scathing attacks on an unsuspecting person’s character.

I’m not suggesting that we open the vaults of ugliness, and sell tickets. I am suggesting, however, that we remember what we see on social media are generally only the highlight reels of people’s lives.

THE NEED FOR PARAMETERS

Free speech is a wonderful liberty, and I’m a fan of it. But liberty should always be guided by the Fruit of the Spirit with some wisdom and discretion thrown in. If visiting social media land leaves you overly emotional from one end of the spectrum to the other, here are a few parameters you can put in place to keep things in perspective:

  1. Choose to use social media for a specific purpose rather than as a daily diary. Perhaps you have a business, and use your platform to promote your products. If you are a minister, you might use your internet space to share the gospel, and draw attention to the miraculous works of God. When you go on the trip of a lifetime, you’ll definitely want to document your travels…and of course, you’re going to share grand baby photos;)
  2. Be mindful of how your post might be perceived. Will it encourage, or discourage? Allow God’s Spirit to guide you. When in doubt, don’t.
  3. Don’t use social media as therapy. If you’re struggling emotionally, posting to social media will no doubt generate many responses. Ten out of ten will most likely give differing advice from the rest. What you need is a godly person who is trustworthy to confide in. A Holy Ghost filled pastor or counselor is a good starting place. If you must reach out to them via technology, do so privately.
  4. Don’t post in anger. Take some time. Get some distance from the source of your frustration. Pray for a season. Don’t blast people publicly.
  5. Limit your time on social media. Decide on a realistic allotment of daily time, and stick to it. Set a timer if you have to. Focus your time on personal relationships and beneficial pastimes.
  6. Selectively “unfriend” or “unfollow” people. Unfriend people whose lifestyles are blatantly promoted on social media as against the Word of God. Unfollow people whose posts cause consistent negative impact in your daily social media viewing.
  7. Don’t believe everything you read or watch on social media.
  8. Don’t compare your life to those spotlighted on social media. Realize what they are choosing to show the public is only a fraction of the whole.
  9. Choose to use social media, the internet and technology as tools to learn by, not live by.
  10. Spend time with God in prayer and in His Word daily before spending time on social media.

IN SUMMARY 

There’s never been a generation with more access to information than ours. With great access comes great responsibility. As Christians, we have the responsibility of being good stewards over our own lives, as well as others’ who we choose to interact with. In all interactions, we are called to use wisdom, discretion and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

“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)

Warm Regards,

~Pat~

 

What Is Your Ministry?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

”But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)

These words were written in a letter by the Apostle Paul to his son in the gospel, Timothy. He wanted to insure that upon his passing, his young protege’ would be equipped with the tools he needed to fulfill his ministry to his generation.

The truth is every Christian is called to minister in some capacity. This thought brings up mental images of fiery preachers or Bible teachers who can expound on any topic from Genesis to Revelation. The word “MINISTRY” simply means to be an attendant or to serve. If this definition makes you think of a busy waiter in a restaurant at lunchtime, you’re on the right track.

No individual is without value in the Body of Christ. God has a place and a purpose for every single person. He didn’t save you just so you could be saved, and that’s all. He brought us out of the world so that He could bring us in to the family of God, and give us purpose.

He brought us OUT to bring us IN for a PURPOSE.

IDENTIFYING YOUR MINISTRY

God puts unique interests within each one of us. As we acknowledge those interests, and press into them, they become skills or talents. When we hone those talents, and use them to benefit the Kingdom of God, they become ministries.

Ministries can begin simply by asking ourselves a few questions:

-What do I enjoy?

-What am I interested in?

-What am I good at?

-What are people always commenting that I should do more of?

-What makes me feel rewarded and fulfilled?

These are likely the things that God wants to develop within you for ministry purposes.
Using myself as an example, I’ve always enjoyed reading since I first learned how. I’ve always been interested in books. I am naturally good at writing. Through the years, people have commented over and over that I should write a book. Getting something written that people are blessed, encouraged, inspired and taught by is very fulfilling to me. Writing is one of my ministries. How do I use this ministry for the Kingdom? I write Christian blogposts, articles, lessons and hopefully books.

You can use this same pattern over and over. People are not one dimensional; neither do our ministries have to be.

