Simply Gospel

May my steps be worship. May my thoughts be praise.

  • Faith Accounted Unto Righteousness

    Degrees of Faith Genesis 15:6 is quoted three times in the New Testament in Romans, Galatians, and James. It is a verse that challenges us to examine the faith we claim to have, how that faith is expressed in our lives and how faith influences our actions and attitudes. The degree to which we develop our faith will have a direct impact on its role. Learning, experiencing, living, and praying about our faith helps us develop a greater degree of faith. Romans 10:17 reminds us that God’s word is the key to our faith, and James 1:22-25 reinforces our need… Continue reading

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  • Taming Our Tongues

    James 3 talks about the importance of how we use our tongues as well as the challenges and benefits of controlling our tongues. Matthew 12:33-37 reinforces this point, speaking of the quality of fruit reflecting on the tree from which it comes. Likewise, James 3 describes the impossibility of a fountain producing both good and bitter water. Both passages are emphasizing the heart and that we will be held accountable for what comes from our mouths. Using Words for Evil or for Good Proverbs 6:16-19 describes lying tongues, false witness, and sowing discord as things the Lord views as abomination,… Continue reading

  • Spiritual ADHD

    Have you ever told your kids to do some chore or another, but they get distracted along the way? Likewise, have you ever done this yourself, wondering what it was you meant to do before you got distracted? We sometimes joke that we may suffer from an attention deficit disorder, but, in our Christian lives, we might catch ourselves suffering from spiritual-ADHD. We may have the best of intentions, but the various cares, influences, and distractions of this world pull us away from our mission as Christians. In Luke 2:49, Jesus asks His earthly parents if they are not aware… Continue reading

  • Faith Is the Victory

    In our Bible classes, we have been studying from Hebrews and James, and Hebrews 11-12 and James 1 encourage us to press forward despite all odds, despite all trials. Toward the end of Hebrews 11, the author begins to quickly cover several examples of individuals overcoming through faith. They trusted in God and found victory in that trust, these individuals like Samson, Gideon, Jepthah, and Barak. Victors of Faith Gideon. In Judges 7 introduces us to Gideon who is preparing for battle against Israel’s enemies. They constitute such an overwhelming force that scripture depicts them as a swarm of insects.… Continue reading

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  • Meditations on the Crucifixion

    Sacrifices and Perspective We live in a country, that despite some of the economic difficulties we face, is currently one of the most affluent in history. Most of us live in luxury when compared to the world population, but, as great as we have things, Jesus comes from a better place. John describes, in humanly terms, the realms Jesus comes from in Revelation 21. Jesus came – not as a king, but as a servant – to a humble town in northern Israel, to a family that wouldn’t understand Him, to a population that would murder Him physically. Philippians 2:4… Continue reading

  • A Pure Conscience

    Returning to the book of Hebrews for this lesson, one of the themes of the book is the difference in how the old and new testaments make an impression on our consciences. Our conscience is the instrument given to by God to prove or disprove the actions we are about to take. It is that voice in our head that says, “you should” and “you shouldn’t.” Qualities of Conscience It’s Role. Romans 2:14-15 describes our consciences as the law we have even when we don’t know God’s law. Our thoughts accuse or affirm our actions separate from a written set… Continue reading

  • Honoring Our Time With God

    Confidence In the New Covenant As the Hebrew author concludes his book, he calls upon his readers to “bear with the word,” that they will be prepared to accept what he has had to say and will be able to apply them. In the latter half of chapter 10, he speaks of the confidence they should have in Jesus, in His better hope, better priesthood, better sacrifice. He then calls them to action with three “let us” statements – let us draw near to God; let us hold fast to our faith; and let us consider one another and stir… Continue reading

  • Heroes of Faith

    Throughout the Bible we esteem individuals referred to as heroes of faith., and, as we lift someone as hero, we tend to ignore their flaws and challenges while we elevate their successes. George Washington, Babe Ruth, Martin Luther King, and others are idealized in our culture as people like Abraham, Moses, or David would have been in Jewish culture. None of these people are perfect, though, and the inspiration should not be in a perception of perfection as much as it should be in the realization that these people are heroes despite their faults and shortcomings. Abraham In Genesis 12:1,… Continue reading

  • The Power of Choice

    There are times when you and I feel powerless to do anything to affect the world around us. We may feel powerless against the price of gas, tragic world events, family tragedies. Despite things like these, we have power over self due to our power of choice. We can choose our companions, our occupation, our residences, our lifestyles, but, ultimately, we can choose our eternal home. Fatalism denies this choice. Calvinism denies this choice. However, God’s word has much to say about choice, and we should respect the power our choices have. The Power In Our Choices God will not… Continue reading

  • The Patience of David

    Psalm 27 is one of David’s works, and it concludes on the ideas of patience and fortitude after describing distress in his life and hope in His Lord. Several Psalms put us in wonder of David’s attitude during the trials of his life. I Samuel 21 records David meeting with Ahimelech for help but needing to continue to flee. Psalms 34 and 56 reflect on the despair in his life at this time. I Samuel 22:3 shows David looking for sanctuary for his parents, but he has to flee again into the forests. I Samuel 23 records David rescuing the… Continue reading