Category Archives: Blessed

Abundance, Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Comfort, Grace, Leftovers, Love, Overflowing, Scripture

OVERFLOWING

ROMANS 5:15

“But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.”

I have been the recipient of extreme blessings in my past. During both of my health crises, family and friends stepped up and helped us financially. I remember there was one Sunday School class that took up over $2700 to help with our expenses. I had others who sent checks for $500 or $300. These were all gifts that were unsolicited – just given liberally. We were overwhelmed and so thankful to them and our Savior.

Paul uses a word for “overflow” that is used almost 40 times in the New Testament. The Greek word is perisseuó which means “to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous.” (Lexical Summary) It gives us a picture of receiving above and beyond what we could ever expect. That’s our God. He blows our doors off!

APPLICATION

This is the word used by the Gospel writers when they described the leftover fragment of fish and bread that the disciples gathered following the feeding of the 4000 and 5000. It said the baskets overflowed. Not only did Jesus take a little and make a lot, but He also provided leftovers. Come on now, who doesn’t like leftovers?

In 1 Thessalonians 3:12, Paul instructs the believers “and may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;” Okay now, get that picture in your head of the disciples’ baskets overflowing with fish and bread and apply that to the love you overflow to others. Our love should be that way. It should literally overflow.

We’re even told in 2 Corinthians 1:5, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” The word “abundant” is perisseuó once again. Now get the picture: His grace overflows, therefore, our love should overflow, and our comfort should overflow. Can you do that? Can you spill over on others what Christ has given you through His grace? Be a fountain of love and comfort for others?

Father, make me a fountain of love and comfort to others, beginning with my own family.

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

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Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Happiness, Scripture

BLESSED

ROMANS 4:8

“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.”

I often use an expression when I am asked how I am doing. I say, “I’m too blessed to be depressed.” That’s not original to me. You’ve probably heard or perhaps even said it yourself. But what does being blessed actually mean. Let’s take a few minutes to look at that from today’s verse.

Paul continues his quotation of Psalm 32:1-2 with verse 2 of that passage. The Hebrew word for “blessed” is esher. Strong’s Concordance says it is always used as interjection as in “How happy!” Paul uses the Greek word makarios which can be defined as “supremely blessed.” I really like that, don’t you? That’s the same word used in Matthew 5 in the Beatitudes.

APPLICATION

The word “blessed” is also used in Psalm 1:1 where it says, “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” Why is he blessed? Well, that psalm goes on to say it’s because our delight is in the law of the Lord. Look at Psalm 1:2-3. “2 But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His Law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” What a promise!

Blessings are ours, if we are obeying and believing. I don’t mean to imply we can just name it and claim it or blab it and grab it. Nope! I mean God wants to bless His children just like earthly parents want to bless their obedient children. In Exodus 19:5 the Lord gave these words to Moses on Mount Sinai to share with the people. “‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;’” God wants to bless His children.

What does a “blessing” mean to you? It’s not just something you say before you eat. It’s a God given happiness or joy because you are walking in obedience. Blessings come in all forms. I challenge you today to look back and count all the blessings you have been given from Him. I know I can’t even begin to do that. Yet, He has more for me and you. Live obediently today and watch how He blesses you.

Lord, I thank You for the blessings that flow into my life simply because I am obedient and follow 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, Blessed, Blessing, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Spiritual

SHARE YOUR GIFT

ROMANS 1:11

“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;”

Often when I travel overseas, I deliver gifts to my friends. On a trip last year to Africa, I was able to deliver monetary gifts to some friends in three different countries. What a blessing to see them receive this, knowing how much it blessed them. I am not sure who was blessed more – them, me or the ones who gave the money. Gifts have a way of continuing to bless others, don’t they?

This verse has been highly discussed by many scholars. Some think Paul was going to lay hands on them and bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit. Other scholars disagree with that, seeing that believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation. They claim Paul meant to share of his spiritual gifts with them. The word “impart” can also be translated “share,” as it is Luke 3:11 and Ephesians 4:28.

APPLICATION

So, what do you have to “share” or “impart” to others? What spiritual gift do you feel is your primary gift? In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 we read what Paul wrote about the spiritual gifts. “7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

You see, our spiritual gifts are meant to help others in their walk with Christ. They are not to be hoarded and kept private. My particular gifts are teaching and administration. But I also have all the rest of the gifts present within me through the Holy Spirit. I have to work at exercising those gifts sometimes. Others come easily. But they are all present for others.

To whom can you share your gift with today? You may have the gift of encouragement. You are a “Barnabus,” who was called the Son of Encouragement. I was encouraged the other morning by a dear brother. I really needed to hear what he had to say. He had no idea when he texted me, but God knew and prompted his spirit to reach out. That’s how our gifts work. Let your gift work today.

O Lord, the gifts You have given me are such a blessing. Help me to share them with others today.

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

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Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Gifts, Giving, Scripture

BLESSED BY BLESSING

PHILIPPIANS 4:17

“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account.”

Every time I give to someone or to some ministry, I am blessed beyond measure. I only wish I could give more. I have a couple of dear brothers in Africa right now who need resources to build new church buildings. I am not talking about extravagant halls complete with coffee bars and flashing lights. All they desire is four walls and a roof. I would love to write them a check to just go buy the property and build those buildings. How fun would that be and how blessed would I be! (if you would like to give to that, let me know)

Paul uses some words in today’s verse that bring out this message of being blessed by blessing. The word translated “profit” is actually the Greek word for fruit. We know that fruit is always for others and not ourselves. And the word “increases” is a word that means more than enough or surpasses. I want to show you the other occurrences of this word in the New Testament so you can get a fuller idea of it.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon explains it this way. “Scripture employs it to describe both the multiplication of sin and, more triumphantly, the super-abounding of grace, faith, love, thanksgiving, fruit, and virtue. In every instance the word underscores God’s intention that what begins in His people should not remain static but should grow past ordinary limits.”

In the New Testament, we see it used (This is also from the Topical Lexicon):

• Romans 5:20; 6:1 – sin increases, yet grace surpasses it
• 2 Corinthians 4:15 – grace spreads so that thanksgiving overflows
• 2 Corinthians 8:15 – no one has excess or lack when God distributes provision
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – love is to “increase and overflow” among believers
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – faith “grows more and more,” love “is increasing”
• Philippians 4:17 – Paul seeks fruit that “may be credited” (growing interest) to the church’s account
• 2 Peter 1:8 – possessing and “increasing” in virtue keeps believers from unfruitfulness

Rest assured the Lord knows your heart as you give. He will bless you, not according to the measure of your gift, but rather according to the heart of your gift. Go ahead, see what He will do. Be blessed by being a blessing. Let the Lord give you the joy of giving joy to others.

Lord, show me today to whom I should I give. I know that You will bless my pure and undefiled motives in my giving.

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