Category Archives: Witnessing

Older woman and younger man smiling while embracing in a rustic home
Bible, Chosen, Family, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Testimony, Witnessing

A MAN NAMED RUFUS

ROMANS 16:13

“Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.”

I am sorry if I sound disrespectful for what I am about to write. I don’t mean to be. But Rufus must have been a redneck bubba with a name like that. Lol. I’ve only known a few men named Rufus, and they were all just good ole boys. And we will see something else about him that I think adds to that description.

Paul sends greetings to Rufus and his mother there in the Roman church. Most scholars agree that this was probably the same Rufus mentioned in Mark 15:21 where we read, “And they compelled a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to carry His cross.” Think of that! Rufus’ dad carried the cross for Christ. He was watching Jesus struggle down the road on the way to Calvary when He fell beneath the weight of it. The Roman soldiers compelled him to pick it up and carry it for Jesus. That had to have changed his life. The blood of Christ would have been all over that cross and now it was on him.

APPLICATION

Rufus’ reputation was well known by the time Paul wrote this letter to Rome. He and his mother were both there, but there is no mention of his brother Alexander in today’s verse. Perhaps he had already lost his life for Christ or was in another city. He is not mentioned again in Scripture. But here is Rufus, this North African Jew living in Rome with his mother. He must have been a mama’s boy since she is mentioned right along with him. Paul obviously knew Rufus and his mother since he calls her “mine” also.

What do you think would have happened to Rufus in today’s world? I mean, you’re famous, right? Your daddy carried Jesus’ cross. He could have demanded a tv series depicting their lives before the famous event occurred and how it changed their lives. He would have been on high demand to speak about what he perhaps saw that day. But not this Rufus. Paul would not have had such high regard for someone who tried to take advantage of their fame. Paul calls Rufus a “choice man.” That meant he had been chosen by Christ. You know he was faithful to his calling.

Can the Lord call you “choice”? It doesn’t matter where you have come from. If the Lord has chosen you, He has a purpose for you to fulfill. Rufus accepted his. He was being used in the church of Rome, not exactly the easiest place to witness for Christ. He risked it all for Jesus. Will you?

Help me, Lord, to be just as loyal to Jesus as Rufus was in that Roman church.

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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People gathering on a historic cobblestone village street at sunset
Bible, Disciples, Romans, Scripture, Slaves, Witnessing

ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANY PLACE

ROMANS 16:11

“Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.”

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord Jesus can influence so many nations and cultures? In my role as Global Ministry Shepherd for Every Man A Warrior, I have the privilege to interact with various people from all across the globe. I regularly converse with Africans, Asians and Europeans, as well as people in the Caribbean nations and South America. One thing is constant – their love for the Lord.

In today’s verse, Paul greets a person and a group again. This time it’s Herodion and those in the household of Narcissus. We have to ask ourselves again why these people. What was so special about these early believers to Paul? Well, let’s look closer.

APPLICATION

In Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible we read that Herodion was, “According to the flesh, being of the same nation, a Jew; or of the same tribe, the tribe of Benjamin; or of the same family, and nearly allied in blood to him: though the name is of Attic, or Parthic original, and seems to be a derivative of Herod; this man is reckoned among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Tarsus.” Isn’t that amazing? We now have seen Paul address greetings to three of the 70 disciples, all of which appear to be in Rome at the time of the writing. Coincidence? I don’t think so. What was going on in Rome with these believers?

We find in historical records that Narcissus “may possibly have been the powerful freedman of Claudius,…put to death on the accession of Nero, A.D. 54.” (Pulpit Commentary) Supposedly, it was the wife of Claudius who had him put to death. He was a very wicked and wealthy man whose slaves would have become the property of Nero. Once again, we have Christians in the household of an unbeliever making their way into the emperor’s home. Isn’t that incredible?

Look around you right now. Who do you suppose the least likely to become a believer? Never doubt the workings of God. Two of my childhood buddies who were as wild and reckless as I was both became pastors later in life. We often joked how crazy God must have thought we were to ever doubt His reach. God can use anyone anywhere for His glory. Whether they were in first century Rome or 21st century Tennessee, God can use us if we are willing.

Take me and use me for Your glory, O Lord.

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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Roman servant carrying folded linens and a bronze jug through a villa
Bible, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Testimony, Witness, Witnessing

REACHING THE OTHER CLASS

ROMANS 16:10

“Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.”

I was reading today about the life of many believers in Pakistan who work in the brick kiln yards. They are essentially slaves for life. Their families incurred debt which was passed down to them to pay off. But after paying “rent” and buying a little food, they never have enough to even put a dent in that debt. But they are still trusting the Lord to sustain them. Their “employers” are hard on them and are cruel taskmasters. But whenever they can, they share about Jesus.

Paul addresses one individual, Apelles, and an unnamed group of people only referred to as “of the household of Aristobulus.” We’ll break those down. But as Paul continues sending greetings to those in Rome, you know he is thinking fondly of them as he writes their names. And even though he does not name individuals in Aristobulus’ household, I bet he knew a few. Paul was careful to make sure he could encourage as many believers as he could in this letter.

APPLICATION

Apelles was possibly “found in the dependents of the emperor” at the time. This is according to Horace, a writer at the time. All we really know is that this was a typical Jewish name. Perhaps Paul knew him from Jerusalem. Apelles is now in Rome and maybe a servant in the emperor’s home. What an opportunity? A Jewish servant could possibly influence the highest ranking family in Rome. Paul calls him “approved in Christ.” This implies he has passed the test of a true believer by his lifestyle and sacrifice. I desire only to be known as approved myself. How about you?

“Those who are of the household of Aristobulus” refers to the believers who either served in this house or were a part of it. Aristobulus was the either the grandson of Herod the Great, who lived in Rome but had died by the time Paul wrote this letter or this Aristobulus was the one who was a close associate of the emperor Claudius. Either way, Paul chooses his words carefully. He is not saying Aristobulus was a believer. He was addressing those in his household. These individuals were also living and serving among the noble class and had opportunities to be a witness.

Don’t ever think you can’t influence others whatever station of life you are in. The ministry I am a part of has some graduates who are in some pretty prestigious positions right now in our U.S. government and military. These men love Jesus and have been given a platform from which to influence other men toward a godlier lifestyle. We should all be given such opportunities, don’t you think?

Father God, if You give me the opportunity to be a witness I will take it in order to bring You glory.

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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Elderly woman distributing food packets to a smiling man indoors with other people in the background
Bible, Calling, Gospel, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

BECAUSE OF YOU

ROMANS 11:31

“so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.”

Occasionally in life we may receive a blessing because someone else has been blessed. For instance, what if someone close to you receives a huge financial blessing only to turn around and bless you with part of that blessing. You only received that because they had received something. Because they were so grateful for what they had received, they wanted to be a blessing to others. I have been the recipient of such gifts in the past and have done the same myself.

In today’s verse, Paul continues to show the connection between the Gentile believers and the Jewish nation. I just love this verse. Don’t you? Look at how Barnes describes this. “Through the mercy, that is, the compassion or deep feeling of the converted Gentiles; through the deep and tender pity which they would feel for the blinded and degraded Jews: the gospel should be again carried to them, and they should be recalled to the long lost favor of God. Each party should thus cause salvation to come to the other – the Jews to the Gentiles by their unbelief; but the Gentiles, in their turn, to the Jews by their belief.”

APPLICATION

While today’s verse is specifically talking about Gentiles ministering to Jews, this verse applies to every believer’s responsibility to share the good news to unbelievers. Our blessing of salvation should be shared, not hoarded. We are commanded in Matthew 28:18-20 to go and make disciples of all nations. That command is still in force, isn’t it? There are still so many Unreached People Groups (UPGs) out there. And the days are hastening to a close.

Keith Parks, the former President of the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, once said that if God has not specifically called you to stay home, He has called you to go. His point was and the point still is that we should know our calling. Every believer has a calling which involves being a witness. Whether that is to the waiter and waitress who serves your meal or to an unreached tribe in the Amazon rainforest.

