What Will It Take For You To Live For God?

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

My heart is so absolutely burdened for people who refuse to turn to God in repentance. I have seen people I love go through sickness almost unto death. Bizarre illnesses that I refuse to believe are only coincidences. Life threatening injuries. I have interceded in prayer, and the Lord has been merciful over and over again.

A worldwide pandemic, riots in the major cities of America, the most destructive weather events ever recorded, prophecies being fulfilled left and right…How much more do you need to see and experience before you turn to the Lord in true repentance?

If you think it’s going to get easier, it won’t. If you think there will be a more convenient time, there won’t. If you think you’ll have the fortitude to turn to the Lord when all Hell breaks loose, even though you refuse to now, you won’t. If you think that you will find a loophole in order to be exempt from judgement, you won’t.

“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

I beg you with tears in my eyes, and intercession on my lips, please turn to God. Please repent. Please fall on the Rock and be broken, before He falls on you, and grinds you to powder.

“And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Luke 20:17-18)

Do you truly believe that your way is better than His? No good can come from resisting His Will for your life. He loves you with a love deeper than you’ve ever known. True love. True peace. True salvation. True hope. True life. Why wouldn’t you want that?

It Takes A Thinking Person To Serve The Lord: Is That You?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A rational person. A person who can clearly see the difference between daylight and dark. A person who can follow basic instructions. A person who is able to recognize the voice of reason. Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. It doesn’t have to be a highly educated person. A well known person. Someone with a charismatic personality. A born leader. As a matter of fact, most of the time, these things are hinderances, rather than helps. Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who is willing to read or listen to God’s Word, and truly hear it. A person who can be honest with themselves. A person who will look inside themselves, and ask, “Am I living according to His Word? Does my life look like Jesus?” Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who understands that confusion and chaos are not of God. A person who recognizes the need for order in a civilized society. A person who will separate themselves from lawlessness, and will submit themselves to a true man of God, and his spiritual authority. Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who is willing to take all of the feelings and emotions that are bottled up inside to the throne of God. A person who will bow their knees, and lift their voices to Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and say, “I’m a mess. Please help me!” Is that you?

It takes a thinking person to serve the Lord. A person who is willing to follow through with what the Lord instructs in His Word. A person who is willing to make good with actions, and not just talk. A person that will make the decision to do whatever it takes to be right with God. Is that you?

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:14-20)

 

Saying Nothing Is Saying a Lot

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

It was mid-February, and we were on the train, riding from Liverpool back to London. I enjoy people watching, and imagining what the lives of the people around me are like. Whether in an airport, hotel lobby, subway, or restaurant, there is never a shortage of people to imagine about. The train ride was approximately two hours, so I had extra time to observe the two teenagers sitting across the isle and diagonal to us.

From my vantage point, and perspective, they seemed a bit obnoxious. Not because they did anything wrong, but they were louder than the other passengers. Every few minutes, they would erupt into a raucous laughter that made me think maybe they had been talking about us.

They were dressed differently. Different than us, anyway. Even though my husband and I were dressed in casual clothes, the same as them, their attire was sloppy and teenage trendy. Their hair was unkempt, yet styled…How is that even possible? They had piercings and tattoos. All in all, their personalities were edgy, and they seemed a bit sketchy to me.

Just before we arrived in London, a conversation was struck up between the four of us. I’m not sure who asked first, but we began to tell them that we were from the U.S. They asked where in the U.S., and we told them Tennessee. The young man said he didn’t know where that was, but the girl immediately said, “Oh, I know where that is! That’s where they don’t like black people!”

This was so not what I expected her to say. It felt like a slap in the face. I immediately and defensively responded with, “That’s not true!,” not being able to think of anything more eloquent or explanatory to say. She was very adamant in her viewpoint, and didn’t hesitate to come back at me with, “Yes, it IS true! I learned about it in world history. You all hate black people.”

The train had already pulled into the London Station, and everyone was standing up and grabbing their bags. I wanted to defend myself and my people by assuring her that I had plenty of black friends, I use to attend a church with a one-third black congregation, I’m one of the least prejudiced people she would ever meet, and would my black friends please stand up and vouch for me?!?!

In the end, all I had time to lamely call over my shoulder as we went one way, and they went another was, “That was a long time ago!” She called something back to me in reply. I didn’t make it out completely, but I think it was something to the effect of, “Sure. Whatever,” with an eye roll. Rotten kids.

I was so embarrassed. And offended. I had been wrongly labeled by a ragged, obnoxious, hole-punched misfit…whoooo apparently was well studied in world history, and wasn’t afraid to speak out against injustice wherever she perceived it…Heavy sigh…I was busted. Ironic, isn’t it, that I was offended at being labeled by the very people who I had been labeling for the last two hours?

The truth is I really don’t consider myself prejudiced, at all. The truth is I do have plenty of black friends, as well as many other shades of color from all over the world. I hope they know that I love them, and that I don’t consider myself better than they are in any way.

The truth is also that to not say anything is actually saying a whole lot. Not saying anything is saying, “I don’t want to get involved in your difficulty. The truth is that racism is still a HUGE deal in the U.S., and we must say so, and stand against it. Saying nothing is saying a lot.

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34-35)

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” (Revelation 7:9)

#georgefloyd #icantbreathe #endracism

Lessons From an Old Altar

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

We pastor a small, country church. It has a small, country altar. Years ago, the altar had been moved downstairs, as it often was when there was a special program that required more room at the front of the sanctuary. This time, however, the altar wasn’t moved back into place when the program was over. I realize that sounds awful, but I will add that there is a carpeted step that runs the length of the platform which served as the altar area.

One night, my husband had a dream of our two boys carrying the altar between them, and setting it back in place. He took this as instruction from the Lord, and asked our sons to do just that.

He preached that service about that old altar. He named saints that had gone on to their reward who had wept hot tears at that humble bench. He called different ones in the congregation by name, and reminded them how their mother and grandmother had agonized before God for their salvation. He told of a former District Superintendent who had given his life to Jesus while kneeling at that very altar.

Each person was called to approach the altar and make a fresh consecration to God and give reverence to that old country altar where so many lives had been changed. It was one of the most moving services that I’ve ever been a part of. Not because of any well rehearsed program or pageantry, but because of the image of people’s lives and hearts being visibly changed as they knelt or bent to lay their hand lovingly on the smooth wood, and mingled their tears with the tear stains from past generations.

It was in that service that I came to understand more deeply that the altar isn’t just a piece of furniture in a church building. The altar is a place where we are changed. Where we lay down old actions, old habits, old grudges, old ways of thinking, old sinful flesh. Down.

If we aren’t allowing the altar to change us, we’re approaching it wrong. If at all. The altar should alter us.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

Lions & Leopards & Bears…Oh, My!

~ Pat Vick ~ 6 Comments

The book of Revelation can be down right scary. Am I right?! All of those dreadful beasts with multiple heads, and mixed up body parts. CA-REEEPY!

I just want you to know that if you’re waiting for these literal beasts to show up on the earth before you get right with God, it’s not going to happen. That’s because the books of Revelation, Daniel and Ezekiel  use IMAGERY. All of those freakish animals described in these books of the Bible represent NATIONS, WORLD SYSTEMS (Political, Financial, Religious) AND WORLD LEADERS.

As a young person, I was so turned off by politics. This is more than ironic, since I grew up in a political family. I was one of those young adults who couldn’t figure out why we couldn’t just all get along. Peace and Harmony…Ebony and Ivory, and all that. Not realizing that God is all up in politics.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” (Daniel 2:20-21)

 

Here is a short list of beasts/animals in the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation, and what they represent:

DANIEL, CHAPTER SEVEN

  • LION -Great Britain
  • EAGLE’S WINGS -America
  • LEOPARD -Germany
  • BEAR -Russia

 

FOUR HORSEMEN of REVELATION, CHAPTER SIX

  • White Horse -Catholicism
  • Red Horse -Communism
  • Black Horse -Capitalism 
  • Pale Horse -Islamism (The original word is Chloros/Green.)


REVELATION, CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  • BEAST WITH SEVEN HEADS AND TEN HORNS -The final World Government that will control the whole world just before Jesus returns. It will be a combined Political and Religious system. Under this world system, the Mark of the Beast will be required to participate in commerce.
  • The ultimate leader of this system is also called the BEAST, and ANTICHRIST. The leader of the world religious system is called the FALSE PROPHET.

 

OTHER EXAMPLES OF IMAGERY

  • SERPENT/DRAGON -Satan/Devil
  • LAMB -We shouldn’t have any problem understanding that the LAMB represents our Savior, JESUS CHRIST, who came to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Hopefully this list, even though it is not all inclusive, will help you to understand the prophetic books of the Bible better. Hopefully, it will help to alleviate some of your unnecessary fear. Hopefully, it will draw you into the Word of God more often, if you have been avoiding studying endtime events. Hopefully, this list will help you to understand the need to educate yourself on what is happening in the world around you. Hopefully, it will help you to realize that God is all up in politics, and we should be too.

Life Is a Highway

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil:
he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.” (Proverbs 16:17)

My heart is so grieved as I look around at people going about their daily lives. I feel more and more pressed in the Spirit with every passing day. How can we continue to go about our business as usual, when there is nothing “usual” about our lives anymore?

Just as a highway runs in both directions, and you have the ability to go either way, so each person has a choice of which direction they will travel spiritually -either to, or away from God.

I am crushed when I see people who have lived for God turn and begin to travel away from Him. People who I have personally prayed and wept with in the altar. People I have laughed with, and hugged, and fellowshipped with. People I love and cherish. People who have been saturated with the Spirit of the Living God. And yet they walk away, because life is a highway.

I cry a little every day, sometimes on the outside, and sometimes only in the silence of my heart. I cry for the choices people make that are so obviously driven by flesh. I cry because of the hardness of people’s hearts that were once so pliable in His hands. I cry because of the stubbornness and rebellion of people who have decided that no matter what the consequences are, they are going to do what their flesh craves. And I can’t do anything other than pray, because life is a highway, and people get to choose the direction they will travel.

Each time it happens, I cry a little. I die a little. I ask God why a little…or a lot. I always get the same answer. Life is a highway.

In these last days before Jesus returns, many will choose to travel the road of self satisfaction, self destruction, and ultimately be lost. Others will be traveling in the lane right beside them, yet going an altogether different direction to a life of blessing, peace, holiness, and ultimately to salvation.  

I will keep praying, and working, and reaching for one more. For that one who is getting weary of traveling away from God. For the one who is aching to be right with God again. For the one who never knew they could make better choices, and not live for flesh and satan. I will keep talking, and writing, and teaching, and believing for one more who will turn around and walk back to God.

Maybe that one is you. You don’t have to keep going in the direction you have chosen. You can turn around, and walk back to God, because life is a highway.

“And an highway shall be there, and a way,
and it shall be called The way of holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those:
the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isaiah 35:8)

WAKE UP! It’s Later Than It’s Ever Been.

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

One day when I was a young girl, I woke up and walked out of my bedroom, and immediately sensed something different in my home. I didn’t know what it was, but everything felt strange. The atmosphere. The light coming in the windows. My family was acting strangely, not going about their normal morning routines. They were all sitting around the tv watching evening shows. I was extra hungry. Everything was just off.

I had put on my clothes like normal, and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. My mom gave me a peculiar look, and said something to the affect of, “Well, there’s not much use in getting dressed now. It’s almost time to go to bed.”

I’m not sure of the rest of the conversation, or why she had let me sleep, (Maybe she thought I was sick.) but I finally realized that I had literally slept all day. My natural rhythm was out of whack for days.

The worst part was the loss of all that time. Time that I could have been doing what kids my age did. Playing with my dogs, gerbils and Barbie dolls, riding my bike and reading my library books. It felt like time had sped up, and gone on without me.

Time Will Speed Up In The Last Days.

There is coming a time, and I believe it has already begun, when the length of days will be shortened because of God’s grace to His Church. Such difficult and evil times will come upon the world, that even the Church will be at great peril of being lost but for this gift of grace.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

“For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” (Mark 13:19-20)

The Dog Days of Summer Are Gone.

Remember when you were a child how summer days just went on and on? When kids and dogs had nothing better to do than hang out, just beating the day’s heat with a cool glass of lemonade and the swish of a tail.

I use to think that it was just the mark of childhood. As my own kids were growing up, however, I noticed that they began to exclaim that Christmas or their birthday had come around very fast. They just couldn’t believe another year had gone by. When I was a kid, it seemed a lifetime between Christmases and birthdays.

I don’t believe this speeding up of days is my imagination. Nor is it the imagined result of growing older with adult responsibilities. I am convinced that the days are literally being fast forwarded through.

Length Versus Number

Some believe that the actual number of days in the endtime will be shortened. I cannot believe this to be true because scripture gives us a very set timeline to gauge when we are living.

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:11)

On the contrary, scripture very specifically tells of a time that the length of our days and nights would be shortened by one third. I believe that time has begun.

“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.” (Revelation 8:12)

What Will We Do With Our Days?

Considering that we are all Sheltering In Place, and knowing that our days are shorter than ever, how will we spend them? We are limited from doing some things, but are they things that really matter to the Kingdom?

If we are going to be proactive for the cause of Christ, now is the time. For the time being we can still reach out over the internet and all venues electronic to be a witness. We can write, call, text, video teach, and of course, there’s never been a better time to pray like we have never prayed before. Jesus, Himself, said…

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)

The Jewish Mezuzah and Its Eternal Truth

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

One of the most precious gifts I ever received was a Mezuzah from Israel. It was given to my husband and me by our Pastor at the time from his trip to the Holy Land.

WHAT IS A MEZUZAH?

The Mezuzah is a small rectangular box, some simply decorated, and others extremely ornate. Every Mezuzah holds the same contents, a copy of the verses Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21.

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

The Mezuzah is a reminder of the most fundamental knowledge of God.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

This knowledge that GOD IS ONE LORD is so important in our understanding of Him that He instructs His People to speak of it daily to their children, when they are sitting, walking, and otherwise going about their days. He expects us to keep this knowledge at the forefront of our minds, continually.

The Mezuzah is not an amulet, nor a good luck charm. It is simply a reminder to those who possess it of their obligation to God.

HOW IS IT USED?

The Mezuzah has traditionally been affixed to the doorways of Jewish homes. When the people who lived there, or even guests, came through the door, they would be reminded, this is a home where people know the one, true living God. I must conduct myself in a proper and reverent way in honor of Him.

Also, when people would leave the home, they would be reminded to live appropriately and in honor of God while they go about their daily lives.


A CLOSER EXAMINATION

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

The knowledge that God is one is the core belief that every person who claims to know and love Him should confess. The belief in a TRINITY of Beings who make up the One God is against that most fundamental doctrine.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

We should hold this knowledge that our God is One Lord deeply in our hearts. It should resonate clearly and distinctly within us every day of our lives so that we do not begin to think of Him as the many gods of heathen nations.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

God expects us to teach this knowledge of His ONENESS to our children at every opportunity. This mandate should make us rethink putting our children in situations where we know they will be taught trinitarian doctrine, even so called “Christian” schools.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Again, whatever our hand finds to do, or our eyes look at, our minds should always retain the knowledge of God’s ONENESS, and the fact that we are to love Him with everything in us. When we go or come from our homes, this Truth should guide us in the way we go about our days, both inside and outside our homes. If we are truly in relationship with the One True Living God, we will behave ourselves in ways that please Him, both to the stranger, as well as to those closest to us.

 

Deuteronomy 11:13-21

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

The blessings of God are contingent on whether we retain the knowledge of the One True Living God, and whether we serve Him with everything within us. IF we, THEN He.

That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

The blessing of remembering and teaching that our God is One Lord, and loving and serving Him with our whole hearts, is that He will provide what we need to live productive and contented lives in His will.

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

It is possible that we could be deceived into serving and worshiping other gods. We must guard our hearts and minds continually. It is difficult to imagine the possibility of being deceived in the day that we live in. However, believing that the trinitarian doctrine is biblical is one such deception.

And then the Lord‘s wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you.

