,
God’s grace is a powerful force that transforms our hearts, renews our minds, and inspires our actions. It allows us to see others with compassion and mercy, reminding us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This grace gives us the strength to let go of bitterness, forgive others, and work toward healing and reconciliation. It pushes us to step out of our comfort zones to help those often ignored, offering them hope and support. Equipped with strength, courage, and wisdom, we can tackle our biggest challenges. By opening our hearts to God’s grace, we become agents of change, showing His love and mercy to the world. Loving the unlovable, forgiving the unforgivable, and reaching the unreachable are all possible through God’s grace. We must remember that God’s grace reached us when we were unlovable, and this should motivate us to show the same love to others. Jesus demonstrated this through His interactions with society’s outcasts, like Zacchaeus and the Samaritan woman, showing us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. By following His example, we can break down barriers, heal wounds, and bring people closer to God.
God’s grace also empowers us to do the impossible. Often, we face challenges that seem too big to overcome, like personal struggles, mending broken relationships, or completing daunting tasks. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” With God’s grace, we find the strength, courage, and wisdom to achieve what we could never do on our own. The Bible is full of stories where people accomplished impossible feats because of God’s grace—Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, David defeated Goliath, and Peter walked on water. These incredible acts happened because of God’s power, not human strength. In our lives, we might face tough situations like breaking free from addictions, repairing relationships, or pursuing big dreams, but with God’s grace, nothing is impossible. He gives us what we need to face our challenges and come out victorious. We limit God’s omnipotent power when we fail to believe He can still do miracles. What He did in the past, He can still do now. What He did there, He can do here. Let’s trust in His power and be bold in sharing His transformative love and mercy with the world.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
In Luke 19:1-10, we read about Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector in Jericho.
Tax collectors were notorious for being corrupt and taking more money than required, making them despised by their fellow Jews.
Zacchaeus, due to his short stature, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passed by.
To everyone’s surprise, Jesus stopped, looked up at Zacchaeus, and called him by name, saying, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.”
This act of grace and compassion astonished the crowd, who couldn’t understand why Jesus would associate with a sinner like Zacchaeus.
Jesus’s willingness to enter Zacchaeus’s home and heart transformed the tax collector.
Zacchaeus, moved by Jesus’s acceptance and love, stood up and declared, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
This powerful encounter with Jesus led Zacchaeus to repent and make amends for his wrongdoings, demonstrating the transformative power of grace.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Reflect on your own life and consider the moments when you felt unworthy or distant from God, yet experienced His unconditional love and grace.
How did these experiences change your heart and perspective?
Use these reflections to cultivate empathy and compassion for others, especially those who may be struggling or feeling undeserving of love.
Just as Jesus saw potential and worth in Zacchaeus, strive to see others through God’s eyes, recognizing their inherent value and the possibility of their transformation through grace.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible grace that reaches us even when we feel unworthy. Just as You transformed the heart of Zacchaeus, we ask that You transform our hearts today. Help us to see others through Your eyes of compassion and mercy, and give us the strength to extend Your love to those who seem unlovable. Teach us to forgive and let go of any bitterness, so we may work towards healing and reconciliation. Guide us to step out of our comfort zones to offer hope and support to those who need it. Fill us with Your strength, courage, and wisdom to face our challenges and be agents of Your grace in this world.
In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
ASSIGNMENT
Think of someone you know who is currently struggling or feeling down.
Write a letter or send a message of encouragement to this person.
Share your own experiences of God’s grace and how it has impacted your life.
Offer words of hope, support, and love, reminding them of God’s endless love and mercy.
Let your message be a beacon of light in their darkness, showing them that they are not alone and that God’s grace is always available to them.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sandra Graham
George Calhoon
Steve Michaels
Gail Sparks
Ellen Boyd
Friend of Linda Hodge
Amy Garner’s Mom
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
Tom Witcher