Category Archives: Holy Spirit

An older man in brown robes comforting and shaking hands with a barefoot younger man in tattered clothing who is crouching on a sack in a village street
Bible, Holy Spirit, Miracles, Romans, Scripture, Signs, Wonder

EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

ROMANS 15:19

“in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”

I initially titled this devotion “Signs and Wonders” but after reading the verse some more and starting my study on it, I realized it is more about the power of the Holy Spirit. After all, He is the One Who does the signs and wonders. He is the One Who gives us the words to preach far and wide. As the last verse talked about, we have to make sure we do not take credit for anything we did not accomplish ourselves. As followers of Christ, we should be pointing heavenward.

Paul recounts his life a bit in today’s verse. Most scholars agree he is referring to the signs and wonders he performed through the Spirit. What were those signs and wonders? Well, we will look at a few. And we know of his missionary journeys all around. Some of those journeys were perilous, wrought with dangers and sufferings. But through the Spirit, Paul prevailed. Let’s look a little at Paul’s life and how the Lord used him.

APPLICATION

One of those signs done by Paul is mentioned in Acts 19:11-12. “11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.” Now, before you start a handkerchief ministry like some have done, remember this was done only through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted no credit for this.

In Acts 14:8-10 we see Paul healing a lame man in Lystra which, as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, caused the people to proclaim Paul a god (Hermes). But before you get too excited about that, only 9 verses later Paul was dragged out of the city and stoned by these very people. How quickly miracles fade if those who observe them do not see the Holy Spirit as being the author.

One of my favorite miracles performed by Paul was the raising of Eutychus. Remember him? He was the young boy who fell asleep when Paul was preaching and fell out of a window and died. I guess Paul felt guilty for putting him to sleep and raised him from the dead, lol. Seriously, the Spirit was the One Who raised him, not Paul.

Today, make sure your actions and words are orchestrated by the Holy Spirit and not yourself. Only those things done by Him will remain. All we do on our own will quickly fade away.

Use me, Lord, as Your vessel to do great and mighty things in Your name.

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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Person with raised arms facing sunlight breaking through cloudy sky on mountain peak
Ministry, Holy Spirit, Bible, Scripture, Service, Servant, Minister, Romans

BE A MINISTER

ROMANS 15:16

“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

I have said before in this blog how proud my mama was that I was a minister. If I ever got a letter in the mail addressed to Reverend Carl Willis, I knew it was from my mom. I am not sure she ever really understood what I did since my ministry wasn’t in a church for most of my career. However, if she could read this verse with me today, it would explain exactly what I have been called to do.

This verse is a prime example of why you can’t just read the English translation. The two words, “minister” and “ministering,” are two entirely different words. Paul is telling the readers of his role and his function as a minister to the Gentiles. We are all called to be ministers of the gospel, whether that involves full-time service or not. Paul’s example of his ministry shows us that. Let’s look at these two words and see how we can apply them to our lives.

APPLICATION

First, we have the Greek word leitourgos translated as “minister.” This word is five times in the New Testament in a variety of ways. It “is applied to civil authorities (Romans 13:6), an apostle’s missionary calling (Romans 15:16), a congregational delegate (Philippians 2:25), angels (Hebrews 1:7), and Christ Himself (Hebrews 8:2). Each instance presents God-appointed service offered for the common good and ultimately directed toward Him.” (Topical Lexicon) Paul is referring to his role here in today’s verse as an apostle to the Gentiles. God had given him a specific function.

The word “ministering” is the Greek word hierourgeó which only occurs here in Romans 15:16. It literally means “temple work.” Let’s just call that church work or mission work. Paul knew his job as an apostle wasn’t just a position of honor. He was called to serve, to actually do the work. I can relate to that. In my ministry, I have been asked to do a lot of things that are more work related than position related. Serving the Lord can be hard at times. It requires sacrifice. It requires dedication.

We are called a part of the royal priesthood, am I right? 1 Peter 2:9 says that. That doesn’t mean we sit back and relish in our position in Christ. No! We are called to serve. To do the ministering. That may mean you serve in VBS this year or you rock babies in the nursery. You may be a deacon or an elder in your church. Whatever you do to serve the Lord, make sure you let Him sanctify in the Holy Spirit, as Paul said at the end of our verse today. If the Holy Spirit isn’t in it, don’t do it. Do it for the glory of God and for no other reason.

I am Yours, O Lord. Use me to minister to the body of Christ however You choose.

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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Two women smiling and exchanging a wicker basket filled with wrapped gifts, a teddy bear, books, and a bottle of wine in front of a decorated Christmas tree
Abounding, Bible, Blessing, Holy Spirit, Hope, Romans, Scripture

ABOUND IN HOPE

ROMANS 15:13

“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.”

There have been a few times in my life when I have been the recipient of an extravagant gift. I have a supporter of our ministry who has blessed us for a few years now with an amazing gift, one I am surely not worthy of. I have been gifted a truck by a widow in my previous church. You could say I have been filled beyond measure by such gifts.

Paul uses a Greek word in today’s verse which has that same idea. Perisseúō is translated “will abound” and is “(from perí, ‘all-around’ which indicates abundance or surplus) – properly, exceed, go beyond the expected measure, i.e. above and beyond (‘more than . . . ‘); ‘what goes further (more), surpasses.’” (HELPS Word-studies) Paul says the God of hope will fill us with joy and peace so we can be filled beyond measure with hope (His hope) by the Holy Spirit. What a promise!

APPLICATION

This word is used 39 times in the New Testament. Let’s take a look at some of these. This word is used in Matthew 14 and 15 when it refers to the “leftover” bread and fish that Jesus served the 5,000 and then the 4,000. There wasn’t just a little bit leftover. It was an abundance. The baskets overflowed. Jesus never does anything halfway, does He? He made sure there was plenty for all to eat and even for some to be used at a later date.

We are told in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” “Excelling” is the word there. We are to do more than expected, to go beyond in our labor for the Lord.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul talks about “the God of all comfort” and how He comforts us so we can comfort others. In verse 5 we read, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” Abundance in sufferings and also in comfort. One leads to the other.

I want you to think about how God’s blessings superabound in your life. Take a minute and list ten ways God has blessed you. Then give Him praise. God’s hope overflows into our life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cherish that. Enjoy it. God is faithful to bless us way beyond what we ask or think.

O Lord, I praise You for the abundance of hope You have given me through Christ.

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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Ancient manuscript on stone altar lit by sunlight from a church window
Bible, Eternal Life, Eternity, Father, Holy Spirit, Promises, Scripture

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE

ROMANS 15:8

“For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,”

It is so important that we keep our promises. Parents have to keep their promises to their children. When dad promises to take the children to the park after school, he needs to make that his priority. When mom promises to bake cookies for her son’s class, she needs to bake them with earnest. I read a quote this morning that really stung. It said, “Twenty years from now the only people who will remember that you worked late are your kids.? (Sahil Bloom) Keep those promises you make to your children and grandchildren.

Christ kept not only His promises, but the Father’s promises. After all, He and the Father are one, right? I love how Ellicott expresses his view on this verse. “My doctrine is that Christ came with a two-fold purpose: on the one hand, with a mission to the Jews, the chosen circumcised race, to vindicate to them the truthfulness of God in respect to His promises, by Himself confirming and fulfilling those promises; and, on the other hand, with the object to exhibit the mercy of God in rescuing the Gentiles from their state of condemnation, and giving them cause to glorify God’s name.”

APPLICATION

What are these “promises” Paul refers to here. The Topical Lexicon says, “The noun epaggelia occurs fifty-two times in the Greek New Testament and consistently denotes a divine commitment that is certain, gracious, and future-oriented. Every use anchors the reader in God’s unbreakable word, whether the referent is the patriarchal inheritance, the outpoured Spirit, salvation in Christ, or the consummation of all things.” Wow! A divine commitment! When God promises something, He keeps it!

One of my favorite verses is Joshua 21:45. “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.” Can you say that about the promises you’ve made? I sure can’t. It seems today promises are not considered worthy of keeping. Isn’t that sad? Divorce rates among believers are practically the same as among unbelievers. Breach of contracts in business occur daily. Promises made should be promises kept.

Of course, one of the greatest promises Jesus made and kept was the sending of the Holy Spirit into our lives as believers. Just look what He said in Acts 1:4-5. “4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Again, promise made, promise kept. Thank You, Jesus.

I give You praise, O Lord, for being a promise keeper. Help me be more like You in that way.

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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Layered gelatin dessert with strawberries, lime slices, whipped cream, cherry, and mint on a plate
Bible, Conformity, Holiness, Holy, Holy Spirit, Romans, Scripture

DO NOT BE CONFORMED

ROMANS 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

When I was growing up, my mama used to make Jello with fruit or nuts and cheese in it (I know that sounds gross, but as a kid I loved that). She had this plastic bowl that had a replaceable bottom section that contained different shapes and designs. She would mix up the Jello concoction and pour it in that bowl to set. After it had jelled, she would dump it out on a plate upside down so that bottom shape would show. I thought that was the neatest thing.

Why am I talking about Jello molds? Because our word today we are going to look at in Romans 12:2 can be illustrated by my story. Paul says, “do not be conformed.” The Greek word is suschématizó. That’s a long word, I know. Let’s break it down. It comes from sun (joined close together, inseparable) and schema (exterior shape or form). Put those two together and you get a word that means to “conform to the same pattern.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).

APPLICATION

Paul is warning us to not take on the shape of the world around us. We are to not allow the world to shape our thoughts and actions, like that Jello mold did to the Jello that was poured into it. Suschématizó is only used one other time in 1 Peter 1:14. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,” Peter goes on to tell us what, or should I say Who, should shape us. “15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’” In other word, let holiness shape you!

Let me ask you a question. What is shaping your actions and behavior? What is influencing your decisions and lifestyle? There are so many worldly pressures on us today. We feel the pressure to live like the world. We are told to pursue riches and pleasure. No! That is not our pursuit as a follower of Christ. We have to allow the Spirit to lead and guide us in our daily life. That should be the mold we pour ourselves into.

Take today and examine the things that are influencing you. Allow God’s Word to shape you into the image of Christ. Our prayer should be that all the world sees in us is Jesus. His glory should be on full display for all to see. The things of this world will not last. Only the things of God will continue. My mom’s old Jello molds are a thing of the past. Those Jello molds she made are long gone. But the Jesus mold will last forever. Pour yourself into it.

Shape me and mold me, Lord, to look more and more like 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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Bible, Confession, Conviction, Heart, Holy Spirit, Romans, Scripture

DON’T GET HARDHEARTED

ROMANS 9:18

“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”

I have known some hardhearted people in my lifetime. No amount of love which was directed towards them changed their minds. They seemed to be mad at the world and everyone in it. I myself have had some hardhearted moments in my life when I felt someone had turned against me. But the Holy Spirit would not let me stay there. Why? Because He is love and will not allow a follower of Christ to remain there.

In verse 18 today Paul issues a warning. If we remain in a state of rebellion towards God and the things of God, He will allow that hardness to remain. God will not chisel His way into your life. The Topical Lexicon says this about the word sklérunó, which is the word Paul uses here. It “shows that hardening can be God’s righteous response to persistent rebellion, paralleling Pharaoh in Exodus. Divine hardening never violates human responsibility; rather, it ratifies the sinner’s chosen defiance.”

APPLICATION

If there was ever a need to apply a verse to your life, this is it. In Hebrews 3:15 we read, “while it is said, ‘TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.’” This is a quote from Psalm 95:7-8 when David referred to the hardening of the hearts of the Israelites at Meribah and Massah when they quarreled with Moses about not having enough water. They had seen God’s miraculous demonstrations of His power, yet they were concerned about not having enough water.

Before you point your finger at them, however, what have you been quarreling with God about. Can I be honest? I have been quarreling with God about something in my family for the past few years. No amount of praying seems to move the hand of God. So, I have quarreled with God about it. Why doesn’t He move in this situation? Why won’t He let me fix it? We can all get there at times.

Listen friends, we have to trust the hand of God in all things. We cannot allow the enemy to corrupt our minds and lead our hearts into a hardening. That goes in direct conflict with God’s will for our lives. I have repented of my hardness. Have you? I give it over to the Lord daily. I want my heart to remain soft and moldable to His touch. How about you?

Lord, forgive me of being hardhearted. I confess that as sin and ask You to soften my heart to be tender to Your Spirit’s work in my life.

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, Holy Spirit, Intercession, Romans, Scripture, Son

ANOTHER INTERCESSOR

ROMANS 8:34

“who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

One of the joys of my ministry is the privilege to pray for our Every Man a Warrior leaders around the world. Even today I had the privilege to pray with our leader in the Dominican Republic and another in the Philippines. I received thank you emails from another three others in Ghana, Zambia and Ethiopia for praying for them. Intercessory prayer is such a blessing. I pray you are interceding for others.

Back in verse 27 of chapter 8, Paul talked about how the Spirit “intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” The same word for “intercedes” is used again in today’s verse. I won’t rehash all I said back on verse 27. I refer you to that day’s blog entitled “Bullseye.” The word for “intercedes” means to hit the target. But in today’s verse, the intercessor changes. Now Paul says, “Christ Jesus is He…who also intercedes for us.” That’s double coverage! Wow!

APPLICATION

I like American football. Sometimes the defensive team will put double coverage on a player of the other team to prevent that player from scoring. Double the coverage cuts the chances a lot that the player will catch the ball thrown to him. Listen, the devil is trying to score as he accuses you daily. But since we have both the Spirit and the Son interceding for us, his chances are nil. We just have to trust our intercessors.

Why can Jesus intercede for us? Because, as Paul says in today’s verse, He died for us, was raised for us and now sits right next to the Father. He’s got the Father’s ear. Because the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One, every time the Spirit intercedes for us, Jesus knows it and also takes that intercession to the Father. The Father is hearing it “in both ears.”

Never doubt that the Father hears your prayers. All through the Psalms and Proverbs we have verses telling us how the Father is listening to our voice. Psalm 5:3 is one of my favorites. “In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” We pray. We wait. We listen. But God has heard. Never, never doubt that. Satan wants us to doubt. He will accuse God of not listening, but if Satan’s lips are moving, he’s lying. You can bet on that.

I cry out to You, O Lord, and I know Your ears are bent towards 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, Holy Spirit, Intercession, Romans, Saints, Scripture

BULLSEYE

ROMANS 8:27

“and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Every year when I start the hunting season, I like to take my gun out and zero in the scope. That requires setting up a target with a bullseye downrange and taking some shots. I want my bullet to hit within the area of that bullseye so that when I go out hunting, I will hit my target. If I don’t do that, my bullet will never land where it is intended.

Why all this talk about bullseyes and targets? The word used here by Paul for “intercedes” is not the same word he used in verse 26. It’s similar, but not the same.  HELPS Word-studies tells us that entygxánō comes from en, “in” which intensifies tygxánō, “to obtain by hitting the mark.” To go a little further, the root of tygxánō means “to strike, hit the bulls-eye. It is even used as the antonym of harmartia “to miss the mark, sin.” So, Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit is “spot on” when it comes to going to the Father for us. We can rest assured that His words will hit the bullseye of God’s heart.

APPLICATION

I love how Albert Barnes explains our relationship with the Spirit. “We are poor, and needy, and ignorant, and blind; we are the creatures of a day and are crushed before the moth. But in the midst of our feebleness, we may look to God for the aid of His Spirit, and rejoice in His presence, and in His power to sustain us in our sighings, and to guide us in our wanderings.” Isn’t that great? I just love the picture that paints for us.

You see, God knows our hearts. Proverbs 21:2 says, “All the ways of a man seem right in his own eyes, but God weighs the heart.” That’s not talking about how many kilograms your physical heart weighs. God weighs the heaviness of our hearts when we are going through those difficult times. You know how that feels, don’t you? We’ve all been there at some time. That is why God gave us the Spirit. It is He who goes before us to the Father, and He never misses.

I want to encourage you today that you are not alone. As a follower of Christ, you will never be left alone. Sure, human companions can abandon you. Family members can estrange you. But the Spirit of God will never, ever leave you. Why? Because He is on a mission orchestrated and implemented on your behalf. That’s shouting ground stuff right there.

Lord, I praise You for the “bullseye” ability of the Spirit to speak on my behalf.

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, Helping, Holy Spirit, Intercession, Romans, Scripture

THE HELPING, INTERCEDING SPIRIT

ROMANS 8:26

“Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;”

Have you ever been at a loss for words? I know some people whom I could never say that about. Lol. Just kidding. But seriously, we do have those moments when a sudden shock or grief hits us, and we just can’t articulate the words. I have had a few of those in my life. Fortunately, I have always had friends I could call to come and pray with me and for me. Do you have friends like that?

I just love this verse. Don’t you? We have a Comforter within us! Paul says that this Spirit of Christ “helps our weakness” and “intercedes for us.” That’s a double whammy, right? Most followers of Christ ignore or minimize the Holy Spirit. When we do that, we are not allowing the Lord to fully work in and through us. Let’s take a look at these two roles of the Spirit that Paul mentions in today’s verse.

APPLICATION

First, Paul says, “the Spirit also helps our weakness.” What does that mean? The works “helps” is sunantilambanomai (I dare you to say that five times real fast, lol). This is a triple compound word – sýn (closely identified with“) and antí (corresponding) and lambánō, (aggressively lay hold of). Picture two people grabbing the opposite ends of a large ice chest to carry it somewhere. That’s sunantilambanomai. It’s only used twice in the New Testament – here in Romans 8:26 referring to the Holy Spirit “grabbing the other end of our prayers to lift them to heaven” and also in Luke 10:40 where we read, “But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.’” Martha wanted Mary to grab her end of the work.

Then Paul says the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” The word “intercedes” is huperentugchanó. It is only used here in Romans 8:26. HELPS Word-studies says, “hyperentygxánō (intercede) refers to the Holy Spirit interceding in every scene of our lives so we can ‘come in line with’ the Lord’s eternal purpose. The content of these intercessions goes beyond human language and includes bringing sacred mysteries into our daily walk with Christ.”

Wow! Did you know you had that in you? If you are a follower of Christ, you have a helper and interceder living within you. Christ put Him there the moment you said “yes” to Him. He flooded your soul and spirit with the divine Holy Spirit sent from heaven above. Tap into that power today. Let the Spirit speak in and through you to someone else.

Father God, I am guilty of not recognizing the power that is within me through Your Holy Spirit. Forgive 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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Adoption, Bible, Family, Holy Spirit, Redemption, Scripture

THE PRIVILEGE OF ADOPTION

ROMANS 8:23

“And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.”

I worked for over three decades in the field of Child Welfare. This ministry included working with Foster and Adoption programs in the Southeast United States. Adoption is a beautiful thing. It gives a child who needs a permanent, loving home a place to call home and the opportunity to become part of a family. But even after the court papers are signed and all the legal hoops are jumped through, that child does not receive the full benefits of being adopted until they go home with their new parent(s). Then they get their new home and family.

Paul explains the same is true for us as believers. Yes, we are adopted as children of God at salvation. We become His child, but we do not receive the full benefit of adoption until our arrival in heaven when our old mortal bodies are glorified and where we will live eternally. Nothing can change the fact of our adoption while we are here. We know exactly where we are going when our “number” is called. We will receive that full adoption.

APPLICATION

The phrase “adoption as sons” is the Greek word huiothesia, which is only used five times in the New Testament, all my Paul, and three of those times appear here in Romans (8:15, 23; 9:4). The words “and daughters” are not in the Greek text, thus the use of italics. Paul is not excluding females. Their inclusion as children of God is implied in the Greek word huiothesia. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are in His family through this adoption.

Through my years working with children, I saw a number of failed adoptions. Children were placed with a family, but due to the child’s behavior or other circumstances, the adoption fell apart. The rejection this child feels is enormous and has lasting impacts on their life. Our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God can never be rejected. God knows all our sins, all the dirt on us and still loves us as His own. Isn’t that comforting?

While these verses may never be brought up in a discussion about eternal security, they most certainly apply. God’s adoption of us can never and will never be broken. Paul even writes in Ephesians 1:5, “He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,…” If God decided before the foundation of the world to adopt us into His family, I don’t think He’s going to change His mind, do you? Live like you belong.

Father, You are my Father! You have made me Your child through adoption through Your Son.

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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