What Do You Need To Release So That You Can Be More For Jesus?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

We are living in a unique time. There are so many frustrations, and yet so many opportunities. Everywhere we look, there is another opportunity to serve the Lord in a deeper way. It really depends on what we allow to hold our time and attention.

LEARN TO LET GO

I’ve made a few adjustments lately that I hope will help me to focus on things that are more important. You may think they are very small things that aren’t even worth mentioning. I agree that they are small, but definitely not insignifanct.

I let two hobbies go recently. I really enjoyed doing both of them. One was Book Folding. It involves folding the pages of a book into designs. The first time I ever saw a book folding project, I knew I wanted to do it for myself. I did finish several projects, but as time went on, I spent more time thinking about the projects I needed to finish, rather than actually doing them.

Because thinking about doing the Book Folding projects was stressing me, I decided to give this hobby to my daughter-in-law. I gave her all the patterns that I had, and freed my mind from having to think about future Book Folding projects.

I also love working puzzles. Actually, I love the idea of working puzzles because my mother always worked puzzles. The thought of working puzzles made me feel close to my mom. In reality, however, I spent more time thinking about making the time to work puzzles than I ever actually worked puzzles. It became stressful clutter in my mind. I made the decision to put away my unworked puzzles. Perhaps I’ll bring them back out in a later season of my life, but for the season I’m in, they only caused me frustration.

DECIDE WHO YOU WANT TO BE

As I said at the beginning, there are so many opportunities to serve the Lord in a deeper way. We have to choose to let some things go, so that we can pursue more meaningful ministries and pastimes. The world will tell you that you can have it all, and do it all. The truth is that you can have and do a lot, but the more you choose to allow into your life, the less you will be able to do any of them really well.

I’ve decided that I’m going to be a Reader, Writer and Bible Teacher. These are ministries. I am  also going to be a chicken herder and a beekeeper. These are hobbies. All of this, along with being a Wife, Mother, Memaw and Pastor’s Wife makes for a very full life. That is why a few things had to go.

I encourage you to take inventory of your own life. Who do you want to be? How do you want your life to look? What possessions, ministries, hobbies, relationships and thought processes are truly important to the person God has called you to be? What things need to be released so that you can pursue your best life for Jesus?

”A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;” (Ecclesiastes 3:6)

Have You Denied The Name of The Lord Jesus? What Are You Going To Do About It?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

The Island of Patmos

The book of Revelation was penned by the aged Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos. The island was used as a labor camp for prisoners at that time. History tells us that John, Jesus’ beloved, was boiled in oil for his witness. When God refused to remove John’s candlestick and allow him to die, he was then banished to Patmos as would be a rapist, or a murderer or one who had been an imminent threat to the Roman crown.

What did that old, weathered man of God do to be sentenced to such a fate? He dared to preach the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus is spoken so loosely in the time we live, but it wasn’t so in John’s time. When he and other believers spoke the name above all names, it was with unfathomable love, and intense reverence.

In John’s lifetime, church was not a place. It was who John was. Who believers were. Everything the church did revolved around Jesus’ name, especially baptism.

As seen in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, all baptisms were performed in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The first generation of Christ followers, or Christians as they were called, knew nothing but, and practiced nothing but baptism in Jesus’ name.

There was no trinitarian method of baptism for the first century believers. It simply didn’t exist because it hadn’t been invented yet. Let that sink in.

Under the unction of the Holy Ghost, John wrote the book of Revelation in the mid 90’s, just 20-25 years after the city of Jerusalem with its beautiful temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. John was the only first generation disciple left alive at this time.

Even this early in church history the enemy was coming against the name of Jesus, and causing people to disrespect, disregard and disavow the Name above all names. It wasn’t until 325 AD, at the Council of Nicaea,  that the Roman Catholic so called “church” made an official edict that anyone who baptized in Jesus’ name was to be anathema, that is cursed. The false doctrine of the trinity was officially established at this time, as well as mandatory baptism in the trinity formula, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

The Holy Ghost in John foresaw this blasphemous treachery against the name of Jesus. God instructed him to pen these words to the churches in Pergamos and Philadelphia, two of the seven Jesus’ name assemblies that existed in Asia Minor at that time:

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” (Revelation 2:12-13)

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:7-8)

These anointed words beg the question, how was the church in Pergamos holding fast Jesus’ name? How was the church in Philadelphia not denying Jesus’ name? These two churches, and others, were staying faithful to the name of Jesus in their baptismal formula.

