Category Archives: Trust

Weathered wooden sign reading “FAITHFUL TO THE END” outside a church
Bible, Calling, Faith, Faithfulness, Hebrews, Scripture, Trust

ALWAYS FAITHFUL

HEBREWS 3:2

“He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.”

Faithfulness! Let me ask you a question. Are you a faithful person? I don’t mean just in your faith in Christ. I am talking about your faithfulness to family and friends, even coworkers. Faithfulness is more than just a buzzword. Faithfulness requires action. We live out our faithfulness to God and others by the way we live.

The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as being “faithful to Him who appointed Him.” Who was that? Of course, that was His Father Who had sent Him on a mission to redeem mankind. Benson writes in his commentary, “Faithfulness respects trust. Our Lord, therefore, must have had a trust committed to him wherein he was faithful. Accordingly, he sought not his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him; declaring that he came not in his own, but in his Father’s name, John 5:43. He moreover sealed that truth with his blood, which he came into the world to bear witness to, John 18:37; and greater faithfulness could not be expressed.” We’ll look at those verses in a bit.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

In this verse I see a clear Application to make. Just as Jesus was faithful to His calling, we must be faithful to our calling. The verse referenced above, John 5:43, says, “‘I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” Read that again. Just as Jesus obeyed the Father and was rejected, so will we be. Just because you are faithful, that does not mean you will be accepted. In our world today, faithfulness to God will almost certainly get you rejected.

John 18:37 is in the passage where Jesus is standing before Pilate. When Pilate asks Him if He is a king, Jesus answered, “‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.’” We have the same purpose – testify to the truth. And those who are “of the truth” will listen. Remain faithful.

Isn’t it amazing what you can get out of one verse of Scripture? I am blown away every day when I turn to the Word. I am home this week recovering from an emergency surgery last Friday. I’m good, but it reminded once again of His faithfulness over me. Thank Him today for that.

I am eternal thankful for Your faithfulness. Help me exhibit the same faithfulness.

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Rescue specialist lowered from helicopter toward basket over rough ocean
Anxiety, Bible, Hebrews, Messiah, Scripture, Trust, Trustworthy, Uncategorized

TRUST IN HIM

HEBREWS 2:13

“And again, ‘I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.’ And again, ‘BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.’”

Placing trust in someone is hard to do, isn’t it? We are so afraid that person will betray our trust or leave us hanging. I have been the recipient of misplaced trust. Ouch! It really stings, especially if it’s someone you have known for a while. I know I have also let people down myself. I can’t really recall a time that was intentional, but that doesn’t matter. I broke a trust. For that I am guilty. As far as I know, I have asked and received forgiveness for any time this may have occurred.

Aren’t you glad we don’t have to worry about broken trust with the Lord? Our verse today contains two Old Testament quotations. Depending on which commentator you believe, they come from Isaiah 8:17-18 or 2 Samuel 22:3 or Isaiah 12:2. Only the writer of Hebrews can tell us for sure what text he was quoting (make a note and ask him when you get to heaven, lol). Almost every scholar, however, agrees that these are in reference to the Messiah speaking over His people. The Messiah says, “I will put my trust in Him,” referring to the Father. He and the Father are one, so He knows His trust is sound.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

What a perfect Promise to claim! All through Scripture we see passages about trusting in God. One of my most recent memory verses in Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.” But look at the next verse in Isaiah 26, “Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” To quote a late friend, “That’s shouting ground!”

Probably one of the most quoted passages about trusting God is found in Proverbs 3:5-6. “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Can I be honest with you for a second? I am struggling with a little anxiety right now. I won’t go into details yet. Hopefully, I can share more in a future blog. But I have been claiming this passage, among others. Trust isn’t easy sometimes. But I know my God is bigger than my anxious thoughts and has a perfect plan for my life.

What are you struggling with right now that you have not trusted the Lord with? If you can trust the Lord with your eternity, can’t you trust Him with today (I am preaching to myself here)? Today we all need to choose to lay down our baggage of mistrust and allow Him to carry it. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” Do we believe that? I choose to believe that today.

