My preaching mentor, Pastor James Spruill, is one of the great gospel story illustrators of all time in my opinion. Listen at this link as he expounds on the words Jesus spoke about Himself: "I Am The Way!"
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Jesus! Say the Name!"
Jesus is all i want and all i need.
Jesus gave all for me! How can i give less to Him?
Jesus is the visual expression of The Good Father and His Great Love.
Jesus loves all people and died so every soul could be saved from sin, death, and Hell.
Jesus is merciful, making a way for the lost sons and daughters of God to return Home again and for forever.
Jesus is the sweetest name i know. It’s more than a song. It’s reality.
Jesus took on our humanness so we could take in His holiness.
Jesus loves me this i know. Do you know He loves you, too?
Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He lived thirty-three years and experienced all human emotions, pains, joys, and sorrows.
Jesus loved everyone He ever encountered while on earth -- those lost in the religion of men and those lost in the rebellion of sin.
Jesus surrendered Himself so He could redeem us from sin, yes, set us free from Satan’s grasp, and even deliver us from our own destructive, self-centered ego.
Jesus became our whipping boy. We did the crime and He did the time. He was nailed to a crossbeam to undo what our rebellion had done to Him and to us and to others.
Jesus overcame death and the grave. We celebrate that every Easter Sunday and every other day of our lives.
Jesus has been praying for us in Heaven ever since His ascension.
Jesus will return for His Bride, the Church, as soon as His Father gives Him the nod.
Jesus wants you and me to be ready for His soon returning.
"Jesus! Say the Name!"
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
[This was my email message this week to the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene as district servant:]
Dearest Beloved Philadelphia Nazarene Family:
I humbly greet you in the Name of Jesus -- yes, in beautiful and matchless Name of Jesus the Nazarene.
Much of our life is on hold these days, as many postponements and cancellations are recorded throughout our calendars.
Personally, i was scheduled to be on my 16th discipleship journey to the Holy Land this very week. Today, our tour bus would have entered the City of Jerusalem from the region of The Galilee. What a sacred experience.
While we have tentatively rescheduled the trip for May 2021, my heart is a little sad that i am not there at this moment teaching others about Jesus in the very city where "He gave His life to gain ours back" yes, and also the location where "He arose the Victor from the dark domain!" Oh, Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Nevertheless, even in the midst of many postponements and cancellations, i am truly trusting in His mysterious and marvelous ways.
Because i would’ve been in Israel this week, i want to share with you a ten-minute video. The theme is "Could We Have Missed Our Own Messiah?" Unless you know Hebrew you will have to read the subtitles to understand the depth of the discussions, however, it will be worth it as you look-on and listen-in while this kind, young, Messianic Jewish gentleman dialogues one-on-one with His own people, yes, with non-Jesus-believing Jews in Israel about what is called, "The Forbidden Chapter -- Isaiah 53." It moved me deeply.
Here’s the "Tender Ten-Minute Video Link" for you to watch. Below the closing paragraph [beneath the YouTube link] i have pasted Isaiah 53, as well.
Local pastors and leaders and laity, please know i pray for you always. You are real-life holy heroes during these days as you stand and serve on the frontlines of our faith. Remember, we have a Savior, yes, Jesus Messiah! He is with us and within us! Please be encouraged and let’s keep the Unity in the Holy Spirit!
Now, Isaiah 53: "The Forbidden Chapter" from the Complete Jewish Bible Translation:
"Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of ADONAI revealed? For before him he grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him. In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises* we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet ADONAI laid on him the guilt of all of us. Though mistreated, he was submissive -- he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth. After forcible arrest and sentencing, he was taken away; and none of his generation protested his being cut off from the land of the living for the crimes of my people, who deserved the punishment themselves. He was given a grave among the wicked; in his death he was with a rich man. Although he had done no violence and had said nothing deceptive, yet it pleased ADONAI to crush him with illness, to see if he would present himself as a guilt offering. If he does, he will see his offspring; and he will prolong his days; and at his hand ADONAI ’s desire will be accomplished. After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction. "By his knowing [pain and sacrifice], my righteous servant makes many righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers. Therefore I will assign him a share with the great, he will divide the spoil with the mighty, for having exposed himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders." Yesha 'yahu (Isa) 53:1-12 CJB
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i heard this comedian live a number of years back. His story-telling of “The Three Pigs” in Shakespeare language is pure brilliance and very funny. Enjoy.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
God’s favor to you, my blog friends. i pray the Lord will lavish you with His Hope and Love, today.
Here’s 24 minutes and 34 seconds of me preaching on Sunday, July 26, 2020. i was invited to preach live on a conference call with Philadelphia Nazarene Word in Action Congregation. i pray it helps some souls to “Keep The Peace!”
Here’s the link. Humbled you would take time to view and listen. My pulpit was my kitchen table aboard our Four Winds RV.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
I remember about 8-10 years ago driving our church bus full of college-age students to Atlanta for a January Passion Conference. It was a sacred journey.
The David Crowder Band premiered a new song during one session of the gathering and it struck a cord in my own heart from the first line.
This week the song came strongly to mind again. Maybe it’s more appropriate for these days than it was in those days. i believe it will move something within your soul.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Oswald Chambers writes:
"The New Testament uses interchangeably these phrases and terms:
* "sanctified by the Spirit"
* "sanctified by the Blood"
* "sanctified by the Word"
* "being baptized with the Holy Spirit"
* "receiving the Holy Spirit"
* "being filled with the Spirit"
Why does the New Testament use these phrases and terms interchangeably? Because they all mean one thing -- entire sanctification.
Ephesians 1:12 teaches us that entire sanctification is not primarily for service, but first and foremost for the "praise of His glory!"
So, let every believer seek this marvelous work of grace, not for what the Spirit will enable us to do, but for the glory that our transformed natures can reflect to the Lord."
If we will only surrender our all to God and believe He wants to entirely sanctify us, and ask Him to make it so, He will do it... now.
This song simply says: "Sanctify Me."
“... so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12 [ESV]
“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith." Acts 15:7-9 [NIV]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Heaven will be many things but surely it will be guaranteeed reunion. Even on planet earth few events come close to competing with a reunion. Why is that? Relationships rule. Families finding wholeness together again is so very inspirational.
"Relationships Rule" was the original title i gave my first book published by Beacon Hill Press. The editors wanted to change the title and since they were paying to print it, i was ok with it, Nevertheless, "Relationships Rule" is literally written throughout the pages. [The final title was/is: "Relational Leadership."]
i wrote that first book in honor of my Dad, Captain Billy. Dad taught me so much about servant leadership, especially i learned from him this truth: "When relationships rule, there’s little need for rules." And it is the relationship with Dad that i am strongly leaning towards Heaven for. Yes, Dad went to be in the Lord’s Presence on November 17, 2014, and reunion is one real reason i long for forever. "We shall meet [again] on that beautiful shore."
Still, i whispered these words to Jesus in prayer today: "Lord, as much as i desire to see Dad again, i am most thrilled for That Day when i will finally meet You face-to-face for the first time. Yes, one thing that will finally compete with reunion and win, will be rejoicing when my faith-relationship with Jesus becomes visible. Surely, the reality of that initial introduction is the best reason to go to Heaven Someday -- it could be today!
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“When anxiety attacks trust, it banishes peace. Peace is a gentle dove which sits and broods in restful quiet within the heart of the trustful soul. Anxiety is a fierce vulture which tears the heart of its victim with cruel beak and talon until he bleeds away his very life with anxious care. When the vulture of anxiety enters, the dove of peace takes flight.” — McConkey
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:6-8 [NIV]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i hope my latest encouragement YouTube message helps your heart. [6-minutes from my heart.]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i am amazed at how people who have never heard a certain story from the life of Jesus are moved when they do. This is beautiful and the judges responses are priceless.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
PastorKerry Willis
This song is a good one. Glad Jesus is my Deliverer. O how He loves me. And O how i love Him.
One day My Deliverer will come to take me away from my temporary and carry me to His forever.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i took a vacation day today, Sunday, July 19. It would’ve been my Dad’s 80th birthday. For my vacation day, i said "yes" to an invitation to be in my Dad’s home state, NC, where i was humbled to preach in a church that my Dad and Mom once drove to so they could spend several days with me and support me as i preached my first campmeeting -- Mt. Zion Wesleyan.
It’s been an unusually tender Sabbath of celebration during this unusual season of life. [If you want some more "church" here’s the YouTube of one of the two Sunday morning services -- including my simple and humble message with profound and sacred worship led by Mt. Zion’s awesome worship team.]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Lord, let Your Presence awaken within me a holy want overflowing with majestic wonder to know You and may it lead to an unrelenting desire to serve You in an absolute abandon of devotion. Amen." -kww
This song is a continuation of my presence prayer today:
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
We all have needs, my friends. i am broken-hearted to realize too many choose not to call out to the Lord in times of trouble. Instead, most people just face the pressures of life alone. How this must break the heart of God!
Without prayer, life on earth is a losing proposition with zero assurance of making it through. With prayer, life can be lived on earth with an anticipation, yes, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow plus an Eternity where needs and troubles will ultimately end, yes, for forevermore.
May we learn to ask for God’s help moment-by-moment so that if not immediately, surely, eventually our burdens will give way to deliverance.
Where does your help come from? If it’s all human help from yourself, you will sadly soon learn that living on your own lonely island is a bad substitute for crying out to Jesus for friendship that places holy hope on your horizon.
Let’s cry out to Jesus. He will hear our cry and come to wherever we are and prove to be The Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
The Apostle Paul wrote these timeless words to the church at Thessalonica: "Pray without ceasing." One translation says it this way: "Pray all the time." [1 Thess. 5:17]
The longer i walk with the Lord, the more aware i become of what a loving gift from God prayer really is. What i mean is, the further i journey with Jesus, the more aware i am that prayer supplies holy breath to my heart, mind, soul, and strength. It seems i am always leaning into a two-way, prayerful conversation with Jesus. Sometimes i talk more; other times i tend to just listen or heighten my awareness waiting for Him to speak.
My second prayer walk today was particularly priceless as i prayed aloud. i sensed i was really able to articulate in whispered words my true love and great debt and deep gratitude to my King for Who He is and for all He’s done and continues to do in my life. i was so glad i could let Him know in a very vulnerable way how He alone really is Everything to me, even my very Life and Eternal Life.
I’d like to interrupt this blog entry now by praying:
Lord, i love you above all else.
You are Pure Love. You are my Life.
i am forever overflowing with humility because of Your goodness towards me.
As i love back across the days of my life, i see Your enduring mercy and amazing grace.
Even in those seasons that i needed Your dIscipline, You did not despise me but only deepened Your devotion for me.
i live day-to-day to hear Your voice and i long for that day when Your face, my eyes will embrace.
i want You to speak Your words of life to me and through me. Upon entering Your presence, i desire to present you with an overflowing bouquet of never-dying souls that i have pointed to You over my short earthly lifetime.
During these days of uncertainty, i rejoice because i know You are still the only certainty i need.
Thanks for really proving You care by gifting me with relational prayer. Remind, me, Lord, to "pray all the time" until time gives way to forever.
Find faith in me, Jesus until You return and when You return.
Grant that i will know You more and more intimately, knowing You will return sooner or later or even immediately.
In the Name that’s high above every other name -- Jesus, The Nazarene!
Amen. Amen. And Amen!
Hope Happens Here!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
On my blog, i sometimes repeat the best stuff. Today, is one of those days.
Be encouraged knowing Christ Remains and remember Christ Remains the same yesterday, today, even forever!
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
These words penned by the Apostle Paul are beautifully tender to my own humble heart, simple mind, indebted soul, and borrowed strength.
“Brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God’s call. But God chose those whom the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise, and God chose the puny and powerless to shame the high and mighty. He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes—nobodies—so that he would shame the somebodies. For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent, so that there would be no place for prideful boasting in God’s presence. For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption. And this fulfills what is written: If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 [TPT]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most! UNITY!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
This was my Monday morning YouTube message to our Philadelphia District pastors and leaders and people. i hope it glories Jesus and helps others as well.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Since first fully discovering this Psalm of Lament in Jerusalem, it will forever remind me of what my Suffering Savior, Jesus, might’ve prayed in the hours of His Sacred Passion on the eve before He would face Pilate. It is believed to be a messianic psalm of prophecy believed to define the deep desperation Jesus might have expressed as He approached Good Friday with it’s humiliation and crucifixion associated with Him becoming our Sin so we could become His righteousness.
"O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near. I am as good as dead, like a strong man with no strength left. They have left me among the dead, and I lie like a corpse in a grave. I am forgotten, cut off from your care. You have thrown me into the lowest pit, into the darkest depths. Your anger weighs me down; with wave after wave you have engulfed me. Interlude You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them. I am in a trap with no way of escape. My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my hands to you for mercy. Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Interlude Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness? O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day. O Lord, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me? I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors. Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me. Your terrors have paralyzed me. They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely. You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend." Psalms 88:1-18 NLT
And this song has been cherished by my family in times of suffering. It was the benediction at my Dad’s homegoing funeral service.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
My wife, Kim, wrote this beautiful devotional for our district today. I am sanctified proud to share it with you. It is a sample illustration inviting us to trust God until our journey home is complete.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oAQo8OAE7r2pMAKcbteEsiUxhByVkE3eX44ZGhtNzsg/edit?usp=sharing
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i have read and preached many times concerning the temptation of Jesus at the hands of the devil. It seems each time i revisit the story, i see something more powerful that was partially veiled to me previously.
Today, i read Luke 4, verses 1 through 13 from The Passion Translation [TPT] of the Holy Bible. The vocabulary that Jesus used to gain victory over His temper is pure awesomeness.
Temptation 1: The tempter urged Jesus: "Turn this stone into a loaf of bread."
Jesus replied: "I will not! For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Life does not come only from eating bread but from God. Life flows from every revelation from His mouth.’"
Temptation 2: The tempter said: "Simply bow down to worship me and it [all the kingdoms and regions of the world] will be yours."
Jesus replied: "Satan get behind me! For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Only One is worthy of your adoration. You will worship before the Lord your God, and love Him supremely.’"
Temptation 3: The tempter says: "Jump down [from the highest point of the temple] in front of all the people... the angels will hold you up."
Jesus replied: "How dare you provoke the Lord your God!"
In all three temptations, Satan wanted Jesus to prove in a sensational way "Who He was." He kept repeating to our Lord: "If you really are the Son of God..." [then prove it!]
Jesus knew precisely "Who He was and Whose He Was!" And by resisting the tactics of the temper, He further solidified He had come not to be a showman but to be our Savior and "to destroy the works of the devil!" [1 John 3:8]
If we find our identity, yes, "who we are," in the Son of God and if we belong exclusively to Him, that is, if we also know "Whose we are," then, in each and every temptation Jesus will prove to be our Everlasting Escape, yes, He will prove to be our Wonderful Way Out! [1 Corinthians 10:13]
Note: As i read Luke 4 and as i reflected and wrote this blog post, this song was on my mind:
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." Words of Jesus, Matthew 5:11-12 [NLT]
[See also Isaiah 53:7 and 2 Timothy 2:23]
"Corrections and contradictions kindle fury in the proud heart. So avoid controversy, my friend, as you would avoid the entrance of Hell itself. Let others have it their way. Let them talk. Let them write. Let them correct you. Let them *traduce you. Let them judge and condemn you. Let them slay you. Let the Truth of God suffer rather than let His Love suffer. You do not have enough of the divine nature in you to be a controversialist." -- Oswald Chambers
* "traduce" -- "to speak badly of or tell lies about someone as to damage their reputation."
"Heal me of this lust of always vindicating myself." -- Prayer of Augustine
Lord, help me to avoid controversy, especially needless controversy. Help me to speak the truth in love and when it’s impossible help me to be quiet. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. -- Prayer of Kerry Willis
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
