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Central Haywood Church of Christ

Serving God from the mountains of North Carolina

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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The Heart And Purpose Of Church.

The church stands as a beacon of hope in a hopeless world. It is a sanctuary where individuals come together to experience the love that stands at the center of the Christian faith. This love is reflected in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (all scripture quotations are from the ESV). It is within the church that this commandment is lived out, providing a place of love where all are welcome.

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Halfway Through the Year

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Years Eve and now, here we are, six months later. As we move into the second half of our year, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and look ahead to where we’re going.

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Using Your Time for Jesus

Last week we considered, “Making Time for Jesus.” In our modern hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important to us and our faith. Yet, the question remains, how do I use what little time I have for Jesus? While the answer can vary for us, depending on our time and talents, I believe the words of John 15:1-8 provide great insights into this question.

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Finding Time for Jesus.

With such busy lives, it’s easy for Christians to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands on our time. Things like work, family, friends, and other responsibilities and requirements fill us to the breaking point. Yet, amid the chaos, we need to be reminded of the truth of Matthew 6:33.

In this verse, Jesus challenges us to prioritize our relationship to Him and the Church. I am convinced you know and desire to do it but when are we supposed to find the time to do it. Let me share with you some practical steps that help me start and fill each day with Jesus.

Start your day with prayer.

Those first moments of your day set the tone for the entire day. By beginning with a focus and dependence on Jesus you have set your heart and mind on His purposes. It doesn’t have to be a huge 30-minute prayer session. It can be a short prayer of thanks and seeking His guidance and that will make the day better (Psalm 5:3).

Fill your day with the Lord.

In the book “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence he spoke about filling the things you must do with a focus on the Lord. Take what you are already doing and put Him in it. Think about a passage of Scripture, pray, and whatever you are doing do it for the Lord (Psalm 16:11).

Make time for worship.

Worship doesn’t have to be confined to Sunday mornings. It can happen anytime and anywhere you are glorifying Him. It could be while you’re doing laundry or washing dishes or whatever it is you’re doing. Every second is a time for worship (Psalm 100:2).

Seek fellowship with your church family.

Staying connected with your church family can enhance, inspire, and provide support and accountability for your spiritual journey. It could be a small group, a bible study group, church attendance, or simply fun times surrounded by fellow Christians. Never forget the words of Hebrews 10:25. The Lord and His church want the best for you.

End your day with Jesus.

At the end of your day, spend just a few moments to reflect and give thanks to Him. Think about what went great, when you felt His presence, and areas that you need His help. It will deepen your relationship with Him and help you release the day to Him (Psalm 4:8).

Making time for Jesus doesn’t have to be difficult. Simply include Him in your day and you will enjoy a deeper faith and more meaningful faith that fills you with hope and love.

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