Speaking of Juji Nakada, the Japanese Holiness preacher who accompanied him in meetings thru Scotland, the USA, and Japan, Oswald Chambers said: "The grace of God has so endowed Juji with a sense of oneness with God that he really beams with the Spirit of God perpetually."
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
In 1891, The Pentecostal League of Prayer was founded as an interdenominational union to pray in 4 ways:
1. For the filling of the Holy Spirit in all believers
2. For revival in the churches
3. For the spread of Scriptural Holiness.
Oswald Chambers joined to pray and lead.
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
When Oswald Chambers was about 22 years old and an art student at Scotland’s Edinburgh University, he climbed Arthur’s Seat to hear from God and hear from God, He did: “I want you for my service but I can do without you.”
During the pre-dawn hours of Friday, August 30, 2024, at age 63, i climbed the same mountain with “Ears Wide Open.” What a sacred journey.
Humbled. Grateful.
Pastor Kerry Willis
Just boarded the first of 2 trains and finally 1 ferry from Edinburgh to Glasgow and onto Dunoon, Scotland. Here Oswald Chambers spent 9 years learning and teaching. It was here that he experienced 4 years of "The Dark Night of the Soul" and was then sanctified.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
When Oswald Chambers was about 22 years old and an art student an Edinburgh University, he climbed Arthur's Seat to hear from God and hear from God, He did: "I want you for my service but I can do without you." Today, at age 63 i climbed the same mountain with "Ears Wide Open."
"When once you are rightly related to God by salvation and sanctification, remember that wherever you are, you are put there by God… It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him." Oswald Chambers, August 30, "My Utmost for His Highest"
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…."
Pastor Kerry Willis
“And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). [Is 40:5]” John 1:14 AMP
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“My whole being is ablaze and passionately on fire to preach Christ. The Almighty love of God constrains me, and in the midst of complete unworthiness, my soul cries out within me — ‘Here am i, send me.’” Oswald Chambers
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
It’s August 25, 2024, and i am about to board a plane from Atlanta, Georgia, to Edinburgh, Scotland.
On October 19, 2011, this journey really began, as i visited the grave of Oswald Chambers in Cairo, Egypt. His writings have mentored me beyond measure as a man and a minister for over 35 years.
i have awaited this sabbatical season in my life to walk in the steps of Oswald Chambers in his native Scotland. i am humbled for the opportunity.
If you want to know where the vision began, read the biography of Oswald Chambers titled "Abandoned to God." It will explain a lot.
P.S. The Willis Name Coat of Arms in Scotland is marked by this slogan: "As God Wills" (Yes, Deo Volente, in Latin.)
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
i find myself praying the lyrics of this ancient song so very often. It is based on a hymn from the 1500s:
https://youtu.be/dBxSJWjB8vM?si=s_KwtQQITEJj1Nal
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
Abba Father…
Holy, Holy, Holy is Your Name.
Nothing is too difficult for You.
Possess my life with Your Presence so that i might…
Be Faithful,
Serve Gladly,
Love Passionately,
Believe Totally,
Pray Always,
Live Holiness,
Think Christlike.
Deo Volente. Whatever You Want.
Amen.
“Ears Wide Open… Listening….”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.” Psalms 118:8 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.” Psalms 112:6-9 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
A dear friend of mine, Jonathan Dale Smith, went to be with the Lord a few years ago. i inherited his Ovation guitar.
Tonight, i heard Jamey Johnson singing Alabama’s classic song, "Angels Among Us", and it reminded me so much of my friend. He could really sing this song so beautifully, too.
https://youtu.be/UNdTG4yHJTg?si=22zTaB7ZsE4FXEWi
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Then the nations will tremble before the Lord. The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory. For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem. He will appear in his glory. He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas. Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.” Psalms 102:15-18 NLT
“… future generations will be told about the Lord. Psalm 22:30b NIV
https://youtu.be/Rfa3NJBKIXY?si=CCx7lNh6B94TEG68
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Love this new hymn:
https://youtu.be/nO5kZ4xEmsU?si=maIDmvd5bgk8JJfS
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Psalm 57:1-5
For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.
Psalm 57:1-5:
1 "Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me--
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts-- men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth."
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” Romans 6:15-18 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"BUT I WILL RESTORE YOU TO HEALTH AND HEAL YOUR WOUNDS,” DECLARES THE LORD." JEREMIAH 30:17
https://youtu.be/dtfDSxWKXoA?si=ItpMIk4ILi-WVv_K
O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone!.” Jeremiah 17:14
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…."
Pastor Kerry Willis
“O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near. I am as good as dead, like a strong man with no strength left. They have left me among the dead, and I lie like a corpse in a grave. I am forgotten, cut off from your care. You have thrown me into the lowest pit, into the darkest depths. Your anger weighs me down; with wave after wave you have engulfed me. Interlude You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them. I am in a trap with no way of escape. My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my hands to you for mercy. Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Interlude Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness? O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day. O Lord, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me? I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors. Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me. Your terrors have paralyzed me. They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely. You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend.” Psalms 88:1-18 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
This morning me and my precious wife of 44 years had to go in different directions for a few days. When she left early this morning we embraced tenderly and prayed together.
Years ago one of my mentors told me that the older he gets the less he wants to be away from his beloved wife of over 65 years. i feel it.
Nevertheless, in my morning devotions, i was reminded that because of the promises of Jesus we are NEVER ALONE. What comfort!
Jesus’ parting words from earth were, in fact, "SURELY, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE!"
i am so indebted to His promise and His omnipresence. Yes, blessed beyond measure.
Lord, i realize by faith that You are here. i also am forever grateful whenever You let me realize You are here in my feelings. Either way, precious Holy Spirit You are welcome here. Always and forever. Amen.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
A dear friend and brother prayed this prayer over me today:
“Praying even now that the Lord will renew your spirit and draw you close with affirmation of His love and calling. Remember, Jesus did not need to survive... only to glorify His Father at all costs...thus, He could live His life with reckless abandon to that one purpose. The Lord knows your need, and right where you are. He is a whisper away, and I pray you will feel the warmth of His touch upon your life right now...that slight weight on your shoulder is not meant to weigh you down, but to remind you, He has His hand upon you! Amen! Much love, my brother...”
i am a grateful debtor!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus — the Great I Am in the storm.
https://youtu.be/O7WWi65gb14?si=X2f7Pb6Omyz_RMPr
Jesus, be Thou my vision!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Is Jesus getting His Wonderful way in me? Is God realizing that His Son is formed in me? Is the Son of God praying in me? Is He ministering in me as He did in the days of His flesh?” Oswald Chambers
JESUS. JESUS. JESUS. AMEN.
https://youtu.be/EhygM116OuM?si=4HTa2lgfoRzJV-Lc
Reign in me, Jesus.
Pastor Kerry Willis
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:26-28 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” Psalms 84:10-12 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:15-18 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV
“Jesus… full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Precious Holy Spirit, You alone are our Advocate.
We love You. We need You.
Jesus promised to send You to us, Oh Precious Spirit of Truth. He knew apart from Your unending Presence in our lives, we would surely live in defeat.
Come Holy Spirit and be the Supreme Controller of our lives. As You bring new mercy into our lives every morning, we surrender anew every day to You and to Your way.
Shed abroad Your Holy Love and Your amazing Grace in our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies.
Cause the mind of Christ to be completely formed with us. Strengthen our weakness with Your touch. Make us to be one with You.
In desperation, Precious Holy Spirit, we cry out to You to be our Advocate. Yes, we love you and we need You always and forever and today. We are Yours. Amen.
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry
"Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me." Psalms 69:2-3 NLT
