Articles
It’s All About Him - So That you May Believe
New to The Journey? Welcome! As a gift for new visitors to The Journey, we want to share a hallmark message in Pastor Steve’s It’s All About Him series….
The Supremacy of Christ
By Steve DeWitt
If Christ was already supreme in eternity past, what did his actions for us do to magnify his supremacy?
Whenever we talk about the Trinity, many people check out and say, I can’t understand it all so I don’t want to think about it. Yet we don’t do that with other things. We don’t look at the ocean and say, because I can’t see all of it, I won’t enjoy any of it. Or if I can’t see all the sky I won’t enjoy the sunset….
Freedom and Life in the Holy Spirit
By Steve DeWitt
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 ESV)
Here are two motivations with two very different results. The flesh leads to death. Yes, physical death, but even in life the flesh-led life is a kind of dying. Death is separation and distortion of who we were made to be. Sin takes us further and further from God’s good purposes and blessings. Sin is a long path away from God.
When We’ve Been Wronged
By Steve DeWitt
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17–21 ESV).
“Heap burning coals on their head.” It is debated what this means, but in context it must mean that kindness instead of vengeance exposes the other person’s hatred even more starkly. This may lead them to shame or remorse and even reconciliation.
Loneliness Has Been My Faithful Friend
By Steve DeWitt
While most will remember this year for a virus, many also will remember the emotional pandemic of isolation and social distancing. The effect in the human heart is an emotion we call loneliness. In one recent survey, 44 percent of respondents said they are now lonelier than they’ve ever been. With all the closures, cancellations, and stay-home orders, it’s no wonder why.
The Key to Spiritual Gifts: Use Them!
By Steve DeWitt
Christian, hear this, you have at least one Spirit-granted, God-empowered gifting. God’s gifts are God’s call, which means he has a purpose for every one of us. This means every member of the church is critically important and the diversity of gifts tells us that no one person is too important. Pastor Steve, then what should I do?
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:6, emphasis added)
Steve DeWitt: Responding to COVID-19
Dear Friends
I am writing to you in these tumultuous times. The coronavirus is dominating the news, the stock market, the government, and our community. Over the past two weeks, this has been largely a debate about whether the virus was going to hit the US or not, and if so, how severe. While this continues to be debated, what isn’t debatable is that it is here, and now it is a question of severity of impact.