Category Archives: Family

Bright open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen with a dog by the window
Bible, Confidence, Family, Hebrews, Hope, Household, Scripture

HIS HOUSE

HEBREWS 3:6

“but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.”

My wife maintains a beautiful home for us. Sure, I help when and where I can, but she is the one who deserves all the praise. Every picture that is hung and every pillow that is placed just so are her doings. I never fear coming home to a home that is in disarray. She is amazing. Of course, she thinks the house is always a wreck, lol. It’s not.

As the comparison between Jesus and Moses continues, we are reminded that Jesus is the “Son over His house.” He was not a servant of the house, as Moses was. That is not to put Moses in a lowly position, but he was not master of the house. Jesus is. And here once again we are called something so dear. We are told that we are His house. That means we are part of the family that makes up the household of faith. Aren’t you grateful?

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

There is a Promise to claim in our verse in a couple of spots. First, the fact that we are called His house is promise enough. Don’t you think. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 6:19 which says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” We’ve already talked about how we are God’s House, His building. Now we see we are Jesus’ house. What a promise, don’t you think.

But there are two other Promises to claim at the end of the verse. Look closely. The writer says we are Jesus’ house “if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.” That doesn’t sound like a promise, Carl. That’s sounds like a condition. I see that, too. But the promises are the “confidence” and the “hope.” The same word for “confidence” is found in Philippians 1:20 where it is translated as “boldness.” That verse reads, “according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

And that “hope” is found twice in Romans 15:13. This is one of my favorite verses on hope. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Listen, we are promised that confidence and hope because of Jesus, and because we have them, we are His house. So, move over roomie.

Thank You, Father, for assuring me a spot in Your house.

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Four adults conversing in a vintage living room
Ashamed, Bible, Family, Hebrews, Sanctification, Scripture, Unashamed

ALL IN THE FAMILY

HEBREWS 2:11

“For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,”

In the 1970’s there was a sitcom that aired for nine seasons, ending in 1979. In this sitcom, Archie Bunker, a bigoted taxi driver, lives with his wife, daughter and son-in-law. We got to experience life in this family as they dealt with Archie’s ongoing antics toward just about anybody who disagreed with his worldview. Archie’s love for his family, however, was never in doubt. Family was important to him.

Don’t you just love this verse today? Look at it. We are told 1) we are all from one Father and 2) He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. That is just a precious promise. The word “ashamed” is epaischunomai. It “describes the inner response of being embarrassed, disgraced, or reluctant to identify with someone or something.” (Topical Lexicon) Once you are adopted into the family of God through His sanctification, He will never be ashamed to call you “brothers and sisters.” The word sisters isn’t in the Greek text but is implied in the context. We are all in the family.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

The Promise to claim is clear to see, right? Because of His sanctification we are in the family. I just said that above, but it bears repeating. I can’t recall the number of people who think if they ever “mess up,” they have to earn their way back into the family. That is not how this works. It is clear that He will not be ashamed of us. Any parent can get disappointed at the action of a child, but none should ever be ashamed to call them their child. I know some of my actions displease the Father, but I am still His child – forever!

There’s an Application to make here, as well. If I am in the family, I need to live like it. I have a friend who was raised by his grandmother. She used to always tell him as he left the house, “Don’t forget your last name.” That meant he was not to do anything to bring shame on the family name. We represent God’s family. We need to remember that as we choose our words or before we do something that is perhaps questionable. Don’t shame the name of Christ!

I would never want to do anything that would bring shame on the family of God. One of my biggest heartaches is when I hear of another brother or sister in Christ who has yielded to temptation and brought ridicule on all believers by the world. If we all lived as worthy of our sanctification, we would see less and less of that. Agreed? Let’s all live like it. After all, we are all in the family.

I give You praise for adopting me into Your big, beautiful family.

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Smith-Wilson Family Tree: Progenitors John Smith (1680-1955) and Sarah Jones (1885-1960); Robert Smith (1910-1985) and Eleanor Davis (1912-1990), Mary Smith (1914-2002) and James Brown (1910-1980); grandparents Thomas Smith (1958-2015) and Catherine White (b. 1941), Linda Brown (b. 1940) and Richard Clark (1957-2010); parents David Smith (b. 1965) and Emma Johnson (b. 1965), Sarah Clark (b. 1970) and Mark Wilson (b. 1967); grandchildren Lily Smith (b. 1995), James Smith (b. 1998), Chloe Wilson (b. 2000), and Leo Wilson (b. 2004).
Bible, Family, Hebrews, Lineage, Scripture

THE SON OF MAN

HEBREWS 2:6

“But someone has testified somewhere, saying, ‘WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU THINK OF HIM? OR A SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?’”

I am a son of man. I was born to James Willis as his third child and second son. I have Willis DNA running through my body. I am proud to be a Willis and carry my father’s name. I have passed that DNA down to my children and through them to my grandchildren. I have traced my lineage back to the early 1500’s in England. I am a son many times removed of William Willis from Yorkshire, England. I can’t deny my roots.

The writer quotes from Psalm 8:4-6 in today’s verse and the two following. Who is this “Son of Man” mentioned in our verse? The Hebrew actually reads “son of adam” pointing back to the original man. Jesus was, of course, in the nature of Adam as far as flesh and blood was concerned. Jesus never tried to disguise His flesh. He called Himself “Son of Man” over 80 times in the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). He came in the form of man to redeem man. That was the plan!

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

These references to Jesus as “Son of Man” are really revealing. This is definitely Something new about God that Jesus wanted to show the world. Let’s take a look at a few of these. First, in Matthew 8:20 we read, “And Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’” Later in Matthew 26:64 He really riles up the Jewish leaders when He said, “‘You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

When Jesus healed the paralyzed man who was lowered through the ceiling in Mark 2:10, He says, “‘But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…’” Later in Mark 8:31 we read, “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise from the dead.”

When Jesus visited Zaccheus in Luke 19, He concludes His visit by stating, “‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” I could continue listing these references for a long time, but you can dig those out yourself. That would be a great study – looking up every reference to “Son of Man” in the Scriptures. We have seen that Jesus embraced His humanity because He knew it was the vessel necessary to ransom mankind. Aren’t you grateful? I sure am.

Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son in the form of Adam so that He could share His blood for us. 

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Diverse group praying around a candlelit table inside a rustic room
Bible, Family, Martyrs, Romans, Saints, Scripture, Slaves

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

ROMANS 16:15

“Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.”

You’ve heard that common expression “Last but not least.” It is normally said when someone has been addressing a group of people and calling out names. To make sure no one is left out or think their name was better since it was mentioned first, the person would end their list of names by saying this. I have used it myself on more than one occasion.

Paul could have used it here as he concludes his long list of names of people to whom he is sending greetings. He lists a couple first and then a brother and sister. Olympas is next and then all the saints. That pretty much wraps it up, doesn’t it? Paul could have probably continued to list people’s names, but he just finishes by addressing all the saints.

APPLICATION

Most scholars agree that Philologus and Julia were probably husband and wife. Philologus was probably one of the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus and was said to be the bishop of Sinope. Here is another Greek couple giving their lives in service to the Christ.

Nereus and his sister were probably slaves. There is a Nereus that is listed in another secular source who was a slave in the imperial household. We’ve already seen other slaves in the emperor’s household mentioned in Paul’s list. God was infiltrating these homes through people who served them. He was using the lowest to reach the highest.

Olympas was also considered one of the 70 disciples and is named among the Roman martyrs. Bible Hub says “he was a respected member of the early Christian community in Rome. The fact that Paul acknowledges him by name indicates that Olympas was likely known for his faith and service to the church.”

Here is the application – if the Holy Spirit thought it important to list all these names, many of which we know nothing more about, He knows your name also. No name is too small for Him. God values every soul. Paul writes over in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, “3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Never doubt your significance to the Savior.

Father, You know my name, and I am astounded. You have named me among the elect the very moment I responded to Your call.

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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Older woman and younger man smiling while embracing in a rustic home
Bible, Chosen, Family, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Testimony, Witnessing

A MAN NAMED RUFUS

ROMANS 16:13

“Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.”

I am sorry if I sound disrespectful for what I am about to write. I don’t mean to be. But Rufus must have been a redneck bubba with a name like that. Lol. I’ve only known a few men named Rufus, and they were all just good ole boys. And we will see something else about him that I think adds to that description.

Paul sends greetings to Rufus and his mother there in the Roman church. Most scholars agree that this was probably the same Rufus mentioned in Mark 15:21 where we read, “And they compelled a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to carry His cross.” Think of that! Rufus’ dad carried the cross for Christ. He was watching Jesus struggle down the road on the way to Calvary when He fell beneath the weight of it. The Roman soldiers compelled him to pick it up and carry it for Jesus. That had to have changed his life. The blood of Christ would have been all over that cross and now it was on him.

APPLICATION

Rufus’ reputation was well known by the time Paul wrote this letter to Rome. He and his mother were both there, but there is no mention of his brother Alexander in today’s verse. Perhaps he had already lost his life for Christ or was in another city. He is not mentioned again in Scripture. But here is Rufus, this North African Jew living in Rome with his mother. He must have been a mama’s boy since she is mentioned right along with him. Paul obviously knew Rufus and his mother since he calls her “mine” also.

What do you think would have happened to Rufus in today’s world? I mean, you’re famous, right? Your daddy carried Jesus’ cross. He could have demanded a tv series depicting their lives before the famous event occurred and how it changed their lives. He would have been on high demand to speak about what he perhaps saw that day. But not this Rufus. Paul would not have had such high regard for someone who tried to take advantage of their fame. Paul calls Rufus a “choice man.” That meant he had been chosen by Christ. You know he was faithful to his calling.

Can the Lord call you “choice”? It doesn’t matter where you have come from. If the Lord has chosen you, He has a purpose for you to fulfill. Rufus accepted his. He was being used in the church of Rome, not exactly the easiest place to witness for Christ. He risked it all for Jesus. Will you?

Help me, Lord, to be just as loyal to Jesus as Rufus was in that Roman church.

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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Traveler walking through a medieval stone gate toward a village landscape
Bible, Conviction, Family, Prison, Respect, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture

HOWDY CUZ

ROMANS 16:7

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

I grew up with a slew of cousins. We were always gathering at a grandma’s, aunt’s or uncle’s house for some kind of celebration. I was closer to some than the others, but we were all part of the family. I never felt belittled or put down by any of them. Most of them were older than me so I guess they took pity on their little pesty cousin, lol. We are all up in years now, but when we do see each other, that family love comes through.

Paul mentions two other people in today’s verse, and this time it is personal. Scholars disagree whether this was a husband and wife or two men. It doesn’t matter. They were Paul’s kinsfolk. Scholars disagree on this, as well. Some say Paul was referring to fellow Jews or some from his same tribe. Others say these were most probably close relations to him. I like that view, myself. But they were so much more than just “cousins.”

APPLICATION

Paul says they were “fellow prisoners.” We don’t know what imprisonment he was referring to. Perhaps they were already in a Roman prison. Maybe they had been arrested with Paul on one of his missionary journeys. We don’t really know, but we must believe Paul knew they had been persecuted, like he, for their faith.

Then he says they were “outstanding in the view of the apostles.” Obviously, their names were well known among the apostles back in Jerusalem. They had proven themselves in the early church and had won the admiration and respect of the early church leaders. Wow! What an honor to be identified in that manner.

And then finally, Paul says “they were in Christ before me.” Perhaps these two were in Jerusalem and had been converted directly by Christ. They may have even been two of the large group of early disciples who followed Christ before His crucifixion. I am purely speculating, but Paul says they were Christians before he was and we know when that occurred.

I bet Adronicus and Junia never dreamt their names would be recorded in history, much less in God’s Word. But their names are worthy of admiration by us all. Fellow prisoners, respected by the apostles and some of the earliest believers! I can’t wait to meet them. Could someone one day read about your life as a Christian and say such things? Let us all strive to bring honor to His name.

Father, I am amazed at how You use every follower who gives themselves to You fully.

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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Group of diverse people standing on a grassy hill at sunset with raised arms and smiling faces
Bible, Family, Psalms, Rejoicing, Romans, Scripture

JOIN THE FAMILY

ROMANS 15:10

“Again he says, ‘REJOICE, YOU GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.’”

When I married my wife way back in 1985, I was immediately welcomed into her family. Her parents and seven siblings, along with their spouses and children, became my family also. Also, my wife became family to my parents, siblings and their families. We are part of the Willis/Barker union. Over these almost 41 years, we have both grown closer to the other side of the family. Sure, we may argue and disagree from time to time, but the love we have for each other is always there.

Paul quotes from the first part of Deuteronomy 32:43 in today’s verse linking the Gentiles with the Jewish nation (“with His people”). Matthew Poole says regarding this verse, “Here it is evidently implied, that the Gentiles should become the people of God, and join with the Jews in his worship and service and rejoice in the sense of his goodness and mercy to them. The partition wall is now taken away, and they both became one sheepfold under one Shepherd.”

APPLICATION

This verse may sound simple, but it wasn’t. The Jews and the Gentiles were not exactly friends. Jews considered Gentiles as unclean and unworthy of any recognition by God. Remember the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10? God had to show Peter beforehand that He had declared unclean things to be clean so that Peter would understand when Cornelius asked him to come. God was rewriting who belonged in His family.

Jesus came and declared all men worthy of being called God’s children. It was the Father Who declared to Peter, “‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’” That was the message of the cross. God sent Jesus to die for all mankind. Therefore, we can say along with the Psalmist, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.”

Listen carefully! You belong in His family. Nobody can tell you otherwise. If you have yielded to the call of the Spirit and have decided to follow Jesus, you belong. I don’t care where you came from. It doesn’t matter what race or nationality you are, you are now in His family. You can rejoice along with all His saints. Satan doesn’t want you to believe that, but it’s true. So, join the chorus and sing it loud. Hosanna, to the King of kings!

Thank You for adopting me into Your family, O God.

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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Mother crouching and embracing two young children smiling in a park
Acceptance, Bible, Blessed, Family, Forgiveness, Passion, Romans

ACCEPTED

ROMANS 15:7

“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.”

In my years of ministry, probably one of the biggest desires of the children and youth I worked with was the need to feel accepted. I spent many years working with abused and neglected children who were cast away by their parents. These parents chose drugs, alcohol or partners over their children. These children longed for acceptance from just about anyone which led many to choose poor relationships themselves. It was truly heartbreaking.

Paul urges us today in verse 7 of Romans 15 to “accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us.” Do you truly understand your acceptance by Christ? Do you feel the depth of His love and sacrifice for you? Most of us don’t. We doubt it when times get tough. Where is God when I’m hurting? Have you ever said that? I have to admit I have felt that at times. But His acceptance isn’t just relegated to here. His acceptance is eternal. Wow!

APPLICATION

Paul uses a verb here that is used a dozen times in the New Testament, five times by him. I love the definition in HELPS Word-studies, “aggressively receive, with strong personal interest.” Doesn’t that change the way you see how Christ accepts you? Paul uses the word back in Romans 14:1 and 3, twice here in today’s verse and once in Philemon 1:17 when he instructs Philemon to accept Onesimus as if he was accepting him.

Christ accepts us while we are yet sinners. Never forget that. He doesn’t expect us to clean ourselves up first. He picks us up right where we are and He does the cleansing. When Paul says that Christ accepts us, he uses the Aorist Indicative Middle. I know that blessed you, lol. But listen, that means he is stating a fact about what Christ did and the middle voice means Christ chose to do that. He chose to accept you. That should light your spiritual fire.

And when Paul tells us to “accept one another,” it’s a Present Imperative Middle. That means it’s a command that you should continually do but, again, you choose to follow that command. Is there someone you need to choose to accept today? Make it a point to reach out to them and share how much God loves them. Tell them you love them too and want to walk with them in their spiritual journey. You will be the blessed one.

Thank You, Lord, for accepting me. Help me accept others with the same passion.

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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Man in orange jacket clearing rubble as a woman holds her child in ruins
Bible, Family, Humility, Living, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture, Service

NOT FOR OURSELVES

ROMANS 14:7

“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;”

I never knew what it meant to live for someone else until I got married and had children. Now, as a man who pursues the Lord’s will, I know my life comes second to my wife, children and grandchildren. My role as provider and protector is paramount. It is no longer about what I want. It’s about what is best for them. Even that has changed as my children have grown and have children of their own. My wife and I are empty nesters, but my priority is still my family.

Paul brings out a major teaching for these Roman believers and for us. As followers of Christ, our life is not our own. Albert Barnes says, “The meaning of the expression is, that no Christian lives to gratify his own inclinations or appetites. He makes it his great aim to do the will of God; to subordinate all his desires to his Law and gospel;” That is exactly right. Because Jesus gave His all for us, we are expected to do the same for others.

APPLICATION

I am currently taking a man in Belize through our Every Man A Warrior curriculum. We are in book 2 which is about Marriage and Children. I made the remark this week that I believe applies to our verse today. I said, “Isn’t it interesting that almost every husband would give his physical life to protect his wife but won’t die to himself for her?” Isn’t that right? We say that we would die for Christ, but we won’t lay down our own rights for Him.

Perhaps no other passage in Scripture says it better than 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.”

Are you loving that way? Are you living that way? Read those verses again. After each “love is” ask yourself if that describes your life and your love for others. We are to live for others, not ourselves. We should not hold our lives so tightly that we are not free to let it go. Jesus can give you the strength you need to die to yourself. Not I, but Christ!

I praise You, O Lord, for giving me the strength and humility to die to myself 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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Three generations of family hugging on a couch by a fireplace
Bible, Devotion, Family, Honor, Love, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture

DEVOTED AND ESTEEMING

ROMANS 12:10

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,”

Family is important. We should always show honor and love to our parents and children, grandparents and siblings. It’s just the right thing to do. I can look back at my life and see times when I wasn’t so devoted or didn’t show proper honor. I am sorry now because in some of those cases, I can’t make it right. Those family members have passed away. For instance, I wish I had spent more time with my paternal grandmother and great grandmother. They both loved Jesus. I know that now.

Today’s verse is a great memory verse. Why don’t we all commit to memorizing this one? I have already done that with some other brothers. Paul continues in this verse to give us some very practical and down to earth guidance for our walk with Christ and others. Don’t forget that every word Paul writes he has received from God through the Holy Spirit. We are not just reading Paul’s words. They are God’s words spoken to us through the hand of a man.

APPLICATION

I wanted to concentrate on the two verbs in todays’ verse – “be devoted” and “give preference.” Both of these verbs are only used right here in today’s verse. Isn’t that interesting? The first one, “be devoted,” is the Greek word philóstorgos “(from phílos, ‘lover, friend’ and storgē, ‘natural or family love’) – properly, a lover of family. Philóstorgos (‘devoted love, shown by family-members’) is that special affection shared between members of God’s family – people born-again (divinely adopted) and serving the same (heavenly) Father!” (HELPS Word-studies) That’s pretty clear, huh? Instead of trying to find fault in our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to be affectionately bonded to them.

The second verb, “give preference,” is the Greek word proēgéomai. Again, it is only used here in Romans 12:10. I love what the Topical Lexicon said about this verb. “The term … carries the idea of stepping forward first so that others may be elevated. It describes an intentional initiative that puts another believer’s worth ahead of one’s own, not by passive acceptance but by active, deliberate action.” Wouldn’t the church be so much better off if we all did that?

Now, put those two verbs together. Paul is telling us to love each other so well that we are always looking to put others first. Isn’t that exactly what Jesus did? Jesus tells us in John 15:13 that we can show no greater love than to lay down our lives for our friends. That doesn’t just mean physically die for someone. Jesus means to sacrifice for others. Can we do that for each other today?

Lord, I need Your help to do what You have asked me to do. I am willing, but my flesh is weak.

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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