Doctrine & Disciplines

Freedom Is A Beautiful Word

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Brad Dodson on Unsplash

FREEDOM.

It’s a beautiful word.

It sounds beautiful, and it feels beautiful to the speaker and the hearer.

Here are a few definitions of FREEDOM from DICTIONARY.COM:

-the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.




-exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.




-the power to determine action without restraint.

Most every person, whether they’ve learned the technical definition or not, understand the word. Every one of us has longed for freedom from something. Whether it’s freedom from physical or emotional slavery, freedom from an abusive relationship, freedom from addictions, freedom from a tyrannical government, freedom from our past or freedom from our own tortuous thoughts, we all have felt the longing to be liberated. Freedom is a beautiful word.

Author Maya Angelou published her autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in 1969. Having never read her book (which I will soon rectify), I’m still moved by the image the title evokes in my mind’s eye. A small bird, alone in its confinement, with its face toward the sun, singing it’s little heart out. I’ll find out Maya Angelou’s why when I read her story, but I imagine the caged bird sings out of hope. Humans and all of God’s creatures are born with an innate sense of hope. A hope for freedom. Freedom is a beautiful word.

Today is July 4th, the day Americans celebrate our freedom of independence. There will be flags unfurled, grills fired up, tables spread and the sky will be aglow with explosions of color. America The Beautiful will be sung with pride, Corn Hole tournaments will ensue and laughter will dominate the atmosphere of every family gathering. Freedom is a beautiful word.

Sadly, after the celebrations are over, flags are folded for another year, fireworks have burned out, the music has quieted, this year’s Corn Hole champion has been crowned and the laughter has retreated into a heavy evening hush, many will still not be free.

Sooner or later, every individual must come to the  realization that no government, politician, patriotic song or peer group can truly make one free. True freedom only comes through Jesus Christ, and specifically through being Born Again according to His Word (Acts 2:38)

I remember when I was baptized in Jesus’ name. When I came up out of the water, I felt completely free from sin. Likewise, I remember when I received the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit). I was standing in the aisle of Rushings Chapel Pentecostal Church. I lifted my hands in surrender, began worshiping the Lord out loud, and He poured His Spirit into me, changing my English praises into a language I had never learned. I felt completely free from fear which had plagued me my whole life.

While I am exceedingly thankful to be an American, being Born Again of the water and the Spirit is what truly brings freedom. I will add my personal definition of freedom to those listed above: to be liberated from sin and fear.

”If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Yes, freedom is a beautiful word.

In Jesus’ Name,

-Pat

I Press On (Guest Post)

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
There have been many days when I did not feel like going to the gym to work out, and sometimes when I got there, and started working out, I thought, “Lord, I simply cannot do this today.” But I press on. I know how undisciplined I can be, and I’m afraid that if I start giving in, the time may come when I won’t show up to work out at all. So it is with the spiritual disciplines. There are some things, if you start giving in and getting slack, it may bother you at first, but the more you give in, the less it will bother you. After a while, you will be very unfaithful. Here are a few spiritual disciplines to focus on:

1. Church Attendance

If you deliberately miss church, it may bother you at first (and it should), but the more you miss, the less it will bother you. After a while, it won’t take much to cause you to miss.

2. Tithing

If you are a faithful tither, and you decide to skip, at first it may bother you, but it will be easier the next time. You have started on a downward path, and it is not easy to turn around, and get back on track.

3. Bible Reading

Bible reading provides a foundation for our faith. It gives substance to our walk with God. The only way I know to be a faithful Bible reader is to set yourself up on a program you can live with. Pick a version of the Bible you can understand.

I like to start my day by reading one or two of the Psalms. It seems to open my spirit to God. Beyond that, for many years, I have read through the Bible at least once each year. You will have to average almost 4 chapters each day to do that.

You may not be able to do that much, but you can start by reading one of the Psalms, and a chapter from the New Testament each day. Do your best to keep it up, and after a while, you will be “hooked on the Book.”


You’ll be glad you pressed on!

-Bro. Johnson
Rev. David Johnson serves as Bishop at Fountain of Truth, UPC in Bartlett, Tennessee, pastored by his son, Rev. Mark Johnson.

What Is Pentecost Sunday?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

What Is Pentecost Sunday? Simply put, it is the day we celebrate the first outpouring of God’s Spirit, evidenced by speaking in unknown tongues (languages) in Acts chapter 2. This event occurred 2,000ish years ago, and is still happening today for anyone who repents and seeks to be filled.

”And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

For a deeper understanding, let’s walk back in time 3,500 years to when the children of Israel were in Egyptian bondage. God heard their cries of oppression, and sent Moses to be their deliverer. On the night before they were to leave Egypt, they were told to kill a lamb, and put its blood on the door posts and lintels of each Hebrew family’s home. The death angel was coming through the land as a final plague/punishment upon the wicked Pharaoh of Egypt. Any home who had the LAMB’S BLOOD on the door posts would be spared as the death angel PASSED OVER, not killing the firstborn of that house. This was the very first Jewish holy day, the Feast of Passover.

Fast forward now to Jesus’ broken and bloody body hanging on the cross. The Jewish people had celebrated Passover every year for 1,500ish years. This year was different. This year, the Holy LAMB of God was killed on Passover, once and for all paying humanity’s debt for sin.

The next Jewish holy day is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It commences the very next day after Passover on the 15th day of the Hebrew month Nisan. In like manner that the yearly celebration of Passover commemorates Jesus’ death, the Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorates the fact that when Jesus was buried, His body did not decay in the grave.

The third Jewish holy day is the Feast of Firstfruits. It occurs on the 16th day of the Hebrew month Nisan. On this holy day, the Jewish people would bring the first of their barley harvest in thanksgiving and anticipation of a good harvest. The Lord accepted these “firstfruits” as a pledge on His part to give a full harvest.

Jesus rose from the dead on the Jewish holy day of Firstfruits. Hence, becoming the first to ever raise from the dead to immortal life. His resurrection is our “pledge” from God that if we are born again according to scripture, and live a holy life, He will also raise us to life eternal.

Fifty days later is the Jewish holy day, the Feast of Weeks. Seven weeks were counted from Firstfruits, and then the feast was celebrated the very next day on the fiftieth day. The Feast of Weeks celebrated the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. It is also often associated with the commemoration of the Law (10 Commandments) being given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Feast of Weeks also became known as Pentecost which literally means fifty (50). The Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 happened 50 days after Jesus’ death.

FEAST OF PASSOVER -Jesus was killed as our Passover Lamb of God.

FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD -Jesus’ body did not decay as it laid in the grave, as it was without sin.

FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS -Jesus rose from the dead on this holy day. He is the firstfruits of the resurrection, and our assurance that God will also raise His Church up to immortal life.

FEAST OF WEEKS -Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection on Firstfruits, His Holy Spirit was poured out on New Testament believers on what came to be called Pentecost. This is the holiday/holy day we celebrate on Pentecost Sunday. Come experience your own personal Pentecost just like in Acts 2!

*These four Jewish holy days are the Spring Feasts of the Lord. They were fulfilled in every detail by Jesus’ first coming.

*There remain three Fall Feasts: The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement and The Feast of Tabernacle. One year not to long from now, these four remaining holy days will be fulfilled in just as much detail at Jesus’ second coming.

*You can read about all seven of God’s holy days in Leviticus 23.

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

Repentance Is A Good Turning Around Place

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

The road that I live on is the perfect country road for walking. From my house to my oldest son’s is one and a half miles of beautiful rolling hills and scenic pastures. Walking there and back is nearly perfect to practice for a 5K.

I rarely walk that far, though. Exactly one mile from home is my turning around spot. There is a wooden fence that meanders through the low pastures on both sides, and then the road begins its upward elevation until it reaches its highest point.

I follow the road until I reach this point. It is the one mile mark. I’m always tempted to walk further, but then reason sets in. The further I walk, the greater the distance will be to get back home.

A peculiar thing happens as I approach my turning around place. I begin to think how I am going to do it. I’m on a public road, so cars come by every so often. The people who live in the house I’m approaching can also see me if they are outside or looking out a window.

Am I going to walk to the driveway at the top of the hill and sit on the concrete bench for a minute, and then begin my walk back home? Am I going to casually look at the wildflowers on the side of the road, and then turn around? Am I going to bend down and pretend to tie my shoe? Or will I simply turn in an immediate about face and head in the other direction?

It’s funny that I’m more concerned about how I will be perceived to look when I turn around, rather than simply turning around so that I can get home.

Repentance is like this. The word actually means to turn around, or turn away from. At different times in our lives, we find ourselves walking away from our spiritual home. Away from our relationship with God and His people.

The best thing to do would be to simply turn around and go back the way we came. Instead, we spend valuable time and energy being concerned with how we will be perceived as we turn around. Unfortunately, the further we walk in the wrong direction, the longer it will take to get home.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

Photo by Milly Eaton from Pexels

Why and How You Should Pray Before You Need It

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Jesus’ Prayers Are Still At Work

Do you realize that Jesus prayed for you? Those prayers are still at work in your life -leading, guiding, protecting and comforting you. If Jesus knew and acted on the need to pray ahead of time, so should we.

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15)

Prayers never die. That is a comforting thought to me. It gives me a measure of peace to know that every single prayer anyone has ever prayed for me is still working for my good, even if that person is no longer alive. Also, every prayer that I have personally ever prayed is still alive and well. That doesn’t mean that I don’t need to pray today, but it does mean that If I’m having a stressful day, I can lean on prayers that I prayed in the past.

If you’re like me, and the rest of humanity, you have rough days. You might be sick, overwhelmed by decisions that need to be made, the recipient of someone else’s terrible choices, or even your own terrible choices. Some days, I wake up feeling like I can go to hell with a water gun (as my husband likes to say.) Other days, I stumble and fumble, just trying to make it through the day in one piece. On these days, I can barely think right thoughts, and I certainly don’t pray my best prayers.

Proactive Prayers

With this in mind, I make a point to intentionally pray for my future self when I’m going through difficult times. On a beautiful sunny day, when I’m feeling well, and there are no major catastrophes to deal with, I will pray like this:

”Lord Jesus, thank you for this moment. Thank you for the sunshine, the strength in my body, the peace I feel in my soul, and that I can feel you so very present with me right now. Lord, on some day in the future, when I don’t feel well, when I’m confused, or sick or anxious or overwhelmed, remind me of this moment. On that day, hear this prayer that I’m praying right now, and touch me. Give me peace, and remind me that you’re bringing me through that situation. Remind me that you’re working for my good, and that the difficult season will pass. In Jesus’ name.”

I’ve also learned that when I’m having a difficult day I can call to remembrance the prayers I’ve prayed in the past. That prayer might sound something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I feel terrible. I’m so confused. I feel like giving up. I feel so hopeless. I feel like there is no end in sight to this situation. It feels like it’s going to go on forever. BUT I remember that day when I was walking in the sunshine. I felt so good, and I was full of faith and joy. I remember praying for this exact moment. I didn’t know when it would come, but you knew. Lord, I’m calling on that prayer right now, and the faith I felt on that day. Let me feel that hope, faith and joy. Thank you for letting me remember that this is only a season, and a good season is right around the corner. In Jesus’ name.”

I might also say:

“Lord, I’m calling to your remembrance every prayer that has ever been prayed for me for peace and victory. Prayers that Granny prayed for me as we knelt in the blue bedroom all those years ago, let those prayers come before your throne right now, and pour out the answers to them at this moment.”

Praying A Hedge of Protection

Of course, I pray for myself and my family to be protected as we go through our days because we never know what the satan has planned for us that we will need a Divine Intervention for. As for future protection, there is one prayer that I have prayed over and over since being Born Again. I have seen so many people give up on their relationship with God when they’re going through difficulties. To preempt the mental attacks that I know will come in the future, I have prayed this prayer many times:

“Father, if there comes a time in the future that I become confused or disoriented spiritually. If I begin to wander away from your will, I pray on this day while I’m in my right mind, that you will keep me forcibly in your will until I am thinking right again. Don’t allow me fall into temptation and be led away from your will. On that day, I pray that you would remember this prayer that I’m praying today. In Jesus’ name.

Be Proactive In Prayer

“The biggest reason our prayers are not answered is because we don’t pray them.” Share on X

Prayer is serious business, and accompanied by the Word, it is the Christian’s greatest weapon against spiritual darkness. I’m not an elite prayer warrior like Sis. Vesta Mangun or Sis. Joy Haney, but I do believe God hears and answers my prayers, as He does yours. The biggest reason our prayers are not answered is because we don’t pray them. Pray now. Pray in advance.

Warm Regards, -Pat

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Do I Have To Speak In Tongues? It’s All About Yielding.

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment

A lady told me years ago that she wanted to speak in tongues like I did because I didn’t make crazy faces. She was trying to pay me a compliment, but I confess I didn’t know how to receive it. It did, however, cause me to pay attention to other people speaking in tongues. Sure enough, a great majority of them made facial expressions that appeared spastic and even painful to watch. This began my search for an answer. Why did some people seem to speak in tongues effortlessly, while others appeared to be chewing on unripe persimmons? The answer, I discovered, is in the yielding.

Do I Have To Speak In Tongues?

This leads me to my title question, do I have to speak in tongues? If you’re asking whether you HAVE to, you’re focusing on the wrong thing. The truth is when you are yielded, you WILL speak in tongues. If you go to the book of Acts which records the first outpourings of the Holy Ghost, there is no record of them asking, “Do I have to speak in tongues?” When the Apostles laid their hands upon potential new converts, they began to worship out loud, yielding themselves to the power of God, and they simply began to speak in tongues. It is the natural overflow of someone who is truly yielded.

Good Ground Yields Fruit

The men in my family farm row crops. Corn and soybeans. If they plant seed into prepared ground, that ground will yield vegetables. They plant with the expectation of harvesting. They trust the yielding process.

“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:8-9)

Trees Yield to the Wind

A healthy tree is not moved out of it’s place by a strong wind. When the wind blows, a tree will yield it’s branches which allows the wind to flow over, around and through. Here on the farm, I’ve been amazed many times at how far a tree will bend to allow for the moving of a strong wind without snapping. I’ve seen the same in altars when people bend and sway physically almost all the way forward and then almost all the way backward under the powerful wind of the Holy Ghost, without falling. The ultimate yielding, however, is when a person yields the most powerful body part, the tongue, to the flow of the Holy Ghost. When this happens, they will speak in tongues.

Crashing Is Not Yielding

We had a gorgeous beech tree in our back pasture when we first bought our property. I loved that tree. It was a majestic sight to behold, and home to much wildlife that made their nests in it’s branches. Even though it had stood for decades, one day a storm came, and it refused to yield. It was a sad day when that giant beauty fell.

There are many signs of someone being touched by the Holy Ghost -Joy, quivering, shaking, jumping, dancing, crying, swaying, but the only God-given evidence of a person being filled with the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. Furthermore, when someone comes crashing down like that old beech tree, you can be sure that person didn’t yield. Note, I’m not speaking about sinking down,  “slain in the Spirit,” which I have been. But I don’t care how many so-called men of God blow on you, if you come crashing and thrashing down, that is flesh, not Spirit. The biblical evidence of a person yielding to God’s Spirit is speaking in tongues.

Biblical examples of people falling back (again, I’m not referring to sinking down under the overwhelming Presence of God’s Spirit) actually point to people who were in sin and resisting the Holy Ghost. 

“And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.” (1 Samuel 4:17-18)

“Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” (John 18:4-6)

How Do I Yield?

To yield means to give over to. We must give ourselves over to the flowing of God’s Spirit. Admittedly, this is more challenging today than in biblical times. We live in a complicated world in which we are bombarded with external stimuli on a continual basis. The world’s influence, advertising, pressures constantly vie for our attention and mold our thinking. By the time someone is at an altar seeking the Holy Ghost, they have already been exposed, and often saturated, with false teaching concerning what is required for receiving the Spirit, as well as negative opinions about speaking in tongues.

Scripture is very plain, however, that speaking in tongues is the evidence that God chose to prove the infilling of the Holy Ghost. That being the case, how do I yield to the Spirit, and allow myself to be filled?

  • Repent of all sin. To be filled with the Holy Ghost, we must stand before God truly remorseful of everything that we have said, done or thought against His will and word. We must also have committed to turn away from sin from that moment forward.
  • Be Baptized in Jesus’ name. Although many people do receive the Holy Ghost before they are baptized, we should do as much as we have the power to do before we expect God to do His part. Repentance and being baptized for the remission of sins is our part.
  • Begin to Praise and Worship God out loud. God comes close when we lift Him up. Verbally, thank Him for his goodness to you. Say the things individually that you are thankful for. Tell Him out loud how you love Him, adore Him, worship Him, thank Him, trust Him, etc.
  • Lift your hands high to him in surrender to His Spirit and will. This is a universal sign of surrender. I’ve never seen anyone receive the Holy Ghost with their hands balled into fists at their sides.
  • YIELD every part of yourself to Him -every member of your physical body, every emotion, every thought, and your very speech.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

What If I Don’t Receive The Holy Ghost?

