Author: Pat Vick

Five Reasons That We Don’t Pray Like We Should

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


How can something so beneficial as talking to your Creator be so challenging? Seriously…Why is it so hard??? We talk to our family members. We talk to our friends. We talk to our co-workers. We talk to the person who brings our groceries out to the car at grocery pickup. We talk to bill collectors. We even talk to ourselves. Why do we we make such a big deal about making time to talk to God?

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.“ (Genesis 3:8-10)

REASONS TALKING TO GOD IS SO CHALLENGING

1. Isn’t it obvious? The first reason talking to God is such a challenge (at least in our minds) is that He’s God, and we’re not. Really…How do you speak to the Creator of everything? Fortunately, our God created us to have relationship with Him. Just like all those other people we converse with, He desires us to spend quality time talking with Him and listening to Him.

In the Garden of Eden, before sin entered into the world, God came and communed with Adam and Eve on a regular basis. As long as they were in a right relationship with Him, talking to Him wasn’t a problem. It was the most natural thing in the world.

“Before sin entered into the world, God talked with Adam and Eve on a regular basis. As long as they were in a right relationship with Him, talking to Him wasn’t a problem. It was the most natural thing in the world.” Share on X

2. The second reason that talking to God is such a challenge is that we are fearful. Sometimes fear comes from knowing that we deserve punishment for sin. Sometimes fear comes from satan, who is always trying to separate us from God. Sometimes fear comes from simply not knowing the nature or will of God which can only come from spending time in His Word. It becomes a never ending cycle of not knowing.

3. The third reason that talking to God is such a challenge is that we often have sin in our lives. Sin separates us from God. The moment Adam and Eve sinned, their spirits were separated from relationship with God. In order to come back into a right relationship with God, we must repent of any and all sin. Once we are free from the bondage of sin, we will feel the freedom to draw near to God again.

4. The fourth reason that talking to God is such a challenge is because of busyness. The lifestyle of our generals much different than those who lived in Bible times. In the last 100 years, electricity was discovered. This changed everything. For almost 6,000 years, when the sun set and darkness fell, people went to bed. Today, humanity never stops moving. People work at all hours, day and night. Our lives are so full, that we fail to make time for a real relationship with God.

A person has to have a true love for God to push back distractions and seek His Face. If it’s not done first thing in the morning, it rarely gets done.

5. The fifth reason that talking to God is such a challenge is because of disinterest. We have left our first love. Here is some honesty. Sometimes, we’re just not that into Him. We see a relationship with God and Kingdom living as old-fashioned, archaic, outdated, boring, and something to pursue when we’ve done everything else that we want to do with our lives. Oh, we wouldn’t admit to feeling that way, but our actions prove otherwise.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

THE QUESTION

Why don’t you talk to God as you should? Which one or more of these reasons apply to you?  Do you feel like He’s unapproachable? Are you fearful? Do you have sin in your life? Are you to busy? Are you disinterested, and just not that into Him?

Be honest with yourself. every one of these issues can be corrected if you truly want to have sweet communion with God. He created you for relationship with Himself.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

What If Church Isn’t What You Think It Is?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

WHAT YOU THINK CHURCH SHOULD BE Most people think church is a building. A place to go. A weekly check in point. A social gathering to be seen, mix and mingle. A time to pull out the Good Book and talk to the Man Upstairs. Perhaps you equate church with Potluck Sunday or Dinner On The Ground.

WHAT YOU WANT CHURCH TO BE

Most people want church to fill in the gaps of their already hectic lives. They want to add church to whatever they’ve already got going on. It’s not Biker Church, Cowboy Church, Sports Club Church or any other aspect of your life that you want to add the word “church” to.

WHAT CHURCH IS

Church isn’t a what; It’s a who. It is the ECCLESIA: The Called Out. The church is a people who have responded to the call to come out of the world into the Kingdom of God.

“Church isn’t a what; It’s a who. It is the ECCLESIA: The Called Out. The church is a people who have responded to the call to come out of the world into the Kingdom of God.” Share on X

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.“ (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)

Church is coming OUT and AWAY from previous lifestyles, cultures and beliefs INTO the culture and Kingdom of the Living God. It is a MAJOR change. A new way of THINKING and LIVING.

“Church is coming OUT and AWAY from previous lifestyles, cultures and beliefs INTO the culture and Kingdom of the Living God. It is a MAJOR change. A new way of THINKING and LIVING.” Share on X
  • Church Is Apostolic.

Jesus left His Church in the hands of his disciples, who came to be known as Apostles. He left them with instructions on how His Church should function. It is impossible to have true Church in a way other than the way the Apostles had Church. You can find a very detailed account of the first generation church in the Book of Acts. (of the Apostles) If the Apostles believed it, preached it and lived it, that is what Church should be.

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyles included the necessity of the New Birth (Repentance, Baptism in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in unknown tongues.)

-The Apostles’  teaching and lifestyle included signs, wonders and miracles done in Jesus’ name.

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyle included the belief in the Oneness of God. This meant very specifically that God, who is a Spirit, manifest Himself in the son to become the sacrifice for our sins. They believed this to their death and in the face of much persecution.

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyle included consistent fasting and prayer to subdue flesh and stay in communion with God,

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyle included extravagant worship.

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyle included the belief in Jesus’ second coming to the Earth to set up a natural Kingdom.

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyle included the belief in the Rapture or Catching Away of the Church to be with the Lord forever, at which time they would be changed from mortal to immortality.

-The Apostles’ teaching and lifestyle included the belief in Jesus’ Millennial Reign -When Jesus returns for His Church, He will rule and reign from Jerusalem for one thousand years, and we will rule and reign with Him.

  • Church Is Oneness.

The early Church was totally, 100%, unequivocally believers in the Oneness of God. When early converts were Born Again, they left their beliefs in multiple gods behind them. They came out from these idol worshiping beliefs of the surrounding heathen nations to believe in the one, true, living God whose name is Jesus. The erroneous doctrine of the trinity did not even exist and take root in the Church until the Nicene Council in 325 AD. Until this time, the early Church only baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, not in the titles, father, son and Holy Ghost.

  • Church Is Pentecostal.

No matter what sign is on your church building, the early Church was Pentecostal. Before denominations were a thing, when Believers were simply called “Christians,” they all experienced the fundamental infilling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues. Pentecost means fifty. It was the Holy Day that occurred fifty days after Passover. It is God’s Holy Day that commemorates the giving of the Law to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai. On this day in Acts (of the Apostles) 2, God’s Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ followers. They all spoke in languages unknown to them as evidence that they had been filled with the Holy Ghost. To be the Church is to have this Pentecostal experience.

  • Church Is Holiness.

The early Church didn’t try to fit Jesus into their way of living. They forsook everything about their former lives that was contrary to godliness. They were serious and persistent about rooting all sin from their lives. They didn’t have a list of rules to check off. They simply shed everything that related to worldliness: Lifestyles, culture, language, wardrobe, habits, vices, excesses, passions, pursuits, hobbies and pastimes. They walked away from it all into a life of service to Jesus.

BE THE CHURCH

Hopefully, what you want church to be, what you think church is and what church truly is has come into clear focus. One thing is for certain. Church will never be more or less than the example left by Jesus and His Apostles. Church isn’t a what; It’s a who. Be the Church.

 

My Way Or The Highway

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment


I see people all around me living their lives like there’s no tomorrow. Like there will be no repercussions for their life choices. Like there is no Heaven or Hell, and no Eternity. I’m not referring to people who have never known the Lord, but people who have.

I didn’t know the Lord until I was an adult. Even though I attended church off and on, and would have called myself a Christian, and yes, I even loved Jesus, I was lost. I had never experienced the biblical New Birth that is found in John 3:3-8, and Acts 2, 8, 10 & 19.

Before I was born again, I was terrorized by fear. The spirit of fear, to be specific. Thankfully, I was also followed closely by a spirit of conviction from the Lord. Satan will terrorize and condemn you, but the Lord Jesus will convict you.

Satan will terrorize and condemn you, but the Lord Jesus will convict you. Share on X

Conviction is a wonderful thing, even though it doesn’t feel wonderful at all. It’s God’s mercy drawing you to repentance. I felt conviction strongly even as a very young girl, long before I knew what to call it.

So I’m wondering…where in the world is conviction today? I look around, and people are living for self. That’s not new. But again, I’m not talking about people who don’t know the Lord. I’m talking about people who do. People who have repented of their sins, been baptized in Jesus’ saving name, and been filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. People who have lived holy. People who have witnessed to others, and taught Bible studies. People who have faithfully pursued ministries, and gone on mission trips. People who have spent hours in dedicated prayer, and days of fasting. People who were once delivered from the bondage of sin, and have consciously decided to walk back into the darkness.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)

I have made my share of bad choices since coming to the Lord. I have also had sin in my life, and had to repent all over agin. I can tell you that there is no peace outside the will of God. So, when I see people who were once living for God, but are now living for self, I’m wondering how they sleep at night. How can a person who knows right from wrong, holiness from sin, Truth from deception, live for years as if it’s “My Way or the High Way?”

There is no peace outside the will of God. Share on X

No matter how many days, weeks, months or decades you live for self, God is calling you to live on the High Way. No matter how much fun you are having, there is coming a day when you will stand before God and give an account for your life. Hopefully, you will have come to repentance before then. At any rate, when you stand before Him, you will know for certain that every minute you spent out of His Will was a complete waste of time, energy, health and life.

I beg you. I beseech you. I implore you…Listen to the voice of conviction. Repent and start traveling on God’s High Way.

“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)

 

I Have An Idea! What If You…?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

”And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

 

What if you minimized, or even excluded, everything in your life that distracts you from your true calling?

What if you began to focus all your time and attention on what will last for Eternity?

What if you severed, or at least distanced, relationships that were harmful to your spiritual health?

What if you spent time every single day talking to the Lord about His will for your life?

What if you actually asked Him to guide your decisions throughout the day?

What if you realized that what the world calls success is only temporary?

What if you began to purposefully align your thoughts with the Word of God?

What if you stopped allowing people who don’t live according to God’s plan to guide your life choices?

What if you started digging into the Word of God for yourself, and learned what He says is required for salvation?

What if you began to care more about what God desires for your life than family, friends or co-workers?

What if you got up every morning and decided, “I’m going to live for God today?”

What if you repented of the sins that are separating you from God?

What if you asked a Man or Woman of God to baptize you in Jesus’ name?

What if you asked the Lord to fill you with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues, just like the Bible describes?

What if you chose to sanctify yourself unto the Lord, and live a Holy lifestyle?

What if you prayed and fasted to know God’s will for your life?

What if you stepped out in faith, and did the thing God is asking you to do?

What if you did what you know is right so that you could lay your head down at night and sleep peacefully without fear of not waking up?

What if you lived in a way that caused you to be excited about going to Heaven?

What if you decided to be a true Christian?

Blessings For Your Day!

-Pat
You may also email me at PAT@PATVICK.COM.  I usually am able to reply within 24 hours.

As always, feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments section of any post.

 

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