Category Archives: Blessing

Bible, Blessing, Compassion, Renewed, Revival, Scripture

RENEWED COMPASSION

PHILIPPIANS 4:10

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act.”

When I read today’s verse, my mind instantly went to one of my memory passages. Lamentations 3:23-24 says, “22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” That renewed compassion which the Lord has for me is a sweet fragrance. He is constantly reviving His concern for me.

Paul uses a word for “revived” that is only used here in the New Testament. I love what the Topical Lexicon says about this word. It says anathalló “portrays the image of fresh blossoms opening after a dormant season. The term captures the moment when life hidden beneath the surface bursts forth visibly—an apt picture of believers whose love is rekindled into active generosity. Used once in the New Testament, it conveys far more than sentimental warmth; it reveals the God-ordained rhythm of renewed care that accompanies authentic fellowship in the gospel.” Isn’t that beautiful?

APPLICATION

Is there an area of your life that needs reviving? Do you need some “fresh blossoms” in your life? We have this beautiful, yellow rose bush in our yard. We planted it last year when we moved into our house. It has the most fragrant blossoms. Unfortunately, earlier this year it got some kind of fungus and lost most of its leaves. No buds, no blossoms. But after treating it faithfully and tenderly, new leaves are growing and new buds are coming on. I can’t wait to smell those roses again. My life gets that way sometimes, doesn’t yours? We get a spiritual fungus and our growth stops. But God can cure any “fungus” if we come to Him with it. Then He shows His compassion to us fresh every morning.

Paul was referencing the Philippians’ show of love to him once again. They had been so faithful to give to him earlier, but due to distance or circumstances had not been able to send Paul a love gift again. But then Epaphroditus stepped up and volunteered to make the trip to Rome to bring Paul this blessing. Paul received this like fresh rain after a long, dry period. It revived his spirit. Not only that, but it also revived the hearts of the Philippians knowing once again they had blessed their brother.

Maybe the Lord wants to use you as a fresh, fragrant blossom to someone. All it may take is a word of encouragement or maybe a hug. People need to know there are others who are praying for them. When I went through my health crises in 2010 and 2020, knowing others were praying for me got me through. Every time I received a note or a card, it revived me. Be that fragrance today.

Thank You, Lord, for reviving my spirit with Your Spirit each and every day. Let me be used by You to encourage others.

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Bible, Blessing, Edification, Scripture, Tongue, Words

USE THE RIGHT WORDS

EPHESIANS 4:29

“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

How many times have you said something only to regret it a second later? The words just slipped out of your mouth. Sure, you were thinking them, but you didn’t mean to say them. Or maybe you did mean to say them. You meant to inflict harm on someone’s feelings. You knew exactly what you were saying. Words are like toothpaste – once they are out it is impossible to get them back in.

Paul knew the danger of unwholesome words. I am sure he had heard plenty of those when he was a pharisee. But what does that word “unwholesome” even mean? The Greek word is sapros which means “rotten, useless, corrupt, depraved” (Strong’s Concordance). The word was used primarily to refer to fruits or vegetables that were overripe or putrid. Hmmm, what does that say about these unwholesome words in our mouth?

APPLICATION

The word sapros is used in Matthew 7:17-18, “17 ‘So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad  tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.’” It’s interesting to me that sapros is used here to describe the tree (the source of the fruit) and not the fruit (the product). What does that say about us when we use unwholesome words?

Sapros is also used in Matthew 13:47-48 when Jesus told the parable about the dragnet. “47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.’” Jesus will not receive these unwholesome words any more than He will receive these bad fish.

I believe the key to today’s verse is found in the last phrase – “so that it will give grace to those who hear.” We should only use words that give grace. What does that mean? It means to bless them in some way. We are to build them up not tear them down. Today choose your words carefully. Edify and give grace.

The tongue is a slippery thing and can cause much damage. Help me guard my tongue today, O Lord.

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Bible, Blessing, Giving, Money, Scripture, Sharing

SHARING WITH OTHERS

EPHESIANS 4:28

“The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.”

I have never been a wealthy man, but I do love to give to individuals or causes when the Lord prompts me. There is just something about helping someone who has a real need. I have had the opportunity from time to time to bless a friend who just had a baby or to assist a brother with a ministry need. I have even been able to help meet more urgent needs like someone who had an unexpected life event (death in family, home fire, etc). It is such a blessing to be able to give when I can.

We are instructed by Paul in today’s verse to do just that. He tells us that we work and labor for just that purpose. Look at the verse. We labor “so that we (he) will have something to share with one who has need.” That was not the first thing people thought about in Ephesus. Self-centeredness has been around a long time. But Paul told the Ephesians and tells us today that we are blessed with resources to share.

APPLICATION

The word translated “share” is metadidómi. It means to give a share of something. In Luke 3:11 Jesus says this about sharing, “And he would answer and say to them, ‘The one who has two tunics is to share with the one who has none; and the one who has food is to do likewise.’” If Jesus expected us to share, why wouldn’t we?

In Romans 12:8, Paul is writing about our spiritual gifts. He mentions giving in that list. “…the one who gives, with generosity;…” Giving is a gift of the Spirit. Now, before you say Well Carl, that gift just skipped right over me. That’s not how it works. When we receive the Spirit of God in our lives, we receive all the gifts of the Spirit. Sure, some are more prominent in our lives than others, but this gift of giving is part of the Spirit’s gifts to us. We just may choose to not exercise that gift.

This sharing, however, is not just about money or resources. It may involve our very selves. Look at 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.” So, the question is really, why aren’t we sharing more?

Lord, give me the desire and ability to be a blessing to someone else today.

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Bible, Blessing, Body, Church, Gifts, Purpose, Scripture

THE GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING

EPHESIANS 4:11

“And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,”

Don’t you like getting gifts? I sure do. I am not a materialistic kind of guy, but when someone gifts me, I am happy to accept. Opening that package is exciting. Depending on the size of the box (like the size of a new pickup, lol), it is even more exciting. Why would God treat us any differently? He wants us to receive the gifts He gives with a cheerful heart.

In today’s verse, Paul begins a sentence that runs through verse 13. He is telling the Ephesians how God has given as gifts to the church certain roles. It is interesting he says here “He gave” which literally means to give a gift. Then Paul begins to name these gifts. I am not going to dissect each of these “gifts.” You need to do a little deep dive yourself if you want to know more. But I do want to show you where else Paul talks about this very thing.

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 12:28 we see Paul talking about these offices. Notice, however, the different verb he uses – “appointed.” This passage is directed to those who have received these gifts.  “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.” The addition or deletion of certain roles does not mean Paul necessarily valued one over the other. Every part of the body of Christ is valuable and necessary for the kingdom work.

The third time we see Paul talk about these gifts is in Romans 12:6-8 “6 However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

The question I want to ask you today is what is your gift? How has God gifted you? As a believer, God has saved you for a purpose. He wants to use you as a part of His body. You have a role to play. You may not be a pastor or teacher or an evangelist, but in some unique way God has gifted you. If you aren’t sure what that is, ask Him. He’ll be glad to tell you.

Father, thank You for my gifts of administration and teaching. These give me pleasure as I exercise them in serving You.

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Abundance, Asking, Bible, Blessing, Oveflowing, Prayer, Scripture

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

EPHESIANS 3:20

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”

A number of years ago there was a toy that was produced based on the Toy Story movie character Buzz Lightyear. This spaceman would pop out his collapsible wings on his spacesuit and proclaim, “To Infinity and Beyond,” as he jumped (and usually fell). Kids loved this toy. I can still hear kids screaming his words, lol.

Today’s verse has a phrase that is kind of expressed with that same motto. Paul says, as he describes God, “who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” In other words, Paul says we just can’t put into words what God can do. We are going to look at some of the words in that phrase below, but just think a second about what Paul was trying to portray to the Ephesians in this statement. Think about where they were, surrounded by all these false gods. Only One was truly able to do this.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “far more abundantly” is a compound Greek word with the preposition uper. Don’t let me lose you here. Uper intensifies the other words it is attached to. In fact, of the 28 compound words in the New Testament using uper, Paul uses 20 of them. He obviously like that preposition to strengthen the words he was writing. The word used here is only used three times in the New Testament. Here and in 1 Thessalonians 3:10 and 5:13.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “as we keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may see your faces, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?” Have you ever prayed that way? Have you ever prayed superabundantly? And in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 we see, “and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” Have you done that? Have you ever regarded someone that highly.

Don’t forget that every single word of Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). There’s a reason we see this word used here to define how we pray about God, how we pray for others and how we regard others. Hmm, there might just be a pattern laid out for us to consider. Don’t you think?

Father, I know You see me glorified, even now. Give me Your eyes to see others the way You do.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Filled, Flowing, Oveflowing, Scripture

FILLED TO CAPACITY

EPHESIANS 3:19

“and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.”

Don’t you love a good meal? I remember very fondly the meals we used to have at my Grandma Carter’s farmhouse with all the relatives. What a spread! When those meals occurred, there was no excuse for leaving hungry. You could very easily fill up on all those “vittles.” Man, I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

Paul uses a verb and noun in today’s verse that come from the same root Greek word. They basically mean to be super abundantly filled to your individual capacity. And look what Paul tells us we can be full of – God. How is that possible? Because when you come to Christ and give your life to Him, He comes in and fills you up with His love and grace. It’s like pouring jello into a mold. It fills every cavity.

APPLICATION

This same word is used in Matthew 13:47-48 where it says, “47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.’” It is the same word used to describe the full baskets of leftover fish and bread when Jesus fed the 4,000 and 5,000. When God does something, He goes all out. Go big or go home!

I love how Paul uses the same word over in Colossians 3:9. “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” Now, get the picture here. Christ is full of the Deity. That same Deity dwells in you fully through the Holy Spirit. As believers, we are so full of Jesus, we should have no reason to sin. But we do! We forget the fullness. We forget just how full we are.

You see, our fullness is meant to overflow. We should have a continuous overflowing of the fullness of God. As we overflow, He refills us, and not just partially. He fills us so we can continue to overflow. So, let me ask you something. How is your flow? Are you so full of Jesus today that anyone who gets close to you gets splashed with Jesus? Enjoy the fullness.

And now I’m filled to overflowing. I don’t mind the whole world knowing!

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Bible, Blessing, Calling, Family, Glory, Humility, Scripture, Service, Uncategorized

NAMESAKE

EPHESIANS 3:15

“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,”

My daughter and son-in-law gave me such a blessing a few weeks ago when our grandson was born. What was an even bigger blessing is they decided to name him Lucas Carl. He has my name. Why does that bless me? Well, I carry both of my grandfathers’ names – Carl Spence and Clarence William Willis. It’s kind of like carrying on the family name, in a way. Of course, my grandson has his dad’s last name (unless I can get him to change it, lol). Bearing someone’s name is an honor and privilege.

In today’s verse, Paul says all believers have their Father’s name. Now, he didn’t mean we all have to change our name to Jehovah. That would be kind of silly. What he meant was we are now all in the same family. We represent the Father. We are protected by the Father. This applies to all believers, alive or in heaven. We are all one big family.

APPLICATION

What does that mean for us? Well, first of all, it means we need to love each other. In John 13:34, Jesus tells us, “‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’” How are you loving your fellow believer? Are you arguing about the color of the carpet in the sanctuary? How silly! We’re family.

Family means a lot of different things to people. Those who grew up in dysfunctional families can really struggle with the concept of family. They don’t understand that you can disagree and still love each other. Do you really think the disciples always got along? In Mark 10, we have a great story that I think illustrates this point. Remember when John and James asked Jesus if they could sit at his right and left in glory? Read the following and see what happened.

John 10:41-45 says, “41 Hearing this, the other ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them; and their people in high position exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’”

So, love each other and serve each other. That’s what family does!

Thank You, Lord, for making me part of Your family.

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Bible, Blessing, Bowing, Heart, Honor, Humility, Prayer, Scripture

BENT KNEES

EPHESIANS 3:14

“For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,”

Eusebius of Caesarea quotes the writing of Hegesippus, a chronicler of the early Church concerning James, the half-brother of Christ and leader of the early church. “He alone was permitted to enter the holy place, for he did not wear woolen but linen garments. And he frequently entered the temple alone and was frequently found situated upon his knees asking forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard after the manner of a camel, on account of always bending down upon a knee while worshipping God and asking forgiveness for the people.”

I wonder if Paul’s knees were also calloused due to kneeling in prayer. I know mine aren’t. Paul begins a prayer in today’s verse that goes through verse 21. It is one of the most encouraging prayers in Scripture. It is one of many of Paul’s prayers recorded in the New Testament (some say his writings contain as many as 45 prayers or prayer “snippets”). “For this reason” points back to the preceding verses. Paul had many reasons to pray, but the salvation offered to the Gentiles was at the top of his list.

APPLICATION

Okay, this is one of those “duh” verses. What do I mean by that? I mean we can all see how to apply this our lives. I need to bow my knees before the Father a lot more than I do now. I cannot pray enough. In 2 Chronicles 6:13, we see Solomon, the king of Israel, bow in humility. “For Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the courtyard; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.” At this point in Solomon’s life, he was not ashamed to humble himself and pray.

How about this example of kneeling in prayer, despite the danger. In Daniel 6:10 we read, “Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously.” We know the consequence of this. He was thrown into the lions’ den but escaped death because of his obedience to be faithful in prayer.

What is stopping you from kneeling today? Maybe you have bad knees or a bad back and can’t physically kneel. Bowing our knees before God in prayer is about much more than our physical position. It has more to do with our spiritual position. Bow yourself in humility. Recognize the awesomeness of our God. Give Him the honor that is due Him when you pray.

O Lord, forgive me, cleanse me, purify my heart. I bow my heart and spirit before You today.

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Bible, Blessing, Conceit, Grace, Humility, Scripture

THE LEAST OF ALL

EPHESIANS 3:8

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,”

None of us like to see ourselves as less than someone else. It’s in our old sin nature to puff ourselves up and make ourselves look better than we really are. So, when someone belittles you or cuts you down, you naturally respond. I am not saying that’s right. I just saying it’s the normal response. Should it be?

In today’s verse, Paul humbles himself in one of the most selfless ways. He uses a Greek word, elachistoteros, for “very least” which Strong’s Concordance defines as “less than the least.” That’s not a lot, people. Elachistoteros is only used here in the whole New Testament. Most scholars I read agree that Paul never forgot what God saved him out of. He was persecuting believers, even agreeing to the stoning of Stephen. He could never see himself on par with other saints who had suffered for Christ. In short, Paul never got over grace.

APPLICATION

Reading this verse causes us to think about the issue of humility. Now, that’s a different Greek word, but the idea is the same. Humility means putting others first, lowering yourself to serve others. The perfect passage for this is found in Philippians 2:5-8. “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.” 

A similar passage is found in 1 Peter 4:1. “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” If Christ, the Son of God, was willing to humble Himself to suffer for you, we need to have that same attitude. We should be willing to suffer for others.

Just how much do you think of yourself? Do you think the sun rises and falls because of you? Not hardly. The world does not revolve around any single person. We are called to humble ourselves and pray. We are commanded to humble ourselves and submit to our elders. How are you doing with that?

Father, keep me humble before You. I want to honor You in my service to others.

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Abiding, Access, Bible, Blessing, Church, Fellowship, Heirs, Members, Partakers, Scripture

FELLOWS

EPHESIANS 3:6

“to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,”

Last night I had the privilege to attend a meeting with about 70 men here in Knoxville. I watched these men during the evening and was so encouraged at their fellowship. Many of them knew each other from the ministry where I serve, Every Man A Warrior. These guys hugged each other, shook hands, laughed and just generally enjoyed the night. What was amazing, though, was to see how they welcomed the other guys who were new to this. They made them feel welcomed and like, well, one of the fellows.

Don’t you just love this verse today? Paul tells the Ephesians that they are now fellow heirs, fellow members and fellow partakers. That’s a lot of fellows! In the Greek text, the word “fellow” does not occur. Each time it is really the preposition, sun or syn, which means to be closely identified with. You’ve heard me say it before that this preposition is that inseparable, permanent “with.” Paul wants us to know that these positions we are now in will always be that way.

APPLICATION

“Fellow heirs” is the Greek word sugkléronomos, which means “joint-heir; used of believers sharing in the inheritance of the heavenly Father with (through) the chief heir, Jesus Christ.” (HELPS Word studies). We will share jointly in the inheritance of Christ. There will be no dividing the inheritance. We will all share it together forever.

“Fellow members” is the word sussómos, which literally means joint body. The body refers to the body of Christ as in the community of believers which make up the church. Some denominations think they are the only ones who will be in that body, that they are the only true church. Paul says differently here. If you have believed in Jesus and have given your life to Him, you are a permanent part of that body. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

The final “fellow” is “fellow partaker.” This is the word summetochos which means to be changed having taking part in something. The promise of Jesus Christ presented to us in the Gospel. The word is only used here and later in Ephesians 5:7 where it is used in a negative way. Let’s back up to verse 6 to get the context. “6 See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;”

You are a fellow heir, member and partaker. Enjoy it!

Father, thank You for bringing me into the fold as an heir, a member and a partaker.

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