If you don’t receive the Holy Ghost the first time you pray, you can pray again. It actually took me five years to receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost because no one told me these things. If you look at the biblical accounts in the book of Acts, however, you will find that after the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, no one ever “tarried” for the Holy Ghost again. The gift is available to you any time you decide to submit to the process.

The two questions you should ask yourself if you do not receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues are:

1. Is there sin in my life that I have not truly repented of? Repentance is not just saying you’re sorry. It’s not even just being sorry. There is a brokenness that comes with true repentance -a godly sorrow, and a commitment to turn away from sin. Check the smallest dark recesses of your heart. Be honest with yourself and God.

2. Are you truly yielded? When your hands began to shake, your lips began to quiver, and your tongue felt like it was going to do its own thing, did you close your mouth and refuse to speak out loud? I realize this is a down to the brass tacks question that doesn’t seem spiritual, but God will not make you speak in tongues. You can stop the flow if you choose, and delay receiving His Holy Spirit until the next altar service, or even the next decade.

So…I Do Have To Speak In Tongues?!

For the love of all things holy, please stop focusing on speaking in tongues. What you have to do is REPENT and YIELD. When you do those two things correctly, you will receive the Holy Ghost, and when you receive the Holy Ghost, you WILL speak in tongues. It’s all about the yielding.

P.S. The answer to why some people speak in tongues more effortlessly than others is all about yielding as well;)

Warm Regards, -Pat

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God’s Amazing Grace…Let’s Not Make It a Disgrace.

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment

“We have preached grace until it’s become a disgrace.” -Unknown 

I have found this to be true. People who claim to be Christians, live any way they want, and claim God’s amazing grace as their hope of eternity with Him. We have come to think of grace as an all inclusive, anything goes, God will overlook all manner of sin salvation plan. Be assured, God still requires repentance, obedience to the gospel, and holiness in order to be saved.

If you are sinning against God’s commandments, you have no reason to expect God’s grace to save you.

What is grace? Let’s start by looking at the definition of both mercy and grace:

  • MERCY is when God doesn’t give you what you deserve. (Judgement)
  • GRACE is when God gives you something that you do not deserve. (Blessing)

Both mercy and grace feel awesome. It’s understandable why people come to believe that they are saved after being the recipients of these gifts. Along with feeling light and free of the burden of judgement, and all goosebumps and glory from His many blessings, we constantly hear of the love of God. Granted, He is a loving God…He is also a just God, a jealous God, a holy God and a righteous God.

Compare These Two Scriptural Accounts.

  1. God sent Jonah to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. They repented of their sins, willingly accepting his mercy for the moment, and averting immediate judgement. Eventually, however, they were destroyed because they never followed through in His grace, and turned to Him completely.
  2. God met Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Saul was a Christian killer. Not only did Saul take advantage of God’s mercy, he followed on into His grace. He was converted. He changed. He turned 180 degrees, and lived for God with everything in him.

There are going to be a massive amount of people who claim Christianity that will be lost because they accepted God’s mercy for the moment, but never followed on into His Grace. God’s grace is big enough to cover any number of sins, but only if they are repented of and turned away from.

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

We do not receive grace so that we can continue in sin. Please hear me. If you are living in sin, judgement is coming to you.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2)

Grace is a space of time that God allows us to repent and turn from wickedness. It is not God condoning sin. I beg you, if you are living in a sinful lifestyle, please repent and turn from your sin.

Be Not Deceived 

Please don’t be deceived into thinking that God’s grace allows you to live in sin. Don’t be deceived into believing that God’s love is so all-consuming that He won’t hold you accountable for your sin.

We are living in a space of grace in which God is drawing humanity to repentance by His Word and by His Spirit. Great deception has come upon the world. Scripture calls it “gross darkness.”

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.“ (Isaiah 60:1-2)

You might think that you could never be deceived by this spiritual darkness, but if you are living in sins such as are listed below, and believing that you will be saved doing so, you are most definitely deceived.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)

Note: The word fearful in the above scripture is Strongs #G1169, and means “faithless.”

Just because it’s accepted by a whole society to have intimate relations outside of marriage, or have an abortion, or identify as the opposite sex, or live a homosexual lifestyle, or consume drugs and alcohol, or steal, or lie, or dabble in witchcraft such as with horoscopes, or worship politicians and movie stars and sports heroes…and the list goes on and on…It is not acceptable for a child of God.

