Prayer

10 Lessons I Learned By Complaining To God

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

My Last Photo Before “The Incident”

It was the final extended trip of the year for us. The exclamation point on our year of travels. We were in the mountains of East Tennessee, as we usually are at this time in the Fall of the year. A nine day trip filled with multiple events. Our annual Tennessee District UPCI Ministers’ Retreat, and several days of motorcycle riding with friends, bookended between two weekends of ministry.

It was Monday, November 4th, and we were riding the ROARING FORK MOTOR NATURE TRAIL with several of our TenPen Riders. The mountain vistas were breathtaking in their autumn foliage. I was taking photos of the broad canvas masterpiece God had painted. That’s when I heard him whisper into my spirit, “Look closer.”

As we rode along, attempting to be obedient to the unction of the Spirit, I began snapping shots of closer objects. Boulders, rock ledges and the overhead canopy of tree branches. The images were still pretty good even though we were on the move. The familiar voice came again, ever so clearly, “Look closer.”

Again, out of obedience, I continued snapping photos close to the roadway we were traveling. A meandering mountain brook. A hollow tree stump blanketed in green velvet. A jaunty tuft of ferns. These images, however, were blurry because we were on the move. No matter how many I took, they were either distorted, or I didn’t actually capture what I was aiming for in the shot. I began a silent lament, “Lord, I can’t get a good shot because we’re moving too fast.” To which He immediately replied, “That’s right. You can’t see the blessings closest to you when you’re moving so fast.”

I knew without question what He was referring to. Even in this week of spiritual highs, and making memories with dear friends, I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. I purposed in my mind to write a devotion about what God had revealed to me…just as soon as I had the time. 

I silently prayed the prayer which was destined to change the trajectory of my immediate future. “Lord, you know I would slow down if I could. You also know I don’t really have a lot of control over my schedule.”  The words He impressed in my spirit left me wondering whether I really wanted to know the solution He had in mind…

”Oh, I can take care of that.”

Four days later, we had come to the end of our allotted riding days, and would transition back into the second weekend of ministry before making our way home to West Tennessee. We made a visit to the special place at the entrance of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park which my husband’s mother, Linda, always loved. It’s right by the Welcome to the Smokey Mountains sign where we stopped and took photos, as we always do. We walked down into the riverbed, retelling the stories that my sweet mother-in-love had often conveyed to us of how her father had brought her here when she was a little girl.

I was taking photos of the scenery, and noticed several stacks of rocks in the riverbed that someone had taken the time to carefully erect. It made for a wonderful shot, but I decided I could get an even better one if I stepped on a few rocks to get a better angle. The rocks were only a few inches high, but they were a bit slippery. We had also hiked up to CLINGMAN’S DOME a few hours earlier, so my legs were like noodles. Still, it was going to be the best photo of all…

It’s amazing how quickly situations can change. One second I was up. The next, I was flat on my back in the riverbed with water running around my head and into my ears. I immediately thought my leg was broken, as I had never felt that kind of pain before. My husband rushed over, and pulled me up to a standing position. It quickly became obvious that he wasn’t going to be able to get me back up the bank by himself. Thankfully, several hikers came by at just that moment, and offered assistance. It took my husband and three random strangers to haul me up out of the riverbed. 

Here’s a humorous “twist” to the story. (Pun intended) I can only imagine how pitiful I must have looked. We had been riding the motorcycle, so I was wearing a skullcap, which my grey hair was whisping out from in all directions. I was muddy, wet and wearing a skirt with leggings. I’m sure these good Samaritans had never seen the likes. I could tell from the way they were speaking to me as they were heaving me up the bank, they thought I was elderly. When we finally made it to the road level, one asked, “Okay, Hon, can we help you to your car?”  They began to look around for an ancient sedan suitable for such an old grandma. My husband quickly replied, “No, we’re on that bike right there.”  They were shocked into complete and utter silence. Crickets. 🦗 🦗 🦗

A trip to the ER revealed my leg was indeed broken. It could have been much worse. There was no protruding, nor misaligned bones. Only a clean, spiral break just above the ankle. It was enough to solve the problem I was lamenting to the Lord about. In one divine moment, I had no other option but to slow down and heal. 

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The holidays came and went during my eight week convalescence. I put up minimal decorations, and entertained none at all. I did, however, have plenty of focused time for prayer, writing and squeezing grand boys. I was able for the first time in a long time to “look closer” at the blessings God has gifted me. 

Realizing my situation was a God-ordained lesson, I determined to learn what He was teaching.

10 LESSONS I LEARNED THE HARD WAY

1. Time is precious. Use it wisely.

2. Words matter. Pray as specifically as possible.

3. Don’t complain to God, and expect Him to do nothing.

4. When you ask God to fix a problem, keep an open mind over how He chooses to do it.

5. When God chooses an uncomfortable path for you, determine to not be offended at Him.

6. Down time can be productive prayer time.

7. Family members are our greatest blessings. Take time to appreciate them.

8. Make time to slow down or God will maneuver the universe to alter your course.

9. Be thankful for every blessing in your life.

10. Building relationships is more important than going, doing and having.

11. (BONUS!) Being busy for God isn’t always being productive for Him.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What are the blessings God is asking you to slow down and appreciate?

2. What have you recently complained to God about?

3. Is it something in your power to fix?

4. What lessons has God taught you the hard way?

 

***I love reading your feedback! Please feel free to leave a comment. Let’s keep in touch!***

Warm Regards,

-Pat 

 

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

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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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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.

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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.

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

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.

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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)

God Knows. Let That Be Enough.

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

A year ago today, my youngest son and his wife were in Bangladesh on a mission trip. It was definitely a high point in their life and walk with God. I was so vey proud of them, and thankful for their opportunity to be a part of something so powerful and eternal.

Caleb came home from that trip with the flu. He flew the 17-18 hours from Dubai sicker than he had ever been in his life. The next morning, when he asked to be taken to the doctor, we knew he was seriously sick. He was treated for the flu, and all seemed well.

Soon enough, Covid arrived, and the lockdowns began. Still, our family was together and healthy way out on our farm. It’s amazing how things can change so suddenly. One day we were fine. Then next day Caleb couldn’t breathe without severe pain. From emergency room to Vanderbilt ICU in a blink.

Pneumonia had been growing undetected in his lung for a couple of months since he had the flu. He had to have surgery to drain the fluid from his chest cavity. Over 2 liters of fluid. Alone. All we could do was pray. The Lord was so merciful to bring him home to us.

More Covid. More lockdowns. Online Church. All travel plans cancelled. Family members with Covid. Powerful men and women of God being taken home to their reward. People we never thought we’d have to go through life without. Gone into their eternity.

Breathe.

Riots. Bizarre election. The country has gone mad.

My mother-in-love contracts Covid. No underlying health issues. We had to say goodbye in the wee hours of December 26th. Never expected it. Would have never dreamed we’d be here without her so soon.

Still, God is good. He is faithful. He knows the future, and the past because He’s already there. If we had known a year ago what our family would have to endure over the next twelve months, it would have shaken us to our core. We might have failed God had we known. I’d like to think we would have stood strong, but only He actually knows for certain.

Sometimes when we want to know what’s coming, it’s best just to know that He knows, and let that be enough.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14)

4 Reasons Why Prayer Gets The Job Done

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Men love tools. It doesn’t matter if they are city slickers or farmers, preachers or drunkards, musicians or writers, accountants or lumberjacks. They LOVE tools.

My husband and two sons have a vast and varied collection of tools. From precision machinist tools that will measure the minuscule width of a human hair to massive combines that harvest huge amounts of grain at once. Tools make everything easier. Having the right tool, and knowing how to use it, gets the job done, big or small.

A frustration of mine is to find tools that the men in my life just “had to have” still packaged in their boxes months, and even years later. At some point, they saw their need for the tool. They acted on that need to purchase the tool. They were so proud of the tool when they brought it home from the store. Yet, somehow the tool got pushed to the side and forgotten about.

It’s fun to see my husband find a tool that he had lost, or had forgotten that he had purchased. What excitement! It’s like Christmas or his birthday. Would you believe that sometimes those recently found tools get lost again without being used?!

The Church has a lost, forgotten, and definitely underused tool at our disposal called Prayer. There are countless tasks that are vying for our attention, and God has not left us unequipped. He has given us the tools that we need to get His work accomplished in the Earth during these last days.

Much of the time, we attempt to work the problem using our own finite reasoning. It’s a lot like using your teeth to open a soda bottle instead of a bottle opener. It’s not necessarily that it can’t be done, but it’s going to be less efficient at best, and painful at worst.

Why is it that we feel like we are not getting the job done if we resort to prayer first, rather than last? Why does that make us feel less than? Shouldn’t we be seeking for God to get all the glory?

FOUR REASONS TO PRAY

  • Prayer is universal. It is not restricted by time, distance or language barriers. You can send a prayer to the other side of the world, into a specific situation, for a person who you can’t even communicate with. Prayer will get the job done.
  • Prayer is powerful. There is no other tool that can be depended on so certainly than prayer because it is backed by our all powerful God. Our prayers are limitless because our God is limitless. You can send a prayer strategically into an impossible situation, and prayer will get the job done.
  • Prayer is invisible. The enemy cannot see prayer coming. It is like a stealth military jet that can fly below the radar into enemy territory. You can send a prayer behind enemy lines, and get out without detection. Prayer will get the job done.
  • Prayer allows God’s will to be done. Many times we anguish over situations that we are powerless in our humanity to do anything about. Often, we don’t even know the words to say when we pray about them. When we pray in the Spirit (tongues), we allow God’s will to have free course. You can pray in tongues over a situation, and God will intervene in His divine wisdom. Prayer will get the job done.

No matter what situation you have in your life, what problem you are concerned with, or what craziness is going on in the world, PRAYER is the spiritual tool you should reach for first. Perhaps the tools in your spiritual toolbox have gotten lost or misplaced. It’s definitely worth rounding them up, getting them organized, and putting them to work. Prayer gets the job done!

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

As always, I encourage your feedback. Blessings, -Pat

CALLING ALL WIDOWS

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment
“Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:5)

There is a call going out from the throne room of God in these last days. It is an urgent and fervent plea for the saints of God to pray and fast like never before. The call is to all who will hear and obey. However, there is one group of people that is equipped to accomplish it better than any other.

There are those among us who are often forgotten or overlooked. This is a terrible tragedy since they hold the greatest potential for ushering true revival into the world. Widows, who the apostle Paul called “widows indeed,” meaning they have their eyes set on Jesus, and not the pleasures of the world. They spend their time in prayer and fasting, seeking God for their families, and for a lost and dying world.

These women are the unheralded heroes among us. They often feel that they have lost their purpose. Perhaps they were pastor’s or minister’s wives. Their lives were previously filled with ministry, and now they sit alone waiting for an opportunity to serve again.

We often see them as precious and fragile pieces of porcelain that must be set on the highest shelves to keep them safe. We unknowingly label them as relics of the past. Yet, inside of their very being are vaults of wisdom gleaned from lifetimes of experiences. What a waste. What a shame. What a tragedy.

We must pull widows indeed from the safe storage boxes that we have relegated them to. We must interact with them. We must sit at their feet and learn. We must listen. Most of all, we must encourage them to pray and fast for our families, congregations, communities, nation and world.

Calling. All. Widows. God leans in to hear your prayers. If you are desiring to minister, and don’t know when, where or how to make that happen, I encourage you to enter into a season of prayer and fasting. I beseech you to go before the throne of God for the Body of Christ as only you can. The Spirit is calling you to your greatest and finest hour of selfless ministry.

Look around you. We are in the last days before Jesus returns for His bride, the Church. If we are going to have revival, it needs to be now. If we are going to reach the lost, it needs to be now. If we are going to do something beneficial for the Kingdom, it needs to be now.

Calling. All. Widows. We need you more than we ever have before. In this winter season of your life, you are truly more valuable than you have ever been.

“Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:5)

Spirit & Flesh

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


I was driving to work when I realized I hadn’t even knelt and prayed before I left the house. I had read the Word, written my daily devotion, scanned Facebook, and then gotten ready and left for the day.

When I realized that I hadn’t made the time to pray, I immediately began making excuses…”Lord, this flesh is so hard to keep under control.”

He reminded me of Adam and Eve in the garden. Adam said pretty much the same thing about Eve…It was this woman you gave me…

If we take a look at Adam and Eve as spirit and flesh, we see Eve (flesh) being tempted. Adam (spirit) could and should have disciplined the flesh, but he didn’t. He chose to partake of the forbidden fruit when Eve offered it to him. Because of this, they were both judged.

It may feel like you have no control over your flesh, but that is a lie from the enemy of your soul. We must continually strengthen our spirit so that our flesh can stay disciplined.

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” (Genesis 3:12)

The Danger of Backsliding

~ Pat Vick ~ 6 Comments

It was one of the most tragic things I have ever witnessed. I was riding with my husband in the tractor as he carried round hay bales to our cattle. It was a cold and sloppy winter day. As we came through the gate, the herd followed along with the tractor, bawling their impatience with every step. 

My husband moved the empty hay rings over several feet to more dry areas, and then lifted each bale high over a ring with the hay fork attached to the tractor, and set them down inside. The cattle began shoving their faces down into the delicious hay, pulling out big mouths full. They stood chewing in the cold drizzle with mud covered legs and frosted breath. 

There was no pasture grass this time of year. The cattle’s survival until late spring rested solely on the hay delivery and their ability to get to it.

We sat in the warm tractor and watched them munch. We always spent a few minutes counting heads, taking note of whether a new calf had been born, and the general welfare of the herd.

It was only then that we saw it. The mud covered mound down a small incline from the hay ring’s previous location. We had assumed it to be a partially eaten hay bale that had been trampled into the mud. The horror of what we were seeing settled over both of us at once. My husband spoke the sickening words first, “I think that’s a cow!”

He got out of the tractor and slogged through the mud, waving the herd out of his path. He leaned over the mud coated mass to find she was still breathing…barely. 

Cattle moving under their own steam can be tricky to get where you want them to go. When they are sick or weak, it can be even more difficult. It looked as though she had slid backwards in the mud where she couldn’t get the traction she needed. She had become mud caked in her struggle to regain her footing. The other cattle had quite literally walked on top of her to get to the hay while she got weaker and weaker from lack of food in the cold.

If she had any hope at all of surviving, we had to get her up out of the mud pit that she had backslid into. We had to get her eating again to give her body nourishment and warmth. My husband did the only thing he knew to do. He used the hay fork on the front of the tractor to lift and scoot her, as gently as possible out of the pit to a flat and dryer spot of ground. Even then, you would never know she was a cow under all that mud except for the periodic puffs of frozen breath.

I wish I could say that we saved her. We tried the best we could, but ended up losing her that day. Our best efforts weren’t enough. We were too late.

This painful memory always causes me to think of my Christian brothers and sisters who have left the faith, or at least put their walk with God on hold to pursue their own agenda. Wealth, Sports, Recreation, Fame.

Whatever it is they choose to pursue, they feel like they are at a safe enough spot to be able to come back to the God’s House whenever they choose, not realizing the precarious position they have gotten themselves into. They don’t realize these things they have chosen to pursue will eventually suck them down so deep that they can’t get back.

We much keep better check on those we love. We must keep them connected to the local church. We must make sure they are being fed the Word of God on a regular basis. We must be aware of tell tell signs that they are losing their hold on Truth, and their footing in the Kingdom of God. We must engage them in honest conversation, and insert ourselves into their lives consistently.

The only thing sadder than a Christian backsliding, is a Christian backsliding and being trampled by fellow Christians, just taking care of themselves, completely unaware that their brother or sister has fallen. God, help us to be concerned.

Early Morning Angel Visit

~ Pat Vick ~ 14 Comments

Several years ago the Lord began waking me up at 4:30 a.m. to spend time with Him. He desires to spend quality time with His people. His bride.

Once the day gets started, there is rarely a stopping place to break away and spend time basking in His Presence. The Word tells us to pray without ceasing. We should have a prayer in our hearts and on our lips at any given time throughout the day. Yet, to sit at His feet requires pulling away from other things. Hence the reason God likes to wake us up to spend that quality time before our days begin.

Since those 4:30 a.m. training sessions, the Lord and I have reached a mutually agreeable time that we like to meet. That is at 6:00 a.m. I have become very serious about this spiritual discipline…most of the time. Winter seems to be more difficult, especially when it is cold and wet outside, or when I am extra fatigued from a busy schedule or sickness. This morning was all of the above.

I woke up, rolled over and looked at the clock. 5:30 a.m. I mentally calculated how much time I still had to sleep. Thirty more minutes. On the heels of that thought came the nudge of the Holy Ghost that assured me if I went back to sleep, I would likely sleep past my 6:00 wake up time. These were my thoughts as I sunk back down into the hazy mist of slumber.

That’s when the angel came. In that fuzzy place between awake and asleep. The visit was neither imagination, nor a dream. My eyes were closed, yet I saw it come rapidly face to face with me. I’m not sure if it flew, as I saw no wings, but only knew that it rushed up to my face. I also say “it” because the face seemed neither male nor female. This could be due to its close proximity to my face.

The angel said clearly, “You know you should get up. Come on!,” and motioned urgently with its hand to follow. Just as fast, it was gone. It was as real as a breath expelled from my body.

In the two seconds that I took to consider these instructions, I slipped back into slumber. When I woke up again, it was almost 7:00 a.m., and time to get up to get ready for Church.

I knew I had missed a great opportunity to be with the Lord. He had desired so much to spend time with me, that He sent His angel messenger to wake me. Two seconds of hesitation robbed me of something precious.

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let anything rob you of time alone with God.” username=”patvickdotcom”]

In the few moments I had, I knelt and repented that I hadn’t come earlier. When I got to prayer meeting at church, I spent more time repenting. I know absolutely that I’m forgiven, but whatever the Lord wanted to share with me is either forfeited, or at least delayed.

The Spirit of the Lord was so precious during worship service, for which I’m thankful. I just wonder what might have happened if I had met with the Lord when He first shook me awake that morning. What blessing might He still be waiting to pour out when intercession has built a wall of petitions high enough to reach His Throne? What healing? What deliverance? What victory?

In my prayer of repentance, I asked the Lord to help me have the withal to recognize and respond immediately at the unction of the Holy Ghost. The Word says to be instant in season and out of season. This morning was definitely a cold, wet winter season that I needed to be instant in. I’m sure there will be upcoming opportunities to see if I learned the lesson.

May you be blessed by Sis. Mickey Mangun (The Pentecostals Of Alexandria) singing, “I Miss My Time With You.”

INVITATION TO SHARE YOUR STORY:

– Do you and God have a mutually agreed upon meeting time and place?

– Have you ever missed a special time or blessing with God because you hesitated to act?

-What spiritual discipline do you have the most trouble mastering?

As always, please feel free to leave a comment, share to social media, SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER, and email me: Pat@PATVICK.COM.