Category Archives: Spiritual

Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Spiritual

SHARE YOUR GIFT

ROMANS 1:11

“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;”

Often when I travel overseas, I deliver gifts to my friends. On a trip last year to Africa, I was able to deliver monetary gifts to some friends in three different countries. What a blessing to see them receive this, knowing how much it blessed them. I am not sure who was blessed more – them, me or the ones who gave the money. Gifts have a way of continuing to bless others, don’t they?

This verse has been highly discussed by many scholars. Some think Paul was going to lay hands on them and bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit. Other scholars disagree with that, seeing that believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation. They claim Paul meant to share of his spiritual gifts with them. The word “impart” can also be translated “share,” as it is Luke 3:11 and Ephesians 4:28.

APPLICATION

So, what do you have to “share” or “impart” to others? What spiritual gift do you feel is your primary gift? In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 we read what Paul wrote about the spiritual gifts. “7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

You see, our spiritual gifts are meant to help others in their walk with Christ. They are not to be hoarded and kept private. My particular gifts are teaching and administration. But I also have all the rest of the gifts present within me through the Holy Spirit. I have to work at exercising those gifts sometimes. Others come easily. But they are all present for others.

To whom can you share your gift with today? You may have the gift of encouragement. You are a “Barnabus,” who was called the Son of Encouragement. I was encouraged the other morning by a dear brother. I really needed to hear what he had to say. He had no idea when he texted me, but God knew and prompted his spirit to reach out. That’s how our gifts work. Let your gift work today.

O Lord, the gifts You have given me are such a blessing. Help me to share them with others today.

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, Flesh, Humility, Pride, Scripture, Spiritual

SELF-MADE RELIGION

COLOSSIANS 2:23

“These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”

I read the other day a poll that identified generations according to their spiritual identity. According to that, here is how the generations identified as spiritual: Baby Boomers 35%, Gen X 36%, Millennials 52% and Gen Z 62%. While those numbers for Gen Z and Millennials seem great, what exactly does “spiritual” mean?

Paul addresses this very issue in today’s verse. There were groups of individuals who appeared spiritual. They had their own self-made religious rules they followed. They fasted and prayed. They even abused their bodies so as to appear humble. All the while their pride was growing. Barnes shares this quote about this verse. “Pride may be pampered while the flesh grows lean.” How true!

APPLICATION

That word used by Paul for “self-made religion” is ethelothréskia. It is only used here in this verse. I always wonder why a word is only used one time in Scripture. This word means “self-willed religion, defined by the desires of the human will – which amounts to nothing! This form of ‘worship,’ which is accomplished ‘by self’ (Souter), is merely a ‘will-worship,’ exalting the worshiper at God’s expense.” (HELPS Word Studies).

What self-made rules have you placed on yourself to make yourself look more spiritual? Not me, Carl. I would never do that. Be careful saying “never.” Without even realizing it we can place burdens on ourselves to make us feel closer to God. Don’t you get it? He lives IN you. You can’t get much closer than that.

The next time someone shares what they are doing to draw closer to God, take a closer look. Does it align with the Word? Would Jesus be pleased in what they are doing? We are told to draw near to Him. We must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Sin will separate us from Him. There’s no doubt about that. But don’t be pressured into following some man-made script to accomplish that.

Lord, I am thankful You are close. I am the one who causes distance. I want to draw near to You. 

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Bible, Blessing, Following, Glory, Heaven, Praise, Scripture, Spiritual

BLESS YOUR HEART

EPHESIANS 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

“Bless your heart” can be an expression of disgust or an expression of wishing someone well. It’s really our choice how we use it. It’s kind of joke here in the South when you use that expression “bless your heart.” It usually means you feel sorry for the person. You see yourself as smarter or wiser than them. If only they could measure up to you.

That is not how Paul uses it here. He is truly worshipping God. He is praising Him for “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” The word “places” is not in the original Greek. Actually “heavenly places” is one word, epouranios. It means the heavenly sphere or the sphere of spiritual activities.” Paul knew we live in a spiritual dimension, not just a physical. And he knew God operates in our lives through the spiritual.

APPLICATION

Let’s look at both sides of this “blessing.” Paul first blesses God. Some people think we are not told to bless God. In Luke 2:28 we read this about Simeon, “then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God…” Over in James 3:9-10 where James talks about the tongue, we read, “9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.” Our blessing of God is lifting our praise to Him, recognizing all He has done in and through us.

Then Paul says God has blessed us. We read in Hebrews 6:13-14, “13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, ‘INDEED I WILL GREATLY BLESS YOU AND I WILL GREATLY MULTIPLY YOU.’” God promised His blessings to Abraham, and He promises them to us.

In one of Christ’s last acts on earth He blessed the disciples. Look at Luke 24:50-51, “50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” Wow! The last thing the disciples heard from Him was His blessing. He is still giving it today. Do you hear Him?

Thank You, Father, for blessing me beyond what I could ever ask or think.

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