JUNE THEME – SET Free To LIVE Free – Embracing Liberty Through Christ
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
LIVE MOMENT-BY-MOMENT IN THE SPIRIT
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
These words call us to a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit. When we lean on Him, our fleshly desires lose power over us.
Peter’s story illustrates the contrast between walking by sight and walking by Spirit. In Luke 22:54–62, he denied Jesus three times, driven by fear and fleshly weakness. Yet at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41), the very same Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, stood before a crowd and preached without hesitation. His words pierced hearts, and thousands were saved. The same man who cowered in a courtyard now spoke boldly because he had learned to live moment by moment in the Spirit’s power.
Imagine a sailboat drifting aimlessly on calm water. Without wind in its sails, it goes nowhere. As soon as a gust fills the sails, the boat surges forward, harnessing the wind’s energy. Our lives are like that sailboat: without the Spirit’s breath, we drift through each day subject to old habits and cravings. But when we pause to invite the Holy Spirit into every moment, it’s like unfurling our spiritual sails—He sets us in motion toward freedom, purpose, and joy.
Pause and Invite the Spirit
- Set Three Alarms Today:
- Morning (e.g., 8:00 a.m.)
- Midday (e.g., 1:00 p.m.)
- Evening (e.g., 6:00 p.m.)
- Pray in the Moment:
When each alarm rings, take a brief pause—stop what you’re doing—and pray:
“Holy Spirit, guide my next thought or action.” - Notice the Shift:
Morning Pause: Perhaps you begin the day rushed; this moment of stillness redirects your heart to dependence before tasks begin.
Midday Pause: When stress or hunger sneaks in, pausing invites the Spirit’s patience and gentleness.
Evening Pause: As the day winds down, you give the Spirit space to highlight areas needing repentance or gratitude.
Over time, these brief moments of surrender reshape your rhythm from reacting to responding under Spirit-led wisdom.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I yield every moment to You. Fill me with Your presence, guide my thoughts, and empower my actions. Help me to live free from fleshly cravings and full of Your life. Amen.
Challenge: At each alarm, journal one prompt: “How did I sense the Spirit’s guidance just now?” By noting even small impressions—an inner calm during a stressful task, a prompt to speak a kind word, or a conviction to repent—you’ll begin to see how He leads step by step. Keep these entries in a dedicated notebook and review them at week’s end to trace how moment-by-moment dependence on the Spirit is changing your life.
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Ashton Bateman’s Family in passing of his niