FEBRUARY – “Missions: The Heart of God”
JOASH OFFERING THUS FAR $5,586.22
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
As we gathered on this third Sunday of Missions Month, we set our hearts on the greatest motivation for the Great Commission—the suffering, sacrifice, and victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. His crucifixion was not merely an execution but an excruciating ordeal designed to inflict the most extreme pain and humiliation. Before He even reached the cross, His agony had begun in Gethsemane, where the weight of the world’s sin caused Him to sweat drops of blood. He was mercilessly scourged with a whip embedded with bone and metal, tearing into His flesh until He was unrecognizable. A crown of thorns was pressed into His scalp, rivers of blood running down His battered face. He was mocked, beaten, and made to carry the heavy crossbeam until He collapsed under its weight. Seven-inch iron spikes were driven through His wrists and feet, sending waves of agony through His convulsing body. Every breath was a struggle as He pushed against the nails, His shoulders dislocated, His lungs filling with fluid, and His heart failing under the unbearable strain. And yet, in His final moments, He declared, “It is finished”—a victorious cry that secured our salvation. He had not just been wounded—He had been butchered. He had not just been bruised—He had been slaughtered. And He had endured it all for us.
In light of all that Jesus sacrificed, how should we respond? Faith Promise and Joash offerings are more than financial commitments—they are acts of faith, surrender, and obedience to the mission He has entrusted to us. Faith Promise is a commitment to give beyond our natural ability, trusting that God will provide so the gospel can reach the unreached. The Joash offering, rooted in 2 Chronicles 24, is about investing in God’s house so that His work can continue and future generations can experience His faithfulness. For 59 years, Belmont had been a part of this mission, supporting Calvary Children’s Home every month through Faith Promise Giving. Brian and Melita Busby are living examples of selfless, Christ-centered service, raising children who have no family of their own, providing them not only with shelter but with the love of Jesus. They had sacrificed their lives to care for, nurture, and disciple these young hearts. This had been our opportunity to stand beside them, to partner in this holy work, and to give as Christ had given to us. We stand together in honoring these modern-day missionaries and recommit our lives to the mission of Christ. We must give our best to the One who has given everything for us!
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
TRUSTING GOD IN THE UNKNOWN
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Trusting God is often easy when life is predictable, but when the road ahead is uncertain, faith becomes more difficult. The call to trust the Lord with all our heart means relinquishing control and choosing to believe that God’s wisdom far exceeds our understanding. Many times, we want clarity before obedience, but God asks for obedience before clarity.
We often hesitate to trust God fully because we fear the unknown. What if His plans disrupt our comfort? What if the path ahead is difficult? These are human concerns, but God’s promise is sure—He will direct our paths. When we surrender our plans to Him, He ensures that we walk in the right direction.
Abraham’s life is a profound example of trusting God in uncertainty. When God commanded him to leave his homeland and journey to a place he had never seen, Abraham obeyed without knowing all the details (Genesis 12:1-4). He was not given a roadmap, just a promise—that God would bless him, make him into a great nation, and that through him, all the families of the earth would be blessed.
Despite the uncertainty, dangers, and the unknown future, Abraham stepped out in faith. He left behind everything familiar, trusting in the unseen hand of God to guide him. He did not know where he was going, but he knew who was leading him.
A father once stood below a ledge, encouraging his little daughter to jump into his arms. From her vantage point, the ground was far beneath her, and she couldn’t see where she would land. But when her father reassured her with his voice, she let go of fear and jumped—trusting in the one who had always caught her before.
This is what trusting God looks like. We may not see the landing, but we can trust the One who is calling us forward. He has never failed before, and He will not fail us now.
Application: Where Do You Need to Trust God?
- Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God?
- Are you hesitating to step out in faith because you can’t see the full picture?
- Is God asking you to move, change, or obey in a way that feels uncertain?
Surrender your uncertainties to Him. Instead of worrying about the unknown, rest in the truth that He knows the way even when you do not. Take a step of faith today, knowing that God’s plans for you are always good, perfect, and beyond what you can imagine (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to trust You completely. When I face the unknown, let me lean on Your promises and not my own understanding. Give me the faith of Abraham, to follow even when I don’t have all the answers. Help me take the next step, knowing that You will direct my path. Strengthen my heart when I am afraid and remind me that You are always in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Faith is not about knowing where you’re going—it’s about knowing who is leading you. Trust that God is guiding your steps, and walk forward in faith. You are never alone in the unknown.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Robbie Edwards
Linda Hodge in passing of her sister
Roy Loyd
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann & Robby Stanley
Ben Bruce
Carol Lawhead
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Newby
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donna Plunkett’s Brother-in-law
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ellen Boyd
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
Greg Schriener
James Burnette
James Parker
Jessica Headrick
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim McClain’s Sister
Lamar Knight’s Family in CA Fires
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mae Jackson
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Paula Ferus
Rebecca Smith
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher