Exodus 2:23–25
For eighteen months, a woman I know wrote weekly letters to her estranged adult daughter who refused all contact. She never knew if the letters were read, returned, or thrown away. The silence was total. She kept writing anyway, because the love didn’t stop just because the replies did.
Continue reading “The Hope of Easter: Day 6”
John 14:1–10
Maybe you’ve been there. You’re hiking a trail, the fog rolls in thick, and suddenly you can barely see five feet ahead. Your map is useless, all the landmarks you’d been following have disappeared. You’re standing at a fork in the trail, genuinely unsure which way leads back to the trailhead and which leads deeper into the backcountry.
Continue reading “The Hope of Easter: Day 5”
John 13:6–20
A master woodworker once described the most discouraging phase of any project: the middle. “The beginning is exciting,” he said. “You have vision, you have energy. The end is satisfying, you can see the finished piece. But the middle? The middle just looks like a mess of sawdust and mistakes. That’s when most people quit.”
Continue reading “The Hope of Easter: Day 4”
Romans 8:18–27
A cellist I once heard interviewed said something that has stayed with me for years. She was asked which pieces she found most moving to perform. Without hesitation, she said the slow, mournful ones, the adagios, the elegies, the laments. “There’s something in sadness,” she explained, “that reaches for what beauty is supposed to be. Joy tells you it exists. Longing tells you where to look.”
Continue reading “The Hope of Easter: Day 3”
Isaiah 50:10
There are stretches in life when you do everything right and still feel lost. You read your Bible. You pray. You show up on Sunday. And yet the fog stays. The confusion lingers. Some of us are walking through one of those stretches right now, and the hardest part isn’t the darkness itself. It’s wondering whether we did something wrong to end up in it.
Continue reading “When the Dark Won’t Lift”
When you look around, it’s clear: people are carrying heavy burdens. Some struggles are new to our generation, while others are as old as mankind. From a Christian perspective, these struggles remind us that the world is broken, but Christ offers hope and healing.
Continue reading “What Are People Struggling With Today?”
Read: Prov. 27–31
Today’s Passage: Proverbs 30:5–6
This passage is more than a statement about the Word of God—it’s a reminder of where we place our trust. It speaks to our confidence in God’s truthfulness, His trustworthiness, and His care for those who cling to His Word. When we open the Bible, we’re not just reading ink on a page; we are encountering the very heart of God—His revealed will and His promises that have never failed. From Genesis to Revelation, every word is intentional and carries His divine authority.
Continue reading “Every Word of God Is Pure”
Read: Proverbs 23–26
Today’s Passage: Proverbs 25:9–10
The book of Proverbs continues with valuable insights from the wise. In chapters 23 and 24, we find the thirty sayings of the wise (Prov. 23:1–24:22), including a strong warning about the problems of too much wine (Prov. 23:29–35). Proverbs 24:23–34 offers more sayings of the wise, and chapters 25–26 contain additional proverbs compiled by the men of Hezekiah from the wisdom of Solomon (Prov. 25:1–26:28).
Continue reading “Guarding Against Gossip”
Read: Proverbs 20-22.
Today’s Passage: Proverbs 22:28.
“Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.” (ESV)
This brief verse from Proverbs carries more weight than it might first seem. In its original context, it refers to the physical boundaries of land and inheritance—borders that marked the possession of families and tribes. These boundaries were sacred, often set generations before and intended to remain fixed. Moving them was not only dishonest but a serious crime (see Deut. 27:17).
Continue reading “Do Not Move the Ancient Landmarks”
Read: Proverbs 16–19
Today’s Passage: Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)
As believers, we are called to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. This is not a minor suggestion in Scripture, it’s a repeated and consistent theme. From the Law and the Prophets to the teachings of Jesus and the early church, we are reminded that caring for the poor reflects the heart of God. Giving to the needy isn’t just an act of charity; it’s part of what it means to live a Christ-like life.
Continue reading “Called to Serve the Needy”
Read: Prov. 12-15
Today’s Passage: Prov. 12:22
Church, as we this week’s reading, we find a wealth of practical wisdom for everyday life. These chapters help us discern what is good, what is harmful, and how we can live in a way that honors God. Today, let’s focus on one key truth that Proverbs 12:22 touches on: the lasting impact of our words.
Continue reading “The Lasting Impact of Our Words”
Read: Proverbs 8–11
Highlights:
The creation activities of Jesus are intermingled with the voice of wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God”; Colossians 2:3, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”). We are told to praise wisdom and avoid folly.
Continue reading “Living with Wisdom and Fear of the Lord”
Read: Proverbs 4–7
How many times have we heard someone ask, “If you knew then what you know now, would you change anything?” Proverbs tells us that the instructions of a father (4:1) can spare us heartache and misery. We could avoid the pitfalls of a wicked life, bad company, immorality, and temptation if we learned from wisdom. Don’t miss the right way to live (4:18, 20–22). Learn the seven things God hates (6:16–19). Once again, Proverbs shows us the way of the simple and how it leads to their downfall (7:7, 24–27).
Continue reading “The Right Path Is Clear”
Read: Psalm 132–138
Today’s passage: Psalm 136:1–3
How many times did the Lord rescue David? It’s hard to say—we don’t even read of a single battle he lost. Repeatedly, the Lord showed up in David’s life, shielding him in every struggle. What stands out in these psalms is David’s deep trust and love for God. This love wasn’t born out of convenience but out of intentional reflection. David noticed the blessings. He paused to consider them. And that shaped his heart of gratitude.
Continue reading “God’s Enduring Mercy and Our Grateful Response”
Read: Psalm 119
Today’s Passage: Psalm 119:97-99
Psalm 119 is not only the longest chapter in the Bible; it’s also filled with deep truths that help us better understand God’s heart. It continually emphasizes important themes such as grace, mercy, love, holiness, and forgiveness. Each message builds on the previous one, making sure the lessons God wants to teach us stick clearly in our minds.
Continue reading “Guided by God’s Word”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 