2026 THEME — “SEEING LIFE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
MARCH THEME: SEEING SCRIPTURE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE
From the Perspective of the Holy Spirit
This Sunday at Belmont we will look at the Scriptures from God’s perspective by asking a question many seldom consider: Why did I give you My Word in the first place? Listen as if you are hearing it from My own heart: “I did not inspire these words merely to fill your mind with information, win arguments, or complete a religious duty. I breathed these Scriptures so that you might know God, hear His voice, understand His ways, and allow His truth to shape your life. I caused these words to be written to reveal the glory of the Son, to guide your steps when the path is unclear, to warn your heart when it begins to drift, and to transform you into the likeness of Christ. Every page was given so that the living God might speak to His people.” When you begin to see the Bible the way I intended it, it becomes far more than a book to read—it becomes the voice of God calling, correcting, comforting, and leading His children. Invite your family and friends, because many people are curious about the Bible, but few have ever stopped to consider why God gave it in the first place.
SUNDAY’S SERVICE SUMMARY
I am an atheist! For most of my life I have rejected the idea that the Bible carries any divine authority. To me it has always seemed like an ancient collection of religious writings—historically interesting and culturally influential, but ultimately written by people rather than inspired by God. I know many sincere Christians who speak of the Scriptures as if they are the very voice of God, yet I have never been convinced of that claim. What I do find interesting, however, is how deeply some believers interact with it. I’ve heard them describe moments when passages suddenly feel meaningful in new ways—bringing conviction, comfort, or guidance. From my perspective, that seems less like divine revelation and more like the natural result of thoughtful reflection on a text someone values deeply. So when churches invite people to explore how the Bible has “come alive” to them, I see it as an opportunity to hear how others find meaning and direction in a book that has shaped so much of human history—even if I personally remain unconvinced that it is the Word of God.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
When Christ Is Truly Everything
John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The direction of the Christian life is beautifully simple, yet deeply demanding: Christ must increase and self must decrease. Those five words summarize the lifelong journey of discipleship. They also confront one of the deepest struggles within the human heart—our desire to remain at the center of our own lives. Even sincere believers can subtly arrange life so that Jesus supports their plans, strengthens their identity, and blesses their ambitions. Yet the gospel calls us to something far deeper than self-improvement. It calls us to surrender. Jesus Christ was never meant to be an accessory added to our lives; He is meant to become our life. When Christ truly occupies the center of a believer’s heart, everything else begins to shift. Fears shrink because identity becomes secure in Him. Pride weakens because His glory begins to matter more than personal reputation. Obedience stops feeling like a heavy obligation and begins to feel like joyful alignment with the One who saved us. The closer a believer walks with Christ, the more clearly they realize that life finally makes sense when Jesus occupies the center place He was always meant to hold.
The Battle for the Center of the Heart
Every human life has a center. Something sits on the throne of our priorities, our decisions, and our identity. For many people it is reputation, comfort, success, approval, or control. Even believers can unknowingly allow these things to compete with Christ for that central place. John the Baptist demonstrated a remarkable understanding of this when Jesus began gaining followers and public attention. Instead of feeling threatened or jealous, John responded with clarity and humility, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John understood that the purpose of his life was not to build his own name but to point others to Christ. His joy was not found in protecting his position but in seeing the Savior exalted. This reveals the true direction of spiritual maturity. As Christ increases in our hearts, our need for recognition begins to decrease. Our desire to control outcomes weakens. Our focus slowly shifts from protecting ourselves to honoring Him.
When Christ Becomes Your Identity
One reason people struggle to decrease is because identity often feels fragile. If we let go of recognition, success, or control, we fear we might lose our sense of significance. But the gospel offers something far stronger than human approval. The apostle Paul eventually reached a place where he could say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Christ was not merely part of Paul’s life—He had become the defining center of it. Paul’s identity was no longer anchored in reputation, achievements, or circumstances. It rested entirely in Jesus Christ. When Christ becomes your identity, fear begins to lose its grip. Criticism no longer controls you. Praise no longer inflates you. Circumstances no longer determine your worth. The believer who finds identity in Christ experiences a freedom that the world cannot give. Life becomes less about protecting self and more about reflecting the Savior.
When Obedience Becomes Joy
Many people view obedience to God as restriction, but when Christ truly becomes everything, obedience begins to feel completely different. The heart that loves Christ deeply does not constantly ask what it must sacrifice. Instead it asks what would bring Him the most honor. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Love transforms obedience. What once felt difficult becomes meaningful when it flows from devotion. The closer a believer walks with Christ, the more they discover that God’s commands are not barriers to joy but the pathway to it. As Christ increases, selfish desires lose their grip on the heart, and a believer begins to experience the deep satisfaction that comes from pleasing the One who gave everything for them.
Imagine the solar system for a moment. Every planet moves in harmony because the sun occupies the center. The entire system holds together because everything revolves around that one central force. If the sun were removed from the center, the system would fall into chaos. The human heart works in a similar way. When self occupies the center, life becomes unstable and constantly pulled in different directions by fear, pride, ambition, and insecurity. But when Christ takes the central place in the heart, everything begins to align. Priorities become clearer. Decisions become wiser. Peace becomes deeper. Life works the way it was designed when Jesus sits on the throne of the heart.
The Christian life is not primarily about becoming more religious or simply improving behavior. At its core, it is about surrendering the center of our lives to Jesus Christ. Each day we face the same decision John the Baptist embraced: will Christ increase, or will self continue to dominate? When Christ truly becomes everything, life begins to fall into its proper order. Identity becomes secure. Pride loses its grip. Obedience becomes joyful. The believer begins to experience the freedom that comes from living with Jesus at the center of every thought, decision, and desire. The more Christ increases in us, the more clearly His life begins to shine through ours.
Warfare Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I surrender the throne of my heart to You today. I renounce every area of pride, self-exaltation, and control that competes with Your rightful place in my life. Lord Jesus, increase in my thoughts, increase in my desires, increase in my decisions, and increase in my priorities. I declare that my identity is not found in reputation, success, or approval, but in You alone. Break the influence of every lie of the enemy that tells me I must protect my own name or build my own kingdom. I choose today to live for Your glory. Let self decrease so that Christ may be seen more clearly in my life. Reign over my heart, my words, my relationships, and my future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Today examine one area of your life where Christ may have been secondary—your time, your priorities, your ambitions, or your decisions. Intentionally place Christ at the center of that area. Before making decisions today, pause and ask, “Will this increase Christ in my life, or increase myself?” Then choose the path that gives Him the greater place.
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Mike And Paula Ferris And Family In The Passing Of Their 10 Year Old Grandson
Ann Stanley
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Mateen – Kim McClain’s Sister
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Bentley Smith – Broken Leg
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Christopher Kelley
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Carol Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Don Franklin’s Daughter, Darlene, Son, David
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
Jake Jenkins
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Phillip Roach – Linda & Luther’s Son – Cancer
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Sandra Mitchell
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher