Devotions For Your Day

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

He’s A Good, Good Father

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

We never stop learning throughout our life. At fifty-seven, I’ve recently learned a disturbing something about myself, and my relationship with God. I have a difficult time relating to Him as my Heavenly Father.

That probably sounds shocking. Just breathe a second, and let me explain…while I work my way through it in my own mind. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love God. I love His Word. I love His name, Jesus. I love His Truth. I love His people. I love His holiness. I love living for Him.

This revelation isn’t about my belief in Him, or my love for Him. It’s about how I view Him. I have no problem seeing Him as omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (everywhere present; nowhere absent) or omnipotent (all powerful). I have no problem seeing Him as Holy and Righteous. There is, however, something about relating to Him as Abba Father that I get emotionally stuck on.

When the Lord brought my attention to this personal struggle to my mind this week, I wanted to tell Him it wasn’t true. After all, He calls Himself our Heavenly Father. It’s His very own description of His foundational relationship to us. When I began to dig deep into my heart, and ask myself why I struggled in this area, I came to some uncomfortable truths.

Those closest to me know that I’m adopted. This fact holds the key to my inner struggle with relating to God as my Heavenly Father. My earliest memory is of being in a small, dark room. The one room seemed to have a small kitchen and a cot off to the side. Sitting on the cot was a man, presumably my father. He was either putting on, or taking off his artificial leg. The whole scene was dark, claustrophobic and altogether terrifying. Under three years old, I faded into the background, and became invisible. For many years.

My second father was my foster dad, Darv. He was everything a child dreams of having in a father. He was the hands on, teach you to ride a bike, jump into my arms, I won’t let you sink kind of dad. I lived in his home for four years before I was adopted, and moved across the state. It’s impossible for a seven year old child to understand why it’s better for her to be removed from a comfortable, safe and loving home after four years, and be sent to live with strangers.

My third father was my adoptive dad, Frank. He was in politics at the time, and for many years after. He was a powerbroker. A lawmaker. He made things happen. People scurried to do his bidding. He pushed through legislation that changed the lives of communities. He did good for people.

He wasn’t a hands on dad, though. Perhaps that’s because he lost his own dad at a very young age. We are all molded by the examples in our lives. Some teach us how we want to be. Others teach us how we don’t want to be. More often than not, it’s a bit of both because no one man can fulfill every characteristic of God perfectly and consistently.

It’s more than challenging for a child to make sense of a scary, one legged old man in the shadows, or why her storybook father was taken away, or why her powerful father who did so much good for people wasn’t in her day to day life. The adult version of myself has learned just because something is hard or painful doesn’t mean it’s not God’s will. He had His hand upon me through all the traumatic years, lovingly bringing me into His perfect plan for my life. 

It’s not my intention to bring disrespect to any of my three fathers. I loved them, and am thankful for their part in raising and providing for me. I know they loved me, and did what they felt was best for me. (Admittedly, the first one is sketchy, but I try to give him the benefit of the doubt.) I’m simply attempting to explain to you (and myself) why it’s challenging for me to relate to God as my Heavenly Father.

Why Does It Matter How We View God?

I have to believe I’m not the only one who struggles in this area. Broken and dysfunctional families are most often the norm. So, why does it even matter whether I see God as my Heavenly paternal figure? It matters because it is truth. It matters because ‘Heavenly Father’ is how He sees Himself in relationship to us. It matters because we can’t trust Him completely if we don’t view Him first as our loving Father.

How Am I Going To Change My Perception of God?

1. I’m going to talk to Him about it.
One thing I know about God (because it comes naturally for me to see Him as all powerful) is that He can handle our questions and the areas we struggle in. I’ve determined I’m going to be open with Him, and share my weaknesses. When I have a very personal situation, I struggle believing He is invested emotionally in my situation. Oh, I know He loves me, and is working for my good, but this thing that is so trivial in light of saving the world, does it break His heart like it breaks mine? I need to believe it does.

2. I’m going to read His Word. Scripture assures me that He cares for the things that burden me. If I ask for bread, He’s not going to give me a stone, because He’s a good, good Father.

3. I’m going to remind myself of the truth often. Verbalizing my belief in His love for me is vital. It pushes the enemy’s voice into the background, and allows my Father’s Voice to come to the forefront. I’m going to say it until I believe it with my heart, not just my head.

4. I’m going to practice inviting Him into my day to day struggles. This, I have learned is key. If I don’t think He cares for the small struggles in my life, I won’t ask for His help. Yes, I will trust Him in the big things, because that’s what He does…but will I trust Him enough to invite Him into my day to day messes?

5. I’m going to be transparent, and not silent because others are struggling in this area, as well. There’s nothing new under the sun, and people are people every day. We need to not be silent, pretending we have it all together.

Hopefully, exposing my weakness in this area has helped you to be honest with yourself and God about your own weaknesses. If you struggle relating to God as your Heavenly Father, refer to the steps listed above. Hopefully, my transparency will help you to see God the way He desires for you to know Him. Oh, and why not offer a bit of grace to your earthly fathers, as well as to yourself? It’s true we can all do better, and God is a good, GOOD Father.

TAKE A LISTEN…👇🏻

GOOD, GOOD FATHER by Chris Tomlin

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11)


“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Blessings For Your Day!
-Pat

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

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




God’s Got You!

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments
Keep Pursuing. He’s got you!

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)

I was impressed with this reference as I was telling the Lord, “I hope to be a better wife. I hope to be a better mother. I hope to be a better sister, friend, saint, etc, I hope to be more beneficial to the Kingdom. I hope to be more disciplined. I repented of my lethargy and many failures.

Not knowing what the scripture reference was, I turned the pages of my Bible, and read the words. I felt God letting me know through His Word that He understands I haven’t reached perfection yet. I am on a journey of pursuit. I am following the leading of His Spirit, so that at some point in the future, I WILL APPREHEND. (Strong’s #G2638 “Take eagerly, Seize, Possess) what God HAS APPREHENDED (Same Word) me for.

God has taken hold of me eagerly. He has Seized hold of me. He has possessed me for His purpose. HE’S GOT ME! As long as I keep pursuing Him, being sensitive to His Spirit, and obedient to His Word, He’s got me.

Blessings,

-Pat

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 The Church Is More Like Waffle House Than Outback

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment

One of my and my husband’s favorite places to eat is Waffle House. Don’t judge. Of course, we enjoy all the wonderful food, not least of all, the syrupy delicious waffles, but it’s not just about the meal. Truth be told, it’s more about the atmosphere. I’ve told him before that I would like to work at Waffle House for a day. It seems like such a great avenue to meet people, and minister God’s grace day to day.

Let’s just be honest. People who frequent Waffle House know what they’re going to get. Good food cooked and served by real people. They know it’s not Outback. They don’t expect catchy slogans or meals named after exotic places. They come for the experience.

Let’s talk about the atmosphere. Again, people who frequent Waffle House don’t expect to be seated by a hostess wearing an evening gown. It’s more of a, “Come in, and make yourself at home. I’ll get to you as quick as I can,” kind of place. Some mornings there is lots of joking and laughter. Other mornings, the atmosphere is quite tense. Take our last visit, for example. The tension was thick. There were lots of dynamics at play.      

One regular patron commented to the egg cook about being short staffed. That’s all the tall servant needed to turn around and engage in 15 second’s worth of conversation. “Bruh,” he said, hanging his head and shaking it at the same time. “BRUH,” he emphasized his frustration with a smile on his face, “Short staffed everywhere.” I had caught a glimpse of his kind but stressed personality as he turned back to his labor.

The hash brown/toast/pancake lady was the apparent veteran. She was harnessing every ounce of scathing reproach that she longed to unleash upon the bacon lady and the hostess’s lackluster performance. 

The untitled servant seemed to have no official designation, but was best at being directly in the path of every other employee. Her skill set seemed to be in the area of helps because her very presence kept them all swerving, dodging, eye rolling and blinking in rapid fire precision.

I feel a bit guilty to admit that I enjoyed every minute of this observation, all the while enjoying my perfectly cooked breakfast. I would have also enjoyed chatting with each of them, and giving them a word of encouragement. Unfortunately, none of them had time to stop from their labors, and even in all the tension, they worked as a team, and provided the service the patrons had come to expect.

The Church is a bit more like Waffle House than Outback. It’s staffed with real people who, just like you and me, are pressed on every side with the stresses of life, yet doing their job admirably 99% of the time. 

When you come into the Church, don’t expect it to be perfect. Instead, enjoy the atmosphere, and the good spiritual food cooked by real people…Oh, and compliment the staff when you have the opportunity.

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” (Luke 10:40)

The Altar Should Alter Us

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

We pastor a small, country church. It has a small, country altar. Years ago, the altar had been moved downstairs, as it often was when there was a special program that required more room at the front of the sanctuary. This time, however, the altar wasn’t moved back into place when the program was over. I realize that sounds awful, but I will add that there is a carpeted step that runs the length of the platform which served as the altar area.

One night, my husband had a dream of our two boys carrying the altar between them, and setting it back in place. He took this as instruction from the Lord, and asked our sons to do just that.

He preached that service about that old altar. He named saints that had gone on to their reward who had wept hot tears at that humble bench. He called different ones in the congregation by name, and reminded them how their mother and grandmother had agonized before God for their salvation. He told of a former District Superintendent who had given his life to Jesus while kneeling at that very altar.

Each person was called to approach the altar and make a fresh consecration to God and give reverence to that old country altar where so many lives had been changed. It was one of the most moving services that I’ve ever been a part of. Not because of any well rehearsed program or pageantry, but because of the image of people’s lives and hearts being visibly changed as they knelt or bent to lay their hand lovingly on the smooth wood, and mingled their tears with the tear stains from past generations.

It was in that service that I came to understand more deeply that the altar isn’t just a piece of furniture in a church building. The altar is a place where we are changed. Where we lay down old actions, old habits, old grudges, old ways of thinking, old sinful flesh. Down.

If we aren’t allowing the altar to change us, we’re approaching it wrong. If at all. The altar should alter us.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

God Will Not Leave You Alone

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday I heard a familiar THUNK. It’s a sound I dread hearing. Every spring, fledgling swallows are trying out their newly learned ability to fly.

Their muddy nests are messy under the eaves of my porch, and I get so frustrated cleaning up after them. When I see them swooping and diving in wild abandon, however, I can almost hear them laughing with glee. They can FLY! This is the best thing they have ever experienced in their life to this point.

Our house has large windows on every side. Several times a year, mostly in the spring, they become bird magnets. As soon as I hear the terrible noise, I drop what I’m doing and rush outside to find the victim. Sometimes the injured will be able to fly away immediately, and I won’t ever see it. Other times, the little flyer will be stunned and gasping. Many times, it doesn’t recover.

When I heard the terrible noise, I rushed to my front porch, which was the scene of the accident. The little swallow was laying motionless on its back, its beak wide open and eyes shut, showing no evidence of being alive at all. I scooped it up in my hands, and held its tiny body as I began to pray. I gently stroked its downy feathers as I prayed life back into its immobile form. One little eye opened, and then the other. It would live after all. I set it on the window ledge to finish its recovery, and it eventually fluttered to the rooftop.

You might be thinking the sweet little swallow would have made it with or without my intervention. Maybe…but there’s something in me that can’t bear to think of even a tiny bird suffering alone. One time, I heard the thud in the dead of winter with several inches of snow on the ground. There he lay, a brightly clothed red cardinal, starkly contrasting the white snow that he had fallen in. I threw on coat and boots, rushing to gather him in my hands, and held him close as he passed from this life. I couldn’t bear for him to be alone.

If life has ever knocked the stuffing out of you, and I know it has, remember God is with you. He’s holding you in the palm of His hand. Whether you get up immediately and carry on, or you have to lie stunned and gasping for a while to gather your wits, or even if you must walk through death’s door, He will not leave you alone. He cares for one tiny fallen creature. How much more does He care for you?

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
(Matthew 10:29-31)

What Is The Greatest Cause Worth Fighting For?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

I am an animal lover. One thing that I cannot bear to watch, read about or even think about is animal abuse. I don’t mean it troubles me. I mean, it literally makes me sick in the the pit of my stomach. My body physically reacts in a negative way to the very images or thought of an animal in pain, hungry or neglected.

One day, the Lord got my attention, asking me (Not audibly) why images or thoughts of suffering children didn’t cause the same reaction in my spirit. Why wasn’t I even more horrified that humans, and even nations, were lost and undone without knowing Him?

Why, indeed?

We are programmed by society to have a cause. Make a stand! Let your voice be heard! Make a difference in your world! Hug a tree! Recycle! Save the whales! …and on and on.

There are plenty of causes to fight for. Our once pristine world that God created for us is full of injustice, wickedness, corruption, abuse, and neglect.

If we have the means to make a difference for a good cause, of course we should. Satan, however, has used many such causes to keep us from focusing on the most important cause -The Cause Of Christ.

Did you know that Jesus will return soon to gather His Bride, the Church, To Himself? Did you know that as bad as this old world gets, Jesus will heal it all during the Millennium? That’s right. We will have another 1,000 years on the earth AFTER the Rapture of the Church.

So, recycle if you can. Adopt a puppy from the shelter. Put in solar panels. But whatever you do, don’t forget that a Christian’s greatest cause should be The Cause Of Christ, and that EVERY SOUL should know Him.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6-9)

What’s In Your Hand?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

So often we feel too inadequate to be beneficial to the Kingdom. We think about all that others seemingly have that we don’t. Talents, giftings, finances, more free time, great singing voice, people connections, charismatic personality.

The list goes on and on, even though Paul taught, “…measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12)

The truth is God just needs you to be willing to be used. He can and will use anything that you make available to Him.

When Moses was afraid to go speak to Pharaoh, and lead the Children of Israel, God used what he already had in his hand to work miracles. What’s in your hand, Moses? Just this stick that I use to walk with. Great! I can use that!

When Jesus wanted to feed the 5,000, and there was no way to get food, he used what a young boy carried in his hand. What’s in your hand, son? Just this sack lunch my mom made me. Great! I can use that!

We need to stop fretting over what we don’t have, and figure out what we do have. Each of us has something, even if we think it’s not much.

What is it that you like to do as a hobby? Can you make that and sell it to raise money for Global Missions?

What’s that in your hand? A paint brush? Great! Can you paint Sunday School posters, or do art with the kids in Sunday School?

What’s that in your hand? Brownies? Great! Can you make several batches of those and deliver them to new families in the community with church business cards taped on top?

What’s in YOUR hand? Great! God can use that. It’s just up to you to be willing.

“And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.” (Exodus 4:2)

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9)

The Dream I Live For

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Years ago, I had a dream…or a vision…I can’t remember which. Nevertheless, it is still as fresh and real in my mind as it was back then.

I was standing on a platform/stage area, and was teaching a large auditorium full of people. They were all ages and nationalities. Every one of them was sitting Indian-style on the floor, listening very intently to what I was saying.

There was lush greenery all around. I don’t know all of the plants, but it seems many were palm trees and ferns. Everything else was white -the floor, walls, podium, and the long, white robe I wore. There were no lights of any kind. Rather, emanating from everywhere, was light so pure that it seemed to pulsate life itself.

Even my hair was pure white. The only other colors in the vast auditorium were the varying skin tones of the congregation’s faces and hands.

I remember the feeling of being healthy and whole, in both my body and mind. I wasn’t learning anymore. I knew.

When I woke, I knew that the dream/vision was in Jerusalem. It was after the Rapture of the Church. I was teaching masses of people who had not been Raptured with the Church, and had come through the Wrath of God at the end of the Tribulation period. I was teaching them God’s ways. There would be peace for 1,000 years, before satan “must be loosed a little season.”

I live for the fulfillment of this dream. I live for the time when I am in my resurrected body. This dream causes me to live in a way in the here and now so that I will obtain what He so graciously showed me. If I’m going to teach during the Millennium, I’d best get to teaching now.

If you believe that everything you do, say or learn while you are in this mortal body will affect the role you will play during those 1,000 years and beyond, what conscious decisions are you making toward that end? They all matter.

(And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:2-3)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:12-13)