Acts 1:5-8 Amplified

Acts 1 AMP

5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him repeatedly, "Lord, are You at this time reestablishing the kingdom and restoring it to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or epochs [ages] which the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth."

“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“Don’t Think It Strange…”

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.” 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!” 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

When Praise Demands a Sacrifice

This song written and sung by Larnelle Harris has been so very inspiring in my own life: 

“When Praise Demands a Sacrifice”

The call to go to mount Moriah

came to Abraham

But the offering placed

before the Lord was not a lamb

He bound His only son

and when the knife was raised

A sacrifice became the price of praise

When praise demands a sacrifice,

I'll worship even then

Surrendering the dearest things in life

And if devotion costs me all

He'll find me faithful to His call

When praise demands a sacrifice

The call to go to Calvary

came to God's own Son

An altar waited for the lamb

He would become

His hands reached up to heaven

as the cross was raised

And with His life

He paid the price of praise

When praise demands a sacrifice,

I'll worship even then

Surrendering the dearest things in life

And if devotion costs me all

He'll find me faithful to His call

When praise demands a sacrifice

God hears the words of praise we lift

Yet I have found

He's honored more by what I'm willing to lay down

When praise demands a sacrifice,

I'll worship even then

Surrendering the dearest things in life

And if devotion costs me all

He'll find me faithful to His call

When praise demands a sacrifice

When praise demands a sacrifice,

I'll worship even then

Surrendering the dearest things in life

And if devotion costs me all

He'll find me faithful to His call

When praise demands a sacrifice

https://youtu.be/4DX6RYEht3Q?si=VdEU0BR8_9ygRho6

“Fully Surremdered to God’s Agenda!” 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Jesus Praying

“‘I do not pray only for these people, My disciples. I pray also for those people who will believe in Me because of My disciples' message. I pray that all of them will become united. You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. I pray that they also will be united in Us. Then the world's people will believe that You sent Me.” Jesus Praying —‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭EASY‬‬

“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Purified By Faith

"God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith." Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!"

Pastor Kerry Willis  

Go in Tears. Return with Songs.

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!”

Pastor Kerry Willis 

The Power of Gratitude -- Savor. Seize. See.

Told an old friend this today: 

"I truly believe that when we do not cease to be grateful for what God has done, it gives Him more favor to do the things He has not yet done."

I also reminded him of an old Kerryism from my local pastoring days: 

Let us…

"Savor yesterday’s memories.

Seize today’s moments.

See tomorrow’s miracles."

Let’s be…

"Fully Surrendered to God’s Agenda!" 

Pastor Kerry Willis