MARCH – Strong Families, Strong Faith – Building Homes By God’s Blueprint
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
BATTLING THE NOISE: OVERCOMING SECULAR DISTRACTIONS
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2
We live in a world that is louder than ever. Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with notifications, entertainment, and opinions pulling us in different directions. Our schedules are filled with endless activities, leaving little time for quiet reflection or meaningful prayer. Satan doesn’t need to drag your family into outright rebellion—he only needs to keep you distracted. If he can make your mind so cluttered with worldly concerns that you have no space for God, then he has already won a battle against your home.
Distraction is one of the most effective tools the enemy uses against families today. He will use television, smartphones, social media, and even seemingly innocent hobbies to chip away at your focus on God. Before you know it, entire days go by without meaningful prayer, and spiritual conversations in the home become rare or nonexistent. The things of God get drowned out by the endless noise of the world.
Daniel understood what it meant to live in a culture that constantly sought to pull him away from God. As a captive in Babylon, he was surrounded by distractions—pagan rituals, foreign customs, and a society that did not honor the God of Israel. Yet Daniel did not allow these influences to weaken his faith. He remained steadfast, committing to daily prayer and refusing to conform to the expectations of the culture around him. His dedication to God was so unwavering that even when his life was threatened for praying, he did not stop.
Imagine if Daniel had given in to the distractions of Babylon. What if he had abandoned his daily time with God because he was too busy adjusting to his new surroundings? His life and legacy would have been completely different. But because he prioritized his relationship with God, he was able to stand firm in the face of trials and was used mightily for God’s purposes.
Imagine trying to listen to your favorite song while standing in the middle of a construction site. The sound of jackhammers, drills, and shouting workers would make it nearly impossible to hear the melody. If you truly wanted to focus on the song, you would need to move to a quieter place or put on noise-canceling headphones.
The same is true for our spiritual lives. If we want to hear God’s voice and grow in our faith, we must be intentional about tuning out the noise of the world. We must create spaces in our homes where God’s truth can be heard clearly. Just as you wouldn’t expect to enjoy a song in the middle of chaos, you can’t expect to grow spiritually while constantly bombarded by distractions.
Take a moment to examine the distractions that may be pulling you or your children away from God’s presence. Here are a few ways to combat them:
- Evaluate Screen Time: Be honest about how much time is spent on social media, television, and video games versus time spent in God’s Word. Consider setting limits on screen usage, especially during family time.
- Create Sacred Spaces: Dedicate a part of your home to be a quiet place for prayer and Bible study. Encourage family members to spend time there daily.
- Establish Tech-Free Zones: Designate certain times of the day—like meals or evenings before bed—as screen-free periods where the family can connect and focus on spiritual matters.
- Prioritize Church and Worship: Make attending church, Bible study, and family devotionals a non-negotiable part of your schedule. Don’t allow sports, entertainment, or social events to take priority over worship.
- Encourage Meaningful Conversations: Instead of allowing social media and pop culture to dictate your family’s discussions, be intentional about talking about God’s truth and how it applies to everyday life.
This week, sit down with your family and discuss what distractions may be pulling you away from spending time with God. Commit to one action step—whether it’s reducing screen time, starting a family devotion, or dedicating quiet time each day for prayer. Remember, if Satan can keep you distracted, he can keep you disconnected from the power of God.
Prayer – Lord, quiet the noise that seeks to distract us from Your voice. Help us to recognize and remove anything that pulls us away from You. Grant me wisdom to create an environment where Your Word can be heard above all else. May our family set our hearts on things above and learn to seek You first in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
TUESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley
Beth – A Friend Of Amy Garners
Carol Lawhead
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Newby
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
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
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Richard Blount – Back Surgery
Robbie Edwards
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher