Monthly Archives: July 2025

Bible, Decisions, Glory, Image, Scripture, Wisdom

BAD DEAL

ROMANS 1:23

“and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.”

Have you ever made a bad deal, one you wish later you had never done? I sure have. I’ve sold trucks I wish I had kept. I gotten rid of tools that I needed later. Most of those decisions were made by me without seeking the advice of anyone. It is so important to weigh out important decisions before making them. We have to look at the long term implications, don’t we?

Well, these individuals which Paul is referring to in today’s verse had made a terrible deal. They “exchanged” God’s glory for a manmade idol. The Greek word translated as “exchanged” is allassó. Look how the Topical Lexicon describes it. “Strong’s embraces the idea of an exchange or change—sometimes glorious, sometimes disastrous—depending on the context in which the verb appears. Across its six New Testament occurrences the term frames two great biblical polarities: (1) the fatal trade of God’s glory for idols and (2) the gracious transformation of people, customs and even the created order under the hand of God.” Let’s take a look at and another use for allassó.

APPLICATION

Probably one of the most quoted and utilized passages using allassó is found in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. “51 Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (On a funny note, I’ve seen the last part of verse 51 hanging in a lot of church nurseries, lol) 

Change is not a bad thing if it’s done right. We will be changed one day into a glorious image which will be with the Lord forever. That’s a lot different than giving up that glory of God for an idol, isn’t it? If we give up what God has given us, we are on the wrong side of that deal. Now, I am not saying a true believer and follower of Christ can “unsave” themselves. They didn’t save themselves to begin with. But we can make horrible decisions that mar our testimony and injure our walk. Bad deals.

None of us have arrived, have we? We can all still continue to make good changes to become more like Christ. We can change behaviors that may lead us into sin. We can change friends who are not good influences. Change may mean making some hard decisions. Make sure any change you make is God-centered.

Lord, today help me make the changes I need to make to be more like Your Son, 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, Claims, Foolishness, Fools, Scripture

FALSE CLAIMS

ROMANS 1:22

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools,”

People claim stuff all the time. They claim to be someone they’re not. They claim to have stuff they don’t. They even claim to have certain college degrees or experience which they don’t. False claims are like that leaky bucket you’ve tried to use – they just don’t hold water. The truth always comes out in the end.

Paul is still addressing these confused, dark hearted individuals in today’s verse. He uses a word for “claiming” that is only used two other times in the New Testament, both in the book of Acts (24:9; 25:19). The word comes from the Greek word phemi which means “see there.” It can be translated as “affirm.” It has the idea of putting one statement over others. It’s close to boasting but look at the result in this verse. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” Wow! That’s a turnaround, isn’t it?

APPLICATION

We need to make sure what we say is true. These individuals thought they had all the answers but were dead wrong. The word for “fools” is mórainó. It’s the same word Paul uses in 1 Corinithians 1:20d, “Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?” The greatest minds known to mankind are fools in comparison to the wisdom of God.

We get our word “moron” from the root of this word. Have you ever been called a moron or heard someone else called that? It’s pretty demeaning, isn’t it? It means that person is dull or stupid. Most of the time they aren’t. They are just confused about the truth of the situation or lack the knowledge or experience to do what is asked.

There is a verse we memorize in our ministry (Every Man A Warrior) that talks about this. It’s Proverbs 18:13. “He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.” We all need to listen well and speak only the truth. Everything else is folly. That’s what Paul is saying in today’s verse. They trusted their own intellect or traditions over the truth from God’s Word. That will make any of us fools. I had rather be a fool for Jesus.

Lord, help me live today trusting everything You say.

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, Darkness, Foolishness, Heart, Scripture, Sin

DARK HEARTS

ROMANS 1:21

“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.”

Almost every day we read headlines of another senseless murder. Yesterday, I read about a couple who were killed while on a hike with their two young daughters (thankfully, they were spared). As I write the killer is still at large. What a dark, dark heart, full of evil, to do such a thing. They not only took two innocent lives, but they also left two young girls without their parents. I only pray they did not witness the brutality.

Paul writes about these dark hearts in today’s verse. The word translated as “senseless” can also be translated as “wicked” or “without understanding.” And the word for “were darkened” is always used to refer to sin or judgment. It’s the word skotizó and refers to the absence of the light of Christ. Thanks be to God, we know how to rid the world of that darkness – the eternal light of God displayed through His Son, Jesus.

APPLICATION

In Romans 11:10, Paul uses skotizó again when he quotes Psalm 69:23 to describe the darkening of the minds of Israel. “‘MAY THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS CONTINUALLY.’” Israel refused to see Jesus as their Messiah, but long before that they had darkened their eyes to the light of God. We see that even today in the nation of Israel. Many there are Jewish by birth but not in heart. They have become darkened to God.

I am not disrespecting the nation of Israel. America is no better. We have long proclaimed ourselves as a Christian nation, but many in our country have darkened their hearts to God. So, I am not pointing fingers at Israel. This is true for mankind in general. What’s the cure for this darkness? The light of Christ, as I said earlier.

How’s your heart today? Is it dark with the unconfessed sins of your past or is it full of light? You have heard it said, “Confession is good for the soul.” Well, confession also erases the darkness and allow the light of Christ to shine, not only in you but also on others. Let your light shine today.

Father, erase the darkness of my soul and fill me with Your inexhaustible light!

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, Excuses, Gospel, Manifested, Revelation, Salvation, Scripture

WITHOUT EXCUSE

ROMANS 1:20

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

There have been a few times in my life when I have been without excuse. One was the time I told my wife to “shut up.” There is never an excuse for that, and I apologized profusely. Another time was forgetting to send a group of children to a children’s camp. No excuse, just forgot the date. I could go on, but I am sure you have your own “without excuse” moments. But there is one moment in your life you do not want to be without excuse. Let’s look at today’s verse.

Paul says in verse 20 that no one, not even the person who has never heard the Gospel, has an excuse to not believe in God. He says God’s “eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived.” As I have mentioned in a recent blog, God isn’t trying to hide Himself. He wants to be seen by us. He wants us to hear His voice. Even in the deepest, darkest jungles God is revealing Himself.

APPLICATION

HELPS Word studies defines the Greek word translated as “without excuse” this way. “(anapológētos) comes from ‘alpha privative’ (a/‘not’) and apologeomai (‘to defend, excuse’). It ‘occurs in documents from the second century before Christ. Frequently it describes the hopelessness of trying to defend a case in court, while lacking an adequate defense.” The word is only used here and later in Romans 2:1 (which we will see later).

In Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, he writes, “Our Creator’s invisible power and Godhead are so clearly shown in the works he has made, that even idolaters and wicked Gentiles are left without excuse. They foolishly followed idolatry; and rational creatures changed the worship of the glorious Creator, for that of brutes, reptiles, and senseless images. They wandered from God, till all traces of true religion must have been lost, had not the revelation of the gospel prevented it.”

Therefore, we have no excuse for not sharing the Gospel with these lost and eternally dying individuals. That’s why we send missionaries to the remotest parts of the world. I heard recently that approximately 4.5 billion people are lost. Of that 2.25 billion have never heard the Gospel. To put that in perspective, if you lined up that group five people across and three feet apart, they would circle the globe five times. All of them are marching to hell. We are “without excuse.” We must share to as many as quickly as we can.

Lord, give me opportunities today to share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear about salvation through Your Son, 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, Evidence, Holy Spirit, Manifested, Revelation, Scripture

UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE

ROMANS 1:19

“because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”

I don’t normally suggest books to you (other than the Bible), but today’s verse sparked my recollection of two books that you may find worthy of reading. “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell and “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel are both great books that take a look at the reason why we should believe in Jesus and follow Him. If you haven’t read these Christian classics, I suggest you grab a copy of each and read them along with the Word.

Strong’s describes this knowledge of God being made evident this way. “Phaneroó portrays the active unveiling of what would otherwise remain unseen. Whether the subject is divine glory, hidden motives, or future destiny, the verb marks the moment when something steps from concealment into the light.” Don’t you just love that? Paul is saying in today’s verse that God is not trying to hide Himself. He openly manifests Himself to those who are searching.

APPLICATION

Are you searching? Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” What an invitation! This word phaneroó is used in John 21:1 when it talks about Jesus revealing Himself to His disciples after His resurrection. I bet Jesus was just giddy to see them again. He had spent so much time with them over the previous three years. He knew them well. He wanted to manifest Himself again to them before He ascended to heaven.

Jesus wants to manifest Himself to us. He does this through the gift of His Holy Spirit. We have the privilege of being able to walk with Him every day in the light of His presence. He has removed the concealment. Jesus is an open book for us. Don’t you believe that? How has He shown Himself to you lately? I see it just about every morning when I walk and see the sunrise.

Check out these verses from Paul in 2 Corinthians 4. “10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.” That’s what Paul is taking about in today’s verse! God reveals Himself to us and through us. Be His windowpane today.