Don’t hoard your blessing. Pour out the knowledge and joy of your salvation. As you do, you will find your cup overflows. God will continue to fill you with joy unspeakable. Does He promise every person will receive it? No! Paul experienced that. Many of the Jews who heard him share about Jesus were not swayed to believe. But he remained faithful to tell the story. Keep sharing!

Lord, thank You for the greatest blessing. Help me share it with others so they too may be blessed.

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, Hosea, Living, Restoration, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

CHILDREN OF THE LIVING GOD

ROMANS 9:26

“‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, “YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,” THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.’”

When my mom and dad were alive, my relationship with them was very different than it is now. My mom has been with Jesus for over 15 years now and my dad just over 10. Hard to believe. I am still their son, but they are my late parents. They are no longer alive in this world. Our view of being alive differs greatly from God’s view. Let’s see what Paul says today about this.

Paul quotes again from Hosea 1:10. You have to remember that Israel’s great sin was forfeiting their worship of the living God for dead idols. They forsook their birthright as His children and pursued other gods who did not exist and had no power. They had witnessed firsthand His mighty acts on behalf of their nation, but that did not matter. The term “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” fits them perfectly. Why did Paul quote from Hosea here?

APPLICATION

Because just as God restored a fallen Israel, He has restored a fallen mankind through His Son Jesus. We just have to turn to Him, believe in Him and follow. Then we too have that relationship as children of the Living God. John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,…” It really is that simple. Why can’t we believe that?

When Paul and Barnabas said these words to the people in Lystra, they were urging them to turn to the living God. “‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,’” (Acts 14:15) Aren’t we doing the same today? Aren’t we urging those chasing manmade idols like money, power and success to do the same? They need the living God!

Psalm 42:2 cries out with the same desire. “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 84:2 speaks the same. “My soul longed and even yearned for the courtyards of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Is this your desire? Do you long to be in the presence of the living God? Well, you can. Every day! Just lean into Him. He is there, waiting for you. He was and is and will always be!

I am so thankful I serve a living God Who reigns eternally.

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, Childbirth, Children, Family, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY

ROMANS 9:9

“For this is the word of promise: ‘AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH WILL HAVE A SON.’”

When a couple is in a loving, healthy relationship, the words “I’m pregnant” bring shouts of joy and jubilation. For many those words may come after years of trying to get pregnant. Others have this happen quickly. Whether it is a surprise or a planned pregnancy, the relationship determines the response. I was blessed to hear this a few times from my wife. Not all those pregnancies ended as we wanted. We lost one child at birth and experienced a couple of miscarriages. But each time we found out we were expecting, we were thankful.

Can you imagine how Sarah and Abraham felt when they discovered she was pregnant with the long-awaited son, Isaac? Even though God had promised this child years earlier, they were probably a little taken back when it finally happened. After all, the Word says Abraham was “as good as dead.” The odds were against them. But God…

APPLICATION

Now, we get to hear these words from God, “Welcome to the family!” He has birthed us into His family. We are the sons and daughters of God. Those words should give us reason to shout for joy. I know He and all the angels in heaven rejoice every time a new soul is saved. Angels don’t really understand this. They have not experienced salvation. They have always been in God’s presence. But we are new to this. We get to celebrate with all the heavenly hosts.

Paul writes in Galatians 4:28, “And you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.” Keep in mind that Paul was not writing to a Jewish audience there. He was writing to mostly Gentile believers. Just like most of us, they had no direct ties to the Jewish nation. Yet Paul tells them they children of promise. And so we are. You are a child of the King.

Now that you are a child of promise you need to share with others how they also can join the family. May I share a really good app with you? It’s called “Share Your Faith.” Check it out in the App Store or wherever you find apps for your phone. It will walk you through how to share the gospel utilizing the Bridge Illustration. This app is so simple even a child could use it. Don’t let the enemy stop you from sharing our “family secret.” We want to grow our family one soul at a time.

