Category Archives: Affection

Affection, Bible, Holy Spirit, Love, Poured Out, Scripture

POURED OUT

ROMANS 5:5

“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

It’s easy to pour out your love on someone who loves you back, isn’t it? For instance, our grandson is one of the most affectionate little ones I have ever known. He loves to give hugs and kisses. We have so many pictures and videos of him expressing his love to his mama or Nana. He even gives me hugs and kisses, especially after a morning walk or when we are snuggling watching some car videos.

Why am I talking about my grandson? Well, duh, he’s my grandson. Lol. No, the reason is as much as I pour my love into my grandson, it does not come close in comparison to how much the Lord pours His love into us. Paul says it so well in today’s verse. Reread the verse again – “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” You won’t find many other words in Scripture that give as much hope as that.

APPLICATION

The verb used here for “has been poured out” is ekcheo. Strong’s defines it as “gush forth, pout out, shed, spill.” This is the same word used in Matthew 26:28 when Jesus said, “‘for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.’” The verb in today’s verse is in the Perfect tense which means it happened in the past but has lasting results. That’s important. God’s love was poured out on us and has continued and will continue through the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

One of my favorite uses of ekcheo is found in Titus 3:6. Look at 3:5-7 to get the full picture. “5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Well, Glory!

The next time you shower your loved one (spouse, child, grandchild) with affection, think about how the Lord is showering you with His love. He will never stop loving you. He will never stop surrounding you with His presence. His Holy Spirit indwells you, if you are a follower of Christ. Enjoy His embraces.

O Lord, I love to feel Your presence in my life through the power of Your Spirit. Thank You for pouring Yourself into 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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Affection, Bible, Greetings, Hugs, Love, Scripture

GREETINGS ALL AROUND

PHILIPPIANS 4:21

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.”

“How’s it going?” “Jambo!” “Aloha!” “Hola!” “Hello!” In whatever language you choose, we all greet each other in some way. Some do it with a slap on the back or a hug (that’s my preference), while others just throw up a hand and wave. We sign our letters and texts with greetings. Today, when you see someone you know, take notice of how you greet each other.

Paul continues to close down this letter and like in so many of his epistles, he ends by sending greetings or giving direction on how we should greet each other. The Topical Lexicon says, “No writer employs the verb more than Paul. His letters end with chains of individual names, each preceded by ‘Greet’ (Romans 16:3–16; Colossians 4:15). Through these personal salutations Paul:

  1. Affirms the worth of co-laborers.
  2. Models inter-congregational affection (‘All the brothers here send you greetings,’ 1 Corinthians 16:19-20).
  3. Demonstrates doctrinal unity—greeting flows from shared confession, not mere sentiment.”

APPLICATION

One of my favorite verses on “greetings” is Romans 6:16 which reads, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” I have friends in other cultures who literally do that. They grab you and kiss you on your cheeks. It’s not meant to be sexual in any way. It is just a greeting in their culture. This was Paul’s culture. A sign of affection towards a brother or sister in Christ displayed your love for them.

In Matthew 5:43-48, where Jesus is talking about loving our enemies, He gives some advice about greetings. He basically tells us to greet everyone, even our enemies. He doesn’t say to fake it, just greet. I know people in churches who won’t speak to some people because of something they said to them decades ago. Family members will stop talking and greeting because of hurt feelings. This is not scriptural and only harms the body of Christ.

So, whether you say “Howdy” or “Hello,” say it with gusto. Say it with meaning. Say it in the name above all names. Greet each other warmly. Look people in the eyes and let them know you see them and appreciate them. “Hello” goes a long way sometimes.

Thank You, Lord, for seeing me and saying hello each and every morning.

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Affection, Bible, Encouragement, Godliness, Scripture

THEREFORE…

PHILIPPIANS 2:1

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,”

I’ve said it and you have heard it said, “Whenever you see a “therefore” look to see what it is there for.” Paul begins chapter two (there were really no chapters in his original letter) by connecting it back to chapter one. He had been instructing the Philippians on how to live in difficult situations (conflicts, suffering, etc.) and now he totally turns the subject to godly living, even in the midst of the hard times.

Look what Paul lists in this first verse – encouragement, love, fellowship, affection and compassion. We could spend the next week on these words, but I will encourage you to do your own deep dive into them. I will look at a couple of them today to spur your interest. Okay? Let’s go!

