As a new year begins, we do not all step into it the same way. Some of us come hopeful and eager, ready for a fresh start. Others arrive cautiously, carrying disappointments from the year behind us. Some are grieving. Some are tired. Some are quietly wondering if they have the strength to face whatever comes next. God meets us in all of those places, and it is there that our confidence must begin.
Continue reading “This Can Be Your Best Year Yet”
There’s something honest about calling this past year what it really was for many of us: a collection of failures and disappointments that culminated in something we didn’t expect. The ancient Israelites knew this feeling intimately. Their disobedience and rebellion led them into Babylonian captivity, where they watched their beloved Jerusalem reduced to literal ruins. The temple destroyed. The walls crumbled. Everything they had known and trusted lay in rubble around them. It wasn’t just bad luck or unfortunate circumstances; their own choices had contributed to the devastation. And now they sat among the wreckage of what used to be, wondering if restoration was even possible. If that’s where you are as this year ends, you’re not alone in the rubble.
Continue reading “What God Does With Ruins”
The lights are up. The carols are playing. Everyone around you seems wrapped in warmth and wonder. And maybe you’re just trying to make it through.
Maybe this is your first Christmas without someone you love. Maybe your family is fractured, and the empty chair at the table feels like an accusation. Maybe you’re alone, not by choice, but by circumstance, and the world’s insistence on togetherness only amplifies the ache. Maybe your home isn’t the haven the Christmas cards promise, and you’re bracing yourself for tension instead of peace.
Continue reading “When Christmas Feels Heavy”
Luke 2:1–7
It is funny how the story sneaks up on you. Not the twinkly Hallmark version, but the quieter one tucked into Luke’s Gospel, the weary couple, the long road to Bethlehem, and that awkward moment when someone shrugs and says, “Sorry… no room.” And you wonder, really? No room for them?
Continue reading “Making Room For Jesus”
There is something sacred about standing at the edge of another Christmas season. Before the usual rush settles in, it helps to pause, truly pause, and consider why this time matters so deeply. Often the most meaningful moments come when we stop long enough to notice what God is doing in the quieter corners of our lives (Psalm 46:10).
Continue reading “Waiting for the Light (Isaiah 9:2)”
Read: Isaiah 32-37
Today’s Passage: Isaiah 35:4
The headlines assault us daily with an unrelenting stream of troubling news—terrorism, economic instability, natural disasters, and wars. Each story can fill believers with fear and anxiety, draining us emotionally until we wonder if anything good remains in this world. Yet amid this uncertainty, Isaiah 32-37 offers a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and protection.
Throughout these chapters, Isaiah presents a beautiful contrast: the promise of Christ’s coming kingdom (Isaiah 32:1-8, 15-20) and the Lord’s assurance of victory over our enemies (Isaiah 33:5-6, 21-22; 34:8; 35:4, 10; 37:5-7, 22-35). The central message rings clear in Isaiah 35:4: ‘Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”‘ This verse encourages believers to stand firm in God’s power during difficult times.
This assurance isn’t a generic promise for everyone—Isaiah is speaking directly to believers. For those who trust in the Lord, fear doesn’t have to be our default response. We don’t need to sit around worrying, allowing anxiety to rob us of joy. The reason is beautifully simple: He is our God. As Isaiah 59:19 reminds us, ‘When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift a standard against him.’ This assurance helps believers stand firm and trust in God’s protection.
When we genuinely believe in the Lord, nothing can defeat us. Through obedience comes the victory that Jesus won on the cross. We are His adopted children, and He will defend us. Romans 8:31 asks the rhetorical question that should settle our hearts: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
However, this promise doesn’t mean life will be easy. If Jesus is our example—and He faced tremendous hardship—we can expect struggles too. We’re engaged in a daily battle against the world, the flesh, and Satan. Each seeks to defeat us and hinder our walk with the Lord.
Fear is one of Satan’s most effective weapons, and he wields it with precision. When we doubt God’s power, give in to worry, or forget what the Lord has done, the enemy gains a foothold in our lives. But we must not accept fear into our hearts when the Lord is just one prayer away. Remember: fear is the opposite of faith.
As 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” In these uncertain times, let us cling to God’s promises in Isaiah, standing firm in faith rather than cowering in fear. When fear rises, turn in prayer and cling to the promises of God (Isa. 35:4) so that our hearts are reminded of who our God is.
Read: Isaiah 27-31
Today’s Passage: Isaiah 28:13 (ESV)
Have you ever heard the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”? At first it sounds almost backwards. How can things change and stay the same? But when you look closely at life, you see the truth behind it.
The world around us may look different than it did years ago—our technology has advanced, our schedules are busier, and our challenges seem more complicated—but the human heart hasn’t changed at all. We struggle with the same temptations, wrestle with the same questions, and need the same guidance people needed long before us.
This is one of the major themes in Isaiah 27–31. Israel was changing outwardly, but inwardly they were still drifting from God. The Lord had to use what we might call “tough love” to wake them up. Even so, He never stopped defending them. His discipline was not abandonment—it was a call to return, to trust Him again, and to listen to His word. In that way, not much has changed today. God still calls us back through His word, and He still protects those who turn to Him.
Isaiah 28:13 reminds us that the word of God is not something to take lightly. It is meant to be our most prized possession. No amount of money can compare to what the Scriptures give us. Houses, cars, savings, and all the things we count as valuable cannot bless our lives like the living word of God. Jesus described the heart that receives and understands the word as the one that “bears fruit” (Matt. 13:23). That is still true for us today.
Some people argue that the Bible is outdated, written for another time and another world. But ignoring Scripture doesn’t make it useless. It is like a lost sailor who refuses to use the map in his hand. The problem is not the map—the problem is the refusal to open it. God’s word will guide us, but only if we are willing to read it. As the psalmist writes, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).
Jesus often pointed to children as the model for a faithful heart. Children are open. They are curious. They do not carry the baggage adults tend to carry—baggage of past hurts, disappointments, or distrust. Adults often resist new ideas because we think we already know enough. Children, on the other hand, love to discover new things. If we approached Scripture with that same childlike openness, imagine what God could teach us.
There is always something new to learn in God’s word. And every time we discover truth and put it into practice, our lives change for the better. Our hearts grow softer. Our steps grow steadier. Our faith grows stronger. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me… for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). When we come to God’s word with that kind of heart, He shapes us into who we were meant to be.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (ESV)
Many Christians wrestle with what to do about Halloween. For some, it’s a harmless night of candy, costumes, and community. For others, it feels like a celebration of darkness and evil. It’s easy to see why opinions vary—Halloween’s history is tangled. Its roots include pagan harvest festivals and later Christian observances like All Saints’ Day. Yet, over the centuries, it has evolved into a cultural event rather than a spiritual one. The question we must ask isn’t merely “Where did it come from?” but “What do we make of it now?”
Continue reading “Redeeming Halloween”
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Few wounds cut as deeply as losing a loved one to suicide. It leaves behind unanswered questions, lingering guilt, and a silence that seems impossible to fill. Even the strongest faith can feel shaken in the wake of such tragedy. Yet it’s often in these dark valleys that the quiet presence of God becomes most real. Scripture does not hide from grief—it meets us there.
Continue reading “Finding Hope After the Unthinkable”
Psalm 143:8
Early mornings often hold a unique stillness—a quiet invitation to draw near to God before the day’s busyness begins. Imagine Jesus rising before dawn to seek solitary communion with His Father (Mark 1:35). His life was filled with needs, crowds, and ministry demands, yet prayer was His anchor—a way to begin, not just react to, the challenges ahead (Luke 5:16).
Continue reading “A New Day, A New Prayer”
Read: Isaiah 15-21
Today’s Passage: Isaiah 19:1–2
At one time, Egypt was one of the greatest powers on earth. The armies of Pharaoh were feared and respected across the ancient world. They were strong not only in battle but also in trade and wealth. Egypt became a symbol of human pride—mighty, organized, and confident in its own strength. Yet Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that even the most powerful nations fall when they set themselves against God.
God told Abraham that He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him (Genesis 12:3). This promise extended through Israel’s history and applies still to all who align themselves either for or against God’s purposes. In Isaiah 15–21, we read a series of judgments on surrounding nations—Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, Egypt, Babylon, Edom, and Arabia. Each of these nations had opposed God’s people in some way and would face His righteous judgment.
Egypt’s relationship with God had always been complicated. During Joseph’s lifetime, Egypt was a place of refuge and provision. God used Joseph to preserve both Egypt and Israel during famine. But as time passed, a new Pharaoh arose who “did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). Fearing the growing number of Israelites, he enslaved them, turning a nation once associated with blessing into one marked by oppression. When Moses came as God’s deliverer, Pharaoh’s pride brought Egypt to ruin. The Red Sea swallowed their army, and the great power of the world was crippled for generations.
Throughout history, Egypt had many opportunities to recognize God’s authority. They had witnessed the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. At times, they even showed belief in God—but it never lasted. Their hearts always turned back to worldly security, trusting in wealth, wisdom, and military power rather than in the Lord. Jesus warned about this very mindset when He said, “Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried… instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you” (Luke 12:29–31).
Egypt’s downfall still stands as a warning of what happens when people reject God and harm His own. Human pride, no matter how mighty it appears, cannot stand against the purposes of heaven. As Paul reminds us, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Let Egypt’s story warn and encourage us: blessings come through humility and obedience, but judgment follows when we exalt ourselves above God.
Read: Isaiah 10-14.
Today’s Passage: Isaiah 11:1-2
Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of hope in the midst of difficulty. Chapters 10 through 14 are Messianic in nature, meaning they point us to Jesus, the promised Messiah. In these passages, God reminds His people that no matter how bleak things may seem, His plan of salvation will stand.
Continue reading “The Branch and the Root”
Read: Isaiah 5-9
Today’s Passage: Isaiah 6:5-8
In Isaiah chapters 5 through 9, we see God speaking and working powerfully through His prophet. In chapter 5, God addresses His vineyard for bearing wild grapes. In chapter 6, Isaiah stands in the holy presence of God. In chapter 7, Ahaz is given a sign and prophecy about Jesus. In chapter 8, God warns of the coming Assyrian invasion and challenges His people to wait and trust Him. Finally, in chapter 9, we are given the prophecy of a child being born for us—the promised Messiah.
Continue reading “A Cleansed Heart and Forgiven Sins”
Read: Isaiah 1-4
Today’s Passage: Isaiah 4:4
Many times, when we read verses about God’s judgment, our minds go straight to punishment and wrath. Some see God as a harsh taskmaster, giving impossible rules just to watch us fail, ready to strike with an iron fist. These ideas lead people to misunderstand His character, often pointing to natural disasters, or historical events, as proof of a cruel God. They ask, “How could a loving God do such things?”
Continue reading “God’s Justice and Love”
Read: Ecclesiastes 9-12
Today’s Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:5
Often, we believe that what we know about life, the world, and even God is complete and absolute. Some even try to explain the nature of God as if they have Him all figured out. Even worse, some try to dictate what God will and will not do based simply on what makes sense to them. The truth is, we do not know God or the mind of God apart from He tells us. Scripture teaches that we cannot fully comprehend God or His ways. As Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
Continue reading “Knowing About God vs. Truly Knowing Him”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 