Category Archives: Words

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Appointed, Bible, Creator, Hebrews, Heirs, Promises, Scripture, Words

A NEW SPOKESMAN

HEBREWS 1:2

“in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.”

I love to hear a good story told by someone who lived through the event. I’ve known some veterans who survived some horrific battles in World War II, the Vietnam War or the Iraq War. Their stories hold more meaning because they are telling it from a first person account. They knew exactly what happened. You can hear it in their voice. And almost every one of them give God the credit for bringing them home.

Jesus is the One Who tells the story of grace because it is a first person account for Him. He is the giver of grace through His Father. He has the authority given to Him by His Father. That was evident from the moment of creation. We are told that nothing exists that did not come from Him. That is why He can tell the story so well. Let’s look at why.

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

In today’s verse I can see a promise to claim clearly in the first phrase, “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” His words were the Father’s words. Five times in the gospel of John, Jesus as much. In John 12:49-50 we read, “‘49For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.’” Again in John 8:28: “So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.’” Other references include John 7:16; 8:26 and 14:10.

I also see something new about God. The writer says Jesus was “appointed heir of all things.” Who appointed Him? The same person Whose words He spoke – the Father. That word “appointed” is tithémi which literally means to place, to set, to appoint or to establish. It’s an Aorist Indicative Active verb (I know that just blessed your heart, lol). That means it was a fact it happened and God did the appointing. All that is belongs to Him and He still chose to come and tell God’s story of His love for us.

Have you stopped lately to thank the Lord for making such a sacrifice? He gave up heaven to come to earth to be treated so poorly. All He did while He was here was love people and tell them how much the Father loved them. He knew His purpose for coming meant a cruel death on a cross. He gave it all for you and me. Give Him praise today. Thank Him for His story telling. It changed the world.

Father God, I praise You and Your Son, Jesus, for the love story You have written on my heart.

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Person praying alone in a sunlit autumn forest
Bible, Hebrews, Scripture, Speaking, Words

ONCE UPON A TIME

HEBREWS 1:1

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,”

Okay, let’s get the elephant out of the room. No one really knows who wrote this book. Church tradition says Paul wrote it. I tend to agree with that. However, many others say it could have been Barnabas or Luke or Clement of Rome or even Apollos. We won’t know the true author until we get to heaven unless God drops us a note from heaven. The point is this is the Word of God and is inspired by the same Holy Spirit. Women say it is proof that men should always make the coffee – He-brews! Lol.

The author begins by stating the fact that God has spoken to mankind for a long time. It’s kind of like beginning a story by saying, “Once upon a time.” Look at the word “spoke.” This is the Greek word laleo. It literally means to talk audible words. But when applied to God, it refers to His “divine self-disclosure.” (Topical Lexicon) God has always wanted to communicate with mankind, beginning way back in the Garden when He conversed with Adam directly. He is still speaking to us today. We just have to listen.

ASK QUESTIONS

I am going to employ a different method in our study of Hebrews. It is the method we teach in Every Man A Warrior to help men develop the skill of studying the word. So, I will be asking some questions of each verse. Is there a command to obey? Is there a promise to claim? Is there a sin to avoid? Is there an application to make? Is there something new about God? Every verse will not answer all these questions, but they will all have at least one of these. Let’s apply those questions to verse 1.

I plainly see a promise to claim in today’s verse. It says, “He spoke long ago.” Isn’t that a promise you want answered? If God spoke to people in past days, don’t you think He still wants to speak to us? Why don’t we hear God speaking? We have way too many distractions. Between our cellphones, tv and the pace of life, we do not pause long enough to hear Him.

I see an application to make. He spoke “in many portions and in many ways.” Barnes says, “It was not all in one mode. He had employed various methods in communicating his will. At one time it was by direct communication, at another by dreams, at another by visions, etc.” I cannot put God in a box and expect Him to only speak through one source. I know He speaks through His Word. That’s clear. But He can also speak through a song, a person, creation or any other way He chooses to speak. I don’t expect to hear a booming voice from heaven, but He could speak that way if He chose.

Ask yourself today if you are really listening for His voice. Tune your ears to His frequency. Get alone with God and listen. I mean really listen. I pray you hear Him loud and clear. And when you do hear Him, do what He says. Amen? Amen!

O Lord, speak! I want to hear Your voice. I will do as You ask.

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Man preaching to a group; banner reads: THE WORD OF GOD ENDURES FOREVER.
Bible, Heart, Near, Romans, Scripture, Words

THE WORD OF FAITH

ROMANS 10:8

“But what does it say? ‘THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART’—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,”

We say a lot of things, don’t we? Some of our words are important and should cause others to sit up and notice. Other words are just a buzzing sound in the ears of others. They don’t carry much weight. Even preachers can be guilty of being too wordy in their sermons. What is it we are supposed to be talking about? I believe it is pretty clear in today’s verse.

Paul continues to pull from Deuteronomy 30, this time from verse 14 which says, “On the contrary, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may follow it.” God promised the Jewish nation that He would be near them as long as they listened to “the word.” He said it was very near them. It was in their mouth (speaking) and in their heart (believing). He wanted them to follow Him, not out of coercion, but because they truly believed and wanted to obey. The same is true for us.

APPLICATION

Matthew Poole’s Commentary says, “by the word of faith, he means the gospel, and the doctrine of it: and the gospel is so called, either effectively, because it works faith; or objectively, because it is a received faith, and is the proper object of it.” We have to believe the Gospel is true before we can speak it effectively. Sometimes the best way to speak the word of faith is by letting your life show it. Let others see the change in your heart.

In 1 Timothy 4:6 Paul give Timothy an admonition regarding this word of faith. “In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following.” I love that. The word of faith nourishes us. But think about that for a second. In order to receive nourishment, you must be ingesting something. We have to be feasting on God’s Word to be nourished by it.

The ministry in which I serve, Every Man A Warrior, teaches men the importance of memorizing Scripture. But it is not just that. It’s spending time ingesting the Word. Daily Quiet Times are critical in order to stay nourished. When was the last time you spent an hour in the Word? Don’t let another day go by. Remember, it is near you.

I am so thankful, Lord, that Your Word is so close to 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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Bible, Commands, Guard, Law, Scripture, Witnessing, Words

ENTRUSTED

ROMANS 3:2

“Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words of God.”

Have you ever been given something for safekeeping? Perhaps a friend asked you to hold on to something for them for a while and protect it. We see this idea a lot in movies when one character is given a treasure which others are trying to snatch from them. They fight to protect what has been entrusted to them. That’s a close analogy to today’s verse.

Paul answers his own questions asked in the previous verse. Remember those? What advantage or benefit did the Jew have over the Gentiles? And Paul answers literally, “Much in every way!” Why can he say that? He answers in the next sentence. Because God had entrusted them with His words. No other people had been given God’s words like the Jewish nation. God had cut covenant with Abraham and then gave Moses the ten commandments and the rules that followed. God had spoken directly to the Jews for generations through their prophets and judges.

APPLICATION

The key word in today’s verse is “entrusted.” It is the very commonly used word pisteuó, which is the word we translate as “believe” or “have faith.” The word here is in the Aorist Indicative Passive. What does that mean? One source said, “When you see an aorist indicative passive verb, you can understand it as conveying a past, completed action that was done to the subject.” The Jews were given God’s words in the past. That’s a fact. There’s no doubt about it.

The question arises then how they kept it, how they protected it. Psalm 119 is a great chapter to learn more about God’s word. Almost every verse of the 176 verses mentions God’s commands or precepts. Here are just three verses from Psalm 119, to show you what I mean. “4 You have ordained Your precepts, that we are to keep them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I look at all Your commandments.”

Are you keeping God’s words safe by obeying and sharing? Nothing keeps God’s words safer than by sharing them with others. That may not make logical sense, but it’s the way God has passed on His words to generations, person by person. There are still billions of people out there who have not experienced the saving power of God’s words. Will you be the one who takes it?

Lord God, use me to keep and share Your Word!

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, Grace, Scripture, Speech, Tongue, Words

SALTY SPEECH

COLOSSIANS 4:6

“Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”

When you think of “salty speech,” you probably think of someone who curses a bit too much. My father-in-law was saved late in life and had kind of a salty mouth. He wasn’t crude or rude about it. He had just used these words a long time and would let a word or two slide out every once in a while. I’ve known other people who “cursed like a sailor” (no offense to all my Navy buddies out there).

