JULY THEME – “Seeing Ebenezer- “Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us” From God’s Perspective”
Join us in prayer and celebration as Belmont Baptist Church begins our Year of Jubilee, marking fifty years of God’s amazing faithfulness and looking forward with grateful hearts to all He has yet to do.
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
TWO LAWS. TWO LIVES. ONE CHOICE.
Romans 8:2 — “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Every person lives under the influence of one of two spiritual laws. Just as the law of gravity continually pulls everything downward, there is another invisible law that pulls fallen humanity toward sin, self, fear, frustration, and ultimately death. This is the law of sin and death that entered the world through Adam’s rebellion. Yet God, in His marvelous grace, introduced a greater law through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:2 calls it “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” This is not merely a new way of thinking or a stronger resolve to do better. It is the very life of the risen Christ dwelling within every believer through the Holy Spirit. Every day we experience the tension between these two laws. One continually draws us toward self; the other continually draws us toward Christ. One produces death, while the other produces life. Every moment becomes an invitation to decide which law will govern our hearts.
The Law of Sin and Death
The law of sin and death is much deeper than outward acts of disobedience. Its greatest deception is convincing us that we are sufficient apart from God. It continually whispers, “Try harder. Work longer. Depend on yourself.” Whether we fail or succeed, the flesh remains occupied with self. When circumstances become difficult, fear replaces faith. When people disappoint us, bitterness replaces grace. When life becomes uncertain, anxiety replaces peace. Even our successes can become opportunities for pride. No amount of education can reform the flesh. No amount of discipline can sanctify it. No amount of religious activity can transform it into the likeness of Christ. God never intended to improve the old man; He crucified him with Christ. The life of Adam can never produce the life of Jesus.
The Law of the Spirit of Life
The law of the Spirit of life produces an entirely different kind of living. Christianity is not self trying to imitate Christ; it is Christ expressing His life through a surrendered believer. His love replaces our selfishness. His peace overcomes our anxiety. His joy triumphs over discouragement. His patience quiets our irritability. His wisdom guides our decisions, and His strength becomes sufficient in our weakness. Instead of striving to become something for God, we begin resting in the One who is everything we need. The exchanged life changes the question from, “How can I become more like Christ?” to, “Lord Jesus, how do You desire to reveal Your life through me today?” Our focus shifts from self-improvement to Christ-expression, and that changes everything.
One Choice Every Day
Although every believer has been delivered from the authority of the law of sin and death, we still face a daily decision. Every interruption, temptation, disappointment, conflict, conversation, and opportunity asks the same question: “Who will live this moment?” Will self respond, or will Christ respond through me? The Christian life is not lived by making one great surrender at salvation and then returning to self-effort. It is lived one surrendered moment after another. Victory is never found in trying harder but in trusting deeper. The Holy Spirit continually invites us to stop striving and start abiding. As we yield ourselves to Him, the life of Christ becomes increasingly visible through our own.
Imagine two trees standing side by side. One has shallow roots. During pleasant weather it appears healthy, but the first season of drought causes its leaves to wither because it depends upon surface moisture. The other tree has roots that reach deeply into an unseen stream beneath the ground. Storms shake it. Heat beats upon it. Drought surrounds it. Yet it continues to flourish because its source is hidden below the surface. Many believers resemble the first tree. Their joy depends upon favorable circumstances. Their peace depends upon people treating them well. Their strength depends upon how they feel emotionally. But those who abide in Christ resemble the second tree. Their source is not the world around them but the Christ within them. Others see the fruit, but only God sees the Root.
The world is watching believers every day. People are not merely looking for those who attend church or possess biblical knowledge. They are looking for lives that cannot be explained apart from Jesus Christ. The greatest testimony we possess is not our abilities, personalities, or accomplishments. It is Christ Himself living through surrendered people. When the law of the Spirit of life governs our hearts, we stop merely surviving and begin truly living. Others encounter more than our personality; they experience the beauty, peace, love, and power of the living Christ. This is the exchanged life. This is authentic Christianity. This is the life God intended for every believer from the very beginning.
Warfare Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You that through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ I have been delivered from the law of sin and death and brought under the glorious law of the Spirit of life. In the mighty name of Jesus, I reject every lie that tells me I must depend upon my own strength. I resist every spirit of fear, pride, striving, condemnation, discouragement, anxiety, anger, unbelief, and self-reliance that seeks to draw me back into bondage. Holy Spirit, expose every area where self still competes for the throne of my heart. Teach me to abide continually in Christ and to trust His life within me. Let His love become my love, His peace become my peace, His wisdom become my wisdom, and His strength become my strength. May every conversation, every decision, and every trial become another opportunity for others to see the Lord Jesus Christ living through me. For His glory alone, in His precious name I pray, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Several times today, especially before responding to a difficult situation or making an important decision, quietly ask yourself, “Who is about to live this moment—self or Christ?” Then consciously surrender that moment to the Holy Spirit and trust Him to express the life of Jesus through you. Every surrendered moment becomes another opportunity for the world to see Ch
MONDAY’S PRAYER NEEDS
David Burnette – Home
Joanie and Jeannie in the passing of their Mother, Mrs. Franklin
Pastor Curtis Barbery – My Pastor I Served Under For 7 Years In Heaven
Mary Williams – Rehab for Broken Hip
Kim McClain’s Mother