I beg you to take God at His Word, and take advantage of His Gift of Grace by repenting of your sins, and being Born Again according to Acts 2:38.

“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)

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

IN SUMMARY 

  1. Have you ever felt convicted of something that everyone around you felt was acceptable?
  2. Have you ever repented of a sinful lifestyle, and suffered persecution from friends or family who didn’t understand your conviction?
  3. Think of a time when God’s Spirit brought conviction. How did you feel until you repented? How did you feel after you repented?
  4. Have you ever felt conviction over something that you had not even known was sinful?
  5. What has brought the most conviction in your life, the preached Word or the written Word?
  6. Be honest with yourself…Are you living a sinful lifestyle, and trying to justify why you think God won’t hold it against you?
  7. Why do you think it is so hard to repent and turn from sin even when you know it’s necessary?
  8. Do you truly believe God will forgive you if you repent?
  9. What is your greatest fear of turning away from sin, and turning fully to God?
  10. What sin is worth more than your soul?

As always, I encourage feedback.
Warm Regards, 

-Pat

 

Why After-Maintenance Is A Big Part of Fasting Success

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

There is a phenomenon among people who fast (including myself) where the person tends to be a bit (or a lot) overweight. You would think that if a person fasts regularly, they would be thin, or at least a moderate healthy weight. This has led many, many people to shy away from fasting because they have seen people who do fast gain weight afterward. I have experienced this phenomenon for myself, and I too have had to talk myself into a season of fasting when I know that I’m likely to gain weight after.

I actually complained to God during my morning prayer about this very thing, “God, I’m so frustrated that the more I fast, the unhealthier I get when it’s over.” In reply, He just silently nudged my memory to how I had gone back to unhealthy food and lifestyle choices after my fast…very effectively letting me know that it was my own fault.

I use the word phenomenon because most people don’t understand that it can be explained. (Along with UFOs) The problem is a lack of after-maintenance. Good intentioned people think of their seasons of fasting as a separate and set apart time from their normal life. They (we) are very committed to this fasting season. As a result, the body naturally gets healthier. Unfortunately, after this season of fasting is past, they (we) go right back to eating the way we did before fasting.

This is a terrible shock to our bodies after functioning in pristine conditions. Our bodies immediately begin packing on pounds, holding on to fluids and become unable to purge toxins or process foods properly. We soon start to ache all over. Our movements are restricted. We can’t, or don’t have the will power, to exercise regularly. Sleep evades us. Sicknesses begin to manifest in our bodies. We become cranky, and feel hopeless. Does this cycle sound familiar? (I can write about it because I’ve experienced it over and over.)

I’m telling you, as I tell myself, that this problem can be corrected. Fasting isn’t the problem. Fasting isn’t the problem. Fasting isn’t the problem. Our mindset after we end our season of fasting is the problem. Before we begin a fast, we need to already be thinking of how we plan to end the fast, as well as how we plan on maintaining the healthier state of our bodies.

Ending A Fast

No matter how long or short the length of our fasting season, it must be ended correctly. It should take as many days as you fasted to get back to eating normally. Even a 24 hour fast requires a 24 hour period of breaking back into eating solid foods so as to not shock your digestive system. 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, 30 days…Take the time to end your fast appropriately.

Also, take care in what food you end your fast with. If you choose to end a 3 day fast with a pepperoni pizza, soda and a brownie delight topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, you will live to regret it.

Maintaining Fasting Results

Don’t let the words ‘eating normally’ in the above paragraphs mislead you. If you are going to fast regularly, and stay healthy, your normal eating must become healthy eating. If you go back and forth from a fasted state to an eat whatever you want whenever you want state, you will always feel bad, gain weight, and be discouraged.

Fasting is a discipline.

The act of fasting is not only for the immediate spiritual results it brings. It is also to teach us how to live consistently. If we refuse to hold on to the disciplines we learn while fasting, we can blame no one but ourselves that our health falls apart.

While we cannot live in a state of complete fasting, we can and should live a FASTED LIFESTYLE. It is not just something Christians do because we are expected to. It is something we incorporate into our lives that helps us live healthy.  It teaches us to not live in excess. It keeps lust and gluttony at bay. It instills good habits and structure into our daily lives. Fasting according to God’s Word is the basis for teaching us moderation in all things.

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

“Fasting according to God’s Word is the basis for teaching us moderation in all things.” -Pat Vick Share on X

Tips For After-Maintenance 

  • End your fast properly with food suitable in health, portion and timing.
  • Continue to drink plenty of pure water.
  • Eat on a schedule, not giving in to mindless snacking.
  • Make healthy food choices. (If you have little will power like I do, you should make a plan and shop for appropriate food before starting your fast. If it’s in the pantry, I’m going to eat it…)
  • Continue with the good habits you incorporated during your fast such prayer and Bible study.
  • Continue to fast regularly, or satan will put fear and dread into your heart to keep you from pursuing a fasted lifestyle.
  • Move regularly whether it’s in an exercise routine or working around the yard.
  • Get daily sunshine.
  • Remember that the biggest battle before, during and after fasting is in your mind. God has put in you the ability to  make good choices.

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As always, I invite you to leave feedback. Let me know your thoughts on fasting. What experiences have you had on your fasting journey?

Warm Regards, -Pat

Why Isn’t Believing In Jesus Enough To Be Saved?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Acts chapter 16 is the story of Paul and Silas being put in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They begin to sing in worship while they are bound in stocks. The Lord sends an earthquake that rattles the prison, and drops the shackles off of all the prisoners, including Paul and Silas. The prison guard that is on duty is panicked because he knows that he will be held accountable for any prisoners who escape. However, none of the prisoners flee, and Paul and Silas have an opportunity to witness to the guard. He runs in, falls at their feet, and asked to know how to be saved. They respond with the following answer:

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

If you stop reading here, it’s easy to understand why many people think all that is necessary to be saved is to believe in Jesus. However, the passage goes on to say that Paul and Silas shared the Word of the Lord with his family, AND took them that same hour and BAPTIZED them.

“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16:29-33)

 

  • SCRIPTURE MUST BE TAKEN IN CONTEXT.

We must read the Word of God in its entirety. It’s obvious that the jailer and his family didn’t believe only, but Paul and Silas thought it was important that they were baptized, as well. Not at some future time when it was convenient, but the same hour that they preached the Word of God to them, they took them to be baptized.

Anyone who is truly interested in understanding the Word of God can read the Book of Acts and see the pattern. Believers were expected to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues. This is the New Birth Experience, and the pattern can be found in Acts 2, 8, 10 & 19, plus many other supporting passages. Here are excerpts, but I urge you to read all four chapters:

ACTS 2

“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)

Although Acts 2:38 is not the only place the Plan of Salvation can be found, it is the most concise, because it was spoken by Peter in the first message to the Church on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus gave Peter the “Keys of the Kingdom,” and he laid out the plan perfectly. 

THE PATTERN

  1. Repentance -We apply Jesus’ death when we die to sin.
  2. Baptism -We are buried with Jesus when we are baptized in His Name.
  3. Receive the Holy Ghost -We are raised to new life, and receive resurrection power when we are filled with His Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues.

ACTS 8

“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 10

“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. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:44-48)

ACTS 19

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:2-6)

We cannot choose to make the scripture mean what we want it to for the sake of convenience. 

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)

“We cannot choose to make the scripture mean what we want it to for the sake of convenience.” -Pat Vick Share on X
  • BELIEVING REQUIRES ACTION.

Believing is only the first step in the conversion experience. When you believe in something, you will act upon that belief. The same is true of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When you believe on Jesus, you must act on that believe with obedience.

This obedience to the gospel is not works. Works are benevolent deeds. Repenting, being baptized in Jesus’ name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues is not works. It is OBEDIENCE.

Is it rational to think that all we must do is to think in our minds and hearts that we love Jesus and accept Him as our Savior? Jesus specifically said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) He also said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)

  • BELIEVING WITHOUT ACTION IS WISHING

Isn’t it sweet to see a child blow dandelion fluff into the wind, scrunch tight their little eyes, and make a wish? Such it is when an adult believes in Jesus without following through with any acts of obedience. They are simply wishing. Placing their eternity in a puff of air and a feeling, and sending that wish into the great beyond. Hoping when they get to the end of their life that something magical has happened. All the while, Jesus has been waiting for their obedience to the Gospel.

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16)

If you have thoughts on this post, I’d love for you to leave comments. Even if you don’t agree. Truly. Tell me what you agree with and why. Also, tell me what you disagree with and why.

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)