If John were alive today, he would without a doubt be grieved beyond measure that the majority of all believers who claim Christianity now baptize in the trinitarian formula that he warned against. He would be begging you to abandon support of this erroneous doctrine that not one first generation Jesus follower believed. He would be begging you to turn back to the original baptismal formula of the early church, and not deny the name of Jesus Christ.

John was imprisoned, BOILED IN OIL, and banished to an island work force penitentiary because he stood firm on the doctrine of Christ, among which was the necessity of baptism in Jesus’ name. So, I ask you, as John would if he were here today, have you denied the name of our Lord? If you have been baptized any other way besides in Jesus’ name, you have. Are you actively denying the name of our Lord? If you refuse to be baptized in Jesus’ name, you are indeed denying the only saving name of Jesus Christ.

History tells us that John was eventually released, and spent his last years overseeing those seven assemblies of Christ followers in Asia Minor. I have no doubt that he never baptized even one soul in the deceptive trinitarian formula. Instead, he went to his grave preaching, teaching and baptizing every soul he could in Jesus’ name.

How were you baptized? Like the Apostle John, I beg you to find a man or woman of God who will baptize you in the only saving name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.

“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)

“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)

God Knows. Let That Be Enough.

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

A year ago today, my youngest son and his wife were in Bangladesh on a mission trip. It was definitely a high point in their life and walk with God. I was so vey proud of them, and thankful for their opportunity to be a part of something so powerful and eternal.

Caleb came home from that trip with the flu. He flew the 17-18 hours from Dubai sicker than he had ever been in his life. The next morning, when he asked to be taken to the doctor, we knew he was seriously sick. He was treated for the flu, and all seemed well.

Soon enough, Covid arrived, and the lockdowns began. Still, our family was together and healthy way out on our farm. It’s amazing how things can change so suddenly. One day we were fine. Then next day Caleb couldn’t breathe without severe pain. From emergency room to Vanderbilt ICU in a blink.

Pneumonia had been growing undetected in his lung for a couple of months since he had the flu. He had to have surgery to drain the fluid from his chest cavity. Over 2 liters of fluid. Alone. All we could do was pray. The Lord was so merciful to bring him home to us.

More Covid. More lockdowns. Online Church. All travel plans cancelled. Family members with Covid. Powerful men and women of God being taken home to their reward. People we never thought we’d have to go through life without. Gone into their eternity.

Breathe.

Riots. Bizarre election. The country has gone mad.

My mother-in-love contracts Covid. No underlying health issues. We had to say goodbye in the wee hours of December 26th. Never expected it. Would have never dreamed we’d be here without her so soon.

Still, God is good. He is faithful. He knows the future, and the past because He’s already there. If we had known a year ago what our family would have to endure over the next twelve months, it would have shaken us to our core. We might have failed God had we known. I’d like to think we would have stood strong, but only He actually knows for certain.

Sometimes when we want to know what’s coming, it’s best just to know that He knows, and let that be enough.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14)

4 Reasons Why Prayer Gets The Job Done

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Men love tools. It doesn’t matter if they are city slickers or farmers, preachers or drunkards, musicians or writers, accountants or lumberjacks. They LOVE tools.

My husband and two sons have a vast and varied collection of tools. From precision machinist tools that will measure the minuscule width of a human hair to massive combines that harvest huge amounts of grain at once. Tools make everything easier. Having the right tool, and knowing how to use it, gets the job done, big or small.

A frustration of mine is to find tools that the men in my life just “had to have” still packaged in their boxes months, and even years later. At some point, they saw their need for the tool. They acted on that need to purchase the tool. They were so proud of the tool when they brought it home from the store. Yet, somehow the tool got pushed to the side and forgotten about.

It’s fun to see my husband find a tool that he had lost, or had forgotten that he had purchased. What excitement! It’s like Christmas or his birthday. Would you believe that sometimes those recently found tools get lost again without being used?!

