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Central Haywood Church of Christ

Serving God from the mountains of North Carolina

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“True Wisdom: Beyond Age and Anger”

Today’s reading: Job 30-33.

Today’s Passage: Job 32:7-9.

In this section we will encounter Elihu—a younger man who has been silently observing the heated exchanges between Job and his three friends. Elihu, in his respect for their age, initially refrains from speaking, as he believes it’s fitting to allow his elders the first opportunity to offer their wisdom. His restraint demonstrates a principle deeply embedded in the culture of the time and echoed throughout Scripture: respect for elders and an openness to their experience. However, Elihu’s respect does not imply blind acceptance of everything the elders say. This brings up a crucial balance between honoring those older than us and exercising discernment in what we accept from them.

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Hope for Eternity

Hope is an amazing gift. It is one of those things that is hard to find and it’s hard to hold onto, but when we do it gives us the strength and desire to face the struggles of life. In fact, hope makes life a little more bearable. Baker’s Encyclopedia Of The Bible defines it as, “An expectation or belief in the fulfillment of something desired.” As Christians, we hope in something better than just this life.  

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Walking in Integrity

Read: Job 25-29.

Today’s Passage: Job 27:5-6.

In Job 27:5-6, Job declares, “I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live” (NIV).

In this profound statement, Job asserts his commitment to integrity, even in the face of severe suffering and false accusations. His friends have continually pressed him to admit to some hidden sin as the cause of his afflictions, yet Job refuses to compromise. He chooses righteousness over self-preservation or the desire to appease others.

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Faith under Fire.

Read: Job 21-24.

Today’s passage: Job 23:11-12.

The depth and severity of Job’s struggles demand repeating. It’s necessary so that we learn from his life and struggles. He nearly lost everything of value to him—he lost all of family except his wife, his servants, and wealth. Even his health was taken from him and was brought to the very edge of death’s door. Considering all that he suffered, his faith was surprisingly strong. Most would have given up or questioned God’s love for us.

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Job’s Loneliness and God’s Faithful Presence

Read: Job 17-20

Passage: Job 19:14

It’s no wonder Job felt alone. He lost his children, his servants, and all his possessions in the blink of an eye. The pain and sorrow he felt were overwhelming, and those around him couldn’t understand what he was going through. His friends couldn’t grasp the depth of his suffering or how he was feeling. Even worse, they showed no compassion for him. Instead of offering comfort, they criticized him, making his pain even worse.

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Life, Death, And The Resurrection.

Read: Job 13-16.

Today’s Passage: Job 14:7-9

Job speaking seriously about death.

Given all that he has lost, it’s understandable that he would contemplate and even wish for death. This isn’t the first time Job has thought about such things, as we see earlier in Job 7:9-10. In his reflections,

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Job’s Trials and Tribulations

Read: Job 9-12.

Today’s Passage: Job 12:22.

In our text for today, we learn a lot about trials and tribulations. These were more than physical or emotional. They struck to the very core of Job’s faith and understanding of God, and he held onto his faith through it all. I believe this is why the Lord expressed such confidence in Job before this all began.

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Trials and Friendships.

Read: Job 5-8.

Passage: Job 8:5-6.

The Power of Perseverance:

There is so much more to the story of Job that suffering and loss. It teaches us about faith amid pain and harsh accusations by those who are supposed to be friends. His faith in God, even in these dark times, inspires us to face life and its hardships knowing that the Lord is always there, always in control, and will work all things for our good (Rom. 8:28).

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Faith under Fire.

Read: Job 1-4.

Passage: Job 1:21.

Job was unique.

The story of Job could well be the oldest book in the Bible. While he was wealthy beyond compare, he still understood the things that were important. Due to the influence of Satan, Job loses his wealth, his servants, children, and his own health. Yet the most important aspect of Job was his faith. This faith would be tested with great loss. He was even told to curse God and die.

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Esther And The Power Of Choices.

June 14, 2024: read Esther 8-10.

Today’s Passage: Esther 8:2.

Reflecting on how God used Mordecai, it is evident that the course of his life placed him in situations where he could significantly impact the people of God. God chose a man who would make good choices, demonstrating His divine plan through Mordecai’s actions and decisions.

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Esther and the providence of God.

Bible Reading: Esther 4-7

Today’s Verse: Esther 4:14

The providence of God is seen throughout the entire Bible. Even though God is not named in Esther, His providence is seen. A prime example is the Lord at work to save the people of Israel through a clear timeline of events.

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God’s Providence And The Rise Of Esther.

Bible Reading: Esther 1-3

Today’s Passage: Esther 2:17

“the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” (ESV)

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Lessons from the Tornado

Last weekend (May 2024) was a devastating one weather wise for our area. Several tornados were reported. One meteorologist indicated the National Weather Service had issued 97 tornado warnings recently. That number is significant; but there are some things that were seen from these tornados that should benefit us.

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Abiding in Christ: A Journey of Transformation

In the busyness of life, abiding in Christ is difficult. Yet, its important to our faith and a deeper relationship with Jesus. Let’s explore what it means to abide in Christ and how this connection shapes our lives.

A New Identity in Christ

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Strengthening The Family Of God.

In the beauty of life in the mountains, the call to foster family, community, and care for one another is both a challenge and a necessity. As followers of Christ, we are called to the family of God and without this focus we will drift apart simply due to time restraints and distance from each other. If we can embrace the teachings of the principals set forth in Scripture and actively try to foster a sense of community and family, we can become a true beacon of hope and love.

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