Multiple raised hands of different skin tones reaching up towards a colorful sunset sky
Bible, Gospel, Hand, Isaiah, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

OUTSTRETCHED HANDS

ROMANS 10:21

“But as for Israel, He says, ‘I HAVE SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL DAY LONG TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.’”

We come to the end of chapter 10 of Romans with today’s verse. Once again, Paul turns to Isaiah 65, this time from verse 2 which says, “‘I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,’” But let me encourage you to take a minute and go to Isaiah 65 and read verses 1-7 to get the full picture of what the Lord is saying.

But look closely at what the Lord spoke to Isaiah about the Jewish nation. Even though they were disobedient and obstinate, He still says, “I have spread out My hands all day long.” God still was entreating them to return to Him. He loved His chosen people. He still wants to see them redeemed. Paul is telling us in today’s verse that this is still true in his day. God sent His Son to His children first, who spurned and rejected Him. Still, He desires to see them saved.

APPLICATION

Barnes sums up the past several verses with these observations:

  • The pagan world is in danger without the gospel.
  • The provisions of the gospel are ample for them.
  • The command of Jesus Christ remains still the same, to preach the gospel to every creature.
  • If the gospel is to be preached everywhere, people must be sent forth into the vast field.
  • The church should be training young men for the ministry.
  • God will withdraw His favors from those nations that are disobedient and rebellious.

What are we to do with this? We must be about our Father’s business of reaching the lost for Christ. There’s not a moment to spare. His return is imminent. It could happen today. And there are billions who will face the fiery flames of hell if they do not bow the knee to Jesus.

The image of outstretched hands is one we can see clearly in the cross. Jesus stretched out His hands and died for us. He allowed His hands to be pierced with the nails of the cross on our behalf. And when we turn to Him, those drops of blood cover us. We must share that with others as often as we can. Stretch out your hands today and share the good news of God’s redemption plan for the world.

Father, I praise You for giving Your Own Son Who stretched out His hands for 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, Finding, Isaiah, Revealed, Romans, Scripture, Seeking

CLEARLY REVEALED

ROMANS 10:20

“And Isaiah is very bold and says, ‘I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I REVEALED MYSELF TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.’”

Some things are just easy to see. The love of a young couple who are enamored with each other. The beauty of a sunrise on a clear morning. The moon when it is at its fullest. These things are so clear. Anyone with any ability to see can view these. Some people think God is out of sight and unreachable. But Paul tells us something very different in today’s verse.

He goes back to the prophet Isaiah again and quotes from Isaiah 65:1-2. “‘I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, “Here am I, here am I,” to a nation which did not call on My name.’” Why do you think Paul has gone repeatedly to the Old Testament in chapter ten? He quotes from at least nine different passages in this chapter. Paul wanted the Jews to see that God has been giving the message of salvation for centuries and has opened it up to those outside the Jewish nation. This is why the Jews hated him so much.

APPLICATION

Paul says that Isaiah is “very bold.” That meant he had the guts to say what the Jews did not want to hear. Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn’t it? Paul was not trying to hurt anyone, but he was adamant about telling them the truth from God’s Word. In a way, Paul was showing the same daring that Isaiah showed in his day. Paul loved his countrymen and wanted them to come to Christ.

Paul uses the passage in Isaiah to show that the Gentiles were able to find God even when they were not looking. I am reminded of Matthew 7:7-8 where the same word for “find” is used. “7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.’”

Our job as followers of Christ is to help everyone we can to find Jesus and experience His saving grace. Some people just take a gentle nudge. Others may take more effort. But the end result should be the same – helping them find salvation. God still wants to reveal Himself to everyone. I’ve said it before – God is not playing hide and seek. He is in plain sight. We just have to point people in the right direction. Will you join me in pointing?

O Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself so clearly to all who want to know You.

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, Deuteronomy, Gospel, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

THEY WERE TOLD

ROMANS 10:19

“But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, ‘I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT A NATION, WITH A FOOLISH NATION I WILL ANGER YOU.’”

Isn’t it frustrating when you have to repeat yourself? Telling the same thing over and over gets tiring. When your children were little, you found yourself, I am sure, repeating things to them. But you kept telling them with the hopes that they would eventually get it. And for the most part they did, didn’t they? Repetition is necessary at times.

Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 32:21 which says, “‘They have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation,’” God warned the Jewish nation hundreds of years ago through Moses that He would use the Gentiles to show them His salvation is for everyone. Wow! That had plenty of warning, but they never seemed to get it.

APPLICATION

I don’t normally use a long quote from a commentator, but Matthew Henry has some great words of wisdom on this passage and the ones that follow that bear repeating. Read it more than once. “Did not the Jews know that the Gentiles were to be called in? They might have known it from Moses and Isaiah. Isaiah speaks plainly of the grace and favour of God, as going before in the receiving of the Gentiles. Was not this our own case? Did not God begin in love, and make himself known to us when we did not ask after him? The patience of God towards provoking sinners is wonderful. The time of God’s patience is called a day, light as day, and fit for work and business; but limited as a day, and there is a night at the end of it. God’s patience makes man’s disobedience worse, and renders that the more sinful. We may wonder at the mercy of God, that his goodness is not overcome by man’s badness; we may wonder at the wickedness of man, that his badness is not overcome by God’s goodness. And it is a matter of joy to think that God has sent the message of grace to so many millions, by the wide spread of his gospel.”

I love how he applies this to Gentiles as well as the Jews. We all have been told the story in one way or another. We have all heard or seen the Gospel message. Therefore, we cannot give excuses for not believing. No Jew could and no Gentile could. That still applies today. Especially with the technology we have around the world, the Gospel is presented in thousands of dialects and in just about every spot on the globe.

But we still have work to do. God will judge mankind one day, and if someone has not believed in the name of the Son of God and turned to Him for salvation, they will face an eternal hell. Let’s get busy for the kingdom. Today could be our last day on earth. Jesus could return tomorrow to take His bride away. Be diligent.

Father, You have warned us time and time again. You will judge us all one day. I am thankful I know I am Yours.

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Bible, Gospel, Messages, Messenger, Psalms, Romans, Scripture, Voice

JUST LISTEN

ROMANS 10:18

“But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary: ‘THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.’”

As I am getting older, the one thing that irritates me the most is the loss of hearing. I have lost some of my hearing in my left ear and have tinnitus in both ears. Just plain irritating. However, it does give me a good excuse sometimes when I don’t want to hear something my wife is telling me, lol. Just kidding. But there are times when she is trying to tell me something, and I just don’t hear her. My lack of hearing does not negate the words she is saying. She has still given me a message. I just didn’t respond to it.

Paul continues his line of thinking in today’s verse in regard to the message of God being proclaimed to everyone. He quotes from Psalm 19:4 which says, “Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,” Albert Barnes says this about the Psalmist. “The psalmist employs them to show that the works of God, the heavens and the earth, proclaim his existence everywhere.” There is just no argument about the fact that God will judge everyone who does not respond to His message of salvation, no matter how He delivered it.

APPLICATION

In Acts 26:26 Paul confronts King Agrippa with the facts that he has heard the message. “‘For the king knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.’” Pretty bold move, huh? Paul confronts the person who holds his fate in his hands. Could we be as bold in presenting the message to others?

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he states the fact of the message being voiced to all. In 1:23 Paul writes, “if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.” The gospel message has been “proclaimed in all creation under heaven.” Wow!

The word used by Paul for “voice” is phthoggos which is only used here and in 1 Corinthians 14:7. It has the idea of a musical note by voice or instrument. This note is unique and is recognizable. God’s “note” of the Gospel message is unique and recognizable by all. There is no excuse for not responding. Let us be God’s musical instruments strumming the chords of the Gospel to all who will listen.

Thank You, Lord, for sending Your message to mankind to enable them to respond to Your gift of salvation through Jesus.

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, Disobedience, Faith, Hearing, Obedience, Romans, Scripture

IF A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST…

ROMANS 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

You may have heard the expression, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it fall, does it make a sound?” Another saying is also popular. “If a man says something and his wife is not around to hear him, is he still wrong?” Not funny, by the way. But hearing something may or may not make it true. As the saying goes, “Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see.”

Paul is continuing his discussion about hearing and obeying, about the importance of the delivered message of the Gospel. Scholars debate the exact meaning of today’s verse. Some say it is not “fair” to say faith only comes to those who hear the message. What if they never get a chance to hear it? May I suggest something to you today about this verse? Let’s look at the word used here for “word.”

APPLICATION

Paul uses the Greek word rhema which the Topical Lexicon says, “focuses on a specific utterance—spoken, remembered, or freshly quickened by the Spirit. Rhēma highlights immediacy, particularity, and personal address.” Contrast that to logos, the other Greek word translated as “word” which has a broader message. Jesus is called the Logos.

Let me ask you something. Do you think God needs a person to deliver His rhema in order to be heard? I don’t think so. God can speak in all kinds of ways to get His message across. He doesn’t need a preacher, even though He does use them. We have all heard the stories of people hearing and seeing Jesus in dreams and visions. God has a way for His rhema to go forth to whomever He wants.

However God chooses to speak, faith comes from that hearing and then only once we obey. Again, as Paul mentioned in yesterday’s verse, many heard and did not “heed” the message. Our prayer should be that everyone will hear in some manner and will choose to respond to the call of Christ on their life. Jesus is a polite Savior. He won’t force Himself on anyone. But He is always there ready to give the gift of salvation to whomever wants to receive it. Tell everyone you know. Be a part of telling the rhema of Christ.

Your words are the words of life, Lord. Help me share them with all I meet.

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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Belief, Bible, Disobedience, Gospel, Isaiah, Obedience, Romans, Scripture

REFUSING TO OBEY

ROMANS 10:16

“However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?’”

As a I child, I was told things by my parents to help keep me out of trouble. And like most kids, I ignored their advice. I chose to not listen and do my own thing. As a result, I paid the price for not obeying. As a parent, I did the same with my children with the same result. Some things my children listened to and other things they ignored. Listening does not imply hearing. That’s plain in today’s text.

Paul uses a Greek word that is translated here as “heed.” It’s the Greek word hupakouó, which the HELPS Word-studies says, “is acting under the authority of the one speaking, i.e. really listening to the one giving the charge (order). Hypakoúō (‘to hearken, obey’) suggests attentively listening, i.e. fully compliant (responsive).” Paul is telling us that not all who hear the good news will respond. This is still true today.

APPLICATION

Once again, Paul goes to the prophet Isaiah. Here he quotes from Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” About this verse, Barnes says, “The form of expression, ‘Who hath believed?’ is a mode of saying emphatically that few or none had done it. The great mass of his countrymen had rejected it. This was an example to the purpose of the apostle.” Isn’t this exactly what Jesus dealt with Himself? Few followed Him although thousands heard Him preach and teach.

Hypakoúō is used in Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20 where it says for children to “be obedient” to their parents. Hearing with the intent to obey is the idea here. We are God’s children, aren’t we? So, aren’t we supposed to hear Him and obey Him? Of course, we are. It’s not that hard. But we still turn a deaf ear to Him when we want to have our own way. We think we know better. We may not say that, but our actions speak louder than words.

What is the result of someone refusing to “heed” the gospel? Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. “7 …when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,…” Let’s do all we can to give the good news to those who need it and pray they will “heed” the call of the Master.

Lord, it burdens my heart to know that millions who have heard Your message will turn away into an eternal destruction.

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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Close-up of feet with multiple dark spots and uneven skin tone
Bible, Feet, Gospel, Isaiah, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

BEAUTIFUL FEET? REALLY?

ROMANS 10:15

“But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’”

My wife and I were just having a discussion about feet the other night. Some commercial on tv had shown some rather ugly feet to try to sell a product, and we both remarked how ugly most feet are. Now, you may disagree. You may think they are pretty. Well, you haven’t seen mine, lol. I was kissing my granddaughter’s feet the other day, much to her delight. I would agree that her feet are cute, but they still have that baby smell.

Paul reverts back to Isaiah again in today’s verse, this time to Isaiah 52:7. He leaves out some of the imagery of the Hebrew text, so I thought I would give you the whole verse. “How delightful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” One scholarly source says this about Paul’s use of this passage. “The whole chapter of Isaiah from which this is taken, and the three that follow, are so richly Messianic, that there can be no doubt ‘the glad tidings’ there spoken of announce a more glorious release than of Judah from the Babylonish captivity, and the very feet of its preachers are called ‘beautiful’ for the sake of their message.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

APPLICATION

Can you just picture the scene of a distant runner bringing news from the battlefront? Of course, they couldn’t see the runner’s feet. What made the feet so beautiful was the message they were carrying. Jesus’ feet were nail-scarred, but oh, how beautiful they were. Those feet represented God’s promise of redemption to all mankind through the life and death of Jesus, His Son.

Now, we are entrusted with that same message of redemption. Our feet will be deemed beautiful, not because of the lack of bunions or callouses. They will be beautiful feet because they carry the message of the cross. Ephesians 6:15 mentions our feet in the armor of God passage. “and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace;” And look at Nahum 1:15, “Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, Judah, Pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; He is eliminated completely.”

Our feet were made for walking. What better thing to carry on our walk than the Gospel message. Who can you deliver it to today? We all know someone who needs to hear it, don’t we? Let’s be about our Father’s business and use our feet for good. Amen?

Bless my feet today, O Lord, as I seek ways to deliver Your good news to others.

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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The word 'How?' in bold, orange retro typography with purple and blue outlines and surrounding stars.
Bible, Scripture, Questions, Hearing, Belief, Answers, Preaching, Romans

HOW?

ROMANS 10:14

“How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?”

If you’ve been around preschoolers enough, you have probably been riddled with the “Why?” questions. Am I right? I have mentioned before that I spent a large part of my ministry working with children before I “grew up” and started working with men, lol. So, I’ve been hammered by the best of the preschoolers’ questions. Why did God make the sky blue? Why are fish smelly? Why do frogs croak? Believe me, I’ve heard them all.

It almost seems that way in today’s verse when Paul starts his series of “How” questions. Let’s take a look at the first three. The Greek word for “how” is pos and can be translated also as “in what way.” I kind of like that. Don’t you? Paul poses these indirect questions without really expecting anyone to answer him. He will be giving us the answer a little later.

APPLICATION

The first question is a follow up to the previous verse we saw in yesterday’s blog post. “for ‘EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’” A person cannot be expected to call on someone they have not believed in, can they? The Greek word for “call” is epikaleó which means to invoke, to appeal to. The prefix epi intensifies kaleo (to call). In other words, it means to really call. I heard that the rescued Weapons Service Officer’s first reply when they received radio contact from him was “God is good.” I bet he was calling on someone he believed in, don’t you?

The next question follows this one. How can someone believe if they have not heard? Heard what? The Gospel message of faith in Jesus. Isn’t that what they needed to hear? The Jews had heard the message and had rejected it. The Gentiles could care less about this Jewish rabbi who proclaimed to be the Messiah. Someone’s ignorance of Jesus does not exclude them from judgment. Just look back at Romans 1:19-20.

And the final question Paul raises is how can someone hear unless someone tells them. They need a preacher, a prophet or a voice from God, right? Look again at the Romans 1:19-20 passage and answer that question. This, of course, does not exempt us from our responsibility to be a truth teller. We need to be spreading the message for and wide. Help answer some of those “how” questions for people. Show them the One Who has all the answers.

O Lord, You are the answer to every question anyone could ever ask. Draw them to Yourself.

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, Scripture, Salvation, Calling, Called, Romans, Joel

EVERYONE MEANS EVERY ONE

ROMANS 10:13

“for ‘EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’”

There’s a little joke preachers throw around about the little Greek word pas which is translated in today’s verse as “everyone.” Preachers will say, “The Greek word for ‘all’ means ‘all.’” Hey, I didn’t say it was a funny joke. HELPS Word-studies says it “means ‘all’ in the sense of ‘each (every) part that applies.’ The emphasis of the total picture then is on ‘one piece at a time.’”

Paul seems to take this verse from Joel 2:32, “And it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD Will be saved;” The Hebrew word translated as “everyone” is asher which occurs over 5500 times in the Old Testament. It literally occurs on just about every page of the Old Testament where it is translated in numerous ways. I think that is significant. Just as salvation is for everyone, it is found everywhere in Scripture in some way.

APPLICATION

Once again, I am not going to get into a discussion about election or God’s sovereignty on this subject. I am simply sharing what Paul wrote here in Romans 10:13. I mentioned a few verses back about Romans containing the “Roman Road” of salvation (3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10, 13). Here is the culminating verse in that list. We are plainly told that everyone or all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. What does that imply? It means God is always listening for our plea for rescue.

I hope you can recall a point in your life when you cried out to Him. We are not born Christians. It isn’t something you just grow into. There has to come a point where you realize you are a sinner in need of a Savior. You realize the depth of your sin. For me, that was July 31, 1977. I am still in the process of being saved (sanctified), and one day will be glorified. I haven’t arrived yet. But I am not where I was almost fifty years ago.

One of my favorite passages in Psalm 18:10 which says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” That’s what I did. I ran to that tower. I wanted to be secure. I wanted to be saved. I am still in that tower today and don’t plan to come out. No weapon can penetrate it. Satan has no tool to destroy it. I am the Lord’s. How about you? Are you part of that “everyone” Paul mentions in today’s verse? I pray you are.

Thank You, Father, for calling my name. Thank You for hearing my cry for salvation. 

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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Large mound of gold coins, jewel-encrusted crowns, and pearls in a dark stone vault.
Bible, Blessing, Promises, Riches, Romans, Scripture

HIS RICHES – OUR RICHES

ROMANS 10:12

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;”

We are all alike. Yep, we may have different ethnicities, skin colors or eye colors, but molecularly we are all made out of the same stuff. So, why is there such an emphasis on separating us into our little subcultures? The United States was founded by immigrants from around the world who came here and for the most part assimilated into the American culture. Sure, there were pockets of people groups, but we were all Americans. That has seemingly fractured some in the past few decades. That’s sad.

Jesus, however, broke down all those barriers. Paul tells us that through Him “there is no distinction.” Can you imagine Jews hearing that they were no better than the Gentiles? No wonder they tried to kill Paul over and over. But I want us to look at what Christ brings us. Paul says Jesus is “abounding in riches for all who call on Him.” What a promise? What are His riches? Let’s take a look.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated “abounding in riches” is plouteó which comes “from ploutizo; to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively) — be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). The word is used a dozen times in the New Testament. It is the word used to describe the Laodicean church which claimed to be “wealthy” and in no need of anything. In most of the instances where plouteó is used, it refers to earthly wealth. But Paul uses it here to describe the riches of Christ which He gives to us.

In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul uses the word again to talk about this same act of Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” So, again, how does He make us rich? How about this list?

Redemption and forgiveness, adoption and inheritance, His grace, the Holy Spirit, eternal life and hope, spiritual transformation, wisdom and knowledge, and provisions for every need. Do I need to go on?

There’s an old hymn, “Count Your Many Blessings,” which I believe fits this verse perfectly. The chorus goes like this:

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count yours today.

Thank You, Lord, for blessing me with riches that are too many to count.

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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