What Prompted Judas to Betray Jesus

"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

Even in Agony, Jesus Prayed! Will We?

"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, Sees, Saves — “The 4th Watch of the Night”

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 

“An Anchor of the Soul” — Confident Assurance

“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 

"Why Pray?" — One Right Answer

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 

Fret Not! Worry is Useless!

"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 

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

“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