APPLICATION

First, let’s look at the word “encouragement.” This is the Greek word paraklésis, which is “a calling to one’s aid, i.e. encouragement, comfort.” (NAS Exhaustive Concordance). In 2 Corinthians 7:4, we see Paul use this word to describe how he felt “comfort” towards these believers. “My confidence in you is great; my boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.” It’s the idea of coming up beside someone, putting your arm around them and just encouraging them.

Secondly, let’s see the word “affection.” This word in the Greek is splagchnon, which comes from “the Greek root splagchna, which refers to the inward parts or entrails.” (Strong’s Lexicon). It was used to describe someone’s deep emotions, especially compassion and affection. It’s that deep gut feeling you have for others. I love my family that way. You probably do also. Paul says these Philippians he is writing to should have this kind of affection towards each other in Christ.

Encouragement and affection – two things we all need more of in the church today. Amen? May we all strive to encourage someone today. Tell someone they are loved today. Just go out and make someone’s day. I promise if you show these two things, they and you will be blessed.

Lord, give me the encouragement and affection of Christ to share with others today.

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Affection, Bible, Desires, Love, Scripture, Witness

FOR GOD IS MY WITNESS

PHILIPPIANS 1:8

“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.” 

“So help me God” used to be part of the swearing in of any witness in a court of law in the United States. Many courts have since deleted that phrase due to the removal of God from our justice system. A vow to God used to be the highest degree any man could swear by. Whether it is still done or not, that is still the highest level by which anyone could vow. Whether people believe it or not does not change that fact.

Paul uses this phrase in other epistles. In Romans 1:9, he says, “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,” In 2 Corinthians 1:23 he says it again. “But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.” You can see similar statements in 2 Corinthians 11:31, Galatians 1:20 and 1 Thessalonians 2:5 and 10. Paul did not write this lightly. He knew God was his witness in all things.

APPLICATION

God is still a witness to all we do, whether good or bad. “As God as my witness” should be true for all believers. We, above all people” should realize He is present in all our decisions, all our words and all our actions. To think otherwise would be to disregard His sovereignty in our lives.

But what was Paul claiming God was a witness of? It was how he longed for these Philippian believers with the affection of Christ. The Greek word for “longed for” is epipotheó, which comes from two Greek words, epi and potheó. Epi is used to intensify the word it is connected to. Potheo means to long for or desire. So, this compound word means to intensely long for. Paul had a deep desire for these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do you have that kind of desire for others’ benefit? Can you honestly say before God this is true? When you tell someone you love them in Jesus you should really mean it. Don’t do lip service. Remember that God is your witness in all things. Do it all to honor Him for He is worthy of all honor and praise. Amen?

Lord God, help me love others honestly with the love of Jesus today.

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Affection, Beloved, Bible, Chosen, Compassion, Favor, Godliness, Intimacy, Love, Relationships, Scripture

BELOVED

EPHESIANS 1:6

“to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.”

To call someone “my beloved” implies a deep, personal, intimate relationship. My wife is my beloved. My children and grandchildren are my beloved. The fellow down the street whom I hardly know is not. He cannot be the object of my love since I do not know him. As we go through this verse today, think about your beloved(s).

Paul uses a title which has been given to Jesus by the Father. Elliott’s Commentary explains the word, “Beloved,” this way,
“This special title is given to our Lord to mark a connection with the ‘love’ declared in the last verse (verse 5) to be the source of God’s predestination. It is a love to all mankind, as in God’s foreknowledge already made one with His beloved Son.” Jesus is God’s Beloved. He is the recipient of His love.

APPLICATION

Let me get technical for a second. “Beloved” is the dative passive participle of agapao, which is God’s divine love. The dative case means someone is the recipient of the action of the verb. In this case, Jesus is the recipient of God’s agape love, His divine love.

Have you ever wondered why the apostle John uses that word, “beloved,” so much in his writings. Just to show a few:

1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, now we are children of God…”

1 John 3:21 – “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,…”

3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper…”

We are told in John 13:23, “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” Look at that. John was the recipient of Jesus’ love. He was Jesus’ beloved friend and confidant. He was the one to whom He entrusted his mother at the cross. You have to be close to do that. So, John knew something about being called “beloved.”

You are God’s beloved child. He cares for you. He knows you better than anyone. He longs to hear from you. He cherishes each moment you spend with Him. You are His beloved! So, live like it. Love others. Make them your beloved. Treat them like your beloved. You can through His love.

