And You Belong to...

This verse is inspiring my life these days...

“...and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭AMP

“...and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭MSG

“...and now you are joined to the Messiah, who is joined to God.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭TPT‬‬

”...and you belong to the Messiah, and the Messiah belongs to God.” ‭‭1 Corinthians (1 Co)‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭CJB‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People!‬‬ UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Holy All Saints Day to Y’all

This is my latest encouragement video to our Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene family and an open message to everyone and anyone else who’s interested.

https://youtu.be/zM8DG6xE-vA

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most! 

No Invisible People! UNITY! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Going Through the Worst, Getting in on the Best

“Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!” 

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:5-12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

"Blood on Our Heads" Versus "Let Down the Nets for a Catch"

"It is a terrible thing to awaken people up to a certain point and never give them the chance to act in the same atmosphere. If I preach a particularly searching discourse and never give the people a chance to act according to their inspired instincts at the time, their blood is on my head before the Lord." - Oswald Chambers 

"Preachers are not merely to make speeches for the intellectual entertainment of the listeners. Preachers are to preach messages that engage souls for the purpose of the hearers considering and choosing yes or no for salvation and sanctification versus God-alienation and damnation -- to choose between Heaven or Hell, darkness or light, sin or holiness, etc. In the words of Jesus recorded in Luke 5, we are to be fishers of souls and are expected to "let down the nets for a catch.’" - kww

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Jesus Never Fails

i awoke Tuesday morning singing this triumphant song — an older but awesome anthem of my own soul:

https://youtu.be/-KdUIvajW9E

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most! 

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

My Prayer for Those Who Would Be Leaders of The Light

i am currently serving full-time as district servant and temporarily as a local interim pastor. Today, i prayed this prayer over our local church leaders. i pray it now over you and all who would be leaders of the light. 

Dearly Beloved Leaders: 

Someone is praying for you today, leaders. That someone would be me. 

I ask God to gloriously meet all of your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

I ask God to give you His peace that overcomes all of life‘s overwhelming situations.

I ask God to save all of your loved ones, and neighbors, and friends, and coworkers by making your life a powerful witness of His salvation and sanctification.

I ask God to hold you tightly in His everlasting embrace of amazing grace. 

I ask God to prove Himself, yes His holy presence, to you, and in you, and through you.

I ask God to give you His holy vision that focuses with anticipation both in the present and on the horizon. 

I ask God to grow you spiritually in His holiness in ways you never dreamed of, according to His sacred desires. 

I ask God to make you a genuine model of servant leadership -- first for your family and then beyond your family to the church family and even to the entire family of God.

I ask God to flood your days and nights with His compassion, making you rich in forgiveness, tenderness, gentleness, and joy. 

I ask God to make the mind of Christ to be formed fully within your thought-life, for the glory of His Name and for the good of others in your circles of influence. 

I ask all of these things specifically and fervently, pleading the Blood of Jesus, and praying only in His wonderful name. Amen. Amen. Amen. 

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Nothing

In John 15:5, Jesus says: “Without Me, apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

It must make The Lord sad when people try to do everything on their own. He alone knows it’s just an exercise in futility. Not only will we fail at everything that matters [without Him,] there’s absolutely nothing we can accomplish of true, lasting value on our own.

So i pray:

Lord, don’t leave me on my own. Keep coming after me, especially if i begin to drift away from the anchor of Your Almighty Presence.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your patience and long-suffering towards me. Help me to draw near to You, knowing You are drawing near to me. 

Lord, without You nothing of eternal good happens in my life. My life apart from You will finally prove to only have been wasted breath or in the words of Freddy Fender: “wasted days and wasted nights.”

Be my Life, Jesus. i want to be near and dear to You for forever and today. Let everything You have planned happen in and through my life according to Your good desires. Remain with and within me, my Lord. Amen. 

This song is on my heart, today:

https://youtu.be/IdJBYyNsQd0

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Our Rest, Rescuer and Refuge

Rest really is essential. Unless we take time away from hectic schedules, time will take our breath away.

Jesus promised rest to anyone who would come to Him. He promised to exchange our heavy loads for His light burden.

Let us be arrested by His awesome refreshment. Our Lord knows how to renew our lives if we will only surrender our all to Him. 

Jesus wants to be our Source of strength. He never changes. His promise to comfort us with His rest remains.

Do you desire to know the One Who longs to rescue you with real rest and to be Your ever-present refuge? 

This song helps me towards reclaiming His holy rest. I hope it always helps you in a similiar way. 

https://youtu.be/ZfFt8QJkjIY

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most l!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor KerryWillis 

1 Thessalonians 1

A childhood friend of mine, Pastor Paul Gillikin,  shared this chapter on his Facebook feed by video, today. The words are so powerful. I pray you will be blessed as you read them for yourself.

"From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We send our greetings to you, the congregation of believers in Thessalonica, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God’s delightful grace and peace rest upon you. We are grateful to God for your lives and we always pray for you. For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love motivates you to serve others, and how unrelenting is your hope-filled patience in our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear brothers and sisters, you are dearly loved by God and we know that he has chosen you to be his very own. For our gospel came to you not merely in the form of words but in mighty power infused with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Surely you remember how we lived our lives transparently before you to encourage you. And you became followers of my example and the Lord’s when you received the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit, even though it resulted in tremendous trials and persecution. Now you have become an example for all the believers to follow throughout the provinces of Greece. The message of the Lord has sounded out from you not only in Greece, but its echo has been heard in every place where people are hearing about your strong faith. We don’t need to brag on you, for everyone tells the story of the kind of welcome you showed us when we first came to you. And everyone knows how wonderfully you turned to God from idols to serve the true and living God. And now you eagerly expect his Son from heaven--Jesus, the deliverer, whom he raised from the dead and who rescues us from the coming wrath." ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:1-10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most! 

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

A Prayer Exchange with a Pastor Brother

Today, I share a text prayer thread recently tenderly exchanged between me and a pastor brother of mine on the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene:

Me: In my prayer time this week how might I pray specifically for you, pastor? 

Pastor: Good morning Pastor Kerry. As a Christian, faced with a societal condition of fear and uncertainties, I pray that you continue to press on and shine as light with a message of hope! And to efficaciously do so, we must be grounded afresh in an eternal anchor -- the Word of the Living God. For the Word of God is our solid foundation in any crisis! Pray that in the crushing vulnerabilities of our painful world, I anticipate the victory in God's powerful Word! Pray that in the midst of this Covid-19 affliction, which reminds me of my vulnerable mortality, stop worrying about staying alive, but be more concerned about living the life! Pray that I have eyes to see the implication of this for leadership, discipleship and evangelism. And the need and opportunity to live it out in my present circumstance. Pray that I would be rooted afresh in our Lord's mighty Word, and live for what really matters as i serve the purpose of God in our generation. For the supremacy of God in all things.

Me: Dear Pastor, I am agreeing with you even now in this beautiful and specific and vulnerable prayer. I am reminded of Peter who said, "You, Jesus, alone, have the words of Life." He is our Life. He is the Resurrection. I pray you will know Him in His sweetness and in His power and His kindness and in His peace today and day-by-day. Thank you for being a pastor and my heart cries out "Maranatha." 

Pastor: Yes, living life with a "Maranatha Mindset."

Me: It’s our deepest HOPE!!!

Pastor: And, the sound of His approach is music to our hearts!

Me: "Hallelujah! Even so, Come Lord Jesus!"

Note: Both of us were raised on islands, me on Harkers Island, N.C. and my pastor brother, on the island country of Haiti.

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Is Jesus Worthy?

Someone blessed me with this song in a sent message recently. It’s a lovely echo song. Sing along. 

https://youtu.be/-c6pl6CaiD0

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“Voice of God” [Makes Me Cry]

Rev. Wes Tink, a compassionate ministries leader on our Philadelphia District, sent me this moving YouTube song today, titled “Voice of God.” It might “make you cry.” Nevertheless, it is awe-inspiring. 

https://youtu.be/dZ8txcgiUCw

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Psalm 34 Encouragement

My dear Mom, Lady Melba, told me these words from Psalm 34 have been her encouragement this week:

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:17-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

A Favorite Song and Prayer

This is a favorite song and prayer of my heart. 

https://youtu.be/dBxSJWjB8vM

Pastor Kerry Willis 

i Pray Today from Psalm 119

“Lord, don’t allow me to make a mess of my life, for I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. I will run after you with delight in my heart, for you will make me obedient to your instructions. Give me revelation about the meaning of your ways so I can enjoy the reward of following them fully. Give me an understanding heart so that I can passionately know and obey your truth. Guide me into the paths that please you, for I take delight in all that you say. Cause my heart to bow before your words of wisdom and not to the wealth of this world. Help me turn my eyes away from illusions so that I pursue only that which is true; drench my soul with life as I walk in your paths. Reassure me of your promises, for I am your beloved, your servant who bows before you. Defend me from the criticism I face for keeping your beautiful words. See how I long with cravings for more of your ways? Let your righteousness revive my spirit!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:31-40‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

In the Name of Jesus

Let’s pray, today, in the Name of Jesus.