The Church has a lost, forgotten, and definitely underused tool at our disposal called Prayer. There are countless tasks that are vying for our attention, and God has not left us unequipped. He has given us the tools that we need to get His work accomplished in the Earth during these last days.

Much of the time, we attempt to work the problem using our own finite reasoning. It’s a lot like using your teeth to open a soda bottle instead of a bottle opener. It’s not necessarily that it can’t be done, but it’s going to be less efficient at best, and painful at worst.

Why is it that we feel like we are not getting the job done if we resort to prayer first, rather than last? Why does that make us feel less than? Shouldn’t we be seeking for God to get all the glory?

FOUR REASONS TO PRAY

  • Prayer is universal. It is not restricted by time, distance or language barriers. You can send a prayer to the other side of the world, into a specific situation, for a person who you can’t even communicate with. Prayer will get the job done.
  • Prayer is powerful. There is no other tool that can be depended on so certainly than prayer because it is backed by our all powerful God. Our prayers are limitless because our God is limitless. You can send a prayer strategically into an impossible situation, and prayer will get the job done.
  • Prayer is invisible. The enemy cannot see prayer coming. It is like a stealth military jet that can fly below the radar into enemy territory. You can send a prayer behind enemy lines, and get out without detection. Prayer will get the job done.
  • Prayer allows God’s will to be done. Many times we anguish over situations that we are powerless in our humanity to do anything about. Often, we don’t even know the words to say when we pray about them. When we pray in the Spirit (tongues), we allow God’s will to have free course. You can pray in tongues over a situation, and God will intervene in His divine wisdom. Prayer will get the job done.

No matter what situation you have in your life, what problem you are concerned with, or what craziness is going on in the world, PRAYER is the spiritual tool you should reach for first. Perhaps the tools in your spiritual toolbox have gotten lost or misplaced. It’s definitely worth rounding them up, getting them organized, and putting them to work. Prayer gets the job done!

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

As always, I encourage your feedback. Blessings, -Pat

Everyone Dies. How Does This Make You Feel?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)

Everyone dies. This statement brings me comfort. It should bring you comfort, as well. If it doesn’t, there is a deep spiritual reason as to why not.

You may ask, “How can the knowledge that everyone dies bring comfort? To me, it means that every single person who has ever lived (with the exception of Enoch and Elijah, but that’s for a different post) has passed through the doorway of death. From this life to the one that comes after. From this realm of existence to another which is just as real, but invisible to us at the moment.

To die is not to travel a path that no one has ever travelled before. On the contrary, it is a well-worn path which has been traversed by doctors, lawyers, presidents, kings, drunkards, drug addicts, worshipers, prayer warriors, sinners and saints, the very good and the very evil. All have passed through this door. So will I. So will you.

Knowing that I will one day pass through this doorway should not cause me to fear. It should give me solace in the fact that death is natural. It is part of living. We are born. We live. We die. Unfortunately, most of humanity spend so much of their time dreading dying, that they never truly live.

If I spend my allotted time so fearful of death, how can I make my life matter? It is the knowledge that I will one day die which causes me to pursue the most noble life possible. The realization that I only have so many decades, years, days, moments, breaths and heartbeats to make something valuable of my life keeps me hyper focused on the importance of every decision I make.

Everyone dies. Again, I point out that if this statement causes you undue anxiety, then something is off kilter between you and God. People who have a deep and abiding relationship with their Creator know that He is working all things for their good. We are assured in His Word that He has gone to prepare a place for us, so that He can bring us to live with Him and the saints of all the ages forever. We know that when the God of all glory came in the form of a man, Jesus Christ, that He gave Himself as the only perfect and pure sacrifice for our sins. We read that even though he died for our sins, He also was resurrected to immortality. So will we be if we are born again according to His Word, and abide in Him.

When Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t go to his death kicking and screaming in fear. On the contrary, He declared, “It is finished,” and gave up the ghost. (The Holy Ghost) He knew that He had accomplished everything He had come to do. He was ready to yield His flesh to the process of death, and walk through the doorway into the spiritual realm.

Everyone dies, but I will live forever. Yes, my body will die, but my spirit, the part of me that is conscious and aware, will go immediately to be in the presence of the Lord. At the rapture of the Church, my spirit will be joined to a new and immortal body, and I will live with Jesus and the saints of all the ages for all eternity.

Even though my flesh shrinks away from the thought of possible suffering, everyone dies, and I am comforted by that fact.

CALLING ALL WIDOWS

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment
“Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:5)

There is a call going out from the throne room of God in these last days. It is an urgent and fervent plea for the saints of God to pray and fast like never before. The call is to all who will hear and obey. However, there is one group of people that is equipped to accomplish it better than any other.

There are those among us who are often forgotten or overlooked. This is a terrible tragedy since they hold the greatest potential for ushering true revival into the world. Widows, who the apostle Paul called “widows indeed,” meaning they have their eyes set on Jesus, and not the pleasures of the world. They spend their time in prayer and fasting, seeking God for their families, and for a lost and dying world.

These women are the unheralded heroes among us. They often feel that they have lost their purpose. Perhaps they were pastor’s or minister’s wives. Their lives were previously filled with ministry, and now they sit alone waiting for an opportunity to serve again.

We often see them as precious and fragile pieces of porcelain that must be set on the highest shelves to keep them safe. We unknowingly label them as relics of the past. Yet, inside of their very being are vaults of wisdom gleaned from lifetimes of experiences. What a waste. What a shame. What a tragedy.

We must pull widows indeed from the safe storage boxes that we have relegated them to. We must interact with them. We must sit at their feet and learn. We must listen. Most of all, we must encourage them to pray and fast for our families, congregations, communities, nation and world.

Calling. All. Widows. God leans in to hear your prayers. If you are desiring to minister, and don’t know when, where or how to make that happen, I encourage you to enter into a season of prayer and fasting. I beseech you to go before the throne of God for the Body of Christ as only you can. The Spirit is calling you to your greatest and finest hour of selfless ministry.

Look around you. We are in the last days before Jesus returns for His bride, the Church. If we are going to have revival, it needs to be now. If we are going to reach the lost, it needs to be now. If we are going to do something beneficial for the Kingdom, it needs to be now.

Calling. All. Widows. We need you more than we ever have before. In this winter season of your life, you are truly more valuable than you have ever been.

“Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:5)

It’s Time To Close The Curtains

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


My little home library is a haven for me. It’s where I pray, study, write, and regularly get alone with God. It’s a peaceful, yet powerful place.

The wall in front of my desk has double windows. I often look out those windows to see the beauty of the day. Deer making their way through the field to drink in the lake. Geese meandering through the yard. Birds socializing at the feeder. Chickens strolling across my front porch, giving me “the eye” because I haven’t brought out any treats for them.

I thought all this was relaxation, but I realized it was actually distraction recently when a crew of yard workers arrived to refresh our shrub beds. They arrived very early one morning, and didn’t leave until very late in the evening. I spent that whole day trying to work in my library while they worked outside. Epic fail.

I told myself that would never happen again, and invested in curtains and a curtain rod right away. When I first hung the curtains, I was a bit sad that I couldn’t see the beautiful view in front of my house.

The next morning, however, was a different story. I came into my special place, and felt truly alone with God. There were no distractions. I could actually think, pray, study and create.

When God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage by the hand of Moses, He gave them the plans for a place to meet with Him. The Tabernacle was a mobile church.

Surrounding the Tent of Meeting were curtains. Wouldn’t its purpose still be the same without all the curtains to deal with? Wouldn’t it function the same? Sure. The Tabernacle would still function, but the people wouldn’t.

God knew the worshippers would require something to block all of the desert distractions from view. In order to truly get alone with God, they needed curtains.

Many of the things that we feel like are pleasant and satisfying in our lives are only distractions. I can’t tell you what they are in your life. Only you can do that. I will tell you that if you’re not able to get alone with God regularly, and focus on Him, and Him alone, there’s a reason.

If you truly want to enhance your experience with God on a daily basis, begin by letting some other things go. Cut some things loose.

I encourage you to purchase a set of curtains. Hang them. Pull them closed, and it will become clear what has been distracting you from your time alone with God and His purpose for your life.

“Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.” (Exodus 26:1)

What’s The Big Deal About Being Born Again?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Here’s the situation: Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that unless a man is BORN AGAIN he cannot see the Kingdom of God. That makes it a pretty big deal.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

At Nicodemus’ confusion concerning how he was expected to be born a second time from his mother’s womb, Jesus explained further that this New Birth would include WATER and SPIRIT, and that it was necessary to ENTER the Kingdom of God.

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:4-5)

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M BORN AGAIN?

Good question! I’m glad you asked, because the answer is so very important. If you are truly born again, you will have experienced the WATER and SPIRIT being applied to your life that Jesus spoke of.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

Again, another very good question. We must turn to the Word of God, the book of Acts in particular, to find the answer. We need to find out how Jesus’ apostles followed through with his instructions.

ACTS CHAPTER TWO

In Acts 2, one hundred and twenty of Jesus’ disciples were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem, waiting for the wonderful gift that Jesus had promised them before he ascended into Heaven. After ten days of praying, they all received the Gift of the Holy SPIRIT, and began to speak in unknown languages/tongues.

When the crowds in the streets heard them speaking in tongues, they thought they were crazy, or even drunk. But Peter stood up and preached that this was actually the gift of the Holy SPIRIT that the disciples had received.

After the crowd listened to Peter preach about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, they wanted to know how they could be saved. This is what Peter told 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

Three thousand people believed Peter’s message, repented of their sins, were baptized in Jesus’ name, and were filled with the Holy Spirit that day.

ACTS CHAPTER EIGHT

In Acts 8, Philip preached Jesus to the Samaritans. They believed his preaching, and were baptized in Jesus’ name. They didn’t receive the Holy Spirit at this time, but it was so important that Philip called in reinforcements. He asked Peter and John to come and help him pray for the people. When they arrived, they laid their hands on the people who had been baptized in WATER in Jesus’ name, and then they received the Holy Ghost/SPIRIT.

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

ACTS CHAPTER TEN

Cornelius was a good man. Actually, he was a very good man. He loved God. He prayed. He gave money to the poor. He served God to the best of his ability, and with what knowledge he had. You would think that such a good man as Cornelius was would for sure be saved. I mean, that’s who Heaven is for, right? Good people?

Actually, the truth is that Heaven is for BORN AGAIN PEOPLE. We can never be good enough on our own to deserve a place in Heaven. Thankfully, God loved Cornelius so much that He went above and beyond to bring a preacher to him to tell him what he needed to do.

It’s a miraculous story full of visions and angelic visitations that you can read about in Acts 10. The point is that God. Add a way for Cornelius and his family to hear the TRUTH of their need to be BORN AGAIN of WATER and SPIRIT.

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” (Acts 10:44-47)

ACTS CHAPTER NINETEEN

In Acts 19, the Apostle Paul ran across some Believers in Jesus. He asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost yet. (With no cellphones, word travelled rather slowly) They didn’t even know what the Holy Ghost was!!! Paul asked the most obvious next question. How were you baptized??? He k ew if they had been baptized in Jesus’ name, they should have also known about the Holy Ghost.

It turns out that they had been baptized by John the Baptist. This made perfect sense to Paul now. He explained to them that John only baptized u to repentance, but that John had told his followers to believe on Jesus when He showed up on the scene. Now, everyone was expected to be baptized in Jesus’ name to take away their sins.

THE PATTERN HAS BEEN SET
Maybe you have seen yourself in one of these groups of people.

  • Perhaps you know absolutely nothing about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection to purchase your salvation.
  • Perhaps you’ve never heard that you need to be BORN AGAIN to go to Heaven.
  • Perhaps you have just assumed that when you accepted Jesus has your personal Savior, that automatically meant you were born again.
  • Perhaps you have been baptized using a different formula than in Jesus’ name.
  • Perhaps you know nothing about the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

I urge you to follow the steps that Jesus and His Apostles laid out so plainly. The pattern has been set. Have you been BORN AGAIN of the WATER (Baptism in Jesus’ name) and the SPIRIT (Infilling of the Holy Ghost/God’s Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues)?

Warm Regards, -Pat Vick PAT@PATVICK.COM