I am so blessed to know that I am Your beloved, my God and my Redeemer.

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Abiding, Affection, Bible, Choices, Commands, Friends, Gospel, Neighbors, Scripture

UNKNOWN

GALATIANS 1:22

“I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ;”

In this day of Facebook, Instagram and other social media, it is harder and harder to not be known. People leave a digital footprint all over the place. You may not know somebody personally, but you are friends on the internet. I have friends all over the world, most of whom I have met. But there are some whom I have never met in person. I am known to them, but I am also not really known by them.

Paul stated in today’s verse that the churches of Judea (outside of Jerusalem) did not know who he was. He had not visited them. There were no pictures of Paul being circulated. He could have walked into any of those churches, and they would not have known who he was. Sure, his reputation as a Christian persecutor had spread quickly, but they did not know Paul, especially this new Paul who had been converted and was now preaching Jesus.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. Who knows you? I mean, who really knows you? Do your neighbors know you love Jesus? I have to admit that a lot of the people who live on my street do not know me. Oh, they know I am the guy who drives by in his white pickup. They may have met me at an HOA meeting, but they don’t really know me.

Today’s verse has convicted me that I need to get to know my neighbors, not so much for me, but for them. I need to find out who they are spiritually. I have been placed where I live for a purpose. I have been given the opportunity to be a witness for Jesus right on my street. Would you pray for me that I could be a better neighbor and reach out to those who are literally all around me?

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asks the question – who proved to be a neighbor? If we answer as the lawyer did, we will get Jesus’ reply. Luke 10:37b “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” We are commanded to take the healing balm of the Gospel to those around us. Will you join me in reaching your neighbors for Jesus?

Forgive me Father for not being more “neighborly” and reaching out to those who are all around me.

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Affection, Affliction, Altars, Apologies, Bible, Bitterness, Crying, Emotions, Flesh, Forgiveness, God's Will, Grace, Relationships, Scripture

WHAT A SHAME!

MALACHI 2:13

“And this is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and sighing, because He no longer gives attention to the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.”

Our sinful behavior has effects on others. Sometimes we are not aware of the effect. Other times we are well aware. We see the damage it causes. We hear the anguish in the other person’s voice. The hurt we cause because of our sins weighs heavy on the Lord. He sees their hurt and holds us accountable.

The Pulpit Commentary says this about this verse, “Not only did they marry heathen females, but they divorced their own legitimate wives to facilitate such unholy alliances.” Thus, the tears that are staining the altar come from the priests’ legitimate wives whom they have divorced in order to marry the foreign, idolatrous wives. It was a travesty that Ezra dealt with earlier, but they had lapsed back into.

APPLICATION

Is this you? Have you caused someone else harm by your actions? If so, repent of that. Ask forgiveness of both God and them. There is nothing sweeter than forgiveness when it is offered and received, when two parties are able to mend their broken relationship. God is pleased by such expressions of agape love.

Look back at today’s verse at the last phrase. It says, “because He no longer gives attention to the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.” Our blindness to unforgiveness and unrepentance leads to this. God will not accept our offerings. God will not hear our cries to Him. Our sin separates us from the very One we need most.

If you have ever experienced such an event, you know how painful it can be. To be unforgiven or to be unrepentant can lead to hardness and callousness. Only God can break through this. Matthew 6:14 says to us, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,” We also read in Colossians 3:13 we read, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Be like Jesus this week. Make things right with someone whom you have offended or has offended you. That makes God smile.

Lord, forgiveness is hard, it seems. But You sent Your Son to die to forgive me. Now, that’s hard.

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Affection, Bible, Correction, Disappointment, Gifts, Giving, Guilt, Holy Spirit, Hypocrisy, Praise, Scripture, Worship

FORGET THE GIFT

MALACHI 1:10

“‘If only there were one among you who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘nor will I accept an offering from your hand.’”

I have to admit something to you. I have given gifts out of guilt. Yep, I’ve done that. Don’t point your finger at me, though. I bet you have done the same thing. I have hurt people in the past, most of them unintentionally. So, what do I do? I try to find a way to make it up to them. That may involve a small gift of some sort. That is such hypocrisy, isn’t it?

The Lord speaks through Malachi in today’s verse and tells the priests, “nor will I accept an offering from your hand.” God doesn’t want gifts that are made half-heartedly. He wants us to come to Him with sincerity and purpose. God even hinted at even closing the doors of the temple to prevent them from offering sacrifices erroneously.

