Category Archives: Jesus

Wooden sign reading 'The Hope is Jesus' with a cross in a grassy rural area
Bible, Encouragement, Hope, Jesus, Messiah, Perseverance, Romans, Scripture

THE HOPE

ROMANS 15:4

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

I often read stories of persecuted saints and how they held on to their faith through their hope in Jesus Christ. They knew He would see them through, no matter how bad it got. The difference in their hope and the hope of the world was they had THE hope. Their hope was solely in Jesus, not the end of the persecution or their imprisonment. Their hope was the only true hope. Their hope was secure.

In today’s verse, we have a word missing in the translation. I looked at 26 different translations, and they all miss it. It’s an important word because it signifies something special. The word is “the.” That may seem to be a small, insignificant word, but here it means something. Paul says at the end of the verse, “we might have hope.” Actually, the Greek reads “the hope.” The definite article is there. That’s the difference between a general hope and the hope in a specific hope. That hope is Jesus, the Messiah.

APPLICATION

Looking at the verse as a whole, Barnes list three observations. “We may learn here, (1) That afflictions may prove to be a great blessing. (2) that their proper tendency is to produce ‘hope.’ (3) that the way to find support in afflictions is to go to the Bible.” I would differ with Barnes on that second point since he too leaves out referring to “the hope.” We don’t produce that hope. We have that hope in Christ Jesus. He gives it to us at Calvary. There is no greater hope than this.

Ellicott does bring this out in his commentary when he says, “Literally, the hope—i.e., the Messianic hope. The promises of Scripture centre in the hope of the future Messianic glory, and the fortitude with which the Christian endures his trials is to be sustained by that hope, and itself reacts upon the hope and makes it held with firmer tenacity.” I love that! Don’t you?

What are you “hoping” in? Do you say, “I sure hope I can get through this trial I am going through”? Perhaps you may have said that about someone else you see suffering. Listen carefully. You, as a follower of Christ have that hope. No matter what you or any other follower of Christ goes through, you have the hope. You have it because He gave it to you. You have it because He is returning one day. You have it because… Never doubt that. Don’t let Satan try to trick and deceive you into thinking all hope is gone. That’s a lie from the pit of hell. He knows “The Hope” is very much alive and active in the lives of His followers. Keep looking up!

Gracious Father, thank You for the hope of glory, Jesus Christ, 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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Defensive football player tackling opponent who is dropping the ball on a football field.
Bible, Destroy, Destruction, Jesus, Judging, Judgment, Romans, Scripture

DON’T BE A DESTROYER

ROMANS 14:15

“For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died.”

When I was in high school, I played football (real football, not soccer, lol). I loved to destroy people! I had the privilege to play linebacker on defense. That position usually gets the most tackles in a game. During my freshman year I was still dressing out for the Junior Varsity team, as well as the varsity. I practiced all week with the varsity squad and played JV on Thursday nights. After a week of playing with the “big boys” those Thursday night games were like shooting ducks in a barrel. I dominated and destroyed many an opponent.

That is NOT what Paul is talking about in today’s verse when he writes about destroying others. That destruction is mainly done with words through judgment of others or unkind or even mean words and actions. Paul is not letting up on this judgment thing. He reminds us that every person we think we have the right to judge is a person Christ died for. They are precious in His sight.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “destroy” is apóllymi “(from apó, ‘away from,’ which intensifies ollymi, ‘to destroy’) – properly, fully destroy, cutting off entirely (note the force of the prefix, apó). Apóllymi (‘violently/completely perish’) implies permanent (absolute) destruction, i.e. to cancel out (remove); ‘to die, with the implication of ruin and destruction’ (L & N, 1, 23.106); cause to be lost (utterly perish) by experiencing a miserable end.” (HELPS Word-studies). I know that was a long definition, but I wanted you to see the weight of this word. Paul is saying our judgmental attitudes toward others can totally destroy them.

This is the same word used in John 10:10 where it says the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. Just as he wants to totally destroy you, your judgments can have the same effect. How is that possible, Carl? Your judgmental attitudes can push someone away from Christ. They see you, who profess to be a follower of Jesus, acting that way and decide they want no part of Him. Supposedly Gandhi once said that if it weren’t for Christians, he would become one. Obviously, some “Christian” had not been very Christlike to him.

Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” The word “perish” is apóllymi. God does not want this for anyone. So, He certainly doesn’t want us destroying someone. We should desire that everyone we meet come to a saving knowledge of the Lord. Watch your words. Watch your actions.

Keep me from ever saying or doing anything that would push someone away from You, 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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Wooden sign with the word TRUTH in capital letters on a pole in a forest
Bible, Conviction, Jesus, Persuasion, Romans, Scripture, Truth

CONVINCED IN THE LORD

ROMANS 14:14

“I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean.”

Let me tell you something. It takes a lot to convince me nowadays. With the emergence of AI it’s hard to know what is real and what is not. You can’t tell if that person you know is really in that picture or someone planted them there. And don’t even get me started about the internet. People are fooled all the time by something they find via Google or Safari. We all need to be more careful what we believe is true.

Paul lays those doubts to rest with today’s verse, if we will follow his instructions. Look at just the first part of this verse.
“I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus…” I know he is still talking about the issue of judging others over food and stuff. But that first phrase hit me like a ton of bricks. I asked myself, “Self, do you know that you are convinced in the Lord Jesus?” My first response, of course, was “Yes, I am sure.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “convinced” is a primary verb and is used over 50 times in the New Testament. The word is peíthō which is the root of pístis (faith). It means “to persuade; (passive) be persuaded of what is trustworthy. The Lord persuades the yielded believer to be confident in His preferred-will (Gal 5:10; 2 Tim 1:12). Peíthō involves obedience, but it is properly the result of (God’s) persuasion. (HELPS Word-studies)

Remember my opening paragraph? There is a “however” here. If God is the one persuading you can take it to the bank. Why? Because He is trustworthy. He is truth! Anything He says or does is based in truth. God cannot lie. Wouldn’t it be great if you could say that about everyone? And God only wants what is best for you, so if He says for you to do something or go somewhere, He has prepared you for it.

Paul wrote to the Philippian church in Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” May I repeat those words over you? I am confident that He will continue to work good in you and will complete you one day. I just got word that a good friend of mine saw his sweet bride of 56 years go to her ultimate glory a couple of weeks ago. I had not heard about this, so I instantly called him. He was doing great because he is convinced in the Lord Jesus. He knows exactly where his sweet wife is now. Are you that confident in your belief in the Lord Jesus? I certainly hope so. He certainly believes in you.

O Lord, I am persuaded fully in Your awesome power and grace in my life. Thank You.

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

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Woman in oversized beige teddy coat walking on leaf-covered park path in autumn
Bible, Clothing, Flesh, Jesus, Romans, Scripture, Testimony

PUT ON JESUS

ROMANS 13:14

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

When I read today’s verse I thought of dressing up in a costume. I don’t personally like Halloween because of the darkness that surrounds that festival (devils, skeletons, ghosts, etc.) but I know kids like to dress up. A lot of churches have alternatives for Halloween and allow kids to dress up in costumes like cartoon figures or animals or even Bible characters. But dressing up in a costume does not make you into that person. It’s just an outward expression.

When Paul uses this term “put on” it was a very recognizable term in the Greek and Roman culture. This expression was used by people who “put on” Plato or Socrates. It meant to follow these teachers and their instruction. Barnes says, “to put on the Lord Jesus means to take him as a pattern and guide, to imitate his example, to obey his precepts, to become like him, etc.” That’s what the Lord expects of His followers.

APPLICATION

The Greek enduo comes “from en and duno (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) — array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). Isn’t that a beautiful picture? We sink into Jesus. He envelops us with His love and Spirit. Wow! Why would we wear anything else?

The same word is used in Ephesians 6:11 where we are told to “put on the full armor of God.” In Colossians 3:10 Paul writes, “and have put on the new self,…” I really love how Paul uses it in Galatians 3:27. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

So, let me ask you a question. What are you putting on today? Are you clothing yourself with the Spirit of Christ in all your interactions so that all anyone sees is Jesus? Or are you putting back on your filthy garments of the flesh, which Paul tells us in today’s verse to “make no provision for”? Personally, I prefer Jesus over my flesh. Choose your wardrobe carefully.

Lord, help me dress up today by putting on Jesus so that all those around me are in awe of Him.

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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Open book titled 'The Silent Echo' with readable story text and some distorted text on the left page
Bible, Cross, Deliverance, Isaiah, Jesus, Messiah, Romans, Scripture, Ungodly

AS IT IS WRITTEN

ROMANS 11:26

“and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: ‘THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”

I have been writing devotional blogs just about every day since January 2016. I just surpassed 3700 blogs. This was the result of having gone through the Every Man A Warrior study which taught me how to journal in my personal Quiet Time. It has become second nature now. I normally write the devotional and schedule it to post the next day on this blog site. Perhaps one day people will continue reading these short devotionals to encourage them in their walk with Christ and in their study of the Word.

Those little words, “as it is written,” are more powerful than you may first think. This particular quotation from Isaiah 59:20 is a prophetic statement pointing directly at Jesus. Zion was an area of Israel that became acquainted as Jerusalem, the city of David. Zion became a reference to Israel as a nation. Even today Jews are called Zionists by people who want to insult them. They don’t even realize that is a compliment. The point, though, of this passage was to point to the eventual arrival of the Messiah, which Jesus fulfilled.

APPLICATION

Great history lesson, Carl, but how does this apply to me? Glad you asked. Look at a couple of words Paul uses to quote Isaiah – deliverer and ungodliness. Has Christ delivered you? I hope so. I pray you have been rescued from the consequences of your sin. I pray you have been delivered from the wrath of God through the shed blood of Christ. This Messiah that was sent over 2000 years ago is our deliverer just like He was and is the deliverer for Israel.

And the verse says He will remove all ungodliness from Jacob. The purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection was so that we too could walk godly before the Father. Ungodliness simply means the absence of what is godly. The Topical Lexicon gives us this statement about the Greek word used here. “Asebeia denotes the absence of reverence toward God that inevitably issues in conduct contrary to His character and commands. It is not merely irreligion but an active, willful disregard for divine majesty.”

When we come to Christ, all that disregard vanishes. We recognize all He has done for us and bow before His majesty. Instead of disregard we show an awe and reverence for His glory. Our Messiah came centuries ago for us. He had you in mind when He hung on that cross. His blood washed your sins away. It has been written! God loves you. Now, go spread the news. 

Thank You, Father, for delivering me from my life of ungodliness. You have cleansed me for eternity.

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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Police officers handcuff and escort several individuals along a sidewalk with police vehicles nearby
Bible, Forgiveness, Holy, Jesus, Redemption, Romans, Scripture, Spared

WILL NOT SPARE YOU

ROMANS 11:21

“for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.”

Have you ever been spared a punishment for something you deserved? We probably all have at some point in our lives. But there are also occasions when we are not spared and have to suffer what comes. If you are hanging out with the wrong crowd and do something that is unlawful, you can expect to not be spared by law enforcement. My wife and I see that all the time on our favorite Police reality show. All the talking in the world won’t get you off. You are now facing the consequences.

Paul warns the Gentiles in today’s verse that they can expect to be treated the same way God treats the unbelieving Jews if they turn from Him. He is not going to spare them either. God is just and holy and cannot simply ignore rebellion. Paul has been telling us that the Jews who rejected Jesus would be dealt with by God. But now he tells the Gentiles the same. The old saying “What is good for the goose is good for the gander” definitely applies here.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse well. “If God did not refrain from rejecting the Jews who became unbelievers, assuredly he will not refrain from rejecting you in the same circumstances. It may be supposed that he will be quite as ready to reject the ingrafted branches, as to cast off those which belonged to the parent stock. The situation of the Gentiles is not such as to give them any security over the condition of the rejected Jew.”

In 2 Peter 2:4-5 we see this word for “spare” used twice in a most definitive way. “4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” Whoa! And you think you should be spared for disobedience? I think not.

We saw the same word used earlier in Romans 8:32 when Paul wrote that God “did not spare His Own Son.” Sin determines God’s response. Because Jesus Who was sinless became as sin for us by taking on all our sins, God could not spare His life. He gave His life as a ransom for us. We were spared judgment because God did not spare Him. Double Whoa! Aren’t you grateful? I sure am. Therefore, live your lives as being worthy of that.

Father God, thank You for sparing me from Your judgment through the blood of 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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Plate of freshly baked golden biscuits with steam rising, coffee mug, bowls of butter and jam
Bible, Covenant, Israel, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

HOLY LUMP

ROMANS 11:16

“If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.”

Don’t you just love that word “lump”? When I hear it, I think about the lump of dough my mama would have on the kitchen table when she made homemade biscuits. Boy, were her biscuits good. She would mix up the flour and buttermilk, a little shortening and a couple of eggs. Her biscuits were so fluffy on the inside, but crispy on the outside. Excuse me while I wipe my mouth, lol. Every bit of that lump was good, whether it was used to make a little biscuit or a “cathead” biscuit (look that up).

As Paul looks toward the redemption of his nation Israel, he makes this statement today about their future. He refers back to Abraham and the covenant guidelines of offering to God the first fruits. He uses the terms “lump” and “branches” to describe the people of Israel with the belief that they will be ushered in one day to the kingdom when they surrender to the Lord fully, just as Abraham had covenanted with God at the outset of the nation. Matthew Poole’s Commentary says, “Here is another argument to prove the Jews are not finally rejected, because of the covenant made with their fathers…by lump, and branches, he means the people of the Jews that descended of these holy patriarchs, and spring from them, as branches from a root.”

APPLICATION

Even Peter said these words to his people during his second sermon in Acts 3:25. “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’” The purpose God had given the Jews was to make his salvation known among the nations. That was done through His Son, Jesus Christ, born a Jew to fulfill this prophecy.

So, how does this apply to us today. Over in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, Paul uses that word for “lump” again. This time pointing out a different thought. “6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.” What does that mean? Just as one good lump can influence the whole, one bad lump can as well.

Are you a good lump or a bad lump? All the molecules of my mama’s biscuit dough came together to produce a truly delicious product. Each molecule did its job without worrying about what the other one was doing. They were all there to make biscuits. (Hungry yet?) We, as followers of Christ, must come together to make disciples who make disciples. Stop worrying about what the Methodists or Baptists or Pentecostals are doing. Just do your part, be the lump!

Thank You, Father, for allowing me to be a part of the whole lump and spread Your message.

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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Woman hiking on a mountain trail with anatomical heart graphic on her jacket
Bible, Hard, Heart, Israel, Jesus, Refusal, Romans, Scripture

HARDENED BY REFUSAL

ROMANS 11:7

“What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;”

Have you ever known a hard person? You know, someone who is colder than ice. They refuse any emotional connections. They see themselves above others. I could go on, but you get the drift. I often wonder what caused them to be that way. Was it their childhood? Was it a traumatic event in their past? For whatever reason, they have hardened their heart to others, even the love of God.

Paul says in today’s verse that some of the Jews had become hardened. The Greek word translated as “hardened” is pōróō. HELPS Word-studies says this about that word, “(from pōros, a kind of marble) – properly, made of stone; (figuratively) insensible; dull, unperceptive as a rock; calloused (hardened); i.e. unresponsive (dense), completely lacking sensitivity or spiritual perception. pōróō (from pōros, a kind of marble) – properly, made of stone; (figuratively) insensible; dull, unperceptive as a rock; calloused (hardened); i.e. unresponsive (dense), completely lacking sensitivity or spiritual perception.” I wanted to include that whole definition so you could get the full picture.

APPLICATION

I was amazed to see this word used to describe the disciples when they saw Jesus walk on the water. In Mark 6:51-52 it says, “51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” Wow! Wasn’t aware of that, were you? I guess I just missed that before. Even the disciples were hardened in their hearts at this point.

Two chapters later in Mark 8:17, we see Jesus call them hardened again. “And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, ‘Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened?’” Ouch, double ouch! If the disciples who walked with Jesus were hardened in their hearts, aren’t we just as susceptible?

In 2 Corinthians 3:14 pōróō is used to describe those who have refused to respond to Jesus. “But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.” Do you see it now? But praise be to God Who has lifted the veil from over our eyes when we give our heart and soul to Jesus. He softens that old hard heart. Even the hard hearted person can have theirs softened if they will only yield to the Master.

Thank You, Father, for taking my old hard heart and making it pliable and moldable in Your hands.

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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Antique balance scale with heavy stones on one side and glowing feathers on the other, beside a decorative box labeled Grace
Bible, Grace, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Works

ONLY GRACE

ROMANS 11:6

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

Let me remind you what grace is. Grace is getting something you don’t deserve. So, anytime someone gives you something you don’t deserve, you are receiving grace. That’s different than mercy. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve – like hell. God’s mercy is extended to me because of His grace towards me through His Son, Jesus Christ. You really need to know the difference in those two. Aren’t you glad you have His grace and His mercy?

Paul is continuing his teaching on the importance of justification by grace and grace alone. The Jews were adamant that only through their obedience to the law could they be justified. Paul knew all too well the futility of that thinking. Remember, Paul was Jewish and had been a Pharisee. He knew the difference in grace and works firsthand. That is why he spent so much time on this topic in his letters. He wants everyone to understand the free grace that is offered to anyone who turns to Jesus.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes says this about today’s verse. “And from this it follows that salvation cannot be partly by grace and partly by works. It is not because people can advance any claims to the favor of God; but from his mere unmerited grace. He that is not willing to obtain eternal life in that way, cannot obtain it at all.” I am reminded of Galatians 2:21. “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Paul writes a similar statement in Ephesians 2:8-9. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Only God’s grace is sufficient to pay the price for our sins. That grace was made manifest in His Son, Jesus Christ. What else do you need? Nothing! Nothing else can help you. No one can pay the price for your sins, except Jesus. There’s nothing you can do, no matter how holy you try to live, to earn that grace. It’s a free gift from God based on your decision to follow His Son.

I have six grandchildren which I would give my life for if asked. If there was something I could do to earn them their salvation, I would do it. But there’s nothing I can do. They each have to make that personal decision to follow Jesus or not. And based on that decision they will or will not be with me and their Mimi/Nana in heaven. I pray every day for them to know Christ personally and follow Him. I know God desires to see them come to Him. I pray they are listening. Are you?

Lord, thank You for the gift of grace that requires nothing from me except believing in and following 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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Multiple raised hands of different skin tones reaching up towards a colorful sunset sky
Bible, Gospel, Hand, Isaiah, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

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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