Author: Pat Vick

Day By Day

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons From a Month of Jury Duty

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

Helps For Following The Lord Day By Day

Trust Him in Every Moment.

Pray Without Ceasing.

Pray in the Spirit.

Stay in the Word.

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

Do Your Part. He Will Do The Rest.

Be Brave.

Speak The Truth.

Represent God’s Kingdom.

Offer Thanksgiving.

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

 

What Is The Great Tribulation?

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment
Auschwitz Concentration Camp

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

WHAT IS IT?

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

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

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

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

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

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

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

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

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

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

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

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

 

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

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

Time, and Times, and Half a Time

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

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

42 Months

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

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

1,260 Days

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


IN CONCLUSION

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warm Regards,

-Pat

What Should Prayer Sound Like?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


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

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

“Prayer is meant to be powerful, earth shaking and life changing.” Share on X

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

Prayer Room at Tennessee UPCI Camp Meeting

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


Isn’t Any Prayer Better Than No Prayer?

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

The Call To Go Deeper

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

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

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

Ten Often Overlooked Benefits of Fasting

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Saving Money

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

6. Refined Taste

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

7. Appreciation For Simplicity

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

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

8. More Compassion

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

9. Increased Gratitude 

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

10. Better Health

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

“Fasting is the main tool which God has given His people in order to stay healthy. The path to health is not about eating a certain way, but about eating less, and less often.” -Pat Vick Share on X

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

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

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

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

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

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

No One Walks A Tightrope By Accident.

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


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

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

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

It takes no forethought to go along with the crowd.

“It takes no forethought to go along with the crowd.” -Pat Vick Share on X

 

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


FOCUS

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

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

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

 

BALANCE

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

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

 

SELF-DISCIPLINE

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

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

Why Must I Sneak Up On You To Tell You The Truth?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

There’s some crazy disrespect going on  in the world. You don’t need me to tell you that to know it’s true. While that has always been the case, it’s worse than ever before. Seriously. There was a time, not too long ago, when if a man or woman of God spoke, respect was given from saint and sinner alike. Sadly, that’s not the case today.

There are multiple levels of crazy disrespect. There’s the I’m going out today and mow down a bunch of innocent people with an automatic weapon disrespect. There’s the I’m going to shoot as much of this nasty substance into my veins to see how it makes me feel disrespect. There’s the I’m going to fill my life with as many distractions as possible so I don’t have to deal with the reality of eternity disrespect. Then there’s the I’m going to smile while you’re telling me about how to be saved from this crazy disrespectful world of sin, and then go on about my merry way because you just need a crutch for your simple life, and I’m far superior in my thinking to put any credit into what you’re saying kind of disrespect…Taking care of this last one is often the key to not escalating to the the first three levels of crazy disrespect.

WHY ARE YOU SO SUSPICIOUS?

Not everyone is out to get you. Some people are truly concerned about your spiritual wellbeing, not just what you can do for them. Some people are trying to build a relationship with you in order to let you know there’s a place for you in the Family of God. Does that mean they have an ulterior motive, and you shouldn’t trust them? On the contrary, it means you are valuable to them, and they truly care about you. It is in your best interest to run to that godly relationship, and not away from it.

WHY ALL THE GAMES?

What does all your allusiveness accomplish? Why is it important for you to avoid every serious conversation with that godly person who is trying to make a connection with you? Why make them feel like they have to come up with ten new ways to interact with you to bring your relationship to a point where you can have a real conversation about the things of God?

If a truly godly person is pursuing a relationship with you, it’s probably because they have a personal mandate from God to do so. Do you think they enjoy being put off, disregarded, insulted and ignored? Wouldn’t be it better to just sit down and have a real conversation about your spiritual wellbeing? That’s their only objective…your spiritual wellbeing.

WHO DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR?

In a week’s time, who do you talk to? Who is important in your life? Your spouse. Your children. These are understandable.