I give You praise, O God, for birthing me into Your kingdom. I am so thankful for my sonship.

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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Availability, Bible, Prayer, Romans, Scripture, Talents, Witnessing

SO MUCH GOING FOR THEM

ROMANS 9:4

“who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises;”

People say all the time that if someone they know with some special talent would get saved, God could really use them. Wrong! God does not want our abilities. He wants our availability. Right? It doesn’t matter how great the talent if that person is not willing to be used by God. You have probably heard of missionaries or preachers who gave up their field of talent to be used by God. Sure, God can use our talents. After all, He gave them to us. But He doesn’t need them.

Paul is still talking about his Jewish brothers and sisters and longing for them to come to Christ. He reminds us in this verse today that the Jewish people were adopted as God’s sons and daughters. They received God’s glory, His covenant, His Law, His temple and His promises. They were a favored people. But they still needed the Savior which Paul had found. He wanted to see them come to Christ and experience true glory.

APPLICATION

The Expositor’s Greek Testament has a good view of this verse. “The intensity of Paul’s distress, and of his longing for the salvation of his countrymen, is partly explained in this verse. It is the greatness of his people, their unique place of privilege in God’s providence, the splendour of the inheritance and of the hopes which they forfeit by unbelief, that make their unbelief at once so painful, and so perplexing.”

Do you have that “intensity of distress” over someone you know who needs Christ? Most of us don’t. I pray every day for my family, and I pray specifically for all of them to know Christ and to walk with Him daily. I even pray for my grandchildren’s future spouses and their families that they would know, love and follow Christ. Why? Because I know how important that is to family.

Whom are you praying for today? Think about your immediate and extended family. If you have lost family members, make it a a daily practice to pray for them by name. Beg God for them. Have the same intensity for them that Paul had for his kinsmen. Are you willing to sacrifice anything to see them come to Christ? I want to carry all my loved ones to heaven one day. I don’t want to know that even one is left behind. That’s how Paul felt. The thought of his kinsmen missing heaven because they refused their Messiah just broke his heart. Have that heart for others.

Lord, You are the One Who gives me my burden for others. Use me today to reach just one.

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, Grief, Romans, Scripture, Sorrow, Witnessing

HEAVY HEART

ROMANS 9:2

“that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”

I am sure you have heard the expression, “heavy heart.” You may have experienced that yourself at one point in your heart. It’s really hard to describe and put into words. You have to experience it yourself to be able to relate to someone going through this. It’s not depression. That’s a whole other thing. It’s just…well…a heaviness you can’t describe.

Paul is trying to express his heavy heart in today’s verse. He is thinking about his kinsmen, the nation of Israel, knowing that so many of them will perish apart from the Lord because of their refusal to recognize Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. The words “sorrow” and “grief” are described by Gill’s Exposition of the Bible this way. “These two words, ‘heaviness’ and ‘sorrow, the one signifies grief, which had brought on heaviness on his spirits; and the other such pain as a woman in travail feels: and the trouble of his mind expressed by both, is described by its quantity, ‘great’, it was not a little, but much; by its quality it was internal, it was in his ‘heart’,”

APPLICATION

The word “sorrow” is lupé which is used sixteen times throughout the New Testament. In Luke 22:45, it is used to describe Peter, James and John when they fell asleep waiting for Jesus to finish praying in the garden. “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.” You can imagine the heaviness these three felt, knowing what was to come. They were Jesus’ closest companions, the three He poured extra into. They knew His demise was upon them, so Luke describes the heaviness that caused their sleep.

Paul uses oduné to describe his unceasing grief. This word is only used here and over in 1 Timothy 6:10. There Paul is describing those who “have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” That would be a self-inflicted grief. Still painful, but avoidable. That is not the case in today’s verse. Paul was in deep grief and sorrow over his nation. He so desired them to come to Christ.

I, too, am grieving over my nation. When I see all the riots and protests, all the rejection of Christ, my heart is heavy. But what am I doing about it? Some days I am feel I am doing all I can, but other days not enough. Let us all agree to stop grieving and start doing. Let us not grow weary and fall asleep from our sorrow like Peter, James and John. Let us fight until the end, leaving it all on the battlefield for Jesus.

Father, heal my heaviness of heart for my nation and give me a renewed vigor and energy to reach the lost.If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry

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Bible, Celebrate, Rejoicing, Scripture, Testimony, Witness, Witnessing

CELEBRATING AGAIN

ROMANS 5:11

“And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

I love to celebrate things, don’t you? I love to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in our family. I love to celebrate victories by my Georgia Bulldogs (Go DAWGS). I love to celebrate people coming to Christ. I love to celebrate baptisms and marriages and even, in some cases, the death of a dear saint. Celebrations should be done often. Find a reason to celebrate.

In chapter five of Romans, this is the third time we have seen Paul tell us to celebrate or rejoice. In verse 2 he said we celebrate hope. In verse 3, we celebrate our tribulations (that’s a hard one). And now in today’s verse, Paul tells us we “also celebrate in God.” May I remind you that the Greek word here for celebrate is kauchaomai which means “living with ‘head up high,’ i.e. boasting from a particular vantage point by having the right base of operation to deal successfully with a matter.” (HELPS Word-studies).

APPLICATION

This word does NOT mean to be snobby about your celebration. This should be an open invitation to all to celebrate with you. We are celebrating our reconciliation made possible by God when He sent Jesus to die for us. Why wouldn’t we invite everyone we know to that party? We have received the greatest gift in the universe, and we should be ready to share it with everyone.

2 Corinthians 10:17 tells us, “But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.” This comes straight from the Lord as spoken by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 9:23-24. This is worth including here. “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24  but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.”

Those are verses worth memorizing. We are to boast not in our wisdom, might or riches. We are to only boast, rejoice, celebrate in the Lord and that we know Him. I promise if we all did that, the world would be a better place. Sadly, too many people are boasting of themselves or what they have. Don’t fall into that trap. Celebrate only in God!

O Father, You are enough to celebrate. I will rejoice in You forever. 

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, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

GOD OF ALL

ROMANS 3:29

“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,” 

There is a major lie being spread all over the world that every religion has a pathway to God. Sorry to disappoint, but that just isn’t the truth. Jesus clearly said in John 14:6, “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’” That leaves out every other religion except the Christian religion. Buddha won’t get you there. Muhammed won’t get you there. Nor will any of the Hindu gods that are worshipped. He is God of all to those who accept His Son.

Paul dispels the idea among the Jews that they had sole claim on God. He was sent as a messenger by God to the Gentiles, even though he was a Jew himself. Paul knew firsthand the danger of this exclusionary thought. For the past two chapters Paul has been presenting both sides – the Jews and the Gentiles, and there is only one conclusion – He is God of both the Jews and the Gentiles if…they turn to Jesus.

APPLICATION

So, how do we apply this verse to our lives today? We must be the proclaimer of this truth to the world. That is why we send Christian missionaries around the world. We know that we have the hope for all mankind. Billions will be lost and spend eternity separated from God if we aren’t obedient to that Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. We’ve been given our marching orders. Are you in line?

But Carl I haven’t been called to go to a foreign country. Okay, if you have not heard that specific call, then God has called you to present the Gospel right where you are. I had a conversation this weekend with a man who was complaining about his work environment. He said everyone he works with are lost and are constantly taking God’s name in vain. They mock him or isolate him if he presents anything spiritual. I told him to expect no different from the lost. But God has placed him in a ripe harvest field. He just needs to be Jesus and love them anyway.

I know, I know. That’s hard. Yes, it is. But just think of the way they treated our Lord. He was scourged and crucified. He was spit on. He was humiliated. But He said on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Can’t we pray that same prayer and love them anyway? I struggle at times doing this. God understands this, but I know He can empower me through His Holy Spirit Who lives within me to love them with His love. Will you join me?

Lord, I have to admit that is hard to love those who curse me and hurl insults, but through Your strength I will love them because You do.

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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