Just When You Thought…

“Just when you thought God had exhausted His kindness, His compassion comes and pulls you out of hiding…”

Lyrics from a song sung Saturday night at Pittsburgh Nazarene Family Camp, 2021

Lord, You’ve been so, so kind to me!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Do You Love Me?

This question the Resurrected Jesus asked Peter on the shores of the Galilee is deep in my thought-life this week: "Do You Love Me?"

Actually, i believe this is the most essential question we must answer if we really want to be devoted disciples of the Lord. 

If we truly do love Jesus, the proof will be in our full surrender to His desires for our lives. Peter would prove his love for Jesus in part by surrendering everything familiar to him as a fisherman to become what Jesus wanted him to be, yes, a fisher of souls and also a feeder of sheep, a shepherd. 

Peter was asked by the Lord to exit his comfort zone to prove his love for Jesus. And we know Peter did just what Jesus asked of him. The fisherman also embraced his discomfort zone, yes, in addition to pulling nets to catch lost souls, he also leaned into shepherding the flocks of the Good Shepherd -- not catch and release, but catch and then care for the Lord’s lambs and sheep. Will we surrender all of our dreams for our own lives for His Heavenly vision? Will we give up our right to ourselves to Him?

If we want to be His disciples, we must begin by answering the very personal question Jesus is asking us: "Do You Love Me?" 

Let’s Love Jesus Passionately!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Here’s Nothing. Here’s Everything. The Greatest Exchange.

"When we surrender our all to Jesus it’s like we are saying to Him, ‘Here’s Nothing’ and then hearing Him say back to us, ‘Here’s Everything!’" -kww

"For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then in exchange, Jesus poured God’s goodness into us!" 2 Corinthians 5:21 TLB

Lord, thanks for calling me into the Greatest Exchange, ever -- all of me for all of You! Amen.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Jesus Knows Busy

Sometimes even in kingdom work, busy happens… 

“One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon He and His disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.” Mark‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Be busy about the Father’s business…

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Amazing Teaching

"Jesus and His companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, He went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with real authority--quite unlike the teachers of religious law." Mark‬ ‭1:21-22‬ ‭NLT

Lord, please preach, teach, and reach with Your amazing authority through me. Amen. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

The Catch

My Dad passionately fished his whole life to feed his family. He never forgot it was ultimately all about the catch. Dad endlessly gave His all to increase the harvest in his nets. As a fisher of souls, i never want to lose sight of increasing God’s family. Lord forbid that i would see “fishing” as a mere pastime and forget the tragedy of empty nets. -kww

Go fish.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

The Man on the Middle Cross Said…

My friend and ministry partner, Rev. BW, sent me this video clip. It blesses my heart. I pray you will also be blessed by it… 

https://youtu.be/xk9wgJBoEd8

In Christ Alone…

Pastor Kerry Willis