Bible, Promises, Romans, Scripture, Trust, Trustworthy

GOD’S WORD NEVER FAILS

ROMANS 9:6

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;”

Promises are meant to be kept, not broken. Have you ever made a promise to someone that you had no intention on keeping? That would be horrible and an outright lie. We make promises all the time, don’t we? We promise to have and to hold from this day forward… But so many marriages fail. We promise to pay a debt but spend our money elsewhere and end up in bankruptcy. We make promises to our children just to get them to behave. That is not how God operates. What He says, He means.

As Paul is reflecting on the state of his kinsmen, he says this basic truth about God – “not as though the word of God has failed.” I am instantly remembering one of my favorite memory verses from Joshua 21:45. “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.” Do you believe that? God has promised us a heavenly home. Do you believe that? I sure do.

APPLICATION

Although the Jewish nation was chosen by God to be the vessel through which He would bring His Son to save mankind, not all those who called themselves Jews understood this. In John 8:44, Jesus confronts these individuals with some rather harsh words. “‘You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.’” Woah! They were Jews but were behaving like the devil’s children. We could say the same today of some who are in the church, couldn’t we?

Although God rejected the Jewish nation when they rejected Jesus as Messiah, He still has a plan for them. That’s a whole other topic for another day. Suffice it to say that God is not done with Israel yet. Why? Because God’s Word has not failed. His promises are still true. He will offer redemption to them again. Of course, it is offered every day, if they would just choose it.

What is your favorite promise from God’s Word? Do a search of God’s promises and see which one you can claim as your very own. I love Hebrews 13:5, “for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU,’” Also Philippians 4:19 reassures me daily. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Amen? Trust His promises. They always come true.

Lord, I give You praise for Your many promises You have made and kept in my life. I know You are the One Who can always be trusted.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blessed, Christ, Fathers, Heritage, Promises, Romans, Scripture

WHAT A HERITAGE!

ROMANS 9:5

“whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”

I wish I had more time to dig into my family heritage. I never really talked to my parents about their deep family heritage. I sure wish I had. I know nothing about my father’s extended family. I am thankful for the genealogy sites out there that can help us find that information. I have mentioned before that I have traced the Willis line back to 1555 in England. I wonder how many of those ancestors knew Jesus. I’ll find out one day, won’t I?

Paul goes into the last two points of his kinsmen’s heritage before ending the verse with an exaltation to Christ. Paul is undoubtedly thinking about Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Perhaps Moses or Elijah or Jeremiah were on his mind. These were the “fathers” he mentions here. But the high claim is that through his nation came Jesus Christ in the flesh. God chose the Jewish nation to bring forth the Savior of all mankind. Praise be to God for His faithfulness.

APPLICATION

This is not a verse that needs a lot of deep interpretation. It’s pretty straightforward. The question is then, what do we do with it. Remember, every single word in the Scriptures is God-breathed. For me, I believe the Lord is, first of all, reminding me of the importance of my legacy. It should not be about making a great name for myself. It should only be about making Him known. I want my family to remember me as man who sought to please the Lord in all he did. That’s legacy enough for me.

Secondly, this verse today commands me to glorify Jesus for all He has done and the Father for sending Him. Look at Paul’s words again. “the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever.” It seems Paul just bursts out in praise for Jesus. Shouldn’t we do the same? May the praise of Jesus be always on our minds and tongues. Afterall, He is “over all.”

I want to encourage you today to walk in Christ as if this is the last day on earth for you. What would you do differently if you knew that? Who would you reach out to? Strive to leave your name representing Him. Representing means we re-present Him. That requires us to live it out and talk about it. Present Christ to someone today. Tell the story of how He changed your life and how He can change theirs. Just be Jesus today.

I am so thankful for my earthly heritage but so much more thankful, Lord, to be in the heritage of Christ. I belong to His family now.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Availability, Bible, Prayer, Romans, Scripture, Talents, Witnessing

SO MUCH GOING FOR THEM

ROMANS 9:4

“who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises;”

People say all the time that if someone they know with some special talent would get saved, God could really use them. Wrong! God does not want our abilities. He wants our availability. Right? It doesn’t matter how great the talent if that person is not willing to be used by God. You have probably heard of missionaries or preachers who gave up their field of talent to be used by God. Sure, God can use our talents. After all, He gave them to us. But He doesn’t need them.

Paul is still talking about his Jewish brothers and sisters and longing for them to come to Christ. He reminds us in this verse today that the Jewish people were adopted as God’s sons and daughters. They received God’s glory, His covenant, His Law, His temple and His promises. They were a favored people. But they still needed the Savior which Paul had found. He wanted to see them come to Christ and experience true glory.

APPLICATION

The Expositor’s Greek Testament has a good view of this verse. “The intensity of Paul’s distress, and of his longing for the salvation of his countrymen, is partly explained in this verse. It is the greatness of his people, their unique place of privilege in God’s providence, the splendour of the inheritance and of the hopes which they forfeit by unbelief, that make their unbelief at once so painful, and so perplexing.”

Do you have that “intensity of distress” over someone you know who needs Christ? Most of us don’t. I pray every day for my family, and I pray specifically for all of them to know Christ and to walk with Him daily. I even pray for my grandchildren’s future spouses and their families that they would know, love and follow Christ. Why? Because I know how important that is to family.

Whom are you praying for today? Think about your immediate and extended family. If you have lost family members, make it a a daily practice to pray for them by name. Beg God for them. Have the same intensity for them that Paul had for his kinsmen. Are you willing to sacrifice anything to see them come to Christ? I want to carry all my loved ones to heaven one day. I don’t want to know that even one is left behind. That’s how Paul felt. The thought of his kinsmen missing heaven because they refused their Messiah just broke his heart. Have that heart for others.

Lord, You are the One Who gives me my burden for others. Use me today to reach just one.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Gospel, Romans, Sacrifice, Salvation, Scripture, Suffering

WILLING TO SUFFER FOR OTHERS

ROMANS 9:3

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,”

What would you be willing to endure to ensure the safety and well-being of your family? Interesting thought, huh? As I sit here and write these thoughts, I can say I would do anything to protect mine. My wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren mean the world to me. If they were threatened by anything, I would jump in to protect them. Even if they did not want my protection, I would lay down my life for them.

Today’s passage has been hotly contested by the best of scholars. Paul is not saying he wishes he could be damned in order to save his countrymen. That would negate everything he has been teaching thus far in this letter. The whole point he is making hinges on the word translated “accursed.” That is the Greek word anathema which means something that has been pledged or devoted for destruction. It is used six times in the New Testament (Acts 23:14; Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22; Galatians 1:9 and 1:9).

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse this way. “And the apostle evidently means to say that he would be willing to suffer the bitterest evils, to forego all pleasure, to endure any privation and toil, nay, to offer his life, so that he might be wholly devoted to sufferings, as an offering, if he might be the means of benefiting and saving the nation.” And that he did. Just read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 for a full list of his sufferings for Christ.

Although Paul’s calling from God was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, he was still Jewish and had a heart for his people. It is kind of like how I feel about my small hometown of Pelham, GA. I have not lived there since 1979, but when I do get home (which is not often enough) I still have that kindred spirit with all my fellow Pelhamites. I will always be “from” there. Paul’s intense desire to see his countrymen come to Christ never faded.

So, let me ask you again. What would you do to save your family? What would you give up for them? You may have things in your life right now that are destroying your witness to them. Give those up. There may be a conflict still brewing between you and someone in your family. Do all you can to settle it. We should all have this intense desire. I am reminded of 1 Timothy 5:8. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Are you providing for the spiritual nourishment of your family?

O Lord, give me that kind of intense burden for my family. Give me avenues to share the Gospel with them.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Grief, Romans, Scripture, Sorrow, Witnessing

HEAVY HEART

ROMANS 9:2

“that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”

I am sure you have heard the expression, “heavy heart.” You may have experienced that yourself at one point in your heart. It’s really hard to describe and put into words. You have to experience it yourself to be able to relate to someone going through this. It’s not depression. That’s a whole other thing. It’s just…well…a heaviness you can’t describe.

Paul is trying to express his heavy heart in today’s verse. He is thinking about his kinsmen, the nation of Israel, knowing that so many of them will perish apart from the Lord because of their refusal to recognize Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. The words “sorrow” and “grief” are described by Gill’s Exposition of the Bible this way. “These two words, ‘heaviness’ and ‘sorrow, the one signifies grief, which had brought on heaviness on his spirits; and the other such pain as a woman in travail feels: and the trouble of his mind expressed by both, is described by its quantity, ‘great’, it was not a little, but much; by its quality it was internal, it was in his ‘heart’,”

APPLICATION

The word “sorrow” is lupé which is used sixteen times throughout the New Testament. In Luke 22:45, it is used to describe Peter, James and John when they fell asleep waiting for Jesus to finish praying in the garden. “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.” You can imagine the heaviness these three felt, knowing what was to come. They were Jesus’ closest companions, the three He poured extra into. They knew His demise was upon them, so Luke describes the heaviness that caused their sleep.

Paul uses oduné to describe his unceasing grief. This word is only used here and over in 1 Timothy 6:10. There Paul is describing those who “have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” That would be a self-inflicted grief. Still painful, but avoidable. That is not the case in today’s verse. Paul was in deep grief and sorrow over his nation. He so desired them to come to Christ.

I, too, am grieving over my nation. When I see all the riots and protests, all the rejection of Christ, my heart is heavy. But what am I doing about it? Some days I am feel I am doing all I can, but other days not enough. Let us all agree to stop grieving and start doing. Let us not grow weary and fall asleep from our sorrow like Peter, James and John. Let us fight until the end, leaving it all on the battlefield for Jesus.

Father, heal my heaviness of heart for my nation and give me a renewed vigor and energy to reach the lost.If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry

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Bible, Conscience, Romans, Scripture, Truth

MY CONSCIENCE

ROMANS 9:1

“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,”

We begin the second half of this letter to the Romans today with a confession by Paul saying he is “telling the truth.” It is only appropriate that he brings up his conscience when he says that. Doesn’t your conscience (I hate trying to spell that word, lol) bother you when you lie? And before you get all high and mighty, we have all lied at some point in our lives. God gave us our conscience to help guide us. But if we are not forming our thoughts and intentions according to His Word, our conscience isn’t offended when we lie to ourselves or others.

Paul uses the Greek word syneídēsis which comes from sýn, (together with) and eídō (to know, see). It literally means “joint-knowing.” HELPS Word-studies says it means this. “Conscience which joins moral and spiritual consciousness as part of being created in the divine image. Accordingly, all people have this God-given capacity to know right from wrong because each is a free moral agent.” I like that. We all have this capacity, but do we follow it?

APPLICATION

Paul uses this word earlier in Romans 2:15 and then once again in Romans 13:5, but I really like how he uses it in his letters to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.” Again in 1 Timothy 1:19 he uses it. “keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Once more in 1 Timothy 3:9 we see it used. “but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” In 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul writes to his “beloved son,” “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,…”

What a display of the use of this word, syneídēsis, to show its importance to us as followers of Christ. We need to be walking in such a way that our conscience is clear and good. When we have a bad or seared conscience, we are taken out of the race. Remember what Hebrews 12:1 says, “…let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,…” Keep your conscience clear and pure.

But how am I suppose to do that, Carl? Glad you asked. Stay on your knees. Pray! Read His Word! Encourage others in their walk. Find an ally to walk with you and hold you accountable when you stray. The devil knows your triggers and will pull that trigger every chance he gets. He knows a bad conscience hinders a believer and sidelines him. Read Romans 12:2 today and do what it says.

Cleanse my conscience today of any intention to do evil. Help me live today to honor You in everything I think, say and do.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Love, Bible, Scripture, Separation, Father, Romans

THE LOVE OF GOD

ROMANS 8:39

“nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We throw around the word “love” so flippantly, don’t we? Our love of things can lead us into disaster. Our love for the wrong person can also cause us pain and suffering emotionally. Love is such a critical part of the human experience, yet we misuse it so often. Children need to be taught to love. For that matter, some adults do also. Loving well is something we can all get better at.

So, when Paul switches from the “love of Christ” in verse 35 to the “love of God” in today’s verse, that caught my attention. Is there a difference? Why did the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to change this love statement? I love how the Cambridge Bible explains this. “The ‘love of Christ’ is the Divine Love felt for us by the Eternal Son. And this, because He is the Eternal Son, is also the Divine expression of the love felt for us by the Eternal Father, who ‘sent His Son to be the Propitiation for our sins,’ and, in giving His Son, gave His Son’s love to be our bliss and light.”

APPLICATION

We can find passages all throughout the Bible of “the love of God.” Take a look at some of them.

1 John 4:9 “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.”

Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

I could go on and list hundreds of other verses on the love of God, but you need to do your own study on that. Just do a google search on verses about the love of God. You could probably spend weeks on that study. But all the study in the world does not matter if we are not showing God’s love to others. That is why He gave us His love. He wants to use us as His vessels of love to others.

Share His love with someone this week. I am going to be traveling some in the next several days and am praying for opportunities to do that. Sometimes those pop up when you least expect it. Be ready to show it to others.

Lord, I know I did nothing to deserve Your love but You chose to show me Yours. I love because You first loved me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Conviction, Persuasion, Protection, Romans, Scripture

I AM CONVINCED

ROMANS 8:38

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,”

What does it take for you to be persuaded about something? In this day of AI, you have to be careful about what persuades you. What might seem to be true could, in fact, be totally fabricated by the use of AI. I am convinced of a few things. I am convinced that I am sixty-five years old. I am convinced I live in TN. I am convinced I have been serving the Lord since April 1979. Other than that, it’s all up for grabs, lol.

But Paul tells us today that we can be convinced, just as he was, of some things. The word “convinced” is a primary verb used throughout the New Testament for being persuaded about faith. In faith, the Greek word here is peitho which is the root of pistis (faith). HELPS Word-studies says, “The Lord persuades the yielded believer to be confident in His preferred-will (Galatians 5:10; 2 Timothy 1:12).” Are you convinced?

APPLICATION

Paul was a persuader! In Thessalonica, when he preached to the Jews there, some of them believed. Acts 17:4 says, “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,…” Why were they convinced? Because Paul taught from the Scriptures how Jesus had to suffer and die and was the long awaited Messiah, the Christ. Then the Holy Spirit did His job and wooed them to the Lord. It is not only up to us. God uses us, but He calls them.

One of my favorite verses that uses peitho is 2 Timothy 1:12. “For this reason I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” There is even a hymn entitled “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” All four stanzas of that hymn talk about what we do not know. Here is the first one:

“I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He hath made known,

nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed for His own.”

But then the Chorus burst out:

“But I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able

to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day. “

Praise be to God for the convincing power of the cross and His unfailing love for us. He has convinced me. Has He convinced you?

Lord, I am persuaded. I am convinced that You are able to keep me secure against all that comes against me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Conquerors, Romans, Scripture, Trials, Tribulations, Victors

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

ROMANS 8:37

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

This verse is probably one you have heard quoted before. I love how the various translations show the Greek word, hupernikaó. Here are some other ways it is translated:

NLT  – overwhelming victory is ours 

NIV – more than conquerors 

AMP – we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory

What a picture of this one Greek word. Let’s take a closer look at it.

Paul uses hupernikaó just once in all his letters. In fact, this word isn’t found anywhere else in the New Testament. It’s a compound word coming from huper (beyond) and nikao (conquer). Combined we get “to vanquish beyond, i.e. gain a decisive victory – more than conquer.” (Strong’s). You get the picture. The word is in the Present Indicative Active which means we are constantly doing this. Paul is telling us that no matter what we face in life, we are continually totally conquering our adversary’s efforts to defeat us. Praise God.

APPLICATION

What challenge are you facing today? You are more than a conqueror. You are a vanquisher. Is it a physical challenge such as cancer? You are victorious over it! That doesn’t mean the illness just vanishes. But you can defeat any thoughts of despair and depression because of it. You are victorious through Christ.

Think about your worst defeat you’ve faced as a believer. Now, honestly examine how you approached the challenge that led to that defeat. I read today this quote by Bill Sunday. “Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.” That’s pretty good, huh? Did you suffer because of your choice of sin or your choice for God? A lot of us claim we are being persecuted for things that we put on ourselves. Never do that.

If you are currently facing persecution for your faith, do not lose faith. Know that the God of Ages knows your name and is fighting for you. 1 Peter 3:14 tells us, “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE IN DREAD,” Praise be to God for His faithfulness to us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has made us victors in this life. Now, live like it.

I claim that promise, O Lord, that I am more than a conqueror in Christ.” 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Persecution, Protection, Romans, Scripture, Suffering, Sufficiency, Witness

PERSECUTION

ROMANS 8:36

“Just as it is written: ‘FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE REGARDED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.’”

I receive daily emails from Voice of the Martyrs. The stories they share humble me beyond words. Persecution is real today throughout the world. One report says that 32 Christians are killed every day in Nigeria. Only recently has the U.S. raised complaints to the Nigerian government about this. The government there, of course, denies such killings are taking place.

Paul wrote of such persecutions here in Romans and quoted Psalm 44:22 in today’s verse. The sons of Korah wrote this Psalm to encourage the followers of Jehovah to be brave in the midst of persecution. They tell them in the previous two verses, “20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or extended our hands to a strange god, 21 Would God not find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” God knows when and how we are facing any type of persecution for our faith. Submit to it as a badge of honor.

APPLICATION

Take a minute and examine your walk with Christ. Does it expose you to persecution? Are you fearful of being killed for your faith? I read in a missionary friend’s prayer letter today this request. “As we worship today at the local fellowship. Pray for our brothers and sisters who face incredible persecution. Every day we get new reports of believers being attacked or threatened. Pray they will be strong in the Lord and not in fear. The enemy can’t stop God’s work.” That’s an eyewitness to persecution in an unnamed country.

In the ministry in which I serve (Every Man A Warrior), we hear of our leaders facing similar threats. We have had some of our leaders kidnapped and others interrogated by police. As I sit here in the comfort of my home in TN, I do not face such threats. The worst I would be subject to is perhaps some chiding or rude comments. I encourage you to stand firm in your faith for the cause of Christ.

Pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. We are told in 1 Peter 5:9-10, “9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Father, I praise You for the persecution You allow in our lives which drives us to our knees in obedience to Your calling. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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