Category Archives: Appearance

Appearance, Bible, Disguise, Heart, Motive, Scripture

OUTWARD APPEARANCE

ROMANS 2:28

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.” 

I heard about a preacher who disguised himself one Sunday morning as a homeless person and sat by the front doors of the church. He purposely dressed in filthy clothes and put on a fake beard. No one recognized him as their pastor. Almost everyone just looked at him and walked away. The few who did speak asked him to move away from the door. One or two people did offer him coffee or water. Finally, someone invited him in. When he reached the sanctuary, he started taking off his disguise as he walked down the aisle to the podium. People were shocked and embarrassed. What was on the inside could not be seen because of the outward appearance.

Paul says in today’s verse that the Jews’ outward appearance did not make them Jewish. Their circumcision nor the way the wore their clothes meant they were in covenant with God and were keeping His commands. Some Jews went to extreme lengths to follow the law, while at the same time living like a pagan. How does this apply to us a followers of Christ?

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this verse “contrasts outward visibility with inward reality: ‘A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly.’ External badges may be manifest yet spiritually empty; inward authenticity will eventually be revealed.” I think about those who show up on Easter Sunday all dressed in their finest Easter outfit. They haven’t been seen since last Easter, but they look good. The outward appearance can mask the inward attitude.

Don’t get me wrong – I like to dress up on Sundays. I know it’s not required, but I feel it shows reverence for our Lord. However, my outward appearance does not imply a more spiritual attitude than the teen who shows up in shorts and a t-shirt. It’s the heart that matters. I have said this over and over in the last several blogs as Paul addresses the Gentiles and Jews in this passage.

Today, examine your inner being. Ask the Lord to reveal your motives for your spiritual journey. We should only have one true motive – to give glory to Him. Everything we do should point towards Jesus. Less of me and more of Him. Then it won’t matter what is on our bodies. Live holy and let others see your heart.

Father, let my inner motives be revealed to others as I serve you humbly and obediently.

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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Access, Appearance, Bible, God's Will, Messages, Mind, Mystery, Presence, Promises, Revelation, Scripture

REVELATION BY THE SPIRIT

EPHESIANS 3:5

“which in other generations was not made known to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;”

Revelations are pretty cool. What do I mean by that? I am not trying to be mystical or anything. Think about your everyday life. Sometimes things just “come” to you, as if the thought just popped out of nowhere. These revelations can be explained in a lot of ways – a subconscious thought, a memory, etc. But there were and still are some revelations that can only be explained by the Spirit.

Paul tells the Ephesians that this revelation he has received concerning the mystery of grace came from God through the Holy Spirit. This revelation, this apokaluptó, shows how this happened. The word means to take the cover off to reveal what has been hidden. The Holy Spirit has uncovered the secrets of grace to Paul and the other apostles and prophets. They have been given the privilege of understanding in order to teach it. It wasn’t their secret to keep. It was meant to be shared.

APPLICATION

What has God revealed to you? Jesus told us in Matthew 10:26, “‘So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.’” He wants to reveal Himself to you fully. He wants you to know as much as you can handle about this wonderful thing called grace. He wants to use you to spread this revelation to others.

This “revealing” by the Spirit is not a one-time thing. God continues to reveal things to you at the right time. Look what Philippians 3:15 says. “Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well;” He checks your attitude. Now, who doesn’t need that?

I have said it multiple times in my blogs. God does not want to play hide-and-seek with you. He wants you to find Him. He is not hiding. He is standing right out in the open. Just look. Open your eyes and ask Him to show you what you need. He promises to come alongside us and walk with us. You can’t get much more revealing than that.

O Lord, You are a revealing God. Thank You for showing us Yourself in Your Son, Jesus

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Appearance, Bible, Blameless, Glory, Justified, Modeling, Obedience, Restoration, Scripture, Witnessing

HIS WORKMANSHIP

EPHESIANS 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

There is no deep definition of the Greek word for “workmanship.” It simply means a thing made, a product. But just look at the product. I have mentioned before how much of a craftsman my dad was. He could look at a picture of something and then build it. I can still see his workmanship in our homeplace. He built that house in the late 50’s. It’s hard to believe that house is almost 70 years old. But my dad’s workmanship still shows.

Paul points out that God made us, fashioned us “in Christ Jesus for good works.” Albert Barnes says this about us being God’s workmanship. “There cannot be conceived to be a stronger expression to denote the agency of God in the conversion of people, or the fact that salvation is wholly of grace.” Because of God’s workmanship in us, we are able to carry out this work of grace into other people’s lives.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “workmanship” is only used one other time in the New Testament. Romans 1:20 says, “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.” Just as the world should be able to see God in creation, they should be able to see Him in us, as believers in Christ.

Is His workmanship visible in your life? Do others see Jesus in you? That’s a hard question. You can’t just put Jesus on like a suit or a dress for Sunday and go to church smiling and singing hallelujah. God’s workmanship should be visible to others 24/7. When you stop to get gas and the guy behind you keeps honking his horn, let His workmanship be seen. When your order at the restaurant is wrong, let His workmanship be seen.

God’s works are perfect, right? That means His workmanship in you is perfect. We have no right to mess that up with our excuses. I am NOT pointing fingers. I am as guilty as the next guy of falling short of showing God’s workmanship. I want to be a showcase of His glory. Don’t you?

I am amazed that You would consider me worthy to be touched by Your hands.

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Accountability, Appearance, Arrogance, Bible, Deception, Honesty, Lies, Scripture, Truth

YOU CAN’T MOCK GOD

GALATIANS 6:7

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.”

To mock someone isn’t very nice. Have you ever been mocked? Do you even know what I mean by that? To mock someone is to turn your nose up or sneer at them. In other words, you show how you feel about them – not very much. It’s meant to try to hurt that person. When you mock someone, you almost always do it so they are aware of it. You want them to see you do this in order to inflict as much pain as possible.

Well, that just won’t work with God, according to Paul in today’s verse. He says, “God is not mocked;…” The Greek word used here is only used right here in the New Testament. The word comes from the Greek word for nostril. So, you can see the symbolism. But look at why Paul says God will not be mocked. A man will reap what he sows. Let’s look at that.

APPLICATION

You may have heard it said that a lot of folks are quick to sow their wild oats and then they pray for a crop failure. Well, you can’t fool God. He knows what you’re up to. You are only deceiving yourself. You can’t pretend to be a Christian and keep one foot in the world. God knows. You can’t say you love your brother and try to take advantage. God knows.

The Greek word for “deceive” means to wander or be misled. It’s in the Present tense which means you are constantly doing it. It’s a command – don’t do this. And it’s in the middle voice which means you are misleading yourself. Did I lose you. Paul is saying to the Galatians, “Don’t let yourself wander from the truth.” This applies to us today just as much. We are prone to wander just as easily.

Do you want to live in truth? Do you want to live with nothing to hide? Then submit to God. Do not attempt to hide stuff from Him. You may turn your nose up for a while, thinking you’ve got this handled. But it will come crashing in sooner or later. Do not be deceived! God will not be mocked!

O Lord, I want to live for You and show the world I am Your child

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AMAZED, Angels, Appearance, Bible, God's Will, Heaven, Messages, Scripture

ANGELS?

GALATIANS 3:19

“Why the Law then? It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.”

I know people who have had personal encounters with angels. Now, before you stop reading and mark me off as crazy, why should that amaze you? God has used angels all through history to deliver His messages to individuals. He has sent angels to protect and defend the innocent. So, let’s take a look at some angels today.

Paul speaks of an angelic event that is less familiar. A very strong rabbinical teaching centered around the angelic presence at the time the Law was given. Look at Deuteronomy 33:2. “He said, ‘The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of myriads of holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.’” That “myriads of holy ones” refers to ten thousands of angels. Pretty cool.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our lives. Don’t you see? We are surrounded by angels. One of my favorite verses has to do with children having their angels. Jesus said in Matthew 18:10, “‘See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’” Did you catch that? “their angels in heaven.

How about the passage that talks about our unknown encounters with angels? Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” I want you to understand that angels are really an everyday thing. We should not be surprised if we have the blessing of such a meeting. I could have gone on and on listing more and more about angels in the Word. Why don’t you do a word search of angels? It might just surprise you.

Let me encourage you, though, should you have an encounter, don’t go around telling everyone. You might get locked up in a hospital, lol. Most people don’t have a box for such things. But we know, as believers in Christ, that He can and does use these heavenly hosts when it is appropriate. Until then, just serve Jesus. Don’t spend your time looking for angels. Spend your time living for Jesus and looking for His return.

And the angels cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.”

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Appearance, Bible, Holy Spirit, Relationships, Revelation, Scripture, Seeking

REVELATIONS

GALATIANS 1:12

“For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I love grand revealings like when a game show reveals what is behind “curtain #1” or when a gift box is finally opened to reveal what is inside. The anticipation and excitement builds until the revelation happens. God perfectly revealed His love for us by sending Jesus to be our Savior. What a grand revelation!

In today’s verse, Paul speaks of a “revelation of Jesus Christ.” He defends his teachings from those who were trying to confuse the Galatians by saying he wasn’t told what to say by anyone except Jesus. Scholars disagree on what this “revelation” was or when exactly it happened. Most agree this revelation, this unveiling of knowledge by Jesus to Paul, probably occurred while he was in the desert for three years. It is interesting that the geographical area where Paul went was probably not too far from where Moses received his revelation from God in the form of the Law.

APPLICATION

What has God revealed to you lately? Nothing? Are you listening? Are you tuned in with the Holy Spirit? I am not trying to be critical. Hear me out. When we are seeking the Lord, He reveals Himself. Matthew 7:7-8, a well-known passage, tells us so. “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.’”

In the ministry where I serve, Every Man A Warrior, we are currently having a conversation about hearing God’s voice, about experiencing these revelations. Just as Paul received his revelation from Jesus, we are still receiving Jesus’ revelations to us. I am not talking about a new doctrine or religion. I am talking about revealing more and more of Himself to us through His Word and through our conversations with Him.

Amos 4:13 says it so beautifully. “He Who forms the mountains, Who creates the wind, and Who reveals His thoughts to mankind, Who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is His name.” Woohoo! Glory to God! He is a revealing God. Look out for His revelations in your life.

Thank You for revealing Yourself to me when I least expect it. But I should expect it every day!

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Abiding, Appearance, Attitude, Bible, Reflection, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

HIS REFLECTION

MALACHI 3:3

“‘And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.’”

I have never watched a silversmith working, but I hear it is fascinating. The silver is melted to remove the impurities which are called dross. Like I said, I have never seen this process, but I have been told that the silversmith continues heating the silver and scooping off the dross until he can see his reflection in the melted silver.

The Lord intends to purify these priests and the people so they are worthy to present offerings to Him again. Again, think back to the process I described above. God wants to see His reflection in the priests and people. He wants them to reflect their God on others. That had not been the case. They had been reflecting evil desires and worldly living. God is about to change all that.

APPLICATION

Ezekiel 22:17-22 is worth sharing here since it also talks about this process. “17 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 18 ‘Son of man, the house of Israel has become metal to Me; all of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the smelting furnace; they are the waste metal of silver. 19 Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: “Because all of you have become waste metal, therefore, behold, I am going to gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20 As they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the smelting furnace to blow fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in My anger and in My wrath, and I will place you there and melt you. 21 And I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you will be melted in the midst of it. 22 As silver is melted in the furnace, so you will be melted in the midst of it; and you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out My wrath on you.”’”

Proverbs 27:19 gives us a glimpse into what we reflect also. “As in water a face reflects the face, so the heart of a person reflects the person.” What are you reflecting today? Are you showing off the face of Jesus or your own self-determined face? We have a choice each day. The Lord expects us to be a reflector of His love and grace to others. Let’s do that today.

Oh God, help me reflect only You. Let me be hidden behind Your radiant grace.

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Appearance, Bible, Christ's Return, Future, God's Will, Judgment, Promises, Rapture, Scripture

I’M ON THE WAY

MALACHI 3:1

“‘Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,’ says the LORD of armies.”

Do you know what OTW means when you get a text message? It means On The Way. I have used that a few times, in fact, just the other day when a friend I was meeting texted me to find out where I was. Now OTW doesn’t tell anyone where you are. It is just a nice way to say that you will get there when you get there. Right?

Guess what? God told the people in today’s verse that He was OTW. He did not reveal when. He just said He would suddenly come to His temple. This verse is full of images and references to John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. But for the sake of staying in the context of Malachi, let’s stick with the fact that God did come, and judgment did fall on the people. The temple was destroyed, was rebuilt and then destroyed again.

APPLICATION

Do you believe Jesus is returning? He is OTW. We don’t know when, but He is. He told us so. In Luke 17:34-35 Jesus said, “‘34I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. 36 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.’” We just don’t know when He is coming.

That should not put us off from preparing for His arrival. Just like John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ first arrival into ministry, we need to be preparing the world for Him to return. Jesus told his disciples, “And He was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” (Luke 10:2) That is still true today.

In the ministry I serve, we are constantly looking for men who have a passion to disciple other men. We believe strongly the way to change a culture for Christ is to reach the men. Would you pray with me for more men to be called to full-time ministry to men? We want to reach the world for Christ and prepare it for His coming.

Father, we know Jesus is going to return. Give us direction to prepare the way for Him.

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Abiding, Appearance, Bible, Confrontation, Enemies, Forgiveness, God's Will, Grace, Humility, Kindness, Scripture

THE HIGH GROUND

ZECHARIAH 14:10

“All the land will change into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin’s Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses.” 

Anyone with any knowledge of battle plans knows the importance of the high ground. From there you can see all around and monitor your enemies. You can defend your camp better from high ground. The downside of that high ground is your enemy can also see you. The high ground has its pros and cons, I guess.

The landscape around Jerusalem is going to change one day when this prophecy occurs. Verse 10 today tells us about this changing landscape. Jerusalem is currently surrounded pretty much with hills. But on this day, all those hills will be leveled a plain. Jerusalem will have the high ground. All will be able to observe the holy city. Jesus, the Messiah, is there for all to see.

APPLICATION

The application for this verse today has to be taken more allegorically. Will you give me some leeway today? Let me encourage you today to take the high ground, the high road, when it comes to conflict. Let your actions in response to your earthly foes be one of above reproach. I am reminded of the question posed by Peter regarding forgiveness. Matthew 18:21-22 tells us this story. “21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.’”

The rabbinical law taught to forgive someone three times, so Peter thought he was going above and beyond by saying seven times. Jesus blew his mind with his answer – 77 times! What?! Then Jesus went on to tell a story about a king and a slave who owed him a great amount. You know the story. I bet Peter got the message.

How about you? Can you take the high ground, the high road? Can you be the one to extend forgiveness 77 times? And if others refuse to forgive you, just keep loving them. Let me rephrase that. Allow Jesus to love them through you. Die to yourself. Give it to Him. He can and will accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time.

Father, I want my life to be lived in such a way that I can be observed as if on high ground with nothing to hide.  

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Abiding, Appearance, Bible, Darkness, Light, Scripture, Shining

LIGHTS OUT

ZECHARIAH 14:6

“On that day there will be no light; the luminaries will die out.” 

Once when I was preparing to fly home from Nairobi, Kenya, all the power at the airport went out. That’s not extremely unusual for Kenya, but it is for the airport. They have backup generators that normally kick in. Not this time, and this was at around 11:00 at night. Let me tell you – it was DARK. I instantly grabbed my bag, hugged it and sat motionless. I could not see my hand in front of my face.

“On that day” we are told in today’s verse, when all the activity just mentioned in verses 1-5 happens, all the light will go out in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. All the stars, the moon, the sun, all the “luminaries” will go dark. Isaiah says it well it 13:9-10. “9 Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash their light; the sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shed its light.”

APPLICATION

Prepare yourself. That’s all I can say. We live in a dark world riddled with sin. But that darkness will seem as light on this day of judgment. But I have good news. We are the light of the world. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16, “‘14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’”

Paul goes on to tell us in Ephesians, “for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.” Will you shine today? Will you light up the darkness around you? How do you do that? Simply, be Jesus. Live with joy. As Bonhoeffer said, “Live your life as a believer so unbelievers will question their unbelief.”

All you have to do is submit to Jesus today. Let Him live through you. After all, it’s not your light that is shining. It is His light that shoots its beams out your mouth and out your eyes. You don’t believe me? Try it. And look for others around you who are shining and encourage them today.

Father of lights, shine through me in a dark world. 

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