When it comes to questions about our lives, the question is not “Does God care about our lives?” John 3:16-17 proves that He does. The question is “Do we care about what God cares about for our lives?” -kww
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastpr Kerry Willis
My latest YouTube word of encouragement:
And an old chorus of encouragement:
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 25, 2020
Dearest Family and Friends of the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene.
The sacred seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas 2020 are surely going to be different than the ones we’ve [probably unknowingly] taken for granted in past years. Those sacred seasons truly were "simpler" compared to the times we are experiencing now.
Nevertheless, i had this sudden thought today: "Remember, lonely, holy, days are still holy." That sudden thought caused anticipation to arise in my heart. [By "lonely" i mean, Kim and i will celebrate Thanksgiving with only our son and our hound dog as opposed to being with our entire family as usual. Yep, COVID concerns. But i know these are still holy days.]
Meanwhile, later today, i received a phone call from Pastor Jonathan Merki to talk about our January 2021 prayer retreat, yet his opening comment was the most essential thing i heard in our conversation. Pastor Jonathan said passionately, "i awoke this morning with a new sense of hope!" Wow! What a powerful witness to hear spoken aloud during these days of disruption.
So, i want you to know this evening i am praying for each of you, that the two words that lifted my spirit today -- "holy" and "hope" -- will come underneath your highly valued life and lift you towards the skies until you undeniably know you are soaring as on the wings of an eagle.
So, maybe our sacred seasons past were marked by "simplicity" we won’t know this year, however, perhaps this year our sacred seasons will be marked by "soaring" we haven’t known in previous years!
Yes, family and friends, two words -- "Holy" and "Hope" are causing me new optimism. i sense a new embrace of amazing grace.
So be it. Let it happen. Amen.
P.S. You’re loved. i am grateful for you.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Today, i sacredly remembered a Sunday morning worship service many years ago on the Old Ferry Dock Road inside the Free Grace Church House, when my Granny Margery ran the aisles waving her handkerchief and praising the Lord for the Hope that was hers on the horizon...
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most! UNITY!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that!” Colossians 1:22 [MSG]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
This song has been on my heart off and on all day. [Is it just me or does anyone else ever get homesick for Heaven like i do?]
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Link to worship service where i preached on “Living Holiness and Thinking Christlike.”
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Earl Lee called Psalm 37 "The Cycle of Victorious Living."
Here it is:
"Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial. Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." Psalms 37:1-40 NIV
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. And he has all the power needed to do this--forever! Amen." 1 Peter 5:8-11 TPT
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
This YouTube video moved my heart deeply. A real freedom song, my friends:
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“The sacrifice which God requires is not [mainly] obedience in sacrifice, but [truly] a broken heart.” — Oswald Chambers
“The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.” Psalms 51:17 HCSB
Let us pray into these deep thoughts...
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
November 17, 2020, is the 6th anniversary of my Daddy’s passing into the forever presence of the Lord. Capt. Billy C. Willis, i miss you, deeply.
However, this Jesus-song came my way on this day. It is providing needed inspiration to my soul.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Enjoy and embrace this remix of the greatest spiritual song ever...
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
God’s Word has been speaking to me today through this verse in particular:
"Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my Savior and my God." Psalms 43:5 GW
“Then I will say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged; don’t be disturbed, for I fully expect my Savior-God to 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 43:5 TPT
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
My apologies as i have been focused on other directions this week and have been slower than usual to post my blog.
During these recent days, this song seems more helpful than ever to me.
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i don’t always post a link of my Sunday messages on my blog but sensed maybe this week i should.
This is Part 2 of a 4-part series i am preaching on Holy Spiritual Success.
Be blessed.
Hope HappensHERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 [KJV]
Pray, my friends.
Pastor Kerry Willis
There is a dear Pastor and wife on our district who have pastored in the same church for 47 years. They have been having a few personal trials lately but this is the encouraging message he sent me today:
"We are just looking up, moving forward as best we can... God is so good! 6 feet of trials, 7 feet of victory!"
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“My dear brothers and sisters, fellow believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ—how could we say that we have faith in him and yet we favor one group of people above another? Suppose an influential man comes into your worship meeting wearing gold rings and expensive clothing, and also a homeless man in shabby clothes comes in. If you show special attention to the rich man in expensive clothes and say, “Here’s a seat of honor for you right up front!” but you turn and say to the poor beggar dressed in rags, “You can stand over here,” or “Sit over there on the floor in the back,” then you’ve demonstrated gross prejudice among yourselves and used evil standards of judgment! So listen carefully, my dear brothers and sisters, hasn’t God chosen the poor in the world’s eyes to be those who are rich in faith? And won’t they be the heirs of the kingdom-realm he promised to those who love him? But yet you insult and shun the poor in your efforts to impress the rich! Isn’t it the wealthy who exploit you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the very ones who blaspheme the beautiful name of the One you now belong to? Your calling is to fulfill the royal law of love as given to us in this Scripture: “You must love and value your neighbor as you love and value yourself!” For keeping this law is the noble way to live. But when you show prejudice you commit sin and you violate this royal law of love! For the one who attempts to keep all of the law of Moses but fails in just one point has become guilty of breaking the law in every respect! For the same One who tells us, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are still guilty as a law-breaker. So we must both speak and act in every respect like those who are destined to be tried by the perfect law of liberty, and remember that judgment is merciless for the one who judges others without mercy. So by showing mercy you take dominion over judgment!” James (Jacob) 2:1-13 TPT
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most l!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i haven’t been able to get this verse [penned by the Apostle Paul] off my mind, since i saw one leader place these words on social media "I voted [early] and my conscience is clear."
Here’s the verse: "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:4 NIV
This verse was even part of the message i preached Sunday on "Being Faithful."
It’s not about our consciences, brothers and sisters, it’s about what God says, finally, about us.
Search our hearts, O God, and help us to seek Your desires in our decisions. Have mercy on us. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
P.S. This verse caused me to vote today with what might be called "fear and trembling."
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Only stupid souls hear the word of God and do not obey it. -kww
Having read some of Oswald Chambers writings, he said ignorant souls only need the knowledge of God’s Word, nevertheless, stupid are the souls who hear the Word of God but would prefer to disobey. [He uses King Saul as an example in disobeying God’s Word, all the while, pretending he was obeying. Lord forbid.]
This is enough deep water for me to swim in, today. How about you?
Hope Happens HERE!
Presence Matters Most!
No Invisible People! UNITY!
Pastor Kerry Willis