Father God, we come to you in the Name of Jesus. What a Wonderful Name! 

In the Name of Jesus we know the Way, have the Truth, and embrace Eternal Life.

In the Name of Jesus we have peace undeniable, joy unspeakable, and love unfathomable. 

In the Name of Jesus we claim healing, seek holiness, and anticipate Heaven. 

In the Name of Jesus we cherish each breath, desire life to the full, and see death as our doorway to Glory. 

In the Name of Jesus we know we are loved, we love you Father, and we love one another. 

In the Name of Jesus we have a new beginning, enjoy the present, and desire to be in Your presence for forever and today. 

Amen. Amen. Amen. 

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Mother Teresa, 1994

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” — Mother Teresa 

1994 Video of Mother Teresa speaking and praying at The National Prayer Breakfast is not for the faint of faith. It moved my heart. 

https://youtu.be/OXn-wf5ylgo

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

A Sad Song, Sung Beautifully

This is a post uncharacteristic of what i might usually share. Nevertheless, i am on vacation, and hearing this rendition of this song moved me on many levels. 

It’s a popular cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody" sung by Angelina Jordan, a thirteen-year-old from Norway. This is a song i first heard as a teenager on the radio by the British Rock Band, Queen. 

The reason i am mainly sharing this song is for us to consider the final words: "Nothing really matters to me." 

To that i ask: "Does anything really matter to you?" 

i want to testify that Jesus really matters to me, and His Presence Matters Most! He is my Life and my Eternal Life! And i really matter to Him, too. So do you.

Here’s the song link:

https://youtu.be/WGvk1Fbpq_U

Pastor Kerry Willis 

A Cry for Revival

“I long to drink of you, O God, drinking deeply from the streams of pleasure flowing from your presence. My longings overwhelm me for more of you! My soul thirsts, pants, and longs for the living God. I want to come and see the face of God. Day and night my tears keep falling and my heart keeps crying for your help while my enemies mock me over and over, saying, “Where is this God of yours? Why doesn’t he help you?” So I speak over my heartbroken soul, “Take courage. Remember when you used to be right out front leading the procession of praise when the great crowd of worshipers gathered to go into the presence of the Lord? You shouted with joy as the sound of passionate celebration filled the air and the joyous multitude of lovers honored the festival of the Lord!” So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for living before his face is my saving grace! Here I am depressed and downcast. Yet I will still remember you as I ponder the place where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic— the mountains of your awesome presence. My deep need calls out to the deep kindness of your love. Your waterfall of weeping sent waves of sorrow over my soul, carrying me away, cascading over me like a thundering cataract. Yet all day long God’s promises of love pour over me. Through the night I sing his songs, for my prayer to God has become my life. I will say to God, “You are my mountain of strength; how could you forget me? Why must I suffer this vile oppression of my enemies— these heartless tormentors who are out to kill me?” Their wounding words pierce my heart over and over while they say, “Where is this God of yours?” So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, living before his face is my saving grace!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:1-11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Time Away

2020 has been a hard year to measure time away. With “new” routines and unusual calendar interruptions i am unsure what to say when people ask “are you getting your rest?”

While i do believe i have been able to keep holy spiritual balance in my life, since March i cannot really say our family has truly had time away. So, this week we’ve carved out five days to try and properly exhale. 

We have not journeyed far away from our jurisdiction but we are now at a new place for us geographically and at least for a short season we will lean towards some recovery of rhythm and solitude of soul.

One verse we all know and likely say aloud as much as any verse is on my mind on Day 1 of our getaway. It’s Psalm 46:10 and i really want to own this verse this week: “Be still and know that I am God!” Of course, time away does not mean time away from God. That would be the opposite of soul solitude. For me, at least. 

Extra: This song that by the Imperials is still on my heart following Sunday’s worship service at Ephrata Grace Point. i asked Pastor Chris Shalter early in the week if it could be the response to my message titled “Unity: Showing Up as Carriers of Christ’s Presence.” 

https://youtu.be/qDDgv7nOS8o

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“Unclouded Day”

Cannot get this old song of the church off my heart today. So beautiful.

https://youtu.be/6kW0TrNHObE

Pastor Kerry Willis 

"Jesus Loves Me" on Saxophone

Yes, Jesus has always loved me and i love Him so very much. And i have always loved the saxophone. Be blessed by clicking this musical link:

https://youtu.be/IRHQ4taRQ0A

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis