by Ronnie Hewitt

 

I would like to focus our attention on a word that is both ancient and urgent – Hope. I don’t mean wishful thinking or vague optimism, but biblical hope – a confident expectation rooted in the character of God. We find in Romans 15:13 a benediction, a prayer, and a promise spoken by the apostle Paul. He wrote, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NASB)

 

Here, Paul is speaking to a church who is learning to live in unity, in endurance, and in the tension between suffering and glory. And he says, “May the God of hope fill you…” Let’s explore what it means to live a life in hope – not just to have hope occasionally, but to be saturated with it, shaped by it, and sustained through it.

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

In a culture that often focuses on and magnifies what we don’t have, or what we wish were different, I want to share a few verses that offer a radical shift in perspective. As we begin, we read in Psalm 107:1-3, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story – those He redeemed from the hand of foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”

 

These verses call us to remember, to rejoice, and to respond. But why give thanks? The psalmist gives two reasons: First, because God is good; and second, because His steadfast love endures forever. These aren’t temporary truths, but eternal anchors for our lives. Read more…

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

As I reflect on Veteran’s Day coming up, I’m reminded of the quiet strength and deep sacrifice that so many have made, not just for our nation, but for the people they love. Their stories echo the kind of faith Jesus calls us to: one that serves, endures, and loves without condition.

 

Scripture reminds us that true love is marked by sacrifice. Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Veterans embody this principle in a tangible way. Their willingness to serve—even at great personal cost—mirrors the self-giving love of Christ.

 

This kind of courage is not just physical; it’s spiritual. Joshua 1:9 exhorts, “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Whether on the battlefield or in the quiet struggles that follow, veterans carry a strength that reflects God’s sustaining presence. Read more…

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8, NASB)

 

I would like to begin with a simple truth: Your mind is the gateway to your soul. What enters it, shapes it. What dominates it, directs it. The above passage in vs. 6 draws a sharp contrast – not between good and bad behavior, but between two mindsets. One leads to death, the other leads to life and peace. Read more…

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB)

 

Let me begin by telling you about a morning I had recently. I woke up with a to-do list on my mind – Bible class lessons, sermon prep, ministry calls and visits to make, a bulletin article to write, and so on. I was tempted to dive right in. However, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to “Seek first.” So, I paused. I opened the Word. I prayed. And you know what? The day didn’t just go smoother – it felt anchored. That’s the power of Matthew 6:33.

 

Understand, this verse isn’t just about priorities, it’s about trust. Jesus had just finished telling people not to worry about food, clothes, or tomorrow. He wasn’t saying those things don’t matter. He was saying: “Put God first and watch Him take care of the rest.” Read more…

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

Have you ever faced a situation where your first instinct was to walk away? Maybe it felt too big, too messy, or too inconvenient. The disciples faced such a moment. A crowd of thousands, hungry and tired, stood before them. Their solution was simple: “Master, send them away.”We read in Matthew 14:15, “As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’” Their logic sounds reasonable. But their solution was based on human limitations, not divine possibility.

 

The truth is that logic without faith often leads to limitation. The disciples saw the need and assumed the solution was outside of them, and it was. How often do we do the same? We see someone hurting, and we think, “I don’t have the words.” We see a ministry opportunity and say, “I’m not qualified.” We see a financial need and whisper, “I don’t have enough.” In those moments, we often send away what God wants us to engage. Read more…

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

Everyone who has ever lived has had the same need. Due to the sin that is found in humanity, everyone needed atonement, without exception—rich and poor, old and young, men and women. As God commanded, each person needed to have their sins forgiven in order to become right with Him.

 

The Atonement of Jesus stands as the central pillar of the Christian faith. Through His selfless sacrifice, Jesus bridged the gap between God and humanity, offering forgiveness, hope, and eternal life to all who believe. The word “atonement” refers to the reconciliation between God and humankind brought about by the sacrificial death of Jesus. In the Old Testament, atonement was accomplished through the offering of sacrifices, but these were only temporary solutions foreshadowing the perfect sacrifice to come. Jesus, the Lamb of God, fulfilled this promise by laying down His life on the cross, once and for all, for the sins of the world (John 1:29).

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

As Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem to be executed, the mother of James and John requests that her sons be given a preferred seat, next to Jesus, in the kingdom of heaven. Both the disciples and their families have become preoccupied with status rather than serving. They have missed the whole point of Jesus’leadership.Jesus tells them plainly that His style of leadership stands in stark contrast to the world’s. He teaches that the greatest must be the servant. Leadership is about adding value, not getting perks. Therefore, in Matthew 20:25-28, He teaches that we lead by serving and serve by leading.

 

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 ‘It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’” (NASB)

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

To be a blessing is to embody the spirit of generosity, kindness, and compassion that Scripture continuously holds as ideal. Throughout the Bible, the calling to bless others—whether through words, actions, or presence—resonates as an invitation to participate in God’s work and reflect divine love in the world. In a society often focused on self-interest, the scriptural mandate to be a blessing is a timeless challenge to live beyond self to influence lives for good.

 

The concept of blessing emerges early in Scripture. In Genesis 12:2-3, God speaks to Abram (later Abraham), saying: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

by Ronnie Hewitt

 

When weariness sets in, we’re called to endure in faith, allowing God’s discipline to strengthen our walk and produce lasting fruit. This week has been a sobering reminder that life is fragile, death is certain, and eternity is real. Whether we reflect on the stabbing of a young lady on a train in Charlotte, the shooting at a high school in Colorado Springs, the lives taken at Fort Stewart Army Base in Georgia, the assignation of Charlie Kirk, or the many senseless acts of violence in our surrounding area, this week has proven that evil exists. We are surrounded by individuals who live in darkness as we live in a fallen world. Read more…