What about your co-workers? Your employees. The grocery store cashier. Your boss. Your coach. Your gym manager. Your flight attendant. Your Uber driver. Seriously. Don’t you understand it’s hurtful when you will have a more meaningful conversation with any of these people than me, someone who is truly concerned about where your life is heading, and has the answer to fix it?

WHO IS PURSUING YOU?

The person who is pursuing you may not actually be me, but there’s someone. See their face in your mind’s eye. Notice how sincere they are. Notice how they try to mask the hurt when you either won’t make time for a simple conversation about God and His Word, or when you put them off with a drummed up excuse.

That person is not saying they are better than you, holier than you, smarter than you or worth more than you. Just the opposite is true. They are saying they were once in a fat mess of lostness, but God sent someone to find them. They want to be that someone for you.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

 

Time Keeps On Slipping, Slipping, Slipping Into The Future.

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

I had been out of the office for two weeks due to various travels. When I sat down at my desk, I noticed my calendar still showed March even though it was now April 1st. As I tore the top sheet of paper off, I thought how fast time passes these days.

Time. It’s wrapping up quickly. Truly. Even as I continue working on this one article, another two months have come and gone. I’m tempted to take another photo of my office calendar, but the original one confirms the point I’m attempting to convey. Time doesn’t stop for any one person or generation. It just keeps rolling forward until, one day known to God, it will be no more.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Each of us is only allotted a certain number of days. Unfortunately, we don’t get to know that number. In an age where medical knowledge has increased exponentially, it isn’t uncommon for people to live to one hundred years or more. Still, every day we hear of people who die suddenly in accidents or a disease that lurked in their bodies, unseen. Sometimes people die for no apparent reason.

Scripture tells us that we are allotted 70 years, and if we live to 80, those extra years are likely to be full of sorrow. This allotment of years is a general lifespan, but truly, life and death are in God’s hands, not ours.

“For all our days are passed away in thy wrath:
we spend our years as a tale that is told.
The days of our years are threescore years and ten;
and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years,
yet is their strength labour and sorrow;
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knoweth the power of thine anger?
even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:9-12)

To a child, 70 to 80 years seems like an eternity. Those of us who have more decades behind us than before us realize how fast those years pass. Time is a tool that we have to serve God with. We can  let it pass without observation, letting decades pile up behind us, or we can be mindful of its passing, and harness it for a purpose.

“Time is a tool that we have to serve God with. We can let it pass without observation, letting decades pile up behind us, or we can be mindful of its passing, and harness it for a purpose.” -Pat Vick Share on X

HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR ALLOTMENT OF  DAYS?

Are you using your allotted days for God’s glory, or your own? For God’s purpose, or your own? Are you spending your days seeking only happiness, or to be beneficial to the Kingdom of God? Are you concerned about experiencing and accumulating, or pursuing your God-given Calling? Have you deadened your conscience with substances and thrills in order to quiet the small, still voice of God’s Spirit beckoning you to a life of purpose? When you come to the end of your days, which could be any day now, will you be embarrassed by how much more you could have done for God?

TICK TOCK SAYS THE CLOCK

It’s so easy to get caught up in living day to day that we forget the passing of time. Likewise, it’s very easy to get caught up in living in the flesh that we forget about eternity. However, just because we go about our days with no thought for what comes afterward, doesn’t mean it’s not coming. Every time you see a new calendar page, or hear the tick tock of a clock, let it remind you to use your days wisely, because the day is coming quickly when you’ll have to give account for what you did with each of them.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:11-12)

How Bambi The African Elephant Disproves The Theory of Evolution

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Bambi the African Elephant. Photo Credits: https://www.memphiszoo.org/

I went to the Memphis Zoo with my grand boys yesterday. They were smitten with all the animals, but the rhinos were definitely at the top of their list. The elephants are always my favorite. They are surprisingly agile for their size, super smart and live a very long time, especially in captivity.

One of the elephants we saw was Bambi, pronounced “Bom-bee.” This sweet girl had no tusks. She had never grown any. The elephant keeper explained that Bambi, and many tuskless elephants like her, are the result of mankind affecting  nature in a negative way.

Elephants need their tusks to break tree limbs, and strip them of their bark to eat. Because Bambi doesn’t have tusks, she has to resort to other less efficient means of working her food. The possibility of Bambi having a baby with tusks is slim because she carries this defective gene.

In the wild, poachers kill elephants for their ivory tusks. Hence, the healthiest and most genetically superior animals are killed, and the genetically weakest animals survive. The result is a lineage of animals with genetic abnormalities who have to learn to survive the best way they can, yet never with the maximum potential of earlier predecessors.

THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION

This got me to thinking about the theory of evolution. This theory claims that all animals came from a single cell creature. (which would have had to become “alive” at some point, but I digress.) Through millennia  of eons past, these living organisms split to become multi-cell organisms, then simple reactive creatures, and finally, intelligent animals, capable of making decisions and forming relationships…

LET’S THINK ABOUT THIS

  • In the wild, African Elephants are being poached for their tusks. The elephants that remain produce a lineage that is weaker genetically, and are less superior in health and physical ability.
  • A defective cell cannot produce a healthy cell. Hence the presence and power of cancer.
  • Any living thing that is genetically defective will produce offspring with less genetic integrity, not better.
  • An organism or creature that wasn’t strong enough to make it to the next level of maturity, would not then produce a stronger offspring the next time around. It would continue to produce weak offspring which would not survive. The so called “evolution” process of that lineage would cease at that weak point.
  • Have you ever heard the saying, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link?” This is so true, because it’s at that point of weakness that the chain will break under stress. The same is true for any living organism. It is only as strong as its weakest cell. It’s at that point of cellular weakness that the organism will “break” under stress. 
  • We even see this same digression in human family lineages. The likelihood of a biological family with a genetic disorder passing this defect on to their children is probable.

CONCLUSION 
Millions of years of cellular defects can in no way produce the vibrant, healthy, intelligent creatures that we see in our world today. On the contrary, the magnificent menagerie of creatures we see today are only a shadow of the perfection that God created only six thousand years ago. That’s right. In only six millennia, BECAUSE SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, every generation of living organisms has declined in intelligence and beauty.

God created the earth, every plant and animal, as well as the first man and woman in perfection. Had they not sinned, they would have lived and reproduced in this perfect state forever. When they did sin, however, DEATH began to work in their bodies. As a result, everything and everyone must suffer death at some point. 

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)


The entrance of poachers’ influence into Bambi’s genetic lineage can be compared to a disease or natural obstacle that would hinder the growth and maturity of any living creature. Until Jesus comes back for His people, and sets this sinful world aright, humanity and every other living thing will continue in a state of decline, not in a process of evolution to a higher form. Let’s put our trust in Him instead of a theory full of weak links.

Leave me a comment to let me know what you think. 

Warm Regards, -Pat

 

The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Bookstores For Christians

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

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

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

POSSIBILITIES

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

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

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

PITFALLS

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

Options vs Distractions

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

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

“More options necessitate more personal convictions. Satan will use anything to get you sidetracked from your calling.” -Pat Vick Share on X

Truth vs Error

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

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

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

Holy Spirit vs Familiar Spirits

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

“Not everything that is spiritual is from the Holy Spirit, and not everything that is religious is Truth.” -Pat Vick Share on X

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

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

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

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

HOUSE CLEANING

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

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

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

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

CHOOSE WISELY 

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

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

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

Repentance Is Death To Self

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


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

WHY ISN’T BEING SORRY GOOD ENOUGH?

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

“We must empty ourselves of SELF, and give ourselves over to God’s SELF. This is true repentance.” Share on X

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

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

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

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

WHAT DOES DEATH TO SELF LOOK LIKE?

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

“The caterpillar doesn’t just put on a butterfly costume. It becomes a butterfly. It is CHANGED. This is true repentance.” Share on X

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

NEW BIRTH IS NEW LIFE

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

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

AN INVITATION

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

HOW DO I GET FROM HERE TO THERE?

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

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

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

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