Father, I believe. Help my unbelief!

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Woman carrying a letter through an ancient harbor market
Bible, Entrust, Recommendations, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Trust, Trustworthy

RECOMMENDING OTHERS

ROMANS 16:1

“I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea,”

We’re beginning Paul’s “sign off” of the letter to the Roman church. In these 27 verses of chapter 16, he mentions by name 35 people plus gives references to others not named specifically. Paul valued people. Through his years of ministry, he had many believers who served beside him as well as those who served him. He knew the ministry God had given him was not his alone. He needed others to carry out the mission. As we go through this final chapter, don’t just read the names and move on. See what you can find out about each person named. I hope to share much of that with you but do your own deep dive.

Paul begins this last chapter naming a lady who we have all probably heard of, right? Paul recommends her to the church. This probably meant she was the bearer of the letter to Rome. It was customary for the bearer of the letter to be named and introduced to those receiving the letter. Phoebe was a Greek name, and she was from the church at Cenchrea. She was possibly a widow traveling to Rome on business herself.

APPLICATION

I get asked occasionally to write a letter of recommendation for someone. I was asked that recently by someone who used to work with me in another state. In order to recommend someone, you have to have personal knowledge of their character. Undoubtedly, Paul knew Phoebe well enough to trust her to not only deliver this letter but to also answer any questions that might arise upon its reading. That was also a responsibility of the letter bearer. She is called a “servant of the church at Cenchrea.” The word “servant” is the Greek word diakonos from which we get our word “deacon.” Much has been made of this one little word attributed to Phoebe. I do not want to get into a debate about the role of women in the church. Let me just share the context of this letter.

In the early church it was common for women to be “ordained” as deaconesses to serve other women. These were generally older women who could teach and guide younger women. They also were usually widows who could give the time needed without disrupting their own home. Paul had obviously observed Phoebe serving in that role or had been informed by others.

Cenchrea was a hard place to be a Christian. Some ancient texts called this port the “wickedest place on the face of the earth.” You can imagine an ancient seaport and the kind of sailors and merchants who gathered there. Phoebe had to be tough and resilient to live a life as a godly woman in such a wicked place. But she had shown Paul she was a woman to be trusted with these precious words to the church.

Let me ask you a question. Could someone recommend you for such a task? Have you proven yourself worthy of such an honor? Seek the Lord with all your heart and strive to please Him in all you do. Others will see that and one day may even ask you to take on a task such as this.

O Father, count me worthy of Your work today. I only want to please 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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Swirling abstract cosmic light with dark and bright glowing streams
Belief, Bible, Doubts, Faith, Romans, Scripture, Trust

DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS

ROMANS 14:23

“But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”

My pastor says, “Doubt your doubt and believe your beliefs. Don’t doubt your beliefs and believe your doubts.” Did you get that? Too many of us today have believed those doubts that have been raised by the world. For instance, creation versus evolution. So many Christians have been swayed by the doubts thrown out by the scientific community about the age of the earth and how mankind came about. God’s Word should never be doubted. Amen? If He said it, that settles it.

Paul ends chapter 14 with this final statement about the one who doubts and does things outside his faith. He says they are “condemned” and what he is doing “is sin.” Pretty blunt words, don’t you think? Paul didn’t mince words. He spoke truth as God through the Holy Spirit gave it. He confronted those who were living in ways contrary to their beliefs. Can I give you one example? Let’s take a look at Galatians 2:11-14.

APPLICATION

It reads, “11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”

Pretty straightforward, huh? Peter compromised for a bit. He doubted the truth he had been taught by Jesus and resorted to old ways influenced by Jewish believers who taught that circumcision and other Mosaic laws should be continued. The Greek word used here in Galatians is kataginóskó which means to find guilty based on first-hand awareness of the facts. This is a decisive guilty verdict.

