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”
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 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: 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”
Read: Psalm 108-118
Today’s Passage: Psalm 118:22-24.
In today’s reading from Psalm 118:22-24, we encounter a powerful image: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Continue reading “The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone”
Read: Psalm 101-105.
Today’s passage: Psalm 105:8-10.
The covenant God made with Abraham is not just a promise—it is an agreement that has shaped history. God’s promises cannot be broken. He does not lie, and there is no deception in anything He says. When He speaks, His word is dependable, and His promises will come true exactly as He said they would. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that “The Lord is not slow to keep His promise, as some might think. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to be lost, but for all to come to repentance.” Even when it feels like God’s promises will never happen, they are still true, and in His perfect timing, they will be fulfilled.
Continue reading “God’s Unfailing Promise.”
I read a story some time ago about a young girl who, in the excitement of the arcade, misunderstood her dad’s instructions. She had been given a twenty-dollar bill and instructed to get change in the amount of one ten and two fives. She mistakenly took the change and used it for quarters.
Continue reading “Making It Clear”
Read: Psalms 40-45
Today’s Passage: Psalm 40:2-3.
Many today feel that Psalms 42 and 43 are meant to be read as one cohesive unit because they share themes of longing for God, trust in His deliverance, and confidence in His rewards for godly living. These words should reflect the praise within the hearts of every believer. It could be the song on the lips of all who know Jesus Christ. These words sound like the heart-felt testimony of someone who was lost in sin and through faith saved by the grace of God.
Continue reading “Living Out God’s Deliverance.”
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”By Brian Mitchell
We need to see our overcrowded lives, as not merely a problem which needs to be overcome, but a problem that has created other problems which are far more serious. This is a problem which hinders the cause of Christ because it keeps us distracted from the fact that our real purpose in life is not being fulfilled. Do we have any doubt where the problem of being overcommitted comes from? It comes from the devil, and when we fill our lives with so many inconsequential activities, we are literally playing into his hands to neutralize our effectiveness in this world.
Continue reading “How Have Overcommitted Lifestyles Hindered the Church? (Part 2)”By Brian Mitchell
One of the most dangerous tendencies of the average American today is the tendency to over commit themselves. Unfortunately, this is a problem that has affected the Lord’s people as well. Often we commit to too many activities and concerns that are unrelated to the work of the Lord and thus hinder us in our abilities to serve the Lord effectively and fruitfully. Many times we find ourselves in the same predicament as Martha—Lk.10:41-42.
Continue reading “Overcommitted Lifestyles (Part 1)”Taking up one’s cross is a fundamental concept in Christian theology and discipleship. It derives from Jesus’ teaching that His followers must be willing to bear the cross, which symbolizes the difficulties, challenges, and even suffering that come with being a disciple of Christ. This concept is especially relevant when addressing hurt caused by fellow believers within the church.
Continue reading “What to do when you are hurt by another Christian: Take Up Your Cross.”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 