"Instead of rehearsing worst case scenarios without end, cast all your cares upon the Lord, remembering He is here, He knows, He cares, and He is trustworthy." -kww
"Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding." Proverbs 3:5 AMP
So, i begin again to place trust in God totally over only imagining the worse.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. "But forget all that-- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:16-19 NLT
So, i begin again to consider How Great is Our LORD -- past, present, and future. With Him, the rest will be the best!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Get rightly related to God first, maintain that as the great care of your life, and NEVER put the concern of your care on other things. Jesus taught that a disciple has to make his/her relationship to God THE DOMINATING CONCENTRATION of his/her life and to be carefully careless about EVERYTHING ELSE IN COMPARISON TO THAT!" -Oswald Chambers
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" -Jesus, Matthew 6:25 KJV
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." -Jesus, Matthew 6:33 KJV
So, i begin again to fasten my focus on my King and His Kingdom! Help me precious Holy Spirit to be in wholehearted harmony with the holy words of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
As i was saturating in a New Testament verse, i was suddenly reminded of an Old Testament verse:
The New Testament verse: “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.” Matthew 26:35 NLT
The Old Testament verse: “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 NIV
The conclusion i came to: Apart from the Almighty Spirit of Truth, our most passionate vows, our most sincere promises, and even our very best intentions are — at best — surely insufficient.
i am grateful for the trustworthiness of this verse, my life-verse: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT
So, i begin again to depend entirely upon the Holy Spirit within me.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Judas was prompted to betray Jesus right after Jesus was worshiped, yes, by the woman who poured her expensive alabaster perfume over the head of Jesus at Bethany." -kww
"Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste!" they said. "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. She has poured this perfume on Me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed." Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus." Matthew 26:6-16 NLT
"Though betrayal, false accusations, torture, fatigue, slander, abandonment, and even crucifixion were imminent in His life, Jesus still wrestled in prayer outside of Jerusalem in Gethsemane. Yes, even in agony, Jesus prayed. Will we? What’s keeping us from praying?" -kww
"Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and He said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray." He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and He became anguished and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me. He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine." Matthew 26:36-39 NLT
So, i begin again to embrace prayer, regardless of what’s happening or about to happen in my life.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Jesus sends us, sees us, and saves us, just as he did with His disciples in this storm story immediately after He fed thousands with two fish and five loaves…
“Immediately He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while He sent the crowds away. [Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21] After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat [by this time] was already a long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. [Mark 6:48; John 6:19] When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!” [Ex 3:14] Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”” Matthew 14:22-33 AMP
So i begin again to give thanks for my Life Savior.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], [Lev 16:2] where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20 AMP
This is the key passage for a men’s retreat i am speaking at this weekend. i have been saturating in this Scripture selection quite a while now and it just keeps going deeper and deeper in a wonderful way.
So, i begin again to remember the Hope that is mine in Jesus.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Shared this with a brother today and sensed it may help others, too. It’s one right answer to the question "Why pray?"
"The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer. By intercessory prayer, we can hold off Satan from other lives and give the Holy Spirit a chance with them." - Oswald Chambers
So i begin again to pray for lost souls.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"No amount of fretting will change anything. Does worrying make matters any better? No. So, shouldn’t we learn to tenderly trust God and to take life as it comes to us? Yes. For, worry is useless. So, let us fret not." -kww
Psalm 37 will help us.
So, i begin again to turn worry into worship.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“And it was observed, that in the greatest hurry of business in the kitchen, Brother Lawrence still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its season, with an even uninterrupted composure and tranquillity of spirit. “The time of business,” said he, “does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess GOD in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.”
* Excerpt From The Practice of the Presence of God
Now i begin again to observe His Presence.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness." Jesus, Matthew 23:28 NLT
i would say the cure for our hypocrisy is His Holiness. In other words if we are to cure our hypocrisy in our public lives we will have to become holy in our private lives, yes, increased intimacy with Jesus Himself is the cure.” -kww
So i begin again.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Jesus… You are...
…my purity -- my holiness...
…my clarity -- my vision...
…my sanity -- my wisdom...
…Amen.
Now i begin again… in Your Name!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Thoughts inspired by Oswald Chambers, today:
Patience is more than endurance.
Trust yourself in God’s hands.
Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith.
Faith is… vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is Holy Love.
You cannot see Him just now, you cannot understand what He is doing, BUT YOU KNOW HIM.
Fling yourself in reckless confidence on God.
God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to to venture all in abandoned confidence in Him.
This is eternal life, that they might know Thee. The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything without wavering.
My prayer based on these thoughts: "Lord, i want to trust You without wavering again today and day-by-day and night-after-night. Amen.” -kww
Now i begin again to confidently trust God!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“In a post-Pentecost dispensation we must not settle for being mere "followers’ of Jesus. Our inheritance has increased in intimacy. Jesus now wants us to be ‘sanctuaries’ of His Spirit. At Pentecost the outside God moved to the inside -- from ‘first with His people’ to ‘finally within His people.’ Ever since this reality happened God’s Presence dwelling within those who belong exclusively to Him has been -- and still is -- Christianity Plan A. There is no Plan B." -kww
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor--Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever-- the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be IN you." -Jesus, John 14:16-17 AMP
"On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am IN you." -Jesus, John 14:20 AMP
"I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be IN them."-Jesus, John 17:26 NIV
"I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives IN me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20 AMP
"For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work IN you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 AMP
"Christ IN you the hope of glory." -Colossians 1:27b
"Holiness is Christ IN me." -Matt Mayer
So, i begin again with Christ IN ME!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"If you feel yourself being riddled and say ‘I don’t know what to believe,’ go to God on the authority of Jesus Christ, and ask Him to give you the Holy Spirit, and experience what the New Testament means by regeneration. It means receiving a new heredity. Jesus Christ never asks anyone to define their position or to understand a creed, but -- "Who am I to you?" Has Jesus Christ made any difference at all to me and my actual life? Jesus Christ makes the whole of human destiny depend on one’s relationship to Himself." -Oswald Chambers
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13 NKJV
Now, i begin again by the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be HAS NOT YET BEEN MADE KNOWN. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2 NIV
If we are rightly related to God, abandoned to Him, we are joyfully certain even in uncertainty.
We cannot suppose ourselves in any situations we have never been in, nevertheless, we can — like a child — trust the Father in all things we are not certain of.
In fact, to be joyfully uncertain is evidence that we are rightly related to the Lord spiritually.
Yes, we may be uncertain of the next step, but we are always certain of God. Trusting Him is our pleasure and our peace — our shalom, shalom, our perfect peace.
As soon as we abandon to God, and do the next thing we know to do, God beautifully surprises us all the time.
When we are rightly related to God, life overflows with spontaneous and joyful uncertainty and anticipation.
As Jesus neared the tomb of Lazarus He said, “Believe also in Me!” He didn’t say “Believe certain things about Me.” If we will only trust Jesus as our King of Everything, it is uncertain how He will come into our unknowns but rest assured, HE WILL COME!
Let us remain loyally abandoned to Him in all things and at all times. Amen.
So, i begin again… TO TRUST GOD TOTALLY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Dearest King Jesus,
Our hearts break when we remember the abuse and suffering You experienced on Good Friday, even though it was all necessary to save our lives for eternity.
You didn’t want us chained forever to the deceptions of fear, dread, or sin--so You laid Yourself down on the Cross causing Truth to be triumphant.
"It is finished" became Your victory cry as You surely defeated everything that imprisoned our souls.
Because of the sacrifice of Your Love, we can now know new life. We are grateful for all You willingly endured on this sacred day.
Teach us how to live deep in Your Truth, and reach through us to go all-out for souls You died to save.
Maranatha. Amen. -kww 💔
Now… i Begin Again…
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Jesus rarely comes when we expect Him. He appears when we least expect Him. We must always be ready for His surprise visits. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we will have to stop being religious and be spiritually real.”
“Be ye therefore ready, also.” Luke 12:40
“Be Thou my vision, Oh Lord of my Life. Amen.
Now… i begin again!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“When Jesus first preached in His hometown of Nazareth, we learn from the listeners who were all too familiar with their homeboy, that it is all too possible to tragically strangle the Spirit’s witness on one’s heart with the prejudice of one’s mind. Rather than believe Jesus was their Messiah, they preferred to stone Him as madmen.” -kww
“Now… i begin again!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Only disobeying Jesus brings Him dishonor. How many of us are loyal to Jesus? Loyalty means i have to step out where i do not see anything. i have to obey by faith alone. Faith is deliberate commitment to the Lord where i see no way forward. Obey Jesus with reckless joy. Whatever He says to you do it!" -Oswald Chambers/kww remix
"The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi (Teacher), the Jews were only recently going to stone You, and You are [thinking of] going back there again?" John 11:8 AMP
"His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." John 2:5 AMP
Now… i begin again!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"When it comes to prayer, my aim is to always hold the line open between You and myself, Jesus -- moment-by-moment living out an unbroken awareness of Your holy presence. i want my existence to be an unending prayer. i want You to be in my head, taking over every thought. i want you to be my very life, present in every breath by Your Holy Spirit. Deo Volente. — as You desire, my Lord. Amen." -kww
Now… i begin again!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“To have the holiness of Christ imparted to me by the Holy Spirit means i am crucified with Christ, nevertheless i live. The individuality remains, but the mainspring, the ruling disposition, is radically altered. The same human body remains, but the old satanic right to myself is destroyed!” — Oswald Chambers #entiresanctification
Now… i begin again!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i have somewhat of a reputation it seems for embracing a regular rhythm of taking prayer walks as often as possible with the Lord.
Here are ten suggestions to encourage anyone interested in walking and talking with the Lord in prayer:
1. Invite the Lord to join you
2. Listen to Scripture
3. Compliment God on His Creation
4. Listen intentionally
5. Sing choruses of praise and worship to Him
6. Repeat phrases like: "i love you, Lord."
7. Share your heart and concerns
8. Share your hopes and desires
9. Pray for others
10. Give thanks
Let us be found walking and talking with the Lord as often as possible.
Now… i begin again…
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Then He (Jesus) said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 AMP
“The Lord of the harvest wanted to sow a great field with living seeds in age-old China. He needed a sower. One Sunday morning He found Hudson Taylor walking by the seashore. He spoke to him saying, ‘If you will let Me, I will walk all over China through you.’ On that day a grain of wheat fell into the ground and died. Multiplied thousands of living grains are the results.” — Cowman
Now… i begin again…
Pastor Kerry Willis
"If we have told Jesus things in our lives are too hard or too complicated or even too small for Him to care about or epecially to help us with, let us repent immediately and believe He cares and He is able." -kww
Remember the woman at the well (John 4) assumed Jesus couldn’t help her and didn’t care about her. He proved her very wrong and she was very glad about it. -kww
"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Now, i begin again.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Jesus arose early mornings. Why? To pray. In overwhelming weariness, He surely sought solitude and prayed. On the good days, He still found time to seek the Father in prayer. When days were difficult, He often forfeited sleep to pray in the night. Jesus knew that prayer was His power. Do we?
Now, i begin again.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Not to be captivated by the prayer life of Jesus should truly be one disqualification for Christian leadership." -kww
Now, i begin again.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“As for me, I will not stop praying for you. That would be a sin against the Lord. I will teach you how to live in the right way.” 1 Samuel 12:23 EASY
Now… i begin again.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"We pray for deliverance from evil…" -- Petra
https://youtu.be/2RKPZXK-cOM?si=mbqr36Yo5lWaatR5
Now, i begin… again!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Sent this message to the men in our local church:
“Be encouraged, men. There is triumph in a right relationship with Him and GOOD NEWS: we are always just one prayer away from right relationship with Him. Let us pray, now. If we draw near to Jesus? He will draw near to us! Intimacy with Jesus eliminates the influence of idols in our lives.”
So, i begin… again!
Pastor Kerry Willis
My brother shared this link to a good song and a true word as we begin again another year:
So i begin… again.
Pastor Kerry Willis