ENDLESS AREAS OF MINISTRY

Not all ministry is done behind a pulpit. Actually, most is not. You may never have a pulpit ministry or position, but you most definitely have a place to minister in the Body. Referring back to our definition of “Ministry” being to attend or serve, we know that anywhere there is people, there’s opportunity to serve.

Think about your local church. What do you see people doing every service? Pastor is preaching. Sunday School teachers are teaching. You may not be called or ready to do either of these ministries. But there are so many other activities happening. Someone takes up the offering. Could you do that? Someone probably greets people as they arrive to service. Could you do that?

What about behind the scenes? Someone creates the colorful classroom bulletin boards. Someone mows the grass, weeds the shrub beds, sweeps the porch, cleans the bathrooms, brings snacks to the students in Sunday School, decorates for holidays and special events, works in the nursery…The list goes on and on.

Think about outside your church building. Do you love to cook or bake? Could you make food and deliver meals to the elderly, shut ins, or first responders like the fire station, police department or National Guard Armory?

Do you have a way with the elderly? Could you make regular visits to the nursing home to bring comfort and joy?

Do you love to crochet? Could you crochet warm hats for chemo or dialysis patients?

Do you love the Word of God? Do you love hosting people in your home? Could you teach a home Bible study and serve a meal or coffee and dessert?

Do you love to give? Could you support a missionary with a monthly offering?

EXPANDED MINISTRIES

God does call people to ministries beyond their local church and community. Every missionary, evangelist, church planter, sought after musician, Christian author or conference speaker was once a person wrestling with their own interests, talents, giftings and callings. They didn’t start out their ministry by traveling to other countries and preaching to thousands. They started by painting bulletin boards, keeping the nursery and  cleaning the bathrooms in their local church.

ARE YOU READY TO MINISTER?

1. Make sure you attend a local church that teaches and preaches the Truth of God’s Word. (You can find one in your area HERE.)

2. Be faithful and consistent to all services, classes and events.

3. Get involved! Begin to use your interests & talents wherever you can.

4. Establish a strong relationship with the Pastor.

5. Allow the Pastor to help guide you in your ministry decisions.

IN SUMMARY

You are uniquely you. You can minister in ways that others cannot. You can reach people with your giftings that others will not be able to reach. Being a servant in the Kingdom of God is more rewarding than all the accolades of the world. There are endless areas and opportunities to minister, and God most certainly wants to use you.

”For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10)

Warm Regards,

~Pat~

Unpacking The Fivefold Ministry

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
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”And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Within the church, there are many areas of ministry that individuals can choose to take part in according to their interests. The core framework of ministry, however, is what we refer to as the Fivefold Ministry. Each one of these five is not only a calling, but an office filled by those selected by God Himself. These offices come with much responsibility, and should also be given appropriate respect.  No one of the fivefold ministries is more important than the others. The Apostle Paul lists them in his letter to the  church at Ephesus. They are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Let’s unpack each one.

THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY

1. APOSTLES OVERSEE

Jesus’ original 12 disciples became apostles after His ascension into Heaven. (Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias after Judas betrayed Jesus, and subsequently hung himself.) As such, they were overseers of the new Christian churches and works. An apostle may start a church in an area, but will most likely establish a local pastor over the work when it is stable enough to do so. He might travel to the churches under his oversight on a regular basis, as Paul did. In modern times, an apostle is likely to stay connected to the pastors of the churches under his covering via avenues of technology such as phone calls, text messages, emails, FaceTime or Zoom calls. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, he listed many of his trials, tribulations and hardships including “the care of all the churches.”  A true apostle thrives on seeing churches established, and the pastors and congregations under their spiritual covering working together to build the Kingdom.

“Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28)

 

SIDE NOTE

My husband and I have traveled to Malaysia twice on missions trips. It was there that we met Pastor Clement. He pastored the local church, but had also started over 40 churches in other areas. Even though he pastored, he was also an apostle, overseeing all of these works. When my husband came to preach, he would fly all of his pastors in to attend the services. He was a true modern day apostle, and has since gone to be with the Lord. Those 40+ churches still thrive today because of his apostleship.

2. PROPHETS FORETELL

In the Old Testament prophets were often called “Seers” because God showed them information via dreams and visions. This remains true today. Just as in the Old Testament, prophets today reveal information that God has shown them to those it is intended for. This information could be to encourage, inform, redirect, confirm, prepare or warn. A true prophet thrives on knowing the people whose lives he speaks into are taking the information to heart and acting on it while seeking God’s Will in the process

”And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6)


SIDE NOTE

I remember 35+ years ago when my husband first began having visions. One day he asked me, “Do you see things? “ I asked, “What kind of things?” He immediately replied, “Never mind.”  He didn’t have a mentor who could instruct him in this matter, so he wrestled alone with the Lord for a few years. The Lord took him though a season of schooling where He would show him something, or reveal a bit of information, and then my husband would have to learn how to process it, and what to do with the knowledge. One day we were driving down the road. When he glanced over at the car beside us, and the Lord gave him a name. My husband followed the lady to a gas station, got out, and asked her if her name was what the Lord had given him. She affirmed that it was. He told her God loved her, and to have a nice day. In this same manner over a period of years, he learned how to trust the process, and step into the prophetic calling.

3. EVANGELISTS DECLARE

Evangelists are called to proclaim the gospel wherever they go for the purpose of seeing people born again. While this should be the focus of every minister, an evangelist will have a special anointing for this purpose. While they have a home church that they base out of, evangelists are known to travel wherever there is an open door of opportunity to preach the gospel message. Some evangelists minister predominantly within specific people groups such as children’s evangelists. A true evangelist thrives on seeing people respond to the gospel message, be born again according to Acts 2:38 and remain faithful under a pastor’s care.

”But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)

4. PASTORS SHEPHERD

A pastor is over a local assembly of believers. Not as a dictator, but as a loving shepherd watching over his flock. Other than a parent or spouse, a pastor is the next level of spiritual authority in a person’s life. It is the pastor’s responsibility to oversee the spiritual care of each person in his assembly. He or she will feed them the Word of God regularly so they may grow in knowledge. He is called to be aware of and assist in their spiritual maturity at all times, always watching for any danger that would come upon them. A true pastor thrives by seeing the members of his flock learning and applying the Word of God in their lives, showing evidence of spiritual maturity and being content in working together to bring others into the fold.

“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.“ (Jeremiah 3:15)

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.“ (Hebrews 13:17)

5. TEACHERS INSTRUCT

Believers who are called by God to be teachers cannot get enough of His Word. They are consumed by it. A teacher will look for opportunities to explain the scriptures. A seasoned teacher has often spent time teaching all age groups. There is an unspoken respect given to preachers, but not always teachers. While both are necessary, a teacher is one of the fivefold ministries; a preacher is not. A true teacher thrives on moments when their students’ eyes light up with understanding of God’s Word.

”These things command and teach.” (1 Timothy 4:12)


PURPOSE OF THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY

1. For The Perfecting of the Saints

Our walk with God is like a journey, and we are all at different points in our pilgrimage. The fivefold ministry is in place to assist individuals in the Body of Christ to be born again, learn, grow, mature and be firmly established as productive saints in God’s Kingdom. This process is ongoing throughout our lives.

2. For the Work of the Ministry

The fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers provide the foundation, structure and guidelines for all other ministries.

3. For the Edifying of the Body of Christ

The word “edify” here means to “Build Up.” Through the fivefold ministry, God has established the means whereby individuals in the Body of Christ are continually instructed, encouraged, nurtured and guided consistently.

IN SUMMARY

Much attention and acknowledgement is given to evangelists, pastors and teachers in our modern church culture. Sadly, hardly any acknowledgement is given to modern day apostles and prophets. It is often either ignored or discouraged when ministers who fill either of these two offices actually proclaim themselves to be such. This is especially true of modern day prophets.

If it is encouraged, and even applauded, when an evangelist, pastor or teacher declares their calling to these offices, it should  be the same for an apostle or prophet. It is God who established these offices within the church, and He did so for the specific purposes listed above. Without all five of these offices functioning properly, the Body of Christ cannot be fully perfected, have effective ministries or be edified. We must begin to normalize the acceptance and promotion of ALL FIVE of the fivefold ministry…

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:13)

Warm Regards,

~Pat~

8 Pitfalls To Avoid When Fasting

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

”Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)

Anyone who knows me also knows I am a huge proponent of fasting. To be more specific, I am a proponent of living a disciplined and consistent fasted lifestyle. Many of our fears and frustrations over fasting come simply because we don’t practice it enough.

Living a fasted lifestyle has become a way of life for me over the last few years. It has been, and continues to be a wonderful emotional, physical and spiritual journey for me. You read that right. Fasting is not only for spiritual health, but also benefits the whole man.

I would never want to discourage anyone from the discipline of fasting. It is our God-given tool for emotional, physical and spiritual health. However, I’ve learned from experience there are a few pitfalls to watch for on your fasting journey. Again, I’m referring specifically to a lifestyle of fasting, not simply pushing back the plate occasionally.

These are a few areas I’ve dealt with myself. Being able to look out for them is going to put you ahead in your fasting journey:

1. BECOMING DEHYDRATED

Going without food should not include going without liquid. Your body can go a looong time without food, but only a few days without water. You should be sipping water throughout the day. By the time you feel thirsty, it’s too late, you’re already dehydrated.

Much of the “hunger” you feel while fasting is often your body begging for liquid. Approximately 55%-60% of our bodies are water. Literally, every cell in your body is made up of mostly liquid.

Symptoms of dehydration range from fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion, UTIs, etc. These can range from mild to very severe. The solution is to stay hydrated, preferably with clean, pure water and electrolytes which help your cells hold on to the water. Sipping herbal teas are also an excellent way to keep hydrated.

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” (John 4:15)

 

2. BECOMING NUTRIENT DEFICIENT

I’m talking specifically about seasons of extended fasting, or living a fasted lifestyle where you are fasting one or two meals most days. In either of these situations, you must make sure that you are consuming enough, as well as, the right kind of nutrients during your eating windows. Fasting brings healing to our bodies when done correctly. Starving ourselves, or consuming only fast food/junk food in our eating windows is not fasting correctly. We are called to be good stewards over our bodies.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

3. TRYING TO FORCE GOD’S HAND

Fasting is powerful. But we should always remember that fasting changes us, not God. While we may have a specific need in mind for the focus of our fast, the biggest need is to subdue our flesh so that we are in tune with what God wants to do in that situation. This allows us to find the mind of Christ in order to pray more effectively. When we get our focus on changing God instead of ourselves, it’s easy to become frustrated, angry and even offended at God for not working in the way we assumed He would. Fasting should always be practiced with the mindset of “More of Him; less of me.” John the baptist expressed it perfectly.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

 

4. BECOMING PRIDEFUL

Is it possible to become prideful while you are humbling yourself in fasting? I assure you, it is. When you are on an extended fast, or have begun living a fasted lifestyle, your body will naturally experience changes. Sometimes dramatic changes. Not long into my fasting journey, people began to comment on the physical changes.

My husband and I evangelize, so we are in different churches every weekend. There’s no telling how many times I heard comments like, “Hey, Skinny-Minny!” Or “Sis, you’re looking GOOD!” Or “Wow! How much weight have you lost?!” After a while, I learned to simply answer, “Thank you. I definitely feel healthier.”

To be transparent, the comments made me feel good. I liked the way my clothes fit properly which hadn’t been the case since my teenage years. I liked being able to move freely. I liked the feeling of being in control of my self. A person can worship and chase grandkids much easier fifty pound lighter.

It takes discernment and being honest with ourselves to know where the line is that crosses over from feeling thankful and healthy to feeling prideful and sexy. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll begin to walk differently. Enter a room differently. Meet people’s eyes differently. This is yet another reason to make sure our fasting is properly yoked together with prayer.

”Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

 

5. BECOMING JUDGMENTAL

This is a mindset that no one wants to admit to, and it’s mostly internal. There comes a point when you begin to feel “successful” in your fasting journey. You’ve worked hard to become consistent, and you feel like you’re seeing the fruit of all your hard work. You’ve experienced some powerful moves of God. You’ve seen signs, wonders and miracles. You feel like you’ve established a direct line to the Throne. Everything you’ve studied in the Word about fasting is being manifested in your life…Then out of the blue, the thought comes to you, “If I can do it, why can’t they? Why don’t they? If they loved God and His Word like they claim, their situation would be different.”

Whoa, hold on there, Wonder Woman! You don’t know what they’re dealing with. You don’t know what’s going on inside of them. You don’t know what infirmities they wrestle with. You don’t know what the enemy is holding them hostage with. You don’t see the tears they’re crying into their pillow at night. You don’t know what their coworker or loved one did or said. You don’t know their fears, exhaustion, anxiety, depression or desperation. Perhaps you should take a pit stop instead of another victory lap, and remember where God brought you from, and how far you still need to go with Him. Oh, and while you’re at it, why don’t you set aside a season of fasting and prayer just for them?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

 

6. BECOMING INCONSISTENT

It’s so easy to become complacent after a season of intense spiritual warfare. It’s nice to just take a break. After Elijah’s notable defeat of the prophets of baal, it only took one threat from the wicked woman Jezebel to send him fleeing to hide in a cave. His moment of rest would have turned into a permanent residence if God had not sought him out, and got him back on his way again. His work wasn’t finished. He still had to anoint a few kings, and choose his own replacement, Elisha.

One week without fasting leads to two, and then a month, a quarter and a year. It’s fine to rest for a season, but there’s much more spiritual warfare to accomplish.

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)

 

7. BREAKING YOUR FAST INCORRECTLY

This is a BIG problem! Many people are afraid of fasting because they did it once, and got sick when they ended their fast. Most of the time, this is because they ended it incorrectly. It should take an equivalent amount of time to break your fast as the time you actually fasted. If you fasted one meal, then you should eat simple, non rich foods for one meal afterward. The longer you fast, the longer it will take to regulate your body back to eating. A three day fast, is actually a six day process. (That doesn’t count the days leading up to the fast when you will want to cut back on heavy foods, sugars and caffeine.) If you end a week long fast with pizza, brownies and a soda, you will be sorry. This has led to God’s people being fearful of the fasting discipline.


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

 

8. INTENSIFYING EATING DISORDERS

Fasting correctly does not cause eating disorders. However, if someone suffers from an eating disorder, it can exacerbate the condition. If you know you have a history with eating issues, please be responsible, and speak to your doctor. Don’t attempt to use fasting to control binging or purging. Yes, fasting breaks strongholds, but we are to serve God with our minds. Make good choices. If you begin to think that you are sinning if you eat, this should be a red flag to get help. Gluttony is a sin, eating is not.

”And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

 

IN SUMMARY

Living a fasted lifestyle is the answer to emotional, physical and spiritual health. We do God’s process an injustice when we handle it incorrectly. I hope this helps you on your journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions on the topic.

Warm Regards,

~Pat~

Why Don’t I Cut My Hair…Ever?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Rana Sawalha on Unsplash

“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” (1 Corinthians 11:15)

You read that correctly. I don’t cut my hair. Ever. This fact is likely to be quite shocking to you if you have never been taught the biblical significance of a woman’s uncut hair. Before going any further, I want to make certain you understand that I am referring not just to wearing long hair, but uncut hair. The original Greek word here for “long hair” is Komao, which means untampered with long tresses. Or to let one’s hair grow long and unaltered. That being said, my hair hasn’t been cut in 30+ years.

IT’S ABOUT SUBMISSION

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)

How can hair length be such a big deal? 1 Corinthians chapter 11 isn’t only referring to men and women’s hair. It is referring to submission to spiritual authority. Hair length is simply the symbol of that submission level.

WHY HAIR?

In the same way God chose speaking in tongues as the initial sign of someone receiving the Holy Ghost, so He also chose Hair as the symbol of a person’s submission to authority. The simple truth is He’s God, and He gets to choose. One little known reason, however, is that cutting of the hair, and offering it as a sacrifice to idols has been practiced throughout history. This practice was especially rampant in the city of Corinth at the time of Paul’s writing to the Corinthian Church on the subject.

Neither man nor woman is more important than the other in the Kingdom of God, but God has established a spiritual order. We are expected to remain submitted to that order. A woman’s uncut hair declares that she is willingly submitted to her spiritual authority. If she is is unmarried, her first level of authority would be her father, then pastor and ultimately the Lord. If she is married, then her first level of authority is her husband.

Make no mistake. This teaching isn’t only for women. As much as a woman is instructed to leave her her long, and uncut, a man is instructed to keep his hair cut short. In this way, he declares his submission to the Lord.

APPROACHING GOD IN PRAYER

Paul tells the Corinthians that our hair dictates whether we should approach God in prayer. A man’s head shouldn’t be covered. A woman’s head should be covered. To come before God any other way is a disgrace. This is why you will see many men remove their hats during prayer. You might also see a woman with a cap or veil over her head. Although these actions are done to be respectful of God and His Word, they are done out of context.

This teaching in chapter 11 isn’t referring to a natural covering, but the length of a person’s hair. Scripture teaches us to, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) In order to accomplish this, ladies would never be able to take off their hat or veil, and men would never be able to wear a hat. I much prefer to keep my hair uncut, and thereby be able to approach God at any moment of the day or night.

“Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.” (1 Corinthians 11:4-5)

SIDE NOTE

I’ve had people ask, “If a woman’s hair is her covering, why does she wear it put up, and not hanging down so that it covers more?” Let me reiterate the scripture is not referring to a natural covering, but a spiritual covering. Some women’s hair naturally grows longer or shorter than others. My own hair is not naturally super long, but if it is uncut, regardless of the actual length, I am covered, and living under authority. 

ANGELS ARE WATCHING

”For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.” (1 Corinthians 11:10)

The Lord takes the doctrine of a woman’s uncut hair very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that angels take notice of whether we keep it uncut. Women who understand this truth take great care to not even trim their hair, knowing that keeping their hair untampered with adds a level of protection for their loved ones. I feel absolutely certain that many trials, afflictions and dangers have been avoided because I have kept my hair uncut.

”The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” (Psalm 34:7)

DON’T SPEAK AGAINST WHAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND

I realize this teaching presents in stark contrast to our cultural norm. We are perpetually surrounded by advertisements featuring new hairstyles. The pressure to conform can be overwhelming. Choosing to be a biblical Christian, however, often situates us crosswise with what the world declares is the right way.

Years ago, I was in a store with my young daughter. We were browsing the aisles when a young mother and her little girl walked past us. The little girl had long, beautiful hair, and I complimented her on how pretty it was. I was completely and utterly shocked when the lady replied in a nasty tone, “That’s what happens when you cut it.” I was so shocked by her audacity that I literally could say nothing in that moment.

This mean-spirited lady walked away feeling pretty good about herself, but in no way submitted to spiritual authority. She obviously new enough to realize we didn’t cut our hair, but doubtfully why. Let me make a few points here.

1. Hair grows from the roots, not the ends. Cutting or trimming your hair does not make it grow. It definitely makes it look fashionable, and more acceptable according to our culture. Aren’t we instructed to avoid conforming to the culture around us?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

2. If you don’t understand a verse, passage, commandment or principle in scripture, it’s much better to simply acknowledge that you don’t understand. God isn’t angry at you for not understanding, although He does expect you to seek to find understanding. Saying you don’t understand is much safer than speaking against, and treading carelessly upon something God has called holy.

THE OPPOSITE OF SUBMITTED

Let me point out that the opposite of being submitted is to be in rebellion. We think of being rebellious as someone who is committing all manner of vile sins. Certainly, as Christians who love the Lord, we would not consider ourselves rebellious. When we choose to disregard a practice that God has ordained to specifically represent submissIon…Is that not rebellion?

THE GLORY COVENANT

I recently had some trouble with my thyroid which required a change in my medication dosage. This lead to a downward spiral of major hair loss. Perhaps after reading this blogpost, you can understand why such an event would cause an Apostolic lady great distress. Many ladies would have immediately cut or trimmed their hair to make it more culturally acceptable. (*Trimming is cutting in small increments.) I, however, have this Glory Covenant that I take very seriously. I desire to be in obedience to God’s Word. I desire to live submitted to spiritual authority. I desire for the angels who are always watching to take note of my submission. I consider being in this Glory Covenant with God a great privilege and joy.

“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.“ (1 Corinthians 11:15)

IN SUMMARY

Obviously, for the sake of time and space, I can’t cover every aspect of uncut hair in this post. If you have questions, please reach out. As always, I’m more than happy to discuss any topic that I write about.

Warm Regards,

~Pat~