"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
A.W. Tozer writes this commentary about the verse above:
"This text does have a meaning and it ought to disturb us until we have discovered what it means and how we may meet its conditions. The divine antidote for the satanic poison of sin is holiness. Holiness is an attribute of God and a requirement of the people of God."
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“All true prayer, the prayer that prevails is personal, intimate, and original.” Samuel Chadwick
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“In those days when Jesus walked the earth, some adored Him as Master, while others accused Him of madness. Same as these days.” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"O God and Father, i repent of my sinful preoccupation with visible things. The world has been too much with me. Thou hast been here and i knew it not. i have been blind to Thy presence. Open my eyes that i may behold Thee in and around me. For Christ’s sake. Amen." - A.W. Tozer
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Ye received the Word of God… not as the word of men, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“The Word of the Lord God is as fresh as every new sunrise, as sweet and graciously fresh as the dew on the grass the morning after a clear night — because it is God’s Word to us!” A.W. Tozer
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Lord, i confess that i can only worship authentically in Your Holy Spirit. i can only pray powerfully in Your Holy Spirit. i can only preach and be Your witness effectively in Your Holy Spirit. Amen." -kww
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
i wonder what’s more fascinating to Almighty God, those who predict Jesus could come, even today, or those who predict, no He won’t? After all, with God one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day. So, really doesn’t the Father alone, know whether it will be today or another day? Seems my part is to be expecting Him moment-by-moment by keeping oil in my lamp, yep, even during the days of earthquakes and eclipses. Shalom. (Reminds me of this old Southern Gospel song….)
https://youtu.be/4bFJLbO2FRg?si=no_xbm_OQQ55bPRz
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Through all the ages, the testimony of those who prayed has been that God hears and answers the prayers of his children.” Samuel Chadwick
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“There’s never been a God Who could pull off a rescue like this.”
King Nebuchadnezzar’s words after the three Hebrews were saved by Almighty God from his fiery furnace. Daniel 3:29b MSG
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Christ, our Victor, accomplished everything. We don’t need to add anything to it. We don’t need to wipe away our own sins, or try to conquer death and the devil. Everything has already been done for us. We are not fighting the real battle. We’re only suffering now in order to share in Christ’s victory. It’s not accomplished by what we do.” Martin Luther
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who was a disciple of the apostle John, wrote, "Whoever has understood our Lord’s words, understands His silence, because God is known in His silence."
God restrains His voice at times in a Christian’s heart to grow closer to us. We must hold fast to the truth that even when God is silent, He is closer than the air we breathe.
— Jonny Bailey, "Living Deep"
Read Jeremiah 29:13 and Psalm 46:10.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
A great double-blessing way to close Resurrection Sunday: 1. Thinking about the two disciples headed back to Jerusalem at night from Emmaus after the Risen Jesus revealed Himself to them. 2. Listening to Keith Green sing “The Easter Song.”
https://youtu.be/Z3kc1jDahU4?si=T2w7YxK11RN1fPfl
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
If God didn't Love us why would He suffer so terribly for us? O how He Loves us! Good Friday’s Hill proves His Great Love. -kww
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
Today, Pastor Byron Hannon beautifully led our Four Winds Prayer Zoom. He reminded us that on Holy Tuesday of Passion Week Jesus cursed the fig tree because it only had leaves but no fruit.
Seems to me, the leaves might represent exterior religion — a shallow profession, while fruit would indicate interior relationship — a deep possession.
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"The Holy Ghost comes with the light of truth in one hand, so to speak, and the blood of Christ in the other. What the light reveals, the blood cleanses." A.W. Tozer
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
At the conclusion of The Last Supper we read these words about Jesus and His disciples:
“After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”Matthew 26:30 AMP
According to Passover tradition i have been told that the last hymn Jesus sang with His disciples before going to the Cross would have most likely have been Psalm 118:
“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness endures forever. Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness endures forever.” Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness endures forever.” Oh let those who [reverently] fear the Lord, say, “His lovingkindness endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can [mere] man do to me? The Lord is on my side, He is among those who help me; Therefore I will look [in triumph] on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in princes. All nations encompassed me; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. They encompassed me, yes, they surrounded me [on every side]; In the name of the Lord I will cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees; They flare up and are extinguished like a fire of thorns; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. You [my enemy] pushed me violently so that I was falling, But the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I will not die, but live, And declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death. Open to me the [temple] gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; The righteous will enter through it. I will give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me; And You have become my salvation [my Rescuer, my Savior]. The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. This is from the Lord and is His doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save now, we beseech You; O Lord, we beseech You, send now prosperity and give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord [you who come into His sanctuary under His guardianship]. The Lord is God, and He has given us light [illuminating us with His grace and freedom and joy]. Bind the festival sacrifices with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I give thanks to You; [You are] my God, I extol You. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness endures forever.”Psalms 118:1-29 AMP
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
In 2014, when my Dad was in the midst of his cancer journey, one day in the front room of the homeplace he told me through tender tears, "Kerry, i sensed i heard a voice say ‘The Healer is here so ask what you will.’" Dad never told me what he asked for. But my guess is, He requested healing, yet he surely also simultaneously surrendered to whatever His Lord desired for his future. Before that year would end, Dad found ultimate healing in the presence of Jesus. No sad stories here.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Perhaps the most wonderful thing about prayer is not that things always turn out as we would desire but the realization — that only prayer can give — that we are never alone in our suffering. Only prayer can assure us that God is surely present and that we are not alone.” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Every great move of God is preceded by a keen sense of anticipation. We must declare war on the mood of nonexpectation and come together with childlike faith. Only then can we know again the beauty and wonder of the Lord’s presence among us.” A.W. Tozer
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord]. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:7-8 AMP
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
These are the final words God spoke through His prophet Malachi before going silent for 400 years:
"You have wearied the Lord with your words. ‘How have we wearied Him?’ you ask. You have wearied Him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and He is pleased with them. You have wearied Him by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’" Malachi 2:17 NLT
Lord, forbid it that we would weary you with our empty words. Forgive us and do not take Your Holy Spirit from us. Amen.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Lord Jesus, as the day begins, You have tenderly reminded me that, yes, there will be new, unknown-to-me challenges, nevertheless, You will still be my same trustworthy God, Who always already knows everything underway. So, i pray, Deo Volente -- whatever You want. Amen." -kww
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
This tender prayer originated from my heart of worship for my Lord early this morning:
“Dearest my Lord, i love you, I need you, and i want you… equally. Without your life, my life ends. Amen.”
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"If you hate the way your life has turned out so far under your own lordship, turn to The One Who is the Way -- Jesus of Nazareth, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It’s now time to turn from sin and to turn to Him, yes, today, crown Him as the Ruler of the rest of your days. He awaits Your invitation to come into Your life with His Life so you can experience a new beginning and a happy ending here on earth and then Eternal Life for Forever. Presently surrender wholeheartedly to His Holy Presence. Let Him be your King of Everything for Forever and today." -kww
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
This sacred song so strong in my soul…
https://youtu.be/1Cen-Jt4IPo?si=mtGycr2-Ob3eMDC1
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Invitation: The alarm on my phone is set for 4:44 p.m. daily. It is just "one" reminder for me to grieve over lost souls, one at a time. i have a memorized list of the ones the Lord has given to me to pray for day and night. It changes from time-to-time. Some are lost in the rebellion of their own sin and others are lost in the religion of their families and men. The enemy loves it when people embrace a reckless lifestyle and/or turn their never-dying souls towards empty religions, even sometimes to counterfeit forms of Christianity. So, i pray the Lord, yes, The One called Wonderful, will continue to wreck me in fervent and continual intercession for souls. He surely weeps in Heaven for the lost, still. He also grieves for souls through His Holy Spirit in me. i invite you to pray with me. Those of us who are among the found, are debtors to Jesus for saving us and we are also debtors to every other lost soul on the planet. How will they know unless we pray for them and we tell them? Let us pray first, then tell — before it’s too late.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
Unless we experience a true Holy Spiritual awakening soon, it seems to me it just might be “to Hell in a hand-basket time for our world,” and sooner than later. Nevertheless, let us be found full of faith and praying fervently, yes, ever-interceding in the Name of Jesus, and continuously pleading His Blood, Church! It’s late for sure, but it’s not too late… yet. Be Light. Go Shine.” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Matthew 27:22 records the question Pilate asked personally about the Lord:
“Pilate said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Matthew 27:22a AMP
Will we glorify Him or crucify Him?
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Lord Jesus, crucify my sins, my sin, and my own righteousness, yes, my wrong acts, my self-centered attitude, and my own filthy rags — nail it all to the Cross! Amen!" -kww
"This is my prayer for Your Holiness. Amen again."
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“One right answer — when it comes to successfully leading others spiritually — is to fervently and continuously seek to be in a right relationship with God and with them.“ -kww
Luke 10:27 [NLT] “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“This is the spirit of prayer — sincere, humble, believing, submissive. Other prayer than this the Bible does not require — God will not accept.” A.W. Tozer
Romans 8:26 — Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“God wants to fill us with His Spirit in order that we should know Him first of all, and be absorbed in Him. We should enter into the fullness of the Spirit, so that God‘s Son may be glorified in us.“ - A.W. Tozer
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“The disciples *waited in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came. “ -kww 🕊️
“*Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine own heart: *wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
“In the Old Testament, to *wait on God meant coming before His presence with expectation and *waiting there with physical and mental activity.” A.W. Tozer
Cease thy thinking, troubled Christian. Quit trying to figure everything out and make yourself totally receptive to God.*Wait.
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
A New Prayer
Today, Lord, i pray a new prayer. You deserve a new word from me and i need a new word from you.
So i pray, today...
Though things change, Lord, You do not.
Forever and today You have been and are and will be Holy God, my Holy God.
i need Your strength, compassion, grace, mercy, love, power and purity. i long for Your presence and Your peace every moment of my existence. The thought of ever be separated from You is my greatest fear, nevertheless, in those scarey moments You always whisper to my worried soul: "I Am with you always to the very end of the age. I will not leave you orphaned. I will come to you." Thank you, Jesus.
Some days loneliness refuses to leave me alone. i can easily feel forgotten by friends. It’s about me, not about them. And of course, then there’s the enemy who wants me to believe lies, but i refuse to listen to his shrill voice of damnation. i choose the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit to be my counsel and to be my comfort.
Thanks Lord, for slowly but surely delivering me from the dilemma of always wanting everyone to know and understand my heart. i am becoming more and more content just knowing You alone really know and understand me completely and that means You are my God and people are not.
Finally, Jesus, i long to be an extension of Your encouragement to others. i want to be in such oneness with You, that i confidently and compassionately show others Who You are simply by Your countenance aglow in and from my life. Let my face give away undeniable proof that i have been with You and that You are within me.
Yes, You have saved me and sanctified me, so i want to be nothing less, nothing more, and nothing else other than a sanctuary of Your purifying and permeating presence. Attract lost souls to Yourself through my life and lifetime. Let Your glory take over my story.
Receive my new prayer this day, Dearest Jesus. Until Your Holy face, my eyes embrace, i cry out nonstop: "Maranatha! Lord Jesus Come! Amen!"
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Jesus lingers at the door of your heart waiting for you to welcome Him in. He longs for You a million times more than you could ever long for Him. He loves You deeply. Open the door. Don’t hesitate. Let Him in. Exhale in His Holy embrace." -kww
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Seems to me that even demons are not total atheists, for while they obviously don’t believe in God they surely believe there is a God.” -kww
“Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” Mark 1:23-24 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
This song was a staple of my spiritual upbringing in the Free Gace Wesleyan Church on the Old Ferry Dock Road on Harkers Island, North Carolina. It still moves me:
https://youtu.be/O_9xjEuLPC4?si=AGP94TpV4NS2648N
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
There are two ways to be lost spiritually:
1. Lost in the “rebellion of sin.”
2. Lost in the “religion of men.”
And even if you don’t know that you’re lost or even care that you’re lost, here’s the good news: Jesus knows and cares.
The only way to go from lost to found is to come into a “relationship with Him.”
Just whisper His Name and let Him know that you want to turn from sin and turn to Him.
Shalom
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Pilate agreed to be paid 30 pieces of silver to rendezvous with the religious leaders of Jerusalem in their plot to murder Jesus. As a result, the same weekend Jesus arose from His Grave, Judas was perhaps the first to be buried in the Potter’s field that his silver coins purchased. Painful, in that, Judas not only betrayed Jesus, but also himself. Let us walk always in The Light and keep our eyes forever on the Prize — Who is The Life -- Jesus Christ.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Precious Holy Spirit, please keep my heart, mind, soul, and strength always in an intimate, uninterrupted, and sacred sync with You, alone. Amen.” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Recently, my Mom, Lady Melba, age 82, fell on concrete and fractured her hip and pelvis. Recovery following surgery has been slow, yet His presence we know. This was my recent prayer concerning her:
Jesus be near.
Jesus be near.
Jesus be near.
Mom is Yours.
Mom is Yours.
Mom is Yours.
Trust increase.
Trust increase.
Trust increase.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”” Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Surely, the most pure motivation for us to turn away from sin is a love for Jesus so deep that we cannot even imagine causing Him to hurt anymore on our behalf than He already did on the Cross.” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listenibg…
Pastor Kerry Willis
Let us consider the breadth of God’s forgiveness towards us:
breadth [bredTH] NOUN the distance or measurement from side to side of something; width:
"the boat measured 27 feet in breadth" · "a black sweater outlined the breadth of his shoulders" · "we traveled the length and breadth of India"
SIMILAR: width, broadness, wideness, wide range or extent, scope
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalms 103:12 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” Jesus’ Words, Matthew 24:4-8 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, Whose very name is Jealous, is a God Who is jealous about His relationship with you.” Exodus 34:14 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” Matthew 22:29 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Faith is not about figuring everything out. Faith is about believing God already has. Often when we should be trusting, instead, we turn to trying. Thank goodness we have a patient God, who waits on us to worship Him in the midst of our questions and lack of understanding everything.” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Dearest Abba Father, we truly believe You engineer all things for our good as Your children. Get glory for Yourself as we trust You totally in whatever circumstances You allow to come our way. You are worthy of all our worship, always. You have given us Your Holy Spirit to comfort and to carry us through. We are debtors of Your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Oh, listen! If Hell is what God says it is, if sin is what God says it is, if Jesus Christ had to die to save the sinner — is it asking too much for you to let people know you are turning from sin?” A.W. Tozer
“Ears Wide Open… Listening!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Pastor Dave Bennett shares on "Worship" in Episode #23 of “An Open Door” Podcast. Here’s the link:
"Ears Wide Open -- Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Jesus, Christ is made unto us sanctification, that is, He is the holy nature which we receive." Oswald Chambers
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." I Corinthians 1:30-31 NKJV
Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Dearest ABBA Father,
It’s a new day and you are worthy of a new prayer from me.
i absolutely adore You.
i most certainly need You.
i truly do love You.
i honestly look only to You for Hope.
i depend totally upon Your strength.
i only desire to be where You are.
i cannot make it onward on my own. Never have, never could, never will.
i pray that when You look at me You only see the Blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus.
i must have Your mind in all things for always.
i ask that You would make me as pure as You can make a never-dying soul.
i look forward to being with You today and forevermore.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Ears Wide Open… Listening…
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.”Matthew 7:24-29 NLT
Ears Wide Open— Listening…
Pastor Kerry Willis
"An awesome awareness of God’s Presence always powerfully overwhelms any and all distractions related to being overly devil-conscious. So we pray: Lord, let our full-focus be on You alone and move the enemy to the far sidelines of our spiritual lives. Amen." -kww
Deo Volente -- as God wills.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” Matthew 13:47-51 NLT
Ears Wide Open… Listening…
Pastor Kerry Willis
Listen carefully and receive these comforting words of truth…
God remembers us, we are not forgotten…
His Word tells us:
1. Our names are engraved in His hands. Isaiah 49:16
2. He saves our tears in bottles. Psalm 56:8
3. He keeps our prayers in golden bowls in Heaven. Revelation 5:8
Read it all again until you believe it.
Ears Wide Open… Listening…
Pastor Kerry Willis
"The Lord watches over me like a hawk, not to alarm me or to harm me, but He watches over me as a lover watches over His beloved.
The Lord's presence embraces me like a holy hug, not to hold me captive or to control me, but to love me and to be my life.
The Lord has me in His sights and holds me steady in the strong vice of His victory. Selah."
-kww
Ears Wide Open.., Listening.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Frances J. Crosby penned these tender words…
Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief.
Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Last evening i was in bed at 8 p.m. because my clock was set for 4 a.m. My brother, BJ, sent me a late night text with a song link and i started my journey this Lord’s Day listening to it. It’s a great prayer song. Lean in and here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/c-dtA54ZZhg?si=RHgTPnAZxhF-fz41
Deo Volente.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness You have shown to me, Your servant.” Jacob’s words to God, Genesis 32:10a [NLT]
Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
This was devotional sent to our district leaders, today:
The Sailor's 23rd Psalm
I was raised on an island where the sea meets the land. The imagery that inspires me most deeply is ocean imagery. I recently found in my research this sailor's paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm. I hope it encourages you as it does me:
The Lord is my Pilot, I shall not drift.
He guides me across the dark waters.
He steers me through deep channels.
He keeps my log.
Yea, though I sail ‘mid the thunders
and tempests of life,
I shall dread no danger, for He is with me;
His love and His care, shelter me.
He prepares a quiet harbor before me.
He anoints the waves with oil.
My ship rides calmly.
Surely sunlight and starlight
shall guide me on the voyage I take,
And I will rest in Heaven's port forever.
Peace… Be Still.
And maybe it’s been a while since you saturated in the actual 23rd Psalm, so here it is as well:
PSALM 23 A Psalm of David
THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. [KJV]
His… Presence Matters Most!
Pastor Kerry Willis,
Servant Leadership was/is revealed to us in the life of Jesus Christ. From Him we see that servant leadership is all about serving God and others and not at all about satisfying one's self. It's not about fulfilling our human dreams but it's about being faithful to God's holy vision.
Where there is no *vision, the people perish. Proverbs
29:18 And vision is another word for *burden.| Lord, help us to be obedient to the Heavenly vision. With Gladness. Amen. -kww
Pastor Kerry Willis
A Majestic Rendering of The Prayer Jesus Taught Us to Pray…
https://youtu.be/JWuLraQ1Ygo?si=M9P81i3qaz8w_u4f
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"If we belong exclusively to God, we must always believe that He is absolutely orchestrating all of the generalities and even all of the details of our existence. Without doubt, the enemy can complicate certain aspects of our lives, nevertheless, none of his temporary shenanigans will keep God from bringing to pass the ultimate plans He has for us. No one else except God can still bring His desires out of our disasters, but God sure can and will if we will only trust Him wholeheartedly, regardless of how things might look or feel presently. Longevity will prove to be the greatest convincer. Stay strong in the Presence of the Lord!" -kww, remix
Ears Wide Open. Listening…
Pastor Kerry Willis
This scary passage speaks of the tragedy of living our whole lives spiritually deceived. Lord forbid:
"There is a way which ‘seemeth right’ unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12 [KJV]
So, i humbly pray: "Jesus of Nazareth, be The Way for my eternal soul, for You alone are ‘The Way, The Truth, and The Life.’ [John 14:6] i want to truly journey on The Way that is surely right, not take a way that only ‘seemeth right’ to me or to others who are themselves living and dying deceived. To be in right relationship with You alone, Jesus, leads to Everlasting Life over deception that leads to death, the kind of death that sadly leads to being forever separated from You. That would be Hell for me. Tender, yes, yet true. Amen." -kww
Good News:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17 [KJV]
Lord have mercy.
Pastor Kerry Willis
i have had a prayer and a song on my mind most of the day now.
The prayer: “Dearest Jesus, my/our only Hope is oneness with You. Amen.” -kww
The song: “The Refiner’s Fire”
The prayer and the song go together.
Here’s the link to the song. Pray with me.
https://youtu.be/pX0knHZorb0?si=ccnHc4EpLzNG5ray
Deo Volente — whatever God wants.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"My Dad, who was saved on Epiphany Day 1969, had a saying that corresponds with the Magi, who lived their lives looking to the skies. My Dad said, "If you’re gonna hang your head, hang it up so you can see the face of God." There may be a new star shining on the horizons of our lives, so in this afterglow of Epiphany 2024, let’s make sure our gaze is not downward but upward.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“As the Holy Spirit reigns within, we can live dead to Sin.” -kww
So be it. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Jesus, make my life an Epiphany, yes, please manifest Your Presence to others through me. Amen. -kww
Deo Volente… As God wills.
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Lord, i want to know You and to be known by You. Amen."
"And this is the way to have eternal life--to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth." John 17:3 NLT
Ears Wide Open! Listening…
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’ " Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus." Matthew 4:10-11 NLT
Listen.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Heart-wrenching passage just before the story of Noah in Genesis…
“The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and He saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry He had ever made them and put them on the earth. IT BROKE HIS HEART.” Genesis 6:5-6 NLT
i wonder if this heart-wrenching passage is really what Jesus was referring to when He said: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.” Luke 17:26 NLT #GodsHeartIsBroken
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Truth consists not in correct doctrine, but in correct doctrine plus the inward enlightenment of the Holy Spirit — Diety indwelling us! We have not experienced rightly the power of Christian belief until we have known it for ourselves as a living reality.” A.W. Tozer
Ears Wide Open… Listening,
Pastor Kerry Willis
