GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
DOES ANYBODY HEAR ME?
I’m using Pastor’s hand to write to you from a place I cannot yet see, but I can already feel the world around me. My heart beats, and I am full of hope, even though I’m still hidden from the eyes of those outside. My life is fragile, and I know that many are urging my mother to end it because of the unfortunate circumstances of my conception. But I am here, alive, and dreaming of the chance to live, to breathe, to grow.
I understand that my situation is difficult, and that my mother feels overwhelmed, but I am pleading with you: will you use your voice to help me? There are so many who want to make decisions that will end my life, but I know that your vote, your influence, can help give me a chance. You have the power to speak for me, to protect me when I cannot speak for myself.
Please, I need you to stand up for me. My life matters, even though I have not yet been born. The world may say I am a mistake, but I know that every life is precious in God’s eyes. You have the ability to make a difference, to show that every life, even mine, is worth fighting for.
Will you help me live? Will you use your vote, your voice, to protect me? Time is running out, and I need you to act now. I’m counting on you.
With all the hope in my tiny heart,
An Unborn Child
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF GRACE
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The transformation of Saul, who became Paul, is a powerful testimony of God’s grace.
Before his encounter with Christ, Saul was driven by religious zeal to persecute Christians, believing he was serving God by opposing the early church.
His mission was to arrest and imprison followers of Jesus, even approving the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Yet, on the road to Damascus, Saul’s life was forever changed.
In a moment, the blinding light of Jesus’ presence brought him to his knees.
This persecutor of Christians became a passionate apostle for Christ (Acts 9:1-19).
The change was so dramatic that God even gave him a new name—Paul.
This transformation illustrates the power of God’s grace, which doesn’t just reform us but completely remakes us from the inside out.
God’s grace is not about slight improvements or surface changes.
It’s not about becoming a “better” version of ourselves or just cleaning up certain areas of our lives.
When we come to Christ, we are made new.
Just as Saul became Paul, our identity is transformed.
The old self, with all its sin, shame, and regret, is gone.
We are no longer defined by our past mistakes or failures.
God gives us a new identity, a new purpose, and a new future.
Take a moment to consider: Are there parts of your old life that you’re still holding on to?
Maybe there are habits, fears, or ways of thinking that reflect your past more than the new creation you are in Christ.
True transformation comes when we fully embrace our new identity in Jesus, leaving behind the baggage of our old self.
Paul didn’t let his past as a persecutor define him; instead, he stepped boldly into his new calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
You too are called to live out the fullness of your new life in Christ.
Imagine a caterpillar.
At first, it crawls on the ground, limited in movement, vulnerable, and restricted by its form.
But when the time is right, it undergoes a metamorphosis—a complete transformation.
It doesn’t just become a faster or stronger caterpillar.
It becomes something completely different—a butterfly.
The change is radical, not incremental.
In the same way, when we are in Christ, we don’t just improve—we are transformed.
We don’t just crawl through life; we soar with the freedom and power that comes from God’s grace.
Likewise, if we approach our Christian walk thinking that it’s just about becoming a “better” version of ourselves, we miss the power of grace.
God doesn’t want to make you a slightly improved version of your old self—He wants to make you entirely new.
He wants to take you from crawling in fear, doubt, and sin to soaring in the freedom of His love and grace.
PRAYER
“Lord, I thank You for the incredible power of Your grace. You didn’t just improve my life; You gave me a completely new one. Help me to release my old self—the fears, doubts, and habits that no longer define me. Show me how to fully walk in the freedom and joy of being a new creation in Christ. May Your transforming power continue to work in me, so that I can live a life that reflects Your love, grace, and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
ASSIGNMENT
Reflect today on an area of your life where you’re still holding on to your old identity.
Maybe it’s a mindset, a habit, or even a relationship that reflects the person you used to be before Christ.
Surrender that area to Jesus in prayer, asking Him to fully transform it by His grace.
Then, take a tangible step of faith.
Write down one action you can take this week to reflect your new identity in Christ.
It could be making amends with someone, changing a habit, or stepping out in faith to trust God more fully.
As you take that step, believe that God is continually working in you to make all things new.
Transformation is not always immediate—it’s a journey.
Trust that, just as Paul was radically changed, God’s grace is working in you, shaping you into who He has called you to be.
Step into the freedom of being a new creation today.
TUESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Danny Jarrard – SURGERY TODAY
David Newby
Amy Garner’s Mom
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ben Bruce
Carol Lawhead
Daniel Cooper’s Mother
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donna Plunkett’s Brother in law
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Ellen Boyd
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
James Burnette
James Parker
James Parker
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Matt Barron’s Mother
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sandra Graham’s Family
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
Tom Witcher