Bible, Gospel, Sanctification, Scripture, Set Apart

SET APART FOR THE GOSPEL

ROMANS 1:1

“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

We begin a 433 day journey today through the book of Romans, one verse at a time – all 433 verses. Are you ready? I truly thought about stopping my blog again, but each time I think about that and pray about it, someone reaches out with an encouraging comment saying how much these blogs mean to them. Listen, I am flattered, but that is not why I keep writing. I just feel compelled to do so. So, hang out for this ride through Romans.

As we begin in verse 1, Paul introduces himself with this description – “set apart for the gospel of God.” We know all about Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road and the message he received from a reluctant Ananias. We know about Barnabas coming alongside him and being set apart by the leadership in Jerusalem. But this description, I think, goes beyond that. Paul knew he had a holy calling to preach the gospel wherever and to whomever God led. The cost did not matter, only the calling.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon explains the use of the Greek word for “set apart” this way, “The verb’s ten New Testament occurrences paint a cohesive theology: God separates to bless, sanctify, and send; humans may separate wrongly through fear or prejudice; and ultimately the exalted Son will separate all humanity in righteousness.” The word is used in a variety of ways, but they all mean to separate from something else.

Are you “set apart”? Have you separated yourself from the influence of the world? That’s not as easy as you think. All around us are people or companies trying to influence us in one way or the other. It is so important that we surround ourselves with like-minded people. We should try as much as possible to patronize like-minded businesses. We can’t isolate ourselves, but we can sure insulate ourselves.

In Matthew 25:31-33, Jesus “sets apart” or “separates” those who follow Him and those who don’t. “31 ‘But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.” The choice is simple – be set apart now so you will be set apart later. Amen? Amen!

Father, thank You for setting me apart for Your Gospel. Help me share it 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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Bible, Family, Farewells, Giving, Grace, Scripture

BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS

PHILIPPIANS 4:23

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Well, here we are at the end of another book. Today marks the end of these blogs on Philippians. What a great epistle of the Apostle Paul. Don’t you agree? It’s been a fun journey. Paul ends this letter in the same way he began it – by wishing grace upon the readers. Look back at Philippians 1:2. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Why change the message if it’s filled with grace?

This was a typical farewell by Paul. We see it in Romans 16:20 and 24, Galatians 6:18 and Philemon 1:25. What did Paul mean by “grace be with you”? What did grace mean to the believers? To these Philippian believers, it meant freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life. Remember, grace is getting something you don’t deserve. Paul is reminding them they do deserve grace freely given by Jesus.

APPLICATION

To whom can you extend grace today? Maybe it’s that pesty neighbor who won’t keep his lawn mowed. Mow it for him. It could be the work colleague who seems to always get the last cup of coffee and doesn’t make a fresh pot. Take them a hot cup of coffee. We can extend grace is so many different ways, can’t we?

It is God’s Holy Spirit working with our spirit that enables us to extend that grace to others. Believe me, I can barely extend grace to myself, much less others. But if I yield my spirit to His Spirit, He will direct me to those who need it. Without our yielding, we may never see those around us who are in desperate need of grace.

Today, as you go to your place of worship, look around the room. I guarantee you that half of those present are dealing with some kind of crisis in their life that they are keeping to themselves or to immediate family. We, the family of God, need to be grace givers to other “family” members. If your church doesn’t have a prayer list of members’ requests, ask your pastor if you can start one. Prayer may be the greatest grace gift we can give. Give grace today.

Father, help me be a grace giver today to those around me in desperate need of it.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Influence, Scripture, Testimony, Witness, Witnessing

UNEXPECTED INFLUENCE

PHILIPPIANS 4:22

“All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

I have had the occasion to meet some pretty interesting people in my life. None of them were particularly famous or anything, but they were interesting. What has been the most gratifying thing about that is to hear back from them later. Some of them even said how much I had influenced them. What?! Me? It just goes to show that you never know who will be influenced by you.

Paul was under house arrest in Rome as he wrote this letter to the Philippians but look who he says sends their greetings. The saints who were in Caesar’s household! I know Paul had appealed to Caesar and all, but I bet Paul never dreamed he would have influence over Caesar’s household. Now, we don’t know who those people were, but they must have been important people.

APPLICATION

Many scholars suppose that these people Paul was referring to were the household servants in Caesar’s home. Others think that may have also included some of Caesar’s own family. Paul didn’t care about rank or societal position. He only cared that they were lovers of Christ. Shouldn’t we have the same position? We should love all the brethren.

Take a minute, though, to think about these people Paul is referencing. They were of “Caesar’s household.” Who was Caesar at the time? Nero. He wasn’t exactly keen on Christians. He blamed the Christians for the famous fire of Rome. He persecuted them by burning them alive and crucifying others. He executed Peter and later beheaded Paul. Yet these early Christians risked it all for Christ.

I want you to look around today and how your Christian influence is affecting people around you. Are others drawn closer to Christ because of you? Are people getting saved through your influence in their lives? In short, how are you allowing Christ to use you in this world right now. Be an influencer (not on Tik-Tok)! Change someone’s life today.

Father, give me the boldness to be a Christian influencer and draw many to You.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Affection, Bible, Greetings, Hugs, Love, Scripture

GREETINGS ALL AROUND

PHILIPPIANS 4:21

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.”

“How’s it going?” “Jambo!” “Aloha!” “Hola!” “Hello!” In whatever language you choose, we all greet each other in some way. Some do it with a slap on the back or a hug (that’s my preference), while others just throw up a hand and wave. We sign our letters and texts with greetings. Today, when you see someone you know, take notice of how you greet each other.

Paul continues to close down this letter and like in so many of his epistles, he ends by sending greetings or giving direction on how we should greet each other. The Topical Lexicon says, “No writer employs the verb more than Paul. His letters end with chains of individual names, each preceded by ‘Greet’ (Romans 16:3–16; Colossians 4:15). Through these personal salutations Paul:

  1. Affirms the worth of co-laborers.
  2. Models inter-congregational affection (‘All the brothers here send you greetings,’ 1 Corinthians 16:19-20).
  3. Demonstrates doctrinal unity—greeting flows from shared confession, not mere sentiment.”

APPLICATION

One of my favorite verses on “greetings” is Romans 6:16 which reads, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” I have friends in other cultures who literally do that. They grab you and kiss you on your cheeks. It’s not meant to be sexual in any way. It is just a greeting in their culture. This was Paul’s culture. A sign of affection towards a brother or sister in Christ displayed your love for them.

In Matthew 5:43-48, where Jesus is talking about loving our enemies, He gives some advice about greetings. He basically tells us to greet everyone, even our enemies. He doesn’t say to fake it, just greet. I know people in churches who won’t speak to some people because of something they said to them decades ago. Family members will stop talking and greeting because of hurt feelings. This is not scriptural and only harms the body of Christ.

So, whether you say “Howdy” or “Hello,” say it with gusto. Say it with meaning. Say it in the name above all names. Greet each other warmly. Look people in the eyes and let them know you see them and appreciate them. “Hello” goes a long way sometimes.

Thank You, Lord, for seeing me and saying hello each and every morning.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Eternal Life, Eternity, Forever, Heaven, Scripture

FOREVER IS A LONG TIME

PHILIPPIANS 4:20

“Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Having attended college and seminary, I have heard many teachers or professors speak long and longer. Now, I enjoyed my education. I actually kind of miss it, but I don’t miss those times when the topic or the speaker were especially boring. I would never call out names, but some of those teachers should have never been in front of students lecturing. It truly seemed liked forever.

In these last four verses of Philippians, Paul closes with a doxology followed by greetings and salutations. We often just skim these kinds of verses, but don’t do that. In today’s verse, Paul is giving glory “to our God and Father.” After all, all the glory belongs to Him, right? But he finishes that sentence by saying, “forever and ever.” There is nothing magical about the Greek word for “forever.” It means just that. But I do like what the Cambridge Bible says about it. “The idea conveyed by the phrase here is of circles of duration consisting of, embracing, other circles ad infinitum.”

APPLICATION

Are you prepared to praise God forever and ever? That’s exactly what we will do. When we receive our eternal reward and enter into heaven, we will be in the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. I will probably spend the first millennia on my face before His throne. How about you? Seeing the glory of the Lord displayed and lighting heaven will be overwhelming, to say the least.

We see a very similar doxology in Hebrews 13:20-21. “20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Very much like what Paul wrote in today’s verse, isn’t it?

Peter writes similar words in the last half of 1 Peter 4:11. “so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I think you can see that this phrase giving glory to God forever and ever was one embraced by many. Shouldn’t we embrace it as well. Try saying those words each day for a week as you end your prayer time. He does deserve the glory forever and ever.

God, Your glory is in You. We will only truly observe it when we see You face to face.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Christ, Provision, Riches, Scripture, Supply

ACCORDING TO, NOT OUT OF

PHILIPPIANS 4:19

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I am not and probably never will be wealthy in the eyes of the world. Being in full-time ministry, and now serving as a missionary, I do not expect to make an extravagant salary. My wife and I are content to live on what our ministry supporters provide. It’s been amazing these past 3 ½ years to see how the Lord has moved the hearts of people to give. I praise Him for that.

Why am I talking about that? Because in today’s verse, Paul points us to the true source of our provision. He says, “My God will supply.” The Greek word translated as “will supply” really means He will fill up, He will overflow, He will cram you full. That says a lot more than just “supply.” And when Paul says “according to His riches” that’s important. He could have written “out of,” but he didn’t. The Holy Spirit wants us to know that we are given richly because He owns it all.

APPLICATION

I just recently memorized Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” You see, that’s the extent of His giving. He gives above and beyond. He gave His own Son. I read a quote today that said, “The Son of God became a man so that men could become sons of God.” That is giving according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Our riches will not last. Even the wealthiest person’s wealth will eventually give out. But not God’s. His riches go far beyond anything this world has ever seen. Everything that has ever been created belongs to Him. He gives according to His riches because He is a generous God who loves His children. James tells us in James 1:17, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

What should we do with such blessings? We should give “according to” also. We give knowing that God will bless that gift. He will take it a multiply it. I heard a story last night about a nine year girl who wanted to help orphans. With some help from friends, she designed a T-shirt that went viral. In a short amount of time, she had over $9,000 which grew to over $200,000. One little girl’s burden was exponentially multiplied by the Father. As the Father blesses you, turn around and bless another.

Lord, I praise You for being my source of provision and never letting me down.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Aroma, Bible, Gifts, Offering, Pleasing, Scripture, Sin

THAT SMELLS GOOD

PHILIPPIANS 4:18

“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

My wife cooked up a couple of batches of brownies last week to take to a family gathering. Don’t you just love the smell of fresh baked brownies? It took all I could do not to dig into those as I cut them and placed them in the containers to take on the trip. Scooping up those warm brownies was tempting. I could just envision a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of one of those. Ahhh, the smells and the tastes!

Paul isn’t writing about baked goods, but he is using that imagery to describe how he received the gift from the Philippians. Not only was it given to him, but it was also “an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” Their gift wasn’t just given to Paul. It was given to God. And Paul said it smelled good to Him. It was “a fragrant aroma.” The Greek actually reads “an odor of a sweet smell.” That’s pretty descriptive, isn’t it?

APPLICATION

In 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul uses the same word to describe how we smell to God. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:” We are not just a smell. We are sweet smell. God likes how we smell. The smell of sin has been washed away by the blood of Christ.

This Greek word eudoia is used one more time in the New Testament in Ephesians 5:2. Let’s back up to verse 1 to see the full context. “1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Here that word is describing Christ. Do we smell like Christ to God? Do our gifts to God smell like Christ? Hmmm!

This time of year, when I come in from mowing our lawn, my smell is not a sweet fragrance to my wife. On the contrary, she quickly points to the shower and holds her nose. Now, I don’t smell myself because the odor has gradually grown on me while I’ve been out working. But she can sure smell me. Don’t let the smell of sin creep up on you. Stay washed in the Word and in His Spirit. Be a sweet fragrance to your God.

O Lord, I want to always be a sweet odor in Your nostrils with no smell of sin on me.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Blessed, Blessing, Gifts, Giving, Scripture

BLESSED BY BLESSING

PHILIPPIANS 4:17

“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account.”

Every time I give to someone or to some ministry, I am blessed beyond measure. I only wish I could give more. I have a couple of dear brothers in Africa right now who need resources to build new church buildings. I am not talking about extravagant halls complete with coffee bars and flashing lights. All they desire is four walls and a roof. I would love to write them a check to just go buy the property and build those buildings. How fun would that be and how blessed would I be! (if you would like to give to that, let me know)

Paul uses some words in today’s verse that bring out this message of being blessed by blessing. The word translated “profit” is actually the Greek word for fruit. We know that fruit is always for others and not ourselves. And the word “increases” is a word that means more than enough or surpasses. I want to show you the other occurrences of this word in the New Testament so you can get a fuller idea of it.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon explains it this way. “Scripture employs it to describe both the multiplication of sin and, more triumphantly, the super-abounding of grace, faith, love, thanksgiving, fruit, and virtue. In every instance the word underscores God’s intention that what begins in His people should not remain static but should grow past ordinary limits.”

In the New Testament, we see it used (This is also from the Topical Lexicon):

• Romans 5:20; 6:1 – sin increases, yet grace surpasses it
• 2 Corinthians 4:15 – grace spreads so that thanksgiving overflows
• 2 Corinthians 8:15 – no one has excess or lack when God distributes provision
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – love is to “increase and overflow” among believers
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – faith “grows more and more,” love “is increasing”
• Philippians 4:17 – Paul seeks fruit that “may be credited” (growing interest) to the church’s account
• 2 Peter 1:8 – possessing and “increasing” in virtue keeps believers from unfruitfulness

Rest assured the Lord knows your heart as you give. He will bless you, not according to the measure of your gift, but rather according to the heart of your gift. Go ahead, see what He will do. Be blessed by being a blessing. Let the Lord give you the joy of giving joy to others.

Lord, show me today to whom I should I give. I know that You will bless my pure and undefiled motives in my giving.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Gifts, Ministry, Offering, Repetition, Scripture, Tithe

REPEAT GIVERS

PHILIPPIANS 4:16

“for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.”

The life blood of a missionary’s support are those individuals who commit to give on a regular basis, whether that be monthly, quarterly or annually. Being able to depend on that regular gift allows the missionary to concentrate on the work of the ministry and not constantly raising support. Don’t get me wrong, every gift is appreciated. I have several supporters who have blessed us with major gifts who are not monthly or annual givers. Every gift is needed and used for His glory.

These Philippian believers obviously believed in what Paul was doing and wanted to help support his work. In Acts 18:1-5 we read that at one point in his ministry Paul was helping with his own support by making tents. But when Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself full-time to the ministry. Did Silas and Timothy bring a gift from the Philippians when they came? We don’t know exactly when Paul received their gifts (there were more than one), nor do we know the amount or exactly what the gift was. The point was they were regular supporters of his ministry.

APPLICATION

Before you shut down and stop reading this blog, this is not a blog about tithing. It is, however, a blog about supporting God’s work. That might be in your local church where you give you regular tithe and offering. That might be by supporting a missionary you know who serves domestically or internationally. It might be a special project in your community. However the Lord leads you, do it.

In 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, Paul gives us some instructions regarding this giving. “10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.”

And I really like what Paul said in the same letter in the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 8:7). “But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” Have you ever thought about your giving being a work of grace? Me either, but there it is. As you pray about to whom and how you give, make it a regular practice, be graceful about it.

Thank You, Lord, for the privilege to give to others. Bless my gift today and make it fruitful.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Alone, Bible, Devotion, Faithfulness, Scripture

ALONE

PHILIPPIANS 4:15

“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone;”

Have you ever had to do something all by yourself? It can be a daunting task if the job is large. When I was a teenager, I worked for a man named Walter Pollock. He sold all sorts of things at his Feed and Seed store. He also sold products for farmers. One of those products was for dusting peanuts. I would be sent to the warehouse sometimes by myself to load a few tons (yes, you heard that right) of it. I didn’t have a forklift. It was all done by hand or if I was lucky, with a hand truck. It was tough work, but it built character.

As Paul continues thanking the Philippians for their gift to him, he recalls that they were the only ones who supported him at times. That little word “alone” means just that – the only one, no one else, by yourself. Paul wasn’t busting anyone else’s chops about this nor was he bitter about it. He was truly thankful they had been faithful, even if they were the only ones.

APPLICATION

That word “alone” is used a lot throughout the New Testament. Let’s look at a couple of those to see that it is not a bad word or a reason to be depressed. In John 6:15, right before Jesus walked on the water, we read this, “So Jesus, aware that they intended to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself, alone.” Jesus knew the power of being alone. I’ve done that a few times. I have gone off by myself to read, pray and hear from the Lord. That’s a good alone.

Then in Luke 4:8 Jesus reminds us that we have the command to worship God alone. “Jesus replied to him, ‘It is written: “YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.”’” There is no other God. He is the only One. He is alone in His majesty. He is alone in His justice. We need to be very careful to not let anything replace Him or be added to Him.

Are you alone today? Celebrate that. It’s about time for me to do an alone time again. I like to go out into the woods or to someone’s farm and pitch my tent. I love to use this time to fast and pray and truly hear God’s voice more clearly. My wife doesn’t mind because she too values her alone time. So, if you’re alone right now, listen to Him. Let Him speak.

Father, I am grateful that we can do things on our own, all alone. Your Spirit is always with us to guide and protect.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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