Change is difficult. Resisting change is dangerous. During a sabbatical which was engulfed in ministry and life transition, one question kept coming to mind. Why do I do the things that I do? Within that self-reflection, I asked, “Why have I persevered in speaking truth at Simple Theology, Messy Life since 2015?” Where Are They […] The post Speaking Truth: Navigating Change and Current Events at STML appeared first on Gene S. Whitehead ..read more

‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.’ Psalm 1:1 Welcome to a guest post by my new friend Grace Oji! Her writing is inspiring and she stays close to God’s word. Grace is one of the kindest, most gracious people I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with. You can […] The post 8 Dangerous Worldly Counsels And Why They Are Ungodly appeared first on Gene S. Whitehead ..read more

Logos 10 Bible software is here! Read on to check out my complete review of this popular Bible study software highlighting 7 amazing features! More Than Your Average Bible Software Logos Bible Software checks a lot of boxes for just about any level of Bible reader. From personal study to academic learning, from intense research to sermon and lesson planning. The new Logos 10 is a serious tool for the digital age Bible reading Christian. As of this review, I’ve personally been using Logos every day for 5 years. There are devotions that I read from, Bible reading plans that I follow, and books ..read more

The church in Laodicea, along with Sardis, received the harshest condemnation from Jesus. However, Jesus still invited this indifferent church back into relationship with Him, while providing a very difficult warning. We’re looking at how the Revelation Letter to the church in Laodicea speaks to us today. And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. Revelation 3:14 Laodocia: 7th City of the Revelation Letters Laodicea was an ancient city in what’s now modern day Turkey and was situated in a magnifice ..read more

The church in Philadelphia was known for their faithfulness, yet Jesus still warned them about perseverance and holding on strongly to their faith. In His Revelation letter to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus offers enormous encouragement as well as serious implications to us today as well. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, wremainho opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. Revelation 3:7 Philadelphia was located about 30 miles (48km) southeast of Sardis. Known for vineyards and volcanic a ..read more

Reputation is what can more easily be seen. Character is often unseen. The Revelation letter to the church in Sardis is not like the others. The most difficult part of this letter is that you will find it applicable to churches and Christians today. Difficult when you see why Sardis is condemned the harshest. It comes down to a fruitless and spiritually dead church who happens to have a great reputation. Ever hear of a church like that? And to the angel of the church in Sardis write … ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what r ..read more

The letter to the church in Thyatira, found in Revelation chapter 2, reveals great accomplishments. Spiritual maturity among believers and a growing church were a few of them. However, there was rampant moral compromise: tolerating sin was a cancer that corrupted this church from within. Read on to learn how the moral compromise of Thyatira is alive today and how you should respond. And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your works, your love and faith and service and ..read more

Jesus has quite a lot to say in his letter to the church in Pergamum. He commends them for certain aspects of their faith, yet condemns and warns them for their tolerance of sin. In this post, I’ll help you discover and learn what Jesus is saying to this ancient church about tolerating sin, what this letter means to the church today, and what you can apply to your life right now from the letter to the church in Pergamum. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: “This is what the one who has the sharp double-edged sword says: ‘I know where you live, where the throne of Satan is. And ..read more

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: “This is what the first and the last says, who was dead and came to life: ‘I know your affliction and poverty (but you are rich), and the slander of those who call themselves Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:8-9 Smyrna was an important city famous for its beauty and trade, located on a harbor of the Aegean Sea. It was the center of Roman imperial religion, and home of the temple to the Roman emperor Tiberius Caesar. The letter to the church in Smyrna is only one of two that give no condemnation from Jesus in the 7 let ..read more

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. Revelation 2:1 Ephesus was the capitol city of the Roman province of Asia, what we now know as modern Turkey. This was a large, wealthy city of trade and merchants situated on the Cayster River with a harbor to the Aegean Sea. The wealth of Ephesus was astonishing in it’s first century day and enjoyed many modern comforts. Excavations have revealed that the upper-middle class Ephesians enjoyed multi-story homes with mosaic floors and walls ma ..read more