Paul is not talking about that kind of salty speech today. Salt is used to season things, right? Not enough salt and the food is kind of blah. Too much salt and it is inedible. Paul is saying we should season our speech with just enough grace for the occasion. The Holy Spirit, of course, will guide us in our speech if we will just listen.

APPLICATION

Once again, Albert Barnes gives an excellent description of this “salty speech.” “Salt, among the Greeks, was the emblem of wit. Here the meaning seems to be, that our conversation should be seasoned with piety or grace in a way similar to that in which we employ salt in our food. It makes it wholesome and palatable. So, with our conversation. If it be not imbued with the spirit of piety, it is flat, insipid, unprofitable, injurious. The spirit of piety will make it what it should be – useful, agreeable, beneficial to mankind. This does not mean that our conversation is to be always, strictly speaking, religious – wherever we may be – any more than our food should be mere salt; but it means that, whatever be the topic, the spirit of piety should be diffused through it – as the salt in our food should properly season it all – whatever the article of food may be.”

So, let me ask you a question. How is your speech toward others, especially unbelievers? Do you give too little grace or too much grace? Is your speech palatable? We should weigh our words carefully. I’ve always said that words are like toothpaste. Once they are out, they can’t be put back in. Squeeze carefully.

O Lord, guard my tongue and give me the right words to say.

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Bible, Scripture, Thankfulness, Words, Works

WHATEVER YOU DO

COLOSSIANS 3:17

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

One of the best things my dad taught me was a strong work ethic. I had my first job as a young boy mowing neighborhood yards with my brother. Those jobs began my savings account which allowed me to buy my first car (Oh, I loved that car). I watched my dad work two and sometimes three jobs to provide for us. He never complained. He just worked hard.

But Paul isn’t just talking about working hard. He is talking about everything we do. What does not show in the New American Standard Bible is the conjunction kai which means “and.” That connects this verse back to verses 15 and 16. Reread those verses and then read today’s verse again with the “and” at the beginning. The peace of Christ and the Word of Christ will guide you to do “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we read, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.” You see, everything we do as believers of Christ is to point to God, to give glory to Him. Nothing else really matters. I love when an athlete makes a great play and then points upward. The recent Super Bowl champs’ coach gave all praise to Jesus when interviewed after the game. Glory to God!

Proverbs 16:3 tells us, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (NIV). So, this isn’t just a New Testament thought. It goes back much further. God’s people are to honor Him in whatever they say or do. Why? Because the lost world is watching. They see everything we do. One mistake and it makes the front page news. Satan loves to point out our mistakes, our sins.

So, live in such a way that you are always aware of giving God the glory for your words and deeds. Then you will be able to give “thanks through Him to God the Father.” That is our goal. That is our purpose. Give Him glory and thank Him for all He does in and through us.

I am so thankful, Lord, for the strength You give me to honor You in all I do or say.

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Bible, Blessing, Edification, Scripture, Tongue, Words

USE THE RIGHT WORDS

EPHESIANS 4:29

“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

How many times have you said something only to regret it a second later? The words just slipped out of your mouth. Sure, you were thinking them, but you didn’t mean to say them. Or maybe you did mean to say them. You meant to inflict harm on someone’s feelings. You knew exactly what you were saying. Words are like toothpaste – once they are out it is impossible to get them back in.

Paul knew the danger of unwholesome words. I am sure he had heard plenty of those when he was a pharisee. But what does that word “unwholesome” even mean? The Greek word is sapros which means “rotten, useless, corrupt, depraved” (Strong’s Concordance). The word was used primarily to refer to fruits or vegetables that were overripe or putrid. Hmmm, what does that say about these unwholesome words in our mouth?

APPLICATION

The word sapros is used in Matthew 7:17-18, “17 ‘So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad  tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.’” It’s interesting to me that sapros is used here to describe the tree (the source of the fruit) and not the fruit (the product). What does that say about us when we use unwholesome words?

Sapros is also used in Matthew 13:47-48 when Jesus told the parable about the dragnet. “47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.’” Jesus will not receive these unwholesome words any more than He will receive these bad fish.

I believe the key to today’s verse is found in the last phrase – “so that it will give grace to those who hear.” We should only use words that give grace. What does that mean? It means to bless them in some way. We are to build them up not tear them down. Today choose your words carefully. Edify and give grace.

The tongue is a slippery thing and can cause much damage. Help me guard my tongue today, O Lord.

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