Category Archives: Scripture

Bible, Christ, Provision, Riches, Scripture, Supply

ACCORDING TO, NOT OUT OF

PHILIPPIANS 4:19

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I am not and probably never will be wealthy in the eyes of the world. Being in full-time ministry, and now serving as a missionary, I do not expect to make an extravagant salary. My wife and I are content to live on what our ministry supporters provide. It’s been amazing these past 3 ½ years to see how the Lord has moved the hearts of people to give. I praise Him for that.

Why am I talking about that? Because in today’s verse, Paul points us to the true source of our provision. He says, “My God will supply.” The Greek word translated as “will supply” really means He will fill up, He will overflow, He will cram you full. That says a lot more than just “supply.” And when Paul says “according to His riches” that’s important. He could have written “out of,” but he didn’t. The Holy Spirit wants us to know that we are given richly because He owns it all.

APPLICATION

I just recently memorized Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” You see, that’s the extent of His giving. He gives above and beyond. He gave His own Son. I read a quote today that said, “The Son of God became a man so that men could become sons of God.” That is giving according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Our riches will not last. Even the wealthiest person’s wealth will eventually give out. But not God’s. His riches go far beyond anything this world has ever seen. Everything that has ever been created belongs to Him. He gives according to His riches because He is a generous God who loves His children. James tells us in James 1:17, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

What should we do with such blessings? We should give “according to” also. We give knowing that God will bless that gift. He will take it a multiply it. I heard a story last night about a nine year girl who wanted to help orphans. With some help from friends, she designed a T-shirt that went viral. In a short amount of time, she had over $9,000 which grew to over $200,000. One little girl’s burden was exponentially multiplied by the Father. As the Father blesses you, turn around and bless another.

Lord, I praise You for being my source of provision and never letting me down.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Aroma, Bible, Gifts, Offering, Pleasing, Scripture, Sin

THAT SMELLS GOOD

PHILIPPIANS 4:18

“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

My wife cooked up a couple of batches of brownies last week to take to a family gathering. Don’t you just love the smell of fresh baked brownies? It took all I could do not to dig into those as I cut them and placed them in the containers to take on the trip. Scooping up those warm brownies was tempting. I could just envision a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of one of those. Ahhh, the smells and the tastes!

Paul isn’t writing about baked goods, but he is using that imagery to describe how he received the gift from the Philippians. Not only was it given to him, but it was also “an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” Their gift wasn’t just given to Paul. It was given to God. And Paul said it smelled good to Him. It was “a fragrant aroma.” The Greek actually reads “an odor of a sweet smell.” That’s pretty descriptive, isn’t it?

APPLICATION

In 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul uses the same word to describe how we smell to God. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:” We are not just a smell. We are sweet smell. God likes how we smell. The smell of sin has been washed away by the blood of Christ.

This Greek word eudoia is used one more time in the New Testament in Ephesians 5:2. Let’s back up to verse 1 to see the full context. “1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Here that word is describing Christ. Do we smell like Christ to God? Do our gifts to God smell like Christ? Hmmm!

This time of year, when I come in from mowing our lawn, my smell is not a sweet fragrance to my wife. On the contrary, she quickly points to the shower and holds her nose. Now, I don’t smell myself because the odor has gradually grown on me while I’ve been out working. But she can sure smell me. Don’t let the smell of sin creep up on you. Stay washed in the Word and in His Spirit. Be a sweet fragrance to your God.

O Lord, I want to always be a sweet odor in Your nostrils with no smell of sin on me.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Gifts, Giving, Scripture

BLESSED BY BLESSING

PHILIPPIANS 4:17

“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account.”

Every time I give to someone or to some ministry, I am blessed beyond measure. I only wish I could give more. I have a couple of dear brothers in Africa right now who need resources to build new church buildings. I am not talking about extravagant halls complete with coffee bars and flashing lights. All they desire is four walls and a roof. I would love to write them a check to just go buy the property and build those buildings. How fun would that be and how blessed would I be! (if you would like to give to that, let me know)

Paul uses some words in today’s verse that bring out this message of being blessed by blessing. The word translated “profit” is actually the Greek word for fruit. We know that fruit is always for others and not ourselves. And the word “increases” is a word that means more than enough or surpasses. I want to show you the other occurrences of this word in the New Testament so you can get a fuller idea of it.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon explains it this way. “Scripture employs it to describe both the multiplication of sin and, more triumphantly, the super-abounding of grace, faith, love, thanksgiving, fruit, and virtue. In every instance the word underscores God’s intention that what begins in His people should not remain static but should grow past ordinary limits.”

