“Christmas put into motion the ultimate gift exchange — God gave His Son to us and we give our sin to Him.” -kww
And then it just gets “more gooder” for us:
2 Cor. 5:21 -- TLB " For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange He poured God's goodness into us."
“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Precious Holy Spirit, i seek You and Your everlasting embrace in everything at all times. i seek Your care, Your counsel, and Your comfort. Apart from You reigning in my life, even, as my Life, all Hope would be lost of spiritual success in this world and beyond. You are my Holy Hope in Christ Jesus. So, i pray…
"Come Holy Spirit, i need Thee.
Come Sweet Spirit, i pray.
Come in Thy strength and Thy power.
Come in Thine own gentle way." Amen.
https://youtu.be/6t_VM4tMLoU?si=EHpHLyaNkJxmhA85
"Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Lord, you keep those people safe who continue to trust in you. You give them peace in their minds, because they believe in you.” Isaiah 26:3 EASY
“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Praying means being constantly ready to let go of your certainty and move on further than where you are now.” Henri Nouwen
“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV
"Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!"
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Advent leads to a growing inner stillness and deep joy allowing me to realize that The Wonderful One for whom i am waiting has already come and will surely come again." -kww
"Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 NIV
“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“The Lord’s home reaches up to the heavens, while its foundation is on the earth. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is His name!” Amos 9:6 NLT
“Surrendered Fully to God’s Agenda!”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"To yearn for God is to learn that God also yearns for us." -kww
Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!
Pastor Kerry Willis
Abba Father, Hallowed be Thy Name. Please use these holy days of Advent to extinguish the exhaustion of Your people everywhere. Be our continued Victor in all spiritual * warfare. You alone are our omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Overseer. Make us to be glorious overcomers for Your glory. Remind us that the Battle really belongs to You.
Help us to trust You, totally, and to be Your witnesses to Your world. In Your Wonderful Name, we will continue to pray without ceasing. Amen. -kww
Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Pilate said. “Don’t You realize I have power either to free You or to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above.” John 19:10b-11a NIV
Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [2 Chr 36:16]" Words of Jesus, Matthew 5:11-12 AMP
Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!
Pastor Kerry Willis
i shared this vulnerable prayer request with some of my family members, today:
My prayer is that a complete healing of my mind is underway, in that, i want and need His thoughts to overtake my own thoughts completely until the mind of Christ is fully my thought process. i want to be poor in Spirit continuously. Pray with me and for me. Grateful.
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Could it be that during this Advent Season, God wants us to do something -- not just for others but for ourselves as well -- like receiving the rest He offers to us through the Gift of His Son? -kww
"Come to Me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus, Matthew 11:28-29
Lord, help me to receive Your rest and to be grateful. Amen. -kww
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
"For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed)." 2 Corinthians 8:9 AMP
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5 AMP
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”” Daniel 3:16-18 NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"For it is not an enemy who taunts me-- Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who has hated me who insolently exalts himself against me-- Then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man my equal and my counsel, My companion and my familiar friend; We who had sweet fellowship together, Who walked to the house of God in company." Psalms 55:12-14 AMP
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Just as it is written and forever remains written, "For Your sake we are put to death all day long; We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter." [Ps 44:22] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced--beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:36-39 AMP
So i cry out to The Good Shepherd: "Baa! Baa! Amen!"
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
P.S. Calling out to The Good Shepherd. Surely He is with and within us. He is The Life of our Lives, The Merger of our Minds, and The Source of our Souls. Amen!
“Lord, help me to welcome all unexpected surprises and even disturbing interruptions in life, realizing such events are used by You to prepare me for Your Coming Again. Amen.”
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
Christians must exemplify the values and standards of their permanent home, Heaven. Paul reiterates that theme in Philippians 3:20, reminding the church that “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are sojourners here, ambassadors for our Father, the King (2 Corinthians 5:20).
This world is not our home. The knowledge that we are sojourners on this earth keeps us from setting our hearts on its treasures. Jesus warned us that this world’s treasures are subject to loss. Therefore, we must store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20).
We are to hold all God gives us with open hands, knowing that any earthly gain is only temporary. Sojourners don’t put down deep roots in the places where they reside because they know they will soon move on. Likewise, Christians don’t pour their hearts and passions into things that won’t last. The wise Christian is one who lives every day with bags packed, ready to move on when God directs and eager to vacate this world when our Father calls us home. (copied)
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“Too often as Christians we have been intimidated by our self-inflicted fears rather than being inspired by our God-Given Hope. And our God-Given Hope has a Name. Jesus!” -kww
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” 2 Peter 3:8-10 NLT
“And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” 2 Peter 3:15a NLT
“Ears Wide Open… Listening…”
Pastor Kerry Willis
"Love is patient…" 1 Cor. 13
"The Fruit of the Spirit is… patience." Ephesians 5
"Wait on the Lord…" Psalm 27
"Ears Wide Open… Listening…"
Pastor Kerry Willis
