Doctrine & Disciplines

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)

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)

 

 

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)

 

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)

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

What’s The Big Deal About Being Born Again?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M BORN AGAIN?

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

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

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

ACTS CHAPTER TWO

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

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

After the crowd listened to Peter preach about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, they wanted to know how they could be saved. This is what Peter told them:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

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

ACTS CHAPTER EIGHT

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

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

ACTS CHAPTER TEN

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

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

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

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

ACTS CHAPTER NINETEEN

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

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

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

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

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

Warm Regards, -Pat Vick PAT@PATVICK.COM