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Central Haywood Church of Christ

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Faith

Turning Back to God

Psalms 78-80

As I read through Psalms 78 to 80 this week, I was reminded of how quickly we forget God’s goodness. In times of trouble, the people of Israel cried out to be saved and restored. They made promises to stay faithful from that point forward. But those promises faded as soon as life became easier. How often have we done the same? We cry out to God in desperation, but as soon as things settle down, we drift. Psalm 78:34-42 and 80:4 reveal this pattern. And if we’re honest, it’s still true in the church today. We’re quick to ask for God’s help but slow to remain faithful when life feels comfortable.

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Anchored by Faith

Psalm 72-77.

Psalm 72 through Psalm 77 teach important lessons for anyone looking for comfort, especially when going through tough situations. In Psalm 72:20, David prays his final prayer, asking for good leadership and care of God’s people. David’s example reminds us that true spiritual leadership comes from humble prayer and sincere care for others, an example we can follow in our own roles and responsibilities. Even when situations feel overwhelming, God’s guidance is always present.

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Seeking God in the Wilderness.

Psalm 60-66.

Life can feel like a wilderness sometimes, can’t it? Even though we may not be wandering literal deserts, we all experience seasons when we feel far from God and far from comfort. In Psalm 63, David knew that feeling well. He was separated from the hustle and bustle of the king’s courts and from the security of home, yet his heart still longed for the Lord. He didn’t waste time dwelling on how lonely or thirsty he felt; instead, he turned his gaze upward and prayed.

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Standing Firm in Hard Times

Psalm 52–59, with a focus on Psalm 57:4, highlights a time in David’s life when he was surrounded by trouble. Sometimes we too face actual hardships, maybe at work, in the home, or even unexpected crises we never saw coming. David’s prayerful words remind us that it’s normal to feel frightened or stressed when circumstances seem overwhelming. But just like him, we can hold onto hope because God is bigger than whatever we face. Even in dangerous situations, David found the strength to praise God rather than dwell on his fear.

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Living Out God’s Deliverance.

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.

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Trusting in God’s Eternal Promises

Read: Psalm 36-39.

Today’s Passage: Psalm 37:1-3.

The contrast between man’s wickedness and God’s perfections is clear. Lovingkindness, as seen in Psalm 36:7, parallels the concept of grace in the New Testament. Psalm 36:7 states, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” These passages also emphasize the contrast between the lifestyle of the wicked and deceitful versus the righteous and forgiven.

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Stepping into 2025 with Faith and Courage.

As we step into a new year, it is natural to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. For some, the past year may have been filled with blessings and joy. For others, it might have been marked by challenges and hardships. Whatever the case, we can all agree that each year brings its share of uncertainties. That is why we need faith and courage as we enter 2025.

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Fear vs. Faith

Read: Psalm 23–30

Today’s passage: Psalm 27:1

David knew what he was talking about. There were many times in David’s life that he had reasons to be afraid. He could have been afraid of Goliath like the rest of the army of Israel. Instead, he trusted in the Lord, declaring, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1).

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Walking Wisely.

Read: Psalm 1-9.

Today’s Passage: Psalm 1:1

The Bible is very clear that believers are not to turn to unbelievers for advice or form binding relationships with them, such as in personal or business partnerships. This principle is outlined in 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” Psalm 1:1 reinforces this point: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.”

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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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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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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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