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.
Continue reading “Hope for Eternity”
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.
Continue reading “Walking in Integrity”
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.
Continue reading “Faith under Fire.”
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.
Continue reading “Job’s Loneliness and God’s Faithful Presence”
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,
Continue reading “Life, Death, And The Resurrection.”
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.
Continue reading “Job’s Trials and Tribulations”
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).
Continue reading “Trials and Friendships.”
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.
Continue reading “Faith under Fire.”
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.
Continue reading “Esther And The Power Of Choices.”
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.
Continue reading “Lessons from the Tornado”
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
Continue reading “Abiding in Christ: A Journey of Transformation”
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.
Continue reading “Strengthening The Family Of God.”
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.
Continue reading “The Heart And Purpose Of Church.”
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.
Continue reading “Halfway Through the Year”
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.
Continue reading “Using Your Time for Jesus”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 