If we do not retain the knowledge of God’s ONENESS in our hearts, and instead, live our lives as if we are not accountable to the One True Living God, and forsake our relationship with Him, then we can expect God’s fierce anger to be against us. We should not be surprised when His blessings of provision do not follow. Nor should we expect to live out our days in health and peace.

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

The knowledge of God’s ONENESS and our adoration of Him should not only be on display at every point in our lives, but should saturate our very hearts and beings.

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

[bctt tweet=”We must use every opportunity to invest into our children the knowledge of the ONENESS of God and their need to love and serve Him with all their hearts.” username=”patvickdotcom”]

We must not assume that our children and grandchildren know and understand the truth of the Oneness of God simply because they witness our relationship with God. Nor should we assume they comprehend the magnitude of their obligation to God because they have heard us tell others. WE MUST SPEAK THE WORDS TO THEM ONE ON ONE as often as we can.

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

Hence, the reason that Orthodox Jews still attach the Mezuzah to their door posts even in modern times.

That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

We don’t live for the Lord and retain the knowledge of His ONENESS only for ourselves. Our children’s very lives and futures depend on us imparting to them this same knowledge of the Almighty, deep love and desire to serve Him in Truth. Knowing that GOD IS ONE, not three, is basic, fundamental, and ESSENTIAL to our and our children’s salvation.

 

YOUR OBLIGATION AS A CHRISTIAN

You may not have a Mezuzah affixed to your door posts, but you are responsible for knowing and passing on this eternal Truth:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Blessings!

Pat

~~~~~~~
As always, feel free to leave a comment, share to social media, or email me: PAT@patvick.com

Also, if you’d love to read more about the Oneness of God, be sure to check out my past articles on the topic below.

Are All Pentecostal Churches Created Equal?

The Oneness of God: It Isn’t Just Semantics.

What Is The First Commandment Of All?

 

6 Reasons You Should Be Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

The choice to be baptized in Jesus’ name was neither difficult, nor complicated for me, once I saw the Truth of it in scripture. I had previously been baptized in the titles, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” When I came up out of the water, the only difference I felt was wet instead of dry. I was very disappointed that I didn’t feel a difference on the inside. I knew that I had missed something, but wasn’t sure what.

Years later, I learned of baptism in Jesus’ name. I saw it. I understood it. I acted on it. I can testify to you that when the man of God put me under the water, actually calling on the NAME OF JESUS, everything was different than my previous baptismal experience.

I can tell you the exact moment my sins were “washed away.” It was in the approximate two seconds that I was under the water. I remember opening my eyes, seeing the lights above me, and thinking that I could stay there forever. When I broke the plane of the water, I knew without a doubt that I was clean on the inside.

Because I’ve had this extraordinary experience, I desperately want you to experience it also. Here are six reasons why you should be baptized in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST:

1. Jesus commanded it.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)

Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles. What is THE NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? It is JESUS, of course! Going through the motions of baptism without using His name is powerless.

2. The Apostles obeyed Jesus’ command by baptizing in Jesus’ name.

On the Day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the first message of the early Church, he very plainly told the people what they must do to be saved -repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the Holy Ghost.

We can see what Jesus meant by how the apostles followed through. There isn’t one scripture that even suggests they spoke the titles, Father, Son and Holy Ghost over new converts when they baptized them.

“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)

“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.)” (Acts 8:14-16)

3. Jesus’ name baptism is for the remission (removal) of sins.

How did the apostles have the power to remit (remove) people’s sins? It was by baptizing them in Jesus’ name. The ministry has this same power today. WOE to a minister who refuses to baptize new converts in the name of Jesus! That man or woman will stand before the God of all Glory with much blood on their hands.

“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)

“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)

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

4. Being baptized in Jesus’ name allows us New Life and hope of the Resurrection.

A bride is due all the benefits that taking on her husband’s name in marriage allows. So it is that we are due all that taking on Jesus’ name in baptism allows.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:3-5)

5. Historical records prove Jesus’ name baptism to be the original formula.

Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, (Thirteenth Edition, Vol. 1, Page 241): The original form of words as ‘into the name of Jesus Christ’ or ‘the Lord Jesus.’ Baptism into the Trinity was a later development.

Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, (Vol. 1, Page 435): “The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.”

Canney Encyclopedia, (page 53): “The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterward they were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

6. We are commanded to do all things in Jesus’ saving name.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

We are so quick to proclaim the name of Jesus in every other area of our lives; doesn’t it seem only right that His name should be spoken at our baptism? People will pray over their food, their choices, their health, and their children, calling on the name of Jesus. Yet, they will refuse to have His name spoken at the most pivotal point in their lives.

…This sounds like a trick of the enemy to me.

GUEST POST by: Katie Davis The Opportunity of Singleness

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
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There is a stigma among women today where many think ministry doesn’t begin until they are married to a “preacher.” They wait around their whole lives, praying that God would send a “good man” to them and they forget the mandate Christ gave us in the New Testament to spread the Gospel to the whole world.

Another scripture they tend to forget is 1 Corinthians 7:34, “There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”

Every day we young ladies are bombarded with how we should look, dress, walk, talk, style our hair and what type of man we should marry to achieve life-long happiness. Society tries to dictate to us what should be most important. As Christians, our first and foremost responsibility should be to follow Christ and obey His word. We know from another portion of scripture that in doing so, “these things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)

When we put God’s agenda before our own, He will add to us the things our hearts desire such as a husband or children. He is simply wanting us to be wise with our seasons of singleness.

Singleness is a unique blessing given to us in which we grow emotionally and mentally while learning to depend on God as our relationship deepens with Him. Like the scripture said, as a single person we have more time and energy to focus directly on the will of God for our lives. 

Does it hurt to be alone sometimes? Yes, especially those of us who have been married before. Getting used to being alone and allowing God to fill the void in our hearts takes time and effort, something of which we might not have if we are more focused on a spouse or family. 

So, knowing singleness is important, what can we as young, single women do with that singleness for God?

We can TEACH BIBLE STUDIES. Helping disciple new converts or witnessing to non-believers is one of the most rewarding things. Not only are you continuing to learn and deepen your understanding of the Word by teaching, but you are planting seeds of faith or watering others already planted so God can bring the increase. This is a sure way of laying up your treasure in heaven.

We can START SMALL GROUPS. Who doesn’t know someone who needs community and a safe place to go when they’re struggling? I know as a grown woman life is hard, especially after a divorce. Some of my healing didn’t come until I met a small group of friends who accepted me for who I was in my broken state and loved me through it.

We can VOLUNTEER in almost any capacity. Food banks, sewing circles, fundraisers, youth trips, Sunday School, nursery, praise team, etc. Being available will not only show your leadership how dedicated you are but will also show the members of your church how invested and willing you are in working with them to grow the kingdom of God.

We can BECOME EDUCATED. A close friend of mine took the small group to another level and has finished several collegiate degrees in counseling. She is working to educate the church on dealing with victims of depression, trauma, and other life-altering mental illnesses. 

We can SUPPORT MISSIONS or go on missions trips. So many of our local entrepreneurs donate a percentage of their funds to help support local and foreign missionaries. Other single women go on missions trips to various places to help work that area and provide support to the missionaries they encounter. Not only does this help the missionary, but their hearts and lives are forever changed by working the field. 

These things I’ve listed are certainly not the limits to what we can do as single women serving a life dedicated to Christ, but they are very good starting points for allowing God to order our steps and make known His will for us. In the process, it may lead us to that man we’ve prayed for or the family we hope to one day have, or even the job we’ve dreamed of. 

Don’t let your singleness be an excuse to put making a difference on pause. If you want to be happy and live a fulfilled life right now, take the limits off God and put your spiritual work clothes on and get started adding to His kingdom, so He can add to you all the blessings He has stored up waiting for you. -Katie Davis

I’m honored to be able to share the ministry of my friend, Katie Davis. Katie attends LifePoint Pentecostal Church in Pulaski, Tennessee, pastored by Dusty and LaTasha Frierson. She is very involved there as a young minister, Worship Leader and Youth Pastor.Katie stays busy using her many talents for the Lord -teaching, preaching, speaking, writing, and studying to become a licensed UPCI Minister. -Pat Vick

You can email Katie at: Davk1227@gmail.com

Katie Davis