APPLICATION

Jeremiah 6:20 says something similar. “‘For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.’” This thought wasn’t exclusive to Malachi. All through Scripture God abhors false worship.

Carl, what’s all this talk about worship. Can’t we just restrict that Sundays? Are you kidding me? Worship is a daily event. We should be worshipping the Lord every day through praise, through thanksgiving and through listening for His voice. By the way that is PTL – Praise, Thanks, Listen. Try that today and see if you don’t worship.

This past Sunday at the church I attend, the worship service was truly Spirit-filled. I don’t mean we got Pentecostal (nothing wrong with that if it’s genuine). After all, we are Baptists, lol. But there were tears shed. There were hands raised. There were people standing up in their pews in celebration of praises going up through music. But I know my worship isn’t just on Sundays at my church. It’s every day.

I worship, O Mighty God, there is none like You.

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Affection, Bible, Death, Emotions, Gentleness, Joy, Mourning, Scripture, Sorrow, Tears

MOURNING – NOT JUST A WOMAN THING

ZECHARIAH 12:14

“all the families that are left, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.”

Okay, let me ask you something. How many of you grew up being told that real men don’t cry? I can remember my own, dear mother telling me, “Now, now, big boys don’t cry.” I know she meant well and was just trying to comfort me. After all, no one wants to be a cry baby, right? But emotions are felt by all.

In Zechariah 12:12-14, Zechariah says five times, “and their wives by themselves.” Now no one during those days would have been surprised by that. In fact, there were women who were professional mourners. So, why does Zechariah point the women out. Perhaps he wanted to say that so that it would highlight the other mourners, the men. Mind you – this is just my speculation, but it is a thought.

APPLICATION

Let me address the men today. Listen to me – big boys do cry. There is nothing weak about shedding a tear. There is nothing unmanly about showing sorrow and grief. In fact, one of the manliest things you can do is show appropriate emotion when it is called for.

Do I have to remind you of John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” Our Lord and Savior wept at the grave of his dear friend Lazarus. He did not weep because of Lazarus’ death. That would soon be overturned. He knew before He even left for Bethany that He would call forth Lazarus from that tomb. He wept because of the sorrow He saw in the faces of Mary and Martha and others. His heart was touched by that.

I used to get asked to sing a lot at funerals. I seldom had a problem doing that without getting choked up, even if I knew the person well. But if I started looking at the loved ones as I sang, I could easily get teary eyed. Sorrow and grief, men, is a natural emotion God has given us. Show other men how powerful it can be in their lives as you love on others during these times.

Father, thank You for the power of sorrow. It prepares the way for joy!

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Affection, Bible, Crying, Darkness, Death, Despair, Grief, Mourning, Scripture, Tears

WAILING

ZECHARIAH 11:2

“Wail, juniper, because the cedar has fallen, for the magnificent trees have been destroyed; wail, oaks of Bashan, because the impenetrable forest has come down.”

Have you ever heard someone wail? What is that? It’s a loud scream or howl. It has the sound as if someone is dying. It’s an extreme mournful sound. I have heard that sound several times in my life. All of them came at the scene of death. Someone had died and their loved ones were wailing at the thought of never seeing them again. It’s a gut-wrenching sound.

Zechariah continues the imagery of trees and their representation of Israel, the temple and its leaders. If the temple (cedar) has fallen, then the juniper and oaks (their leaders) would certainly fall. The word for “wail” here is used exclusively by the Old Testament prophets. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Ezekiel, and Amos also employ the use of this descriptive word.

APPLICATION

What are you wailing about? What has you so upset that you can’t eat or drink? I have seen believers who were so upset they could not function. If that is you, may I encourage you to dry your tears and turn your thoughts towards Jesus. He is the author and finisher of your faith. He can restore what you have lost in His own way.

There have been a couple of times in my life when I found myself wailing from deep, personal heartache. We are told in Revelation 21:4, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Do you believe that? Then trust Him now.

Instead of tears of heartache, I prefer tears of joy. I would rather have tears of repentance than tears of mourning. So, are you wailing? Let your wails be wails of repentance over your sins. Wail to God for Him to forgive you. Wail to Him over the way you have not followed Him as you should. But trust Him in the midst of the wailings. God never runs out of Kleenex to wipe away your tears.

Thank You, Lord, for wiping my tears. I want to wail only over my sins and trust You with all my life.

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