Category Archives: Worship

Elderly woman with an ash cross on forehead, wearing scarf and coat
Bible, Celebrate, Freedom, Judging, Law, Romans, Scripture, Worship

ONE DAY OVER ANOTHER

ROMANS 14:5

“One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.”

All through Christendom there has been a debate about which day(s) should be observed by Christians as more holy than others. For some denominations, Ash Wednesday is a very holy day that precedes the Easter season on the first day of Lent. Others hold strictly to Easter Sunday and Christmas as the most holy days. Some believe you should worship on Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath) while others adhere to Sundays.

Paul includes this debate in his instructions to the readers of this letter. Go back and read Romans 14:1-4. You will see that Paul is trying to show them that judging others, no matter the issue, is not what God intended. The Jewish believers still held to many of the Jewish festivals. They were family occasions and times to gather and celebrate. These were hard to just stop. So, Gentile believers or Jewish believers who had ceased recognizing those days should not be critical.

APPLICATION

In Galatians 4:10-11, Paul warns the young believers, “10 You meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.” Of course, Galatians was written in part to defend against the influences of the Judaizers, the ones who taught that Gentiles should follow the Mosaic law in addition to following Jesus. No! We are free from the restraints of such laws.

The same held true as Paul wrote to the Colossian believers. In Colossians 2:16 we read, “Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day—” This was a wide-spread issue, not just isolated in Rome. Paul’s desire was for all believers to dwell in unity and not argue about things that did not pertain to their salvation in Christ Jesus.

After all, Paul had been a Pharisee. If anyone would have wanted to hold on to the ceremonial law which had driven his life, he would. But Paul knew Jesus had come to fulfill the Law and set all men free from the impossible demands. God gave Moses the Law to guide and prepare the Jewish nation. Man had corrupted it and added burdensome regulations. Paul is saying, “Enough is enough! Those days are no longer binding. Live in harmony.” Let’s agree to not be critical of others who celebrate Jesus differently than we do. Amen?

Father, You have brought us all into one family. Help us keep the family united.

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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Open Bible, wooden chalice, and cross on stone altar outdoors at sunrise
Bible, Holy, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture, Service, Worship

SPIRITUAL SERVICE OF WORSHIP

ROMANS 12:1

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

We will be celebrating Memorial Day on May 25th here in the U.S. It’s a day set aside as a federal holiday to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country. There will be wreaths laid at gravesites, memorial services held, and there will be barbecues and parties. Why did those individuals we are honoring lay down their lives for our country? Because they loved the U.S.A. and the freedom it stands for. They gave the ultimate sacrifice.

As Paul begins this section of his letter to the Romans, he leaves the doctrinal teachings and dives into the practical application. These two sections are joined by the infamous “therefore.” Because Paul had said all those things in chapters 1 through 11, he can now tell us how to use that knowledge in our walk with Christ. He begins by telling us to present our “bodies as a living and holy sacrifice.” The old dead sacrificial system was gone for a Christian. They are now a living sacrifice for Christ, holy and set apart.

APPLICATION

I want to focus on the last phrase of this verse, though. Paul writes “which is your spiritual service of worship. Let’s break that down a bit. The Greek word translated as “spiritual” is logikós – “(‘divinely reasonable’) is constantly necessary in making acceptable offerings to the Lord. These produce a ‘seamless’ life in which every decision (action) can have profound, eternal meaning, even in earthly ‘setbacks’ or suffering.”(HELPS Word-studies) That’s a mouthful, I know. The point is this word describes a divine action on our part. All our actions should be framed that way.

The phrase “service of worship” is actually just one Greek word. The Topical Lexicon defines that word, latreia, and says it, “draws a direct connection between the outward acts of worship prescribed by God and the inward posture of the heart.” Oh, that’s good. Paul is saying any action we take, even a sacrificial one should be motivated by our heart.

Back to my opening example. Some of those who lost their lives in defense of our country died from accidents or friendly fire. Others willingly chose to throw themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Their action was motivated by their heart. They loved their brothers or sisters enough to sacrifice themselves to save them. Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? We should be willing to do the same, if called upon to do so. Are you? What have you got to lose? When you leave this life, you enter heaven. Who doesn’t want that?

Father, I believe I am willing to lay down my life if called upon. Give me the courage to follow through.

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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A man carrying a glowing, magical orb with constellations and runes on his back while walking on a mountain path
Awe, Bible, Bowing, Isaiah, Romans, Scripture, Sin, Worship

BOWED BACKS

ROMANS 11:10

“‘MAY THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT AND BEND THEIR BACKS CONTINUALLY.’”

When I was growing up in rural Southwest Georgia, I worked for Walter Pollock and Sons. Mr. Walter was a farmer and businessman. One of his operations was a Feed and Seed store. We also sold fertilizer and other crop products. During peanut season I would often get sent out to the warehouse to load land plaster which the farmers used to dust their peanuts. Those bags were about the size of concrete bags and weighed about 80 pounds each. We would load two or three bags on our shoulders and carry them onto awaiting trucks, usually ten to fifteen tons. That will bow your back after a full day.

The imagery Paul uses in today’s verse is of the Jews who would suffer hardships due to their refusal to follow the Lord. We know that during Paul’s day he saw many Jews suffering under Roman rule. Some of those Jews were forced into servitude in mines or building roads. Their backs were bent from this work. Hardships often follow disobedience. You’ve seen it, and I’ve seen it.

APPLICATION

Paul isn’t referring to bowed backs due to just hard work. There’s nothing wrong with hard work. But when our disobedience causes extra burdens to bear, that’s when God’s judgment can come into play. Are you hearing me? Are you under a heaven burden right now of your own making? Take a step back and do a little observation. What is the Lord trying to steer you away from? What is He asking you to change about your life?

The Topical Lexicon explains the word used by Paul for “bend.” It is the word sunkamptō and appears once in the New Testament here in today’s verse. “Paul quotes Psalm 69 to portray divine judgment that leaves the unrepentant with ‘backs … bent forever’ (Berean Standard Bible). The verb pictures a forced, continuous bowing that contrasts sharply with the joyful, voluntary bending of worship.”

So, tell me what you would rather do – bend your backs in servitude to the sins that weigh you down or bend your knees in worship? I know what I prefer. Bowing before a holy God in reverence is a good bending. It is a sign of humility and awe. Try that today. Bend your knees and your back before Him. He will lift you up. I guarantee you the devil won’t pick you up. He’ll keep putting more weight on your shoulders.

Thank You, Lord, for lifting my burdens on Calvary. I bow before You now is reverence to Your name.

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, Fear, Honor, Reverence, Scripture, Worship

NO FEAR

ROMANS 3:18

“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

Some people aren’t scared of anything. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the situation. As I have gotten older, I have become a little more cautious. I have done some pretty stupid things in the past without regard of the consequences. I won’t elaborate on that. Suffice it to say, I was reckless. I had no fear. I want us to look at what no fear of God can do in your life.

Paul quotes Psalm 36:1 in today’s verse as he wraps up these pasts several verses of quotations. That verse says, “Wrongdoing speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.” Paul is referring to a healthy reverence for God, a humble approach to Him. I get the picture of Moses taking off his sandals when God told him he was standing on holy ground. I see David humbling himself before a holy God when he was confronted about his sin with Bathsheba. The fear of God is healthy.

APPLICATION

We are told in Proverbs 9:10 that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” I remember writing my big brother, Tim, while he was at college and quoting this verse. I was a brand, new Christian, and he was in his fourth year at the University of Georgia. My brother was a brilliant guy, but I wasn’t sure he was walking with the Lord. I was just giving him something to chew on.

Right after the “Shema Israel” passage in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Moses tells the people in 6:13, “You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.” The Hebrew word for “fear” means to revere, to hold in awe. We have lost a lot of that today. We don’t seem to hold God in awe. We kind of take Him for granted and have made Him our buddy. He is a holy God deserving all our honor, glory and praise.

The result of not fearing, not reverencing God is a society that will tolerate anything. We are seeing that today. There are groups of people who do not see the importance of worshipping God and holding to His standards. The result is anarchy. The result is a lack of importance placed on life. The result is…exactly what the devil wants. Let me urge you today to bow and revere your God. He is worthy of it all.

O Lord, forgive me when I do not show You the reverence You deserve. 

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, Idols, Reverence, Scripture, Service, Worship

WHAT ARE YOU WORSHIPPING?

ROMANS 1:25

“For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Man, we can really worship the wrong things. Some of us worship our sports teams. As we enter into the Fall, football here in America is kicking off. It’s played by all ages and billions are spent to play and watch. Some people plan their whole lives around the game. Those same people wouldn’t put church on their schedule, though, or make time to pray and read God’s Word. Wrong worship!

Until I dug into this verse, I did not know the Greek word for “worshiped” was sebazomai, which only occurs here in this verse. It’s a different kind of word for worship. HELPS Word studies says it means, “to revere; be in awe by one’s own twisted definition of what deserves reverence.” It is clear that Paul is saying that even though these individuals are totally confused, they still have the desire to worship something. It’s just sad that it’s the wrong thing.

APPLICATION

So, my question for you today is – What are you worshipping? Well Carl, of course I am worshipping the Lord. What else would I worship? Oh really? Are you sure that is all? How about that job? Do work to live or live to work? So many of us can be so driven by our job ambitions that we put everything else on the back burner. Family time suffers. Church attendance is low on the priority list. What are we worshipping?

I receive a newsletter each month from “Voice of the Martyrs.” In it are stories of Christians under persecution for worshipping Jesus. They risk it all to serve the Lord. Many, if not most, have lost loved ones to terrorist who killed them just because they were Christians. And we can’t worship correctly? What a shame!

I want to ask you today to take a look at what you are worshipping? How much time are you spending with Jesus each day. Martin Luther once said, “I am so busy today I only have time to spend four hours in prayer.” How about you? We are told to worship in Spirit and in truth. Are we doing that?

Father, show me how to worship You in truth every day. Let me not waste time worshipping false gods in 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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Allegiance, Bible, Bowing, Jesus, Kneeling, Scripture, Worship

KNEELING

PHILIPPIANS 2:10

“so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

I’m at the age now when I kneel down to get something, I pause to see if I need to do anything else while I’m down there. Lol. Can you relate? Kneeling gets harder with age. Our bones crack and moan more. Our backs strain getting back up. Now, I’m not in awful shape physically, but I definitely feel my age more these days. Maybe helping watch my ten-month-old grandson has something to do with it. You think?

Paul makes a declaration in today’s verse which is directly from the mouth of God. He says that one day, “every knee will bow.” And when he says “every” he means EVERY. He covers them all – in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Everyone will bow before the only true and holy Savior, Jesus Christ. He is Lord! John says something similar in his vision statement in Revelation 5:13. “And I heard every created thing which is in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, or on the sea, and all the things in them, saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion forever and ever.’”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “will bow” is kamptó which “primarily means to bend or bow, often used in the context of bowing the knee as an act of submission, worship, or reverence. It conveys the physical act of bending as well as the metaphorical act of showing humility or deference.” (Strong’s Lexicon). It is only used three other times (Romans 11:4. 14:11; Ephesians 3:14).

In Romans 11:4 Paul writes about the story of Elijah when he was complaining to God and was told by God that He had kept 7,000 men in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. In other words, their allegiance was to Jehovah and bowed only to Him. Later in Romans 14:11 Paul is quoting God from Isaiah 45:23 which says, “‘I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.’”

Finally, as Paul begins his prayer in Ephesians 3:14, he writes, “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,” You see, Paul knew there was only one God and to Him only would he bow. Paul would bow to no man. Kind of reminds you of three youth who got thrown into a furnace for refusing to bow to an earthly king, doesn’t it?  Today, bow your knee, bow your heart, kneel and pray and lift up the name of Jesus.

O Lord, I will bow before You and praise Your holy name.

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Bible, Church, Home, Scripture, Worship

YOUR HOUSE CHURCH

COLOSSIANS 4:15

“Greet the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.”

There is some disagreement whether Nympha was a man or a woman or a family name. In this day of gender disorder, I don’t want you to be confused about this. Nympha comes from nymphe which means “young woman” or “bride.” That is probably the best reason to say this was a Christian woman who had opened her home up as a house church. The name is not the important thing. The important thing is what she did.

Paul obviously knew her or knew a lot about her. In the early church period, people met in homes for worship. Where else would they go? Jewish believers couldn’t worship Jesus in the synagogues. Gentile believers couldn’t enter a pagan temple and worship Him. They bonded together in their homes, sharing meals and praising the Lord. Nympha’s home was a well-known gathering place, and Paul sends his greetings.

APPLICATION

Today, we don’t see a lot of house churches in the West. We have built thousands and thousands of church buildings ranging from mega churches to small country chapels. There has been a movement to start house churches but only out of desire, not necessity.

In many parts of the world, however, house churches are a necessity. For instance, in China house churches are the norm. People have to move from house to house to avoid detection by the Communist government. Christianity is frowned upon, and people can be imprisoned for gathering for worship. House churches there take on the same atmosphere as the first century churches.

Why the history lesson? I want to ask you to make your home a place of worship. I don’t mean that you have to start a house church. But let worship spread through your home, giving glory to Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Let all who enter your home know immediately that Christ reigns there. Don’t wait to go to church on Sunday to worship. Worship every day right in your home.

Father, I commit my home to You to use as You see fit.

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Bible, Scripture, Singing, Worship

SING A SONG

EPHESIANS 5:19

“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord;”

I have been singing in choirs since @ 1975. That’s almost 50 years. I have sung in youth choirs and ensembles, college choirs, barbershop quartets and choruses, church choirs, praise teams, quartets and solos. I love to sing. Since moving to Knoxville back in March of this year, I have been relegated to being a part of the congregational singing. I have enjoyed that. I even break out in song some mornings on my morning walks as I listen to praise songs. I am sure my neighbors love that at 5:30 a.m. lol

Paul knew the importance of singing praises with other believers. He lists “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” in today’s verse. I don’t think the type of song was as important as “singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord.” Paul didn’t say that only the gifted musicians should sing. This command was given to all believers. You may be the most tone deaf person in the crowd, but the Lord takes pleasure when you sing to Him.

APPLICATION

The psalms were literally Scripture set to music. These psalms were sung in the temple and in the early church. They speak of God’s love, protection, and redemption. David wrote between 73 and 80 of the psalms in our Old Testament. Some of the psalms give instructions to sing with a musical instrument. There is just something about singing the words of God in worship.

I love the hymns. Unfortunately, many churches have disregarded the hymns in favor of more contemporary songs. I am not writing this to start a debate about hymns. I am simply pointing out that Paul saw the value in singing hymns. HELPS Word studies says this about this word. “Hýmnos (“hymns”) is used only of praising the triune God, manifested in the flesh in Jesus Christ, the God-man. It occurs twice in the NT (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16), pointing to well-known songs of praise to God that became established hymns for the early Christians.”

And what are these “spiritual songs” Paul references? These are more spontaneous songs of praise to God. I love what it says in Revelation 5:9-10. “9 And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.’”

Whatever and however you choose to sing, make it a celebration of our one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Just sing!

I love to sing unto You, O God, my Rock and Salvation!

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Affection, Bible, Correction, Disappointment, Gifts, Giving, Guilt, Holy Spirit, Hypocrisy, Praise, Scripture, Worship

FORGET THE GIFT

MALACHI 1:10

“‘If only there were one among you who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘nor will I accept an offering from your hand.’”

I have to admit something to you. I have given gifts out of guilt. Yep, I’ve done that. Don’t point your finger at me, though. I bet you have done the same thing. I have hurt people in the past, most of them unintentionally. So, what do I do? I try to find a way to make it up to them. That may involve a small gift of some sort. That is such hypocrisy, isn’t it?

The Lord speaks through Malachi in today’s verse and tells the priests, “nor will I accept an offering from your hand.” God doesn’t want gifts that are made half-heartedly. He wants us to come to Him with sincerity and purpose. God even hinted at even closing the doors of the temple to prevent them from offering sacrifices erroneously.

APPLICATION

Jeremiah 6:20 says something similar. “‘For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.’” This thought wasn’t exclusive to Malachi. All through Scripture God abhors false worship.

Carl, what’s all this talk about worship. Can’t we just restrict that Sundays? Are you kidding me? Worship is a daily event. We should be worshipping the Lord every day through praise, through thanksgiving and through listening for His voice. By the way that is PTL – Praise, Thanks, Listen. Try that today and see if you don’t worship.

This past Sunday at the church I attend, the worship service was truly Spirit-filled. I don’t mean we got Pentecostal (nothing wrong with that if it’s genuine). After all, we are Baptists, lol. But there were tears shed. There were hands raised. There were people standing up in their pews in celebration of praises going up through music. But I know my worship isn’t just on Sundays at my church. It’s every day.

I worship, O Mighty God, there is none like You.

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Attitude, Bible, Devout, Following, Heart, Purity, Scripture, Worship

SNOBBY WORSHIP

MALACHI 1:9

“’But now, do indeed plead for God’s favor, so that He will be gracious to us. With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?’ says the LORD of armies.”

Have you ever visited a church, and no one spoke to you? You walked in, and no one greeted you. Perhaps you even sat down, and someone gave you the stare that meant you were sitting in their seat. Everyone seemed to have their nose up in the air as if they belonged there and you didn’t. You know what I am talking about. They almost seemed to give off the impression that they were doing God a favor by being there.

That is exactly what the Lord is addressing in today’s verse. These priests totally ignored God’s commands. They did as they pleased in regards to worship. God should be pleased. After all, they were doing something. Something is better than nothing, right? Nope, it’s not, and they will find out soon enough.

APPLICATION

How do you ensure your worship is pure and holy? How do you present yourself before the Lord? I want my worship to be what He wants, not what I want. If you are like me, I have my own preconceived ideas about worship. I like this or I don’t like that. I want the choir to sing this song. I want the pastor to preach longer (come on now, who says that, lol).

We are told that “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” That’s John 4:24. What does that mean? Albert Barnes says this about that verse. “A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as he seeks – the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body – the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips.”

Oh, to do that each and every time we enter into worship. Worship is about our heart attitude, not what we sing or preach. It’s a heart issue. So, is your heart right when you enter into worship? Are you bringing in unresolved grudges or ill will towards someone? If you are, confess that and get your heart right before worship. Then your heart will be what God desires.

Father, help me worship You in spirt and in truth. Let my heart cry out to You.

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