Wisdom

I have always loved the story of Charles Blondin, the acrobat who performed on a tight rope.  He would walk across the tightrope with seemingly no fear.  He once carried a small stove and made an omelet for himself while on the tight rope. There was a performance one night and the royal family was in attendance.  It was in September of 1860.  Charles took a wheelbarrow and went back and forth across the tightrope.  He stopped and asked the Prince of Wales if he believed that he could carry a man safely across the tightrope in the wheelbarrow.  The Prince of Wales said “yes” he did believe that it could be done.  Charles then asked the Prince of Wales to get in the wheelbarrow.  The Prince declined his invitation and also requested that Mr. Blondin never ask again.

This story is amusing.  I laugh every time I hear it because it is one thing to say that you believe in someone and it is another to trust that person with your life.  The Prince of Wales had enough common sense and God given wisdom not to trust this dare devil with his life.  He made the right decision.

The Bible tells us that God is not a man that he should lie.  We are human and we all fall short and even on our best day we miss the mark.  We slip and fall.  I am thankful that God is there to catch me every time.  

Many people have trouble trusting others.  I get that.  I understand that.  We have all been disappointed when we find that someone we thought we could trust has let us down, but we must all remember that we too have not always been found to be trust worthy.  I am thankful that God is not a man and he does not lie and he can be trusted completely.  

I always tell my young adults the story of how I told the girl at Popeyes not to put the biscuit in my bag.  She asked me “why” and I said “because I can’t be trusted with the biscuit” and she laughed hysterically.  It’s sad that I can’t trust others but even more sobering to know that sometimes I can’t even trust myself.  That is why I am so thankful that there is someone I can trust completely.  I can trust God.  I can trust him with my life.  I do trust him with my life.  I trust that he will carry me and will not let me fall.  He has my best interest at heart.

I believe that many people have trust issues because they have been wounded or betrayed. They have trusted someone with their secrets or their money or their heart and have been disappointed.  I want you to know that you can trust God with your secrets, your money, your heart and your very life.  He is faithful.  He proved his love when He gave His own son to die and become the sacrifice for our sin.

Someone asked me once why I trusted God and this is my answer:

I trust God with my life because He gave His own life.  

I love you all,

Pastor Pam Bonner-Kacys
pam.kacys@cfcjesus.org

The first time I heard the title of this movie it was as if I heard the voice of God. My heart began to beat fast and I knew God was clearly speaking. This was the cry and desire of His heart. I suddenly had a revelation of many great things I knew could be accomplished in the Kingdom of God if only God had the hearts and obedience of a few good men. I had not thought of this for a long while until the day my brother in law, Pastor Bill Virgin published his first book titled, “Igniting the Power of Prayer.”

I knew I wanted to read the book he published for two reasons. The first is that as his sister in law I know his character and integrity. I’ll be honest here. I only want to read the works of those I know live with integrity in public and also in private. The second reason I knew I just had to read this book is that I know Bill is a man of prayer. When he says he will pray for you it isn’t just code for “maybe I will pray.” He will pray.

I was not disappointed. I was blessed and I was encouraged. That is why I want to share my heart with you.

I am not sure if Bill meant to save the best for last but I will tell you that in the case of “Igniting the Power of Prayer” he did exactly that.

The title of the final chapter is “The Call of The Watchman” To be honest, I got to the title page and began to weep. I could say much but I’m going to share what my brother in law wrote.

The Call of The Watchman;

Every young boy dreams of being a knight in shining armor protecting his castle – fighting off a vicious enemy’s onslaught coming to hurt or harm.

Movies through the years have helped portray the stoic watchman walking the wall and protecting their kingdom. Their keen, alert eyes are of utmost importance to those who live behind the walls trusting the watchman’s protection. A soldier must be loyal, alert and ready to lay down his life defending those who live in their community.

In the movie A Few Good Men, Demi Moore played a military attorney who defends two marine accused of killing a fellow soldier. After being asked, “Why do you love them so much?” she answer, “Because they stand on a wall and they say, “nothing is going to happen to you. Not tonight; not on my watch. “That is how we should view the call to intercession (prayer). We stand on the wall and keep watch for the enemy’s attack, saying, “Nothing is going to happen to our families or the church on my watch.” We MUST stand on the wall of intercession for our generation.

As I read this I kept thinking about what would happen if there were not just a few good men but “A Few Godly Men” who were willing to serve and protect.

Isaiah 62:6-7 “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the lord, do not keep silent. And give Him no rest till He establishes, And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

I remember the disciples could not remain awake. We are often guilty of the same. Thankfully, Jesus is continually interceding for us, however, we have a responsibility to also intercede for others. We must remain alert.

It seems strange but God has put it on my heart to “intercede for the intercessors” and to pray that God will raise up once again “A Few Godly Praying Men” who will storm the Heavens and change the course of history.

If you haven’t read “Igniting The Power of Prayer” by Bill Virgin you need to get this book as it will encourage you as you see lives changed through the power of prayer.

I am forever changed.

by:  Pastor Pam Kacys
pam.kacys@cfcjesus.org

About the author:

Bill Virgin has been in the ministry for over 30 years.  Bill attended Boise State University and Christ For the Nations Institute where he graduated. Bill went on to receive his Masters and Doctorate of Theology degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. Bill has served as youth pastor in Chicago and with Church on the Rock in Dallas, Texas. Bill now is Senior Pastor at Life Christian Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
You can order “IGNITING THE POWER OF PRAYER” by clicking the link: http://billvirgin.tateauthor.com/

1. Character and Integrity are more valuable than silver, gold or diamonds

2. I should only glance at the past, live in the moment and prepare for the future

3. I need you more than you need me in life

4. We are all more alike that any of us want to admit

5. I have too much pride and that’s not pretty

6. I should think before I speak and not speak before I think

7. To forgive you is easier and takes less energy than hating you

8. I can love others even if they don’t love me

9. It is a good idea to hear all sides of a matter

10. To forgive you is the best gift I can give myself

11. Leaving the past in the past will bless my future

12. should be more interested in what you want and need than what I desire

13. The size I am, the car I drive and my stock portfolio are not what matters

14. It is important to take care of my physical body

15. I need to be more thankful to God and others

16. Random acts of kindness open doors for me to minister the love of Christ

17. I am not as good or bad as I think I am

18. I am who God says I am

19. I can do more than I think I can do

20. Every word I speak has impact for good or evil

21. I am blessed beyond what I deserve

A young girl going through a difficult time in life asked me this question because so many things seemed to be going wrong in her life at one time. A friend told her she may have been cursed. She was frightened and had no peace. She wanted to know the answer.    This is actually a very legitimate question.  The short answer is “NO” and I will explain.

When we receive Christ into our heart and life He is with all the time.  I never worried when my father was with me.  My father is in Heaven now and I still don’t worry because my Heavenly Father is with me always.  He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you”

When we receive Christ we receive all of the provisions of the Covenant through the works of the Cross.  Protection is included in the Covenant we have with God.  When the death angel passed throughout the land of Egypt it was only the houses where the blood was applied that were protected. The same is still true today.

If others were able to “curse” believers and cause them harm then it would mean that the power of the enemy to harm us is greater than the power of God to protect and bless us.  The power of the Blood that protects us is much greater than the “limited” power of the enemy.

I once heard of an individual who was attempting to “pray” a curse upon someone they were angry with.  This type of praying that God will strike someone is unscriptural and wicked. And it absolutely does not work!

Because my friend was worried I shared a beautiful Scripture with her that gave her peace.

Proverbs 26:2

Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight a curse without cause will not alight (I love how this rhymes and is easy to remember)

The living translation is my personal favorite.  It says that an “undeserved” curse will not land on it’s intended victim.  It will not come to rest or take hold.  It will not affect it’s intended victim at all.

There are, however, times in our lives when we do things wrong and we suffer the consequences of our behaviors.  When we sin we are actually cursing ourselves.  The same is true if we choose to speak about ourselves negatively.  We must recognize that words have power.  I would like to explain it like this.  The verse states that an “undeserved” curse will not rest.  There are simply times when we curse ourselves by our own actions and suffer the resulting consequences.  We have all heard the phrase “you got what you deserved”  There is a curse that we deserve or have earned.  It has nothing at all to do with someone pronouncing a curse over us.

We are told in God’s Word that we choose blessing or cursing.  I choose to be blessed by living in obedience to Christ.  No one can choose for me. I choose life or death and blessing or cursing.

The only way a curse spoken against you by another individual can cause you harm is if you CHOOSE to RECEIVE it and BELIEVE it.  The same is true if someone speaks a blessing over you.  It is your choice to receive it or reject it.

The definition of a “curse” is a prayer or appeal to cause harm to someone.  It is wrong to “curse” anyone at anytime.  

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what others say about you.  It doesn’t matter what the enemy says about you (and he says plenty.)  What matters most is what you say and what God says about you.  God has spoken well of you.

Purpose in your heart to give NO place to the devil. Always remember that No weapon formed against you shall prosper and EVERY tongue that rises against you shall suffer shame.

I choose Jesus!  I choose blessing!

Love,  Pastor Pam

There was once a little boy who was visiting his grandfather.  There was a HUGE jar of brightly colored jelly beans on the counter. The little boy asked if he could have some.  The boys grandfather said “YES you may.”  He told his grandson to take whatever amount he wanted from the jar.  The little boy said, “NO, please give them to me grandpa.”  The grandfather was curious and asked his grandson why he wanted him to get them for him.  The little boy replied “because YOUR hands are bigger than mine.”  What a wise young man. He realized that the hands of his loving grandfather were bigger than his own hands.

This simple little story contains a powerful spiritual lesson.  When we “take” for ourselves we always wind up with much less in the end.  It is always best to allow God to provide the blessings we need by his own hand.  HIS hands are bigger than ours.  God, who is our father, knows how to give the sweetest blessings at just the right time.  He will not withhold any good thing that we need or desire.  We should never try to “take” anything from God but instead joyfully “receive” our blessings from him.  God loves to bless His own children.  He is not a “deadbeat” dad but an amazing father who delights to bless His children.

Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

By: Pam Bonner-Kacys