Lord, let others see You in 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, Godliness, Holding, Holiness, Scripture, Suppress

SUPPRESSION OF THE TRUTH

ROMANS 1:18

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”

I am a gun owner. I love to hunt and target shoot (neither which I get to do very often). One thing I don’t own is a gun suppressor. That’s a piece that screws on to the end of a gun barrel to reduce the sound of the gun when it fires. You probably have seen these in all those James Bond movies when he is sneaking around. Suppression can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing, depending on what is being suppressed. Look at today’s verse and see how Paul uses this word.

Paul calls out those “who suppress the truth in righteousness.” In fact, he says, “the wrath of God” will come against them. That’s a scary thought. If this is not a verse for our day, I don’t know one that is. All around us people are trying to suppress the truth about God. They are trying to reshape God in their own image. The idea of godliness and righteousness is abhorrent to them. They, according to Paul, are going to face God’s wrath.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the word for “suppress” (katecho). “The verb encompasses two chief actions: positive retention of what is good and active restraint of what is harmful. In the Gospels it may describe a crowd “trying to keep Him from leaving them” (Luke 4:42), while in Romans it depicts the ungodly “suppressing the truth” (Romans 1:18). Context therefore determines whether the holding is commendable or culpable.”

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:2, using this word. “…by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.” Here katecho is translated as “hold firmly.” That’s a positive thing. We should hold the Word of God firmly, never letting it slip out of our hands or our minds. This is why Scripture memorization is so important.

Later on in the New Testament, we find Paul using katecho again. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 he writes, “…but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good…,” What good words from the apostle. Hold fast to the good stuff. He says in the next verse, “abstain from every form of evil.” So, by holding fast to the good, you are suppressing the evil. Choose your suppressor well.

Father God, help me suppress the evil and hold fast to the good, thereby pleasing You, my heavenly Father.

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, Faith, Righteousness, Scripture, Trust

FROM FAITH TO FAITH

ROMANS 1:17

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.’”

I begin a lot of my devotional blogs asking you a question. Today is no exception. The question – What do you have faith in? We place our faith in a lot of things and people. Some people have faith in the government – not too wise. Others place their faith in a person (husband, wife, employer, etc.) – again, not too wise. There is really only one reliable place to place our faith. That is in God, the Father. Paul explains that in today’s verse.

Our righteousness comes as we place our faith in Christ. That’s what Paul is saying. The phrase “faith to faith” really refers to the journey of faith we experience as believers. Matthew Poole says, “The gospel reveals the righteousness of God to be from faith to faith. The beginning, the continuance, the accomplishment of our justification is wholly absolved by faith.” Our faith is developed over time. We get initial faith at salvation, and it continues to grow with each passing day, week, and year until we see our faith fulfilled in glory.

APPLICATION

My late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, said today’s verse was the key verse in the whole book of Romans. Why? Because faith is the key to the Christian life. And our righteousness comes through placing our faith in the One who died for us. The quote in today’s verse, “But the righteous man shall live by faith,” comes from Habakkuk 2:4. I know, you probably don’t read Habakkuk very often, but you should. Awesome book!

You could literally translate “from faith to faith” as “out of faith and into faith.” That is how God’s righteousness is revealed. It is revealed out of our faith in Him and also in our continued faith in Him. The bottom line – our righteousness depends on our faith, and our faith depends on God’s righteousness. They are intertwined.

This week as you place your faith in things, place it in Jesus. Let Him be the One who guides your every step. Let Jesus show you where to place your trust. Faith in Jesus is a gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 expresses this perfectly. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Accept the gift that keeps on giving!

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of faith. Help me continue to grow in my faith as I trust You daily.

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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Ashamed, Attacks, Bible, Embarrassment, Humiliation, Scripture

NOT ASHAMED

ROMANS 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Shame and condemnation are methods the devil uses to try to discourage and discredit us. You’re not worthy! Look at all the bad stuff you’ve done. God can’t forgive you! Those are just a few of the things he might say. Shame has no place in the life of the believer, either shame dumped on us by others (or the devil) or shame we put on ourselves. Paul talks about another kind of shame, however, in today’s verse. Let’s see what he says.

Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Why in the world would he say that? Well, just think about his life. He had been a Pharisee, a keeper of the law. Now he is proclaiming salvation in Jesus alone. All those Jewish leaders he knew were shaming him, even attacking him. They probably said he had lost it, had gone crazy and was even denying his faith. Shame, shame, shame! But Paul was brave and courageous and refused that shame. He was speaking the truth and seeing lives changed.

