Vulnerable Gratitude from a District Servant

If there are maybe two or three people on my friend-list who are curious about what’s on my mind as a district servant on the day before our district "super bowl" -- our yearly district assembly, here it is:

i am sitting at the table in our RV with heavy but holy tears in my eyes wishing my Dad, Capt. Billy, was still alive so i could introduce him to our district family. The many sacrifices Dad made for me and the Jesus-like love Dad had for me, helped to make me who i am and to get me where i am right now. His spiritual and relational impact upon my life is beyond mere human explanation. 

At the same time, i am totally overwhelmed with great gratitude that my Mom, Lady Melba, is still around and is surely fervently praying for me and for all of us (in our humble family home in coastal North Carolina) as this weekend is about to begin. 

Thanks for listening and for praying. Anticipation for the Presence of our Lord among us and within us as we gather together in His Name as a family of faith, hope, and love is off the charts. #vulnerable #gratitude #debtor

With gladness,

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Pleasing-To-God Shepherds

In Jeremiah 3:15a [CEB] God says: "I will appoint shepherds with whom I’m pleased." 

i pray: "Lord, find me pleasing in Your sight!" 

-kww

With gladness. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“The Witness of Your Spirit, Lord” — 3rd Post Today :)

Lord, i live for the witness of Your Holy Spirit within me. It happened today. i awoke before 3 a.m. and Ubered to the Boston Airport. Had my first breakfast at 4 a.m. departed for NYC where my connecting flight headed for home. Driving from the airport i stopped for a cup of coffee and then walked through one of my favorite pottery shops just to hold and handle the beautiful unique pieces for about an hour. And just now before arriving at the house, a tender song i have never heard brought tears to my eyes — pure gladness overflowing from my heart. So, i listened to the new song like three more times. With gratitude, i know the tears were also evidence of Your tender presence with and within me. What a glorious day, already, and it’s only midday. Time for a nap. i love You, Jesus. For forever and today. Nothing i could ever want comes close to comparing with You. Amen. -kww #vulnerable #prayer #presencemattersmost

All joy. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Holiness > Sinfulness [A Second Post Today]

This thought came strong into my thinking as i was reflecting quietly this morning: “i wonder if rather than fretting and focusing so much on the sinfulness of the world, we instead would focus much more on the Lord living out the holiness [that is our inheritance] in and through us, if that might somehow have an amazing affect on the sinfulness of the world?” -kww 

With gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Exhale…

“Exhale.

Take heart.

Jesus really knows. 

Jesus surely cares.

Jesus absolutely cherishes you.” -kww

With gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Holiness in Every Day Life

"There must be nothing, absolutely nothing, in my daily conduct that, copied by another, could lead one into unholiness." Helen Roseveare, Missionary Surgeon in Africa #holiness

"But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];" 1 Peter‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Worship the Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

It’s About the Cross

My dear friend, Dave, in North Carolina sent me this song link in the early morning hours on the day after Resurrection Sunday 2022:

https://youtu.be/TYSJj-EHAAk

With gladness. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“I WAS Dead!” — Jesus [Resurrection Day 2022]

“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I WAS DEAD, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation‬ ‭1:17-18

HE IS RISEN! HE RISEN, INDEED! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“Silence Now…” [They Took Him Down]

One of my all-time favorite faith traditions year-after-year as a local pastor was the Good Friday service. And most often the most moving portion of those services came towards the Benediction when I would have someone read, or I personally would read, these words below written for a 1980’s Easter Musical titled "The Witness." The reading is based on the death of Jesus after His horrifying Crucifixion. Hear them now:

"They took Him down, His poor, dead body. They took Him down, His poor, pale body, drained of life, ashen and stained with its own life’s blood. 

His healing hands, now pierced and still. Serving hands that broke five loaves to feed five-thousand. Holy hands, often folded in fervent prayer. Poor, gentle hands, now pierced and still. 

His poor, torn feet, now bloodied and cold. Feet that walked weary miles to bring good news to broken hearts. Feet once washed in penitent’s tears. Poor, torn feet, now bloodied and cold. 

His kingly head made for a crown, now crowned with thorns. His poor, kingly head, crowned with thorns. 

His gentle chest, now pierced with spear thrust. Quiet, still, His poor, loving chest.

His piercing eyes, now dark and blind. Eyes of compassion, warming the soul. Fiery eyes, burning at sin. Tender eyes, beckoning sinners. His piecing eyes, not dark and blind.

His matchless voice, fountain of the Father’s thoughts. Stopped, stopped, to speak no more. 

Silence, now...

Where once had flowed wisdom and comfort, Spirit and life, His matchless voice, stilled to speak no more. 

They took Him down, His poor, dead body, and prepared Him for His burial."

On the Day Jesus Died The Dead Were Raised

This is one passage often forgotten. On the day Jesus died the dead were raised. It’s as if when Jesus exhaled His last breath on the bloody Cross, simultaneously some of the dead in the local cemetery inhaled and lived again. 

"And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God’s people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life]; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many people." Matthew‬ ‭27:50-53‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Good Friday ended. Resurrection already coming. 

Pastor Kerry Willis

Good Friday Writing 2022

This is a powerful writing for Good Friday shared by Pastor Matt Leroy… 

Good Friday

William Faulkner once wrote, “The salvation of the world is in man’s suffering.” Well, he was almost right. It is in one man’s suffering. 

The cross of Jesus is the pivot point of salvation. And as it comes into view, he does not shrink back. He sets his face toward the cross and walks with resolve to his death and your life.

Our liberation comes to us through the triumphant suffering of Christ. As the pioneer drags his cross down the way of sorrows, he carves a path of victory. Each step he stumbles toward death is a strike at sin and shame. Each drop of blood parts a Red Sea. 

I often grapple with the question, “If God is love, why would He allow suffering?” That is a fair question. Worthy of the wrestle. But on Good Friday there’s another that brings a deeper mystery. “If God is not love, why would He suffer for us?” 

The words “Love your enemies” sound radical enough from a Teacher on a hillside. But seeing them embodied by God on a cross? That’s revolutionary.

A grateful debtor.

Pastor Kerry Willis

There is None Like You, Almighty God!

My heart overflows with gratitude during this Holy Passion Week of Remembrance. 

This tried and true song of sacredness has been the anthem of my atmosphere all morning long. 

Thank You, Almighty God, for giving us Jesus. There is none like You!

https://youtu.be/CWZi3ImzArM

With gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Repentance and Holiness

"The message of repentance and holiness needs to be proclaimed, heard, and heeded among God’s people in every generation. It must become more than a theological tenet that we politely nod agreement to; it needs to transform the way we think and the way we live." -- Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Search our hearts O God…

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Father God Punished His Son to Forgive Our Sins and to Heal Us from Sin

"He was pierced because of our rebellions and crushed because of our crimes. He bore the punishment that made us whole; by His wounds we are healed." ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Jesus was condemned and crucified for our crimes. His holiness offers us healing. Let us reflect and weep over these heart-shattering truths. And let us be forever grateful.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Ready To Go

My mom, Lady Melba, told me about a lady in her community who always keeps a suitcase packed just in case someone stops by and invites her to go somewhere. Mom added, “Now, that’s the way I want to be ready to go with Jesus when He comes suddenly to get me.”

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Words of Jesus, John‬ ‭14:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

With gladness. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Our Problems…

“As long as we walk with God, our problems become His opportunities.” - Dennis Kinlaw 

With gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis

“Whoever Becomes Simple…”

“At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?” For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.” Matthew‬ ‭18:1-5‬ ‭MSG

With gladness. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Unity -- "Make Us One!"

Lord, i pray that we as Your church will be an answer to Your prayer in John 17. Yes, make us one heart and one mind, make us one, let Your will is done. Amen. 

https://youtu.be/WTJ2WYjhCVs

With gladness. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

True Holiness Expressed

"There is no greater expression of holiness than to love the Lord our God without reserves and to love others -- all others-- as God loves us. We cannot claim to love God with abandon if we do not love all people to the max. This is truly holiness unto the Lord!" -kww 

With gladness. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“To Jerusalem” Part 2 Message Link Kerry Willis

“To Jerusalem” Part 2 of 3 — my preaching message at Pottstown PA Church of the Nazarene Revival…

https://youtu.be/AxQ4qdxpJ38

With gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis  

“To Jerusalem” Part 1 Message Link Kerry Willis

“To Jerusalem” Part 1 of 3 — my preaching message at Pottstown PA. Church of the Nazarene Revival…

https://youtu.be/Ns1N6QCQQMo

With Gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

On Disowning Jesus / A Prayer

On the night our Lord was arrested, Simon Peter thought his devotion to Jesus was enough to keep him from denying Jesus. However, he did, in fact, deny his Lord and not just once but three times. In so doing Simon Peter disowned Jesus as well.

Matthew 26:34 [NKJV] records what Jesus said Simon Peter would do before he did it: Jesus said to him "Assuredly, I say to you that this night before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 

Lord Jesus, You prophesied what Simon Peter would do, nevertheless, You also prayed for him: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Luke‬ ‭22:31-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lord Jesus, i pray i will never disown You. Let Your Holy Spirit keep my feet from slipping towards denying, disowning, and betraying You. In my own strength i am no stronger than Simon Peter was. i surrender my human trying for wholly trusting in You alone to hold me fast -- for forever and today -- in unbroken communion with You. Amen. 

With gladness.

Pastor Kerry Willis