Category Archives: Gospel

Multiple raised hands of different skin tones reaching up towards a colorful sunset sky
Bible, Scripture, Salvation, Gospel, Hand, Jesus, Romans, Isaiah

OUTSTRETCHED HANDS

ROMANS 10:21

“But as for Israel, He says, ‘I HAVE SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL DAY LONG TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.’”

We come to the end of chapter 10 of Romans with today’s verse. Once again, Paul turns to Isaiah 65, this time from verse 2 which says, “‘I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,’” But let me encourage you to take a minute and go to Isaiah 65 and read verses 1-7 to get the full picture of what the Lord is saying.

But look closely at what the Lord spoke to Isaiah about the Jewish nation. Even though they were disobedient and obstinate, He still says, “I have spread out My hands all day long.” God still was entreating them to return to Him. He loved His chosen people. He still wants to see them redeemed. Paul is telling us in today’s verse that this is still true in his day. God sent His Son to His children first, who spurned and rejected Him. Still, He desires to see them saved.

APPLICATION

Barnes sums up the past several verses with these observations:

  • The pagan world is in danger without the gospel.
  • The provisions of the gospel are ample for them.
  • The command of Jesus Christ remains still the same, to preach the gospel to every creature.
  • If the gospel is to be preached everywhere, people must be sent forth into the vast field.
  • The church should be training young men for the ministry.
  • God will withdraw His favors from those nations that are disobedient and rebellious.

What are we to do with this? We must be about our Father’s business of reaching the lost for Christ. There’s not a moment to spare. His return is imminent. It could happen today. And there are billions who will face the fiery flames of hell if they do not bow the knee to Jesus.

The image of outstretched hands is one we can see clearly in the cross. Jesus stretched out His hands and died for us. He allowed His hands to be pierced with the nails of the cross on our behalf. And when we turn to Him, those drops of blood cover us. We must share that with others as often as we can. Stretch out your hands today and share the good news of God’s redemption plan for the world.

Father, I praise You for giving Your Own Son Who stretched out His hands for 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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Bible, Deuteronomy, Gospel, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

THEY WERE TOLD

ROMANS 10:19

“But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, ‘I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT A NATION, WITH A FOOLISH NATION I WILL ANGER YOU.’”

Isn’t it frustrating when you have to repeat yourself? Telling the same thing over and over gets tiring. When your children were little, you found yourself, I am sure, repeating things to them. But you kept telling them with the hopes that they would eventually get it. And for the most part they did, didn’t they? Repetition is necessary at times.

Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 32:21 which says, “‘They have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation,’” God warned the Jewish nation hundreds of years ago through Moses that He would use the Gentiles to show them His salvation is for everyone. Wow! That had plenty of warning, but they never seemed to get it.

APPLICATION

I don’t normally use a long quote from a commentator, but Matthew Henry has some great words of wisdom on this passage and the ones that follow that bear repeating. Read it more than once. “Did not the Jews know that the Gentiles were to be called in? They might have known it from Moses and Isaiah. Isaiah speaks plainly of the grace and favour of God, as going before in the receiving of the Gentiles. Was not this our own case? Did not God begin in love, and make himself known to us when we did not ask after him? The patience of God towards provoking sinners is wonderful. The time of God’s patience is called a day, light as day, and fit for work and business; but limited as a day, and there is a night at the end of it. God’s patience makes man’s disobedience worse, and renders that the more sinful. We may wonder at the mercy of God, that his goodness is not overcome by man’s badness; we may wonder at the wickedness of man, that his badness is not overcome by God’s goodness. And it is a matter of joy to think that God has sent the message of grace to so many millions, by the wide spread of his gospel.”

I love how he applies this to Gentiles as well as the Jews. We all have been told the story in one way or another. We have all heard or seen the Gospel message. Therefore, we cannot give excuses for not believing. No Jew could and no Gentile could. That still applies today. Especially with the technology we have around the world, the Gospel is presented in thousands of dialects and in just about every spot on the globe.

But we still have work to do. God will judge mankind one day, and if someone has not believed in the name of the Son of God and turned to Him for salvation, they will face an eternal hell. Let’s get busy for the kingdom. Today could be our last day on earth. Jesus could return tomorrow to take His bride away. Be diligent.

Father, You have warned us time and time again. You will judge us all one day. I am thankful I know I am Yours.

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Woman attentively listening to speaker with microphone
Bible, Gospel, Messages, Messenger, Psalms, Romans, Scripture, Voice

JUST LISTEN

ROMANS 10:18

“But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary: ‘THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.’”

As I am getting older, the one thing that irritates me the most is the loss of hearing. I have lost some of my hearing in my left ear and have tinnitus in both ears. Just plain irritating. However, it does give me a good excuse sometimes when I don’t want to hear something my wife is telling me, lol. Just kidding. But there are times when she is trying to tell me something, and I just don’t hear her. My lack of hearing does not negate the words she is saying. She has still given me a message. I just didn’t respond to it.

Paul continues his line of thinking in today’s verse in regard to the message of God being proclaimed to everyone. He quotes from Psalm 19:4 which says, “Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,” Albert Barnes says this about the Psalmist. “The psalmist employs them to show that the works of God, the heavens and the earth, proclaim his existence everywhere.” There is just no argument about the fact that God will judge everyone who does not respond to His message of salvation, no matter how He delivered it.

APPLICATION

In Acts 26:26 Paul confronts King Agrippa with the facts that he has heard the message. “‘For the king knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.’” Pretty bold move, huh? Paul confronts the person who holds his fate in his hands. Could we be as bold in presenting the message to others?

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he states the fact of the message being voiced to all. In 1:23 Paul writes, “if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.” The gospel message has been “proclaimed in all creation under heaven.” Wow!

The word used by Paul for “voice” is phthoggos which is only used here and in 1 Corinthians 14:7. It has the idea of a musical note by voice or instrument. This note is unique and is recognizable. God’s “note” of the Gospel message is unique and recognizable by all. There is no excuse for not responding. Let us be God’s musical instruments strumming the chords of the Gospel to all who will listen.

Thank You, Lord, for sending Your message to mankind to enable them to respond to Your gift of salvation through Jesus.

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 pointing finger and speaking to upset boy with arms crossed
Belief, Bible, Disobedience, Gospel, Isaiah, Obedience, Romans, Scripture

REFUSING TO OBEY

ROMANS 10:16

“However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?’”

As a I child, I was told things by my parents to help keep me out of trouble. And like most kids, I ignored their advice. I chose to not listen and do my own thing. As a result, I paid the price for not obeying. As a parent, I did the same with my children with the same result. Some things my children listened to and other things they ignored. Listening does not imply hearing. That’s plain in today’s text.

Paul uses a Greek word that is translated here as “heed.” It’s the Greek word hupakouó, which the HELPS Word-studies says, “is acting under the authority of the one speaking, i.e. really listening to the one giving the charge (order). Hypakoúō (‘to hearken, obey’) suggests attentively listening, i.e. fully compliant (responsive).” Paul is telling us that not all who hear the good news will respond. This is still true today.

APPLICATION

Once again, Paul goes to the prophet Isaiah. Here he quotes from Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” About this verse, Barnes says, “The form of expression, ‘Who hath believed?’ is a mode of saying emphatically that few or none had done it. The great mass of his countrymen had rejected it. This was an example to the purpose of the apostle.” Isn’t this exactly what Jesus dealt with Himself? Few followed Him although thousands heard Him preach and teach.

Hypakoúō is used in Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20 where it says for children to “be obedient” to their parents. Hearing with the intent to obey is the idea here. We are God’s children, aren’t we? So, aren’t we supposed to hear Him and obey Him? Of course, we are. It’s not that hard. But we still turn a deaf ear to Him when we want to have our own way. We think we know better. We may not say that, but our actions speak louder than words.

What is the result of someone refusing to “heed” the gospel? Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. “7 …when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,…” Let’s do all we can to give the good news to those who need it and pray they will “heed” the call of the Master.

Lord, it burdens my heart to know that millions who have heard Your message will turn away into an eternal destruction.

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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Close-up of feet with multiple dark spots and uneven skin tone
Bible, Feet, Gospel, Isaiah, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

BEAUTIFUL FEET? REALLY?

ROMANS 10:15

“But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’”

My wife and I were just having a discussion about feet the other night. Some commercial on tv had shown some rather ugly feet to try to sell a product, and we both remarked how ugly most feet are. Now, you may disagree. You may think they are pretty. Well, you haven’t seen mine, lol. I was kissing my granddaughter’s feet the other day, much to her delight. I would agree that her feet are cute, but they still have that baby smell.

Paul reverts back to Isaiah again in today’s verse, this time to Isaiah 52:7. He leaves out some of the imagery of the Hebrew text, so I thought I would give you the whole verse. “How delightful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” One scholarly source says this about Paul’s use of this passage. “The whole chapter of Isaiah from which this is taken, and the three that follow, are so richly Messianic, that there can be no doubt ‘the glad tidings’ there spoken of announce a more glorious release than of Judah from the Babylonish captivity, and the very feet of its preachers are called ‘beautiful’ for the sake of their message.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

APPLICATION

Can you just picture the scene of a distant runner bringing news from the battlefront? Of course, they couldn’t see the runner’s feet. What made the feet so beautiful was the message they were carrying. Jesus’ feet were nail-scarred, but oh, how beautiful they were. Those feet represented God’s promise of redemption to all mankind through the life and death of Jesus, His Son.

Now, we are entrusted with that same message of redemption. Our feet will be deemed beautiful, not because of the lack of bunions or callouses. They will be beautiful feet because they carry the message of the cross. Ephesians 6:15 mentions our feet in the armor of God passage. “and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace;” And look at Nahum 1:15, “Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, Judah, Pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; He is eliminated completely.”

Our feet were made for walking. What better thing to carry on our walk than the Gospel message. Who can you deliver it to today? We all know someone who needs to hear it, don’t we? Let’s be about our Father’s business and use our feet for good. Amen?

Bless my feet today, O Lord, as I seek ways to deliver Your good news to others.

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, Gospel, Romans, Sacrifice, Salvation, Scripture, Suffering

WILLING TO SUFFER FOR OTHERS

ROMANS 9:3

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,”

What would you be willing to endure to ensure the safety and well-being of your family? Interesting thought, huh? As I sit here and write these thoughts, I can say I would do anything to protect mine. My wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren mean the world to me. If they were threatened by anything, I would jump in to protect them. Even if they did not want my protection, I would lay down my life for them.

Today’s passage has been hotly contested by the best of scholars. Paul is not saying he wishes he could be damned in order to save his countrymen. That would negate everything he has been teaching thus far in this letter. The whole point he is making hinges on the word translated “accursed.” That is the Greek word anathema which means something that has been pledged or devoted for destruction. It is used six times in the New Testament (Acts 23:14; Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22; Galatians 1:9 and 1:9).

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse this way. “And the apostle evidently means to say that he would be willing to suffer the bitterest evils, to forego all pleasure, to endure any privation and toil, nay, to offer his life, so that he might be wholly devoted to sufferings, as an offering, if he might be the means of benefiting and saving the nation.” And that he did. Just read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 for a full list of his sufferings for Christ.

Although Paul’s calling from God was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, he was still Jewish and had a heart for his people. It is kind of like how I feel about my small hometown of Pelham, GA. I have not lived there since 1979, but when I do get home (which is not often enough) I still have that kindred spirit with all my fellow Pelhamites. I will always be “from” there. Paul’s intense desire to see his countrymen come to Christ never faded.

So, let me ask you again. What would you do to save your family? What would you give up for them? You may have things in your life right now that are destroying your witness to them. Give those up. There may be a conflict still brewing between you and someone in your family. Do all you can to settle it. We should all have this intense desire. I am reminded of 1 Timothy 5:8. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Are you providing for the spiritual nourishment of your family?

O Lord, give me that kind of intense burden for my family. Give me avenues to share the Gospel with them.

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, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

GOD OF ALL

ROMANS 3:29

“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,” 

There is a major lie being spread all over the world that every religion has a pathway to God. Sorry to disappoint, but that just isn’t the truth. Jesus clearly said in John 14:6, “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’” That leaves out every other religion except the Christian religion. Buddha won’t get you there. Muhammed won’t get you there. Nor will any of the Hindu gods that are worshipped. He is God of all to those who accept His Son.

Paul dispels the idea among the Jews that they had sole claim on God. He was sent as a messenger by God to the Gentiles, even though he was a Jew himself. Paul knew firsthand the danger of this exclusionary thought. For the past two chapters Paul has been presenting both sides – the Jews and the Gentiles, and there is only one conclusion – He is God of both the Jews and the Gentiles if…they turn to Jesus.

APPLICATION

So, how do we apply this verse to our lives today? We must be the proclaimer of this truth to the world. That is why we send Christian missionaries around the world. We know that we have the hope for all mankind. Billions will be lost and spend eternity separated from God if we aren’t obedient to that Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. We’ve been given our marching orders. Are you in line?

But Carl I haven’t been called to go to a foreign country. Okay, if you have not heard that specific call, then God has called you to present the Gospel right where you are. I had a conversation this weekend with a man who was complaining about his work environment. He said everyone he works with are lost and are constantly taking God’s name in vain. They mock him or isolate him if he presents anything spiritual. I told him to expect no different from the lost. But God has placed him in a ripe harvest field. He just needs to be Jesus and love them anyway.

I know, I know. That’s hard. Yes, it is. But just think of the way they treated our Lord. He was scourged and crucified. He was spit on. He was humiliated. But He said on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Can’t we pray that same prayer and love them anyway? I struggle at times doing this. God understands this, but I know He can empower me through His Holy Spirit Who lives within me to love them with His love. Will you join me?

Lord, I have to admit that is hard to love those who curse me and hurl insults, but through Your strength I will love them because You do.

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, Glory, Gospel, Salvation, Scripture, Sin

THE ROMAN ROAD BEGINS

ROMANS 3:23

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Today’s verse is often quoted as part of the “Roman Road.” The following verses in Romans walks someone through the steps to receive their salvation in Christ:

  1. Romans 3:23 is the first step. One must recognize they are a sinner. This is today’s verse.
  2. The next step is Romans 6:23 which shows us the “wages of sin is death,” but God’s gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
  3. The third step is shown in Romans 5:8. It tells us God demonstrates His love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
  4. Fourth is Romans 10:9-10. I mentioned these verses in yesterday’s blog. They tell us “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
  5. And finally we see a promise in Romans 10:13. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  

APPLICATION

I think the application is pretty clear in today’s verse. We have to admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Otherwise, we will drive blindly off the cliff of eternity into the pit of hell. In 1 Timothy 6:9, Paul is addressing the danger of sinful behaviors, especially greed. But this verse fits here today. “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.” The Greek word for “plunge” is used one other time in Luke 5:7 when the disciples boats began to sink due to the large catch of fish. What a great picture of our verse today. Sin causes us to sink deeper and deeper.

But thanks be to God, we have an answer to this seemingly hopeless situation. God sent His Son Jesus to die to redeem us back to Himself. We “fall short” of God’s glory. We “fall short” of salvation on our own. The Greek word there is hustereos. The Topical Lexicon says this about the that word. “In the narrative arc of Scripture, human lack becomes the canvas upon which God paints redemption. Where hustereos surfaces, grace is poised to abound.” His grace is sufficient for us. Praise the Lord.

Are you falling short of God’s glory? Then stop trying and trust Him. He has already paid for the penalty of sin in your life. He can give you the freedom from sin you so desperately crave. Follow that Roman Road to salvation, if you haven’t already. If you have, share it with someone today.

Father God, thank You for redeeming me when I fell so short of Your glory.

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, Forgiveness, Gospel, Jesus, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture

FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

ROMANS 3:22

“but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction,”

When I read today’s verse, my mind immediately goes to John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” EVERYONE! I can just hear Billy Graham reading this verse and sharing the simplicity of the Gospel with the crowds. God doesn’t expect us to get all cleaned up before we come to Him. He takes us just as we are. He does the cleaning.

Paul continues his thought from verse 21 (see yesterday’s blog) when he talks about the key element of God’s righteousness which is revealed to us. It only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. No amount of law keeping or sheep slaughtered will accomplish it. His life was freely given so that we could receive the free gift of grace. And this, Paul says, does not discriminate. He says, “there is no distinction.” That Greek word is diastole, and it means a variation, difference or separation. We all have access to this righteousness in Christ.

APPLICATION

I love this description of this verse given by a scholar. “And so, dear friends, I have to come to you now with this message. No matter what a man is, how far he has gone, how sinful he has been, how long he has stayed away from the sweetness and grace of that great sacrifice on the Cross, that death was for him. The power of Christ’s sacrifice makes possible the forgiveness of all the sins of all the world, past, present, and to come. The worth of that sacrifice, which was made by the willing surrender of the Incarnate Son of God to the death of the Cross, is sufficient for the ransom price of all the sins of all men.” (McLaren’s Expositions)

Later in Romans 10-9-10, Paul writes, “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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Confession and belief, of course, involves repentance and obedience.

God intended for us all to be saved. He even says so in His word. In 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul writes to Timothy, “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.” So, if it is God’s will that all be saved, shouldn’t it be ours as well? Share the Gospel with someone today. You may just change the course of their life for eternity.

Father, thank You that someone took the time to share with me long ago. Help me share with others.

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, Escape, Gospel, Salvation, Scripture, Warnings

NO ESCAPE

ROMANS 2:3

But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God?

I have never had to escape a burning building or a sinking ship, but I did have to escape a pretty serious car wreck back in 1975. Long story made short – an end-over-end flipped Lincoln Continental that had been traveling over 100 mph. All four of us walked away with just scratches and bruises. It was truly a miracle. We had to escape through one little opening that was left when the roof caved in and rested on the front seat.

Paul is describing another kind of escape in today’s verse. This is an escape from judgment. What does he say? He says, “Do you reckon you will escape judgment if you are passing judgment while you are doing the same thing you are judging?” This is a tough verse, but it has to be said. You can’t sit in judgment of others while you are doing the same thing. God will hold you accountable as well.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about ekpheugó which Paul uses  and is translated as “escape.” “The verb thus serves as a sober reminder that neglect of salvation inevitably forfeits escape.” This ties in perfectly with Hebrews 2:3 which says, “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” There will be no escape for those who refuse Jesus as Savior.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 we find ekpheugó used again, “2 For you yourselves now full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” But we have a warning through the Gospel. We have a way of escape, if we turn to Him.

The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:25, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.” The Son of God came and gave us fair warning. All through Scripture we are warned of the danger, the eternal danger of refusing God’s call. You’ve been warned. Are you heeding His warning today?

Father, I give You thanks for calling me and giving me the way of escape from the penalty of sin.

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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