APPLICATION

The word for “ashamed” is used eleven times in the New Testament. Six of those times it is used in the negative as to “not be ashamed” as it is here in today’s verse. But in Mark 8:38 (and the parallel verses in Luke 9:26) Jesus warns us of being ashamed of Him or His words. “‘For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.’” Now, who wants to face that? I sure don’t. I want to hear those precious words, Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Paul tells Timothy to “not be ashamed” in 2 Timothy 1:8. “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,…” And he says he is not ashamed in verse 12 of the same chapter. “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’s a little song that goes with that verse. Remember it – “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able,…”

Paul praises a believer named Onesiphorus 2 Timothy 1:16-18 for not being ashamed. “16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 17 but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— 18 the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” Don’t you want to hear those words said about you? Live unashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Live so that you will not be ashamed at His coming!

Lord, I am not ashamed of being called Your child and of placing my faith in You. You are my life.

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, Preaching, Scripture, Sharing, Willingness, Witnessing

EAGER TO PREACH

ROMANS 1:15

“So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Boy, this verse hits home with me. I love to preach God’s Word. I still remember when I preached my very first sermon at Harmony Baptist Church back in 1978. I was dating someone who attended there and was asked to preach at their Youth Sunday service. I was so nervous. I flew through my message in probably about fifteen minutes (no one ever complains about a short sermon, by the way). I just spoke from my heart. I had no training, no theological classes – just God’s Word that was fresh on my heart as a relatively new believer in Christ.

That eagerness, that zeal, that excitement hasn’t waned. I still love to preach every chance I get. Paul tells the Romans in today’s verse that he too was eager to preach to them. The Greek word translated as “eager” is prothumos. It comes from two Greek words – pro (before) and thumos (wrath). It’s interesting how words get their meanings, isn’t it? Let’s take a closer look at this word and how it’s used in Scripture.

APPLICATION

Strong’s says this word “encapsulates the believer’s Spirit–enabled eagerness that persists amid human weakness and external obstacles. Whether voiced by Jesus in a prayer–soaked garden or by Paul on the eve of a Roman mission, πρόθυμον calls every generation to a vigilant, fervent, and gospel–anchored readiness.”

This same word is used in Matthew 26:41 (also in Mark 14:38) when Jesus finds his three most trusted disciples asleep. “‘Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” Here it is translated as “willing.” That sounds a little different that “eager.” I can be willing to do something but not exactly eager. For instance, I am willing to go shopping with my wife, but I am never eager to do that (sorry Chris). That’s when I die to myself and do what I know will give her joy. You have to look at the full meaning of this word and bring it all together.

In Psalm 51:12 we find the idea of willingness written by David. Don’t you just love this Psalm? Verse 12 says, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.” Shouldn’t that be our desire? Shouldn’t we have a willing, eager spirit towards the things of the Lord? Ask yourself today if you are eager for Him. Ask yourself if you are willing to do whatever He asks.

O God, give me that kind of spirit each and every day. When I am struggling remind me that Your Spirit is within 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, Debt, Obedience, Obligation, Payment, Scripture

UNDER OBLIGATION

ROMANS 1:14

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish.”

Have you ever owed someone something that you know you could never pay back? Maybe they paid off a debt you owed (that has happened to me). Maybe they did an act of kindness to you during a very low time in your life. Owing a debt can feel overwhelming at times, whether it is financial, spiritual, emotional or physical. But, as we will see in today’s verse, being a debtor isn’t all bad.

Paul says he is “under obligation” to reach the Greeks and uncultured (that would have definitely included me, lol). The literal Greek reads, “a debtor I am.” The word used here is used six other times in the New Testament. We will look at a couple of those. The word is opheilétēs. HELPS Word studies says, it is “someone under obligation to pay back (discharge) a debt.” The debt Paul felt was his debt to Jesus for forgiving him and rescuing him from the penalty of sin. He now had the obligation to take that message to those who needed to hear it.

APPLICATION

Opheilétēs is used in Matthew 6:12 where it is part of the Lord’s prayer. “‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’” We learned this prayer as a child, didn’t we? But how many of us are really living that? How many of us forgive as Christ forgave? I know, it’s hard. But we are commanded from the very lips of Christ to do it.

In Matthew 18:24, we see this word used again. This is the story of the man who owed the 10,000 talents. “’And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.’” The point, of course, was this was a debt that could never be repaid. The same is true of us. There is nothing we can do to repay the debt we owe Jesus for dying for us. You may have heard it said, “We owed a debt we could not pay. He paid a debt He did not owe.”

Are you grateful your debt has been paid? Then you are under obligation, you are indebted to Christ. What does He require of you? Deuteronomy 10:12-13 gives us a pretty clear picture. “12 ‘And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?’”

Father God, I owe You my life and to You I give it. Take it and use it for Your glory. 

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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