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Central Haywood Church of Christ

Serving God from the mountains of North Carolina

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Faith

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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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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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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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.

How Have Overcommitted Lifestyles Hindered the Church? (Part 2)

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.

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Overcommitted Lifestyles (Part 1)

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.

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10 Verses of Renewal and Hope.

The Bible is filled with hope and encouragement. Jesus Christ was born into this world, lived a sinless and perfect life, died on the cross, and rose again on the third day to pay our debt of sin and give us hope for a better day. Yet life for the faithful Christian can be a difficult and discouraging journey. It can leave us feeling discouraged, defeated, and alone in our daily struggles.

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Letting Go and Giving Up.

I cannot count the number of times I have heard these two phrases used in Christianity. It’s confusing. In some situations, we’re told to have faith, keep holding on but in others we’re told to let go and put in the hands of the Lord. Which one is it? How can I know which one I’m supposed to do?

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Abiding in Christ.

The phrase “abiding in Christ” often emerges as a profound yet enigmatic concept, calling us to a deeper understanding of its essence and implications in the life of a believer. The scriptural foundation for this discussion is found in John 15, where Jesus Christ describes Himself as the true vine, with His followers as the branches—a metaphor that encapsulates the life-sustaining relationship between Christ and believers.

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