In the New Testament, we see it used (This is also from the Topical Lexicon):

• Romans 5:20; 6:1 – sin increases, yet grace surpasses it
• 2 Corinthians 4:15 – grace spreads so that thanksgiving overflows
• 2 Corinthians 8:15 – no one has excess or lack when God distributes provision
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – love is to “increase and overflow” among believers
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – faith “grows more and more,” love “is increasing”
• Philippians 4:17 – Paul seeks fruit that “may be credited” (growing interest) to the church’s account
• 2 Peter 1:8 – possessing and “increasing” in virtue keeps believers from unfruitfulness

Rest assured the Lord knows your heart as you give. He will bless you, not according to the measure of your gift, but rather according to the heart of your gift. Go ahead, see what He will do. Be blessed by being a blessing. Let the Lord give you the joy of giving joy to others.

Lord, show me today to whom I should I give. I know that You will bless my pure and undefiled motives in my giving.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Gifts, Ministry, Offering, Repetition, Scripture, Tithe

REPEAT GIVERS

PHILIPPIANS 4:16

“for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.”

The life blood of a missionary’s support are those individuals who commit to give on a regular basis, whether that be monthly, quarterly or annually. Being able to depend on that regular gift allows the missionary to concentrate on the work of the ministry and not constantly raising support. Don’t get me wrong, every gift is appreciated. I have several supporters who have blessed us with major gifts who are not monthly or annual givers. Every gift is needed and used for His glory.

These Philippian believers obviously believed in what Paul was doing and wanted to help support his work. In Acts 18:1-5 we read that at one point in his ministry Paul was helping with his own support by making tents. But when Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself full-time to the ministry. Did Silas and Timothy bring a gift from the Philippians when they came? We don’t know exactly when Paul received their gifts (there were more than one), nor do we know the amount or exactly what the gift was. The point was they were regular supporters of his ministry.

APPLICATION

Before you shut down and stop reading this blog, this is not a blog about tithing. It is, however, a blog about supporting God’s work. That might be in your local church where you give you regular tithe and offering. That might be by supporting a missionary you know who serves domestically or internationally. It might be a special project in your community. However the Lord leads you, do it.

In 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, Paul gives us some instructions regarding this giving. “10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.”

And I really like what Paul said in the same letter in the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 8:7). “But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” Have you ever thought about your giving being a work of grace? Me either, but there it is. As you pray about to whom and how you give, make it a regular practice, be graceful about it.

Thank You, Lord, for the privilege to give to others. Bless my gift today and make it fruitful.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Alone, Bible, Devotion, Faithfulness, Scripture

ALONE

PHILIPPIANS 4:15

“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone;”

Have you ever had to do something all by yourself? It can be a daunting task if the job is large. When I was a teenager, I worked for a man named Walter Pollock. He sold all sorts of things at his Feed and Seed store. He also sold products for farmers. One of those products was for dusting peanuts. I would be sent to the warehouse sometimes by myself to load a few tons (yes, you heard that right) of it. I didn’t have a forklift. It was all done by hand or if I was lucky, with a hand truck. It was tough work, but it built character.

As Paul continues thanking the Philippians for their gift to him, he recalls that they were the only ones who supported him at times. That little word “alone” means just that – the only one, no one else, by yourself. Paul wasn’t busting anyone else’s chops about this nor was he bitter about it. He was truly thankful they had been faithful, even if they were the only ones.

APPLICATION

That word “alone” is used a lot throughout the New Testament. Let’s look at a couple of those to see that it is not a bad word or a reason to be depressed. In John 6:15, right before Jesus walked on the water, we read this, “So Jesus, aware that they intended to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself, alone.” Jesus knew the power of being alone. I’ve done that a few times. I have gone off by myself to read, pray and hear from the Lord. That’s a good alone.

Then in Luke 4:8 Jesus reminds us that we have the command to worship God alone. “Jesus replied to him, ‘It is written: “YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.”’” There is no other God. He is the only One. He is alone in His majesty. He is alone in His justice. We need to be very careful to not let anything replace Him or be added to Him.

Are you alone today? Celebrate that. It’s about time for me to do an alone time again. I like to go out into the woods or to someone’s farm and pitch my tent. I love to use this time to fast and pray and truly hear God’s voice more clearly. My wife doesn’t mind because she too values her alone time. So, if you’re alone right now, listen to Him. Let Him speak.

Father, I am grateful that we can do things on our own, all alone. Your Spirit is always with us to guide and protect.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Affliction, Bible, Praise, Reward, Scripture, Sharing, Suffering

THE REWARD FOR SHARING

PHILIPPIANS 4:14

“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.”

Sharing is not something that is natural. Just watch a room of two-year-olds playing together in a playroom. It won’t be long until one child wants the toy another child has, and the fight begins. Instead of sharing that toy with the other child, that child gets a death grip on that toy. He is not letting go, no matter what.

Paul compliments the Philippians believers in today’s verse by telling them they “have done well to share” with him in his difficulty or afflictions. They had not forgotten him. They had sent the gift to him to help meet his needs. Don’t you know they beamed with pride when they read those words “you have done well”? Man, I want to hear that from my Lord one day, don’t you?

APPLICATION

The word Paul uses here for “share” is only used two other times in the New Testament, both in a negative way. In Ephesians 5:11 we are told to “not participate in the useless deeds of darkness,…” And in Revelation 18:4, John writes, “so that you will not participate in her sins and receive any of her plagues;…” Only here in Philippians 4:14 is it used positively.

Just like the Philippians did with Paul, we are to share in others’ suffering. We are to come alongside them and encourage them. We are to assist where and when possible, without enabling or lengthening their suffering. Who can you share that with today? Maybe a neighbor going through a hard time. Maybe a stranger who needs a helping hand. Look around and ask the Lord. He’ll show you.

The end result? We will hear our Savior say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Oh, I long to hear those words. He whispers it to me when I love my wife well. He reminds me of it every time I yield to the Spirit and not to the flesh. If you want to hear those words, cling to Him. Share suffering and hardships with others through giving or going. Well done!

I praise You, Father, for allowing me the privilege to share in others’ suffering. Help me to answer Your call each time You ask. 

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Might, Power, Scripture, Strength

SPIRITUAL MUSCLES

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Read that verse again. I really prefer the literal Greek. It reads, “(For) all things I have strength in the (One) strengthening me.” That shows that we have no power in ourselves. No amount of muscle building will enable us. No amount of fasting and praying on our own will do it. There is nothing we can do on our own. But…(don’t you just love that word) we can do all things in Him.

Paul uses two different Greek words in this short verse to talk about power and strength. The first one is translated here as “I can do.” That’s the word ischuówhich means embodied strength that engages the resistance. In other words, this is the fighting strength the Lord gives us to do His work even in the face of opposition. The other word Paul uses is endunamoó which is translated “strengthen.” It implies the empowerment we receive from the Lord. Let’s look at those two words a bit.

APPLICATION

Let’s take the last one first, endunamoó. Picture a body builder. You can see the muscles rippling and his chiseled body. You can just imagine the power he has to lift weights. But all you see right now is the result of the empowering from hours and hours of weightlifting. You know the power is there. Paul uses this same word in Ephesians 6:10 where he says, “be strong in the Lord.” Trust the power that is within you.

The other word, ischuóis the picture of that same body builder lifting those weights. You see him bend down and pick up that enormous weight. You see him straining but keeping on. That is us in our fight against the forces of evil. We use the power within from the Lord and bust that devil right in the mouth, lol. Paul uses this word in Ephesians 6:10 also when he says, “of His might.” It’s God doing the fighting, not us.

So, with that thought in mind, why do we fear? Why do we worry? Why do we run and hide at the face of a trial? We have God’s power in us and have ability to yield it. Check out 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, if you don’t believe me. It’s one of my favorite passages and gives me the confidence each day to trust Him in every battle. You can also.

Father, You have strengthened me beyond my imagination. The same power You used to create the universe is within me. Hallelujah.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis.

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Abundance, Bible, Promises, Prosperity, Provision, Scripture, Secrets

LEARNING THE SECRET

PHILIPPIANS 4:12

“I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

Have you ever been let in on a secret? Usually, when someone asks you if you want to know a secret, it really isn’t one anymore. If they are telling you, they have probably told others who probably told others who probably…you get the picture. I don’t like to keep secrets. I forget who knows and who doesn’t, and I will probably spill the beans. So…don’t tell me any secrets, lol.

Paul learned a secret. And he blurts it out to the Philippians. He has “learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” The Greek word Paul uses here for “learned the secret” is another one time used word. It is the word mueówhich “conveys the idea of being initiated into a deeper, previously hidden understanding. It implies entry into an experiential knowledge that is reserved for the “inside” rather than mere intellectual grasp.” (Topical Lexicon) Secret societies and cults were common in Paul’s day, so he intentionally used a word that would draw attention to what he was saying.

APPLICATION

What is important to see, though, is what this secret was all about. Paul is still in the process of thanking the Philippians for their gift to him. But he wants them to know if they can’t give, it’s okay. He has made peace with what the Lord has given him. He wasn’t worried about being hungry or having money. Those things just weren’t important in comparison to having Christ.

This verse is in the middle (vs 11-13) of a memory passage I have learned and claimed as part of my missionary fundraising. My wife and I have been missionaries with Trans World Radio (TWR) as part of the Every Man A Warrior ministry since September 2021. We depend on ministry partners for financial and prayer support. There have been times when we had a comfortable balance in our missionary fund and times (like now) when the balance is low. But when I look back at the last almost four years, I am amazed at how He has provided.

Last night in my men’s group we were looking at Romans 8:31-39. Wow! What a passage. And verse 32 struck me as I have been praying for our ministry fund. That verse says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” You see that? He will “freely give us all things.” I am claiming that verse today. How about you? The secret is to know He is the source of peace. No amount of money or things will give you that.

Father God, I praise You that You have opened wide the store houses of heaven. You are my peace.

You can make a gift to our ministry at http://www.twr.org/carl-willis.

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Bible, Contentment, Peace, Scripture, Sufficiency, Thankfulness

BEING CONTENT

PHILIPPIANS 4:11

“Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

Contentment! Do you struggle with that? So many people cannot be satisfied or content in their situation. They want a newer car or a bigger house. They don’t like the way they look, so they seek out every treatment they can find to make them look “young again.” Contentment is often a fleeting thing for them. Not for Paul. Look what he says today.

He is still thanking the Philippians for their gift but reminds them that he is content in whatever position he is in. Remember, he is in prison (or at least house arrest) in Rome. That’s not a place in which many could find contentment. The word used here for “content” is autarkés only appears here in the New Testament. It comes from autos (himself) and arkeo (content) – self contented. HELPS Word studies says, “it refers to positive self-sufficiency (inward adequacy) – i.e. that comes through the indwelling power of Christ.”

APPLICATION

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we see the noun form of this word where it is translated “sufficiency.” “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” Also that same noun is found in 1 Timothy 6:6. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (KJV).

Learning to live content can bring such peace. The writer of Hebrews uses the verb form of this word in Hebrews 13:5. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU,’”

Are you content? Are you at peace with who you are and what you have? If you are struggling with contentment, let me urge you to do a deep dive on the topic of peace or rest. God does not want us to live uncontented lives. He gave us His Son to remove all discontentment, except for the discontentment regarding sin. We should never be content about that. But otherwise, we should live our lives being content with our God and our Savior. Amen?

O Lord, thank You for giving me the sense of contentment that is only found in Christ.

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Bible, Blessing, Compassion, Renewed, Revival, Scripture

RENEWED COMPASSION

PHILIPPIANS 4:10

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

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

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

APPLICATION

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

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

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

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

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