That is not the word Paul uses in our verse today, however. That Greek word is katakrinó defined as to give judgment against. It has the same prefix kata which intensifies the other word krino which means to judge. Look at what Paul is saying here. We are bringing judgment against ourselves by our actions. Have you ever done something and instantly feel guilty? Boy, I sure have. This is more intense than that. Paul calls these actions sinful!

So, today as you go out, remember to believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts. Measure everything against the Word of God which will never let you down.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who keeps me in check on my actions.

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, Promises, Romans, Scripture, Trust, Trustworthy

GOD’S WORD NEVER FAILS

ROMANS 9:6

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;”

Promises are meant to be kept, not broken. Have you ever made a promise to someone that you had no intention on keeping? That would be horrible and an outright lie. We make promises all the time, don’t we? We promise to have and to hold from this day forward… But so many marriages fail. We promise to pay a debt but spend our money elsewhere and end up in bankruptcy. We make promises to our children just to get them to behave. That is not how God operates. What He says, He means.

As Paul is reflecting on the state of his kinsmen, he says this basic truth about God – “not as though the word of God has failed.” I am instantly remembering one of my favorite memory verses from Joshua 21:45. “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.” Do you believe that? God has promised us a heavenly home. Do you believe that? I sure do.

APPLICATION

Although the Jewish nation was chosen by God to be the vessel through which He would bring His Son to save mankind, not all those who called themselves Jews understood this. In John 8:44, Jesus confronts these individuals with some rather harsh words. “‘You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.’” Woah! They were Jews but were behaving like the devil’s children. We could say the same today of some who are in the church, couldn’t we?

Although God rejected the Jewish nation when they rejected Jesus as Messiah, He still has a plan for them. That’s a whole other topic for another day. Suffice it to say that God is not done with Israel yet. Why? Because God’s Word has not failed. His promises are still true. He will offer redemption to them again. Of course, it is offered every day, if they would just choose it.

What is your favorite promise from God’s Word? Do a search of God’s promises and see which one you can claim as your very own. I love Hebrews 13:5, “for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU,’” Also Philippians 4:19 reassures me daily. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Amen? Trust His promises. They always come true.

Lord, I give You praise for Your many promises You have made and kept in my life. I know You are the One Who can always be trusted.

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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Assurance, Bible, Faith, Promises, Scripture, Trust

FULLY ASSURED

ROMANS 4:21

“and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”

If you have read my devotions very long, you know I am a Georgia Bulldogs fan. I love to watch their football team and do my best to cheer then on to victory. This season, however, I have not been overly confident about any of their games. It seems the team isn’t as dominant as it was a few years ago. They have managed to win all but one of their games this year, but not without their struggles. I wish I could be fully assured of victory in the next game.

The verb Paul uses in today’s verse for “being fully assured” is

plērophoréō. According to HELPS Word-studies it “is used of God’s power bringing the believer to maximum potential, ‘matching’ their true knowledge of Him…it properly means ‘bearing (wearing) the work of God to the fullest extent.’ That is, to the full capacity of the individual believer who is ‘fully persuaded’ by Him.” Paul is saying in today’s verse that Abraham was bearing the work of God to the fullest through his faith in His promises. Pretty cool, huh?

APPLICATION

In Colossians 4:15, Paul is telling the church there that Epaphras was praying for them that “you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” Here we see plērophoréō used again. We should always pray for others that they will be fully assured, that they can walk in victory over the darkness and see fruit from their labors. We all need to be fully assured, don’t we?

I love Paul’s testimony he shared with Timothy concerning his imprisonment and the defense he gave. 2 Timothy 4:17 says, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.” God used Paul, even in prison to fully accomplish His will. Wow! Are you willing to be used that way?

I just had a conversation with someone who I serve alongside in ministry to men. He is going through some trials right now but told me quickly that he is fully assured of his calling and will do whatever the Lord wants him to do, even if that means stepping aside from full-time ministry. He is literally laying down his pride and ego in order to be obedient and to be used by God. Sacrifice isn’t easy, is it? Are you fully assured?

Father, I have fully assured of Your promises. I am fully assured of my salvation and the calling you have put on 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, Double-minded, Doubts, Faith, Scripture, Trust

NO WAVERING

ROMANS 4:20

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,”

Wavering on decisions or being unsure and unsettled about something can be destructive. I have always tried to make decisive decisions. After praying and seeking counsel where necessary, I have made decisions and lived with the consequences. My prayer is always that my decisions will honor the Lord and reflect His glory. That has not always been the case, though. We can all learn to waffle or waver less.

In today’s verse, Paul uses a Greek word that is translated here as “waver.” It’s the Greek word diakrinó, which can be used positively or negatively, depending on the context. In fact, diakrinó is used about half the time in both ways. Here it has a negative connotation. Abraham did not waver in his faith. He believed God when He made the promises to him.

APPLICATION

I want to share something I found in my commentaries. It is from a source I don’t think I have every used. But it gives a great description of today’s verse. “We have here a fuller account than anywhere else of the nature of Faith as essentially Trust; not mere historic belief, nor mental assent, but personal Trust; reposed, with application to self of the consequences, on the Divine Promiser as such. We have also a precious suggestion of some reasons (if we may say so) why God prescribes Faith as the condition of the justification of a sinner. Faith, we see, is an act of the soul which looks wholly away from “self” (as regards both merit and demerit), and honours the Almighty and All-gracious in a way not indeed in the least meritorious (because merely reasonable, after all), but yet such as to ‘touch the hem of His garment.’ It brings His creature to Him in the one right attitude — complete submission and confidence. We thus see, in part, why faith, and only faith, is the way to reach and touch the Merit of the Propitiation.” (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)

I know that was a lot to throw at you. Reread it if you need to. Abraham’s exhibition of faith was remarkable. James gives us something similar to think about in James 1:6-8. “6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” No one wants to be like that. Am I right?

Place your faith in God’s promises. Believe that He will do exactly what He says He will do. Of course, that means we have to trust His timing, not ours. Abraham waited about 14 years to see that promise of a son come true. Do you think he didn’t at some point in those 14 years have a little doubt? Of course, he did. But his faith did not waver. He trusted. Do you?

Lord, I will trust You. Help my unbelief!

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, Endurance, Faith, Perseverance, Scripture, Trust

PERSEVERE

ROMANS 2:7

“to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life;” 

Perseverance is definitely an admirable quality in a person. I have friends who have persevered under tremendous trials and conflicts. Some of those have been physical challenges with their health. Others have faced family issues that threatened to diminish their trust in God. But through it all, they have persevered. What does Paul mean by the use of that word in today’s verse?

Paul uses the Greek word hypomonē which “conveys steadfast endurance that clings to God in the face of pressure. More than passive waiting, it is active, faith-filled perseverance that refuses to abandon obedience or hope. While English versions alternately render the term ‘endurance,’ ‘perseverance,’ or ‘patience,’ its essence is a Spirit-empowered tenacity that remains under trial until God’s purpose is fulfilled.” (Topical Lexicon). Perseverance without a God motivation is just stubbornness (that we discussed in verse 5).

APPLICATION

Hypomonē is used by Jesus in the Parable of the Sower to describe the seed in the good soil. In Luke 8:15 He says, “‘But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with perseverance.’” Even good soil can be challenging. Weeds can spring up that need pulling. Water is needed to help the seed germinate and grow. Fruit production takes perseverance.

We see hypomonē also in 2 Corinthians 6:4 where it is translated as “endurance.” Read verses 1-10 to get a full picture of what Paul is sharing here. But verse 4 says, “but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,” As leaders in our churches, we are expected to exemplify hypomonē as others are observing our actions.

I love how Peter uses hypomonē in his building list of characters in 2 Peter 1:5-8. It is worth sharing here. “5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, examine where you are on a scale of 1 to 10 in regard to your perseverance in the faith. God is not asking you to do this alone. He is right there with you. Step out and trust Him. 

O Lord, help me persevere when I see no light because I know You are the only light I need.

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, Faith, Righteousness, Scripture, Trust

FROM FAITH TO FAITH

ROMANS 1:17

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.’”

I begin a lot of my devotional blogs asking you a question. Today is no exception. The question – What do you have faith in? We place our faith in a lot of things and people. Some people have faith in the government – not too wise. Others place their faith in a person (husband, wife, employer, etc.) – again, not too wise. There is really only one reliable place to place our faith. That is in God, the Father. Paul explains that in today’s verse.

Our righteousness comes as we place our faith in Christ. That’s what Paul is saying. The phrase “faith to faith” really refers to the journey of faith we experience as believers. Matthew Poole says, “The gospel reveals the righteousness of God to be from faith to faith. The beginning, the continuance, the accomplishment of our justification is wholly absolved by faith.” Our faith is developed over time. We get initial faith at salvation, and it continues to grow with each passing day, week, and year until we see our faith fulfilled in glory.

APPLICATION

My late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, said today’s verse was the key verse in the whole book of Romans. Why? Because faith is the key to the Christian life. And our righteousness comes through placing our faith in the One who died for us. The quote in today’s verse, “But the righteous man shall live by faith,” comes from Habakkuk 2:4. I know, you probably don’t read Habakkuk very often, but you should. Awesome book!

You could literally translate “from faith to faith” as “out of faith and into faith.” That is how God’s righteousness is revealed. It is revealed out of our faith in Him and also in our continued faith in Him. The bottom line – our righteousness depends on our faith, and our faith depends on God’s righteousness. They are intertwined.

This week as you place your faith in things, place it in Jesus. Let Him be the One who guides your every step. Let Jesus show you where to place your trust. Faith in Jesus is a gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 expresses this perfectly. “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.” Accept the gift that keeps on giving!

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of faith. Help me continue to grow in my faith as I trust You daily.

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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Anxiety, Bible, Emotions, Healing, Scripture, Struggles, Trust

ANXIETY

PHILIPPIANS 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Anxiety can wreck your life. It’s defined as “a common emotion characterized by feelings of fear, worry, unease, and apprehension.” At Drugs.com you can find a list of 53 anxiety medications to compare. And then there are all the “natural” remedies out there. Anxiety is a very profitable disorder, one which the drug companies aren’t too concerned about healing. This common problem is a true gold mine for drug companies.

It’s too bad for them that the Bible has the cure for this. It’s found in today’s verse. Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything,…” The literal Greek reads, “Nothing be anxious about.” The word for “nothing” means absolutely nothing. My late brother-in-law, Wayne Barber, said this word meant a zero with the lid kicked off. In other words, let nothing bring you anxiety. And this is written as a command in the Present Tense. Continue all the time not being anxious.

APPLICATION

Oh, but Carl, you don’t know my life. I have every reason to be anxious. True, I don’t know your life, but I know the One who does. And He says through Paul to not be anxious about anything. For us to do otherwise is to disobey the Lord. In the previous verse, Paul had just told them, “The Lord is near.” If that is true, and I think we all believe He is, then we can get rid of our anxiety.

In 1 Peter 5:7 we read this, “having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” Do you believe He cares for you? Then give Him your anxious thoughts. Give Him all those things that keep you up at night and rob you of sleep. Do you need another reminder of His care for you? Read Luke 12:22-32. That’s the passage where Jesus told his disciples not to worry (same word as used in today’s verse for anxious) about what they would eat or what they would wear.

Paul goes on in the verse to tell us to pray about everything. That word means each and every thing, every single part. Nothing is left out. Well, I think that about covers it all, right? If we are praying to the Creator of the universe, why should we worry about a thing? Let’s be honest. We can all get anxious from time to time. But let’s covenant together to give all that to Jesus. He can handle it.

I will lay my anxious thoughts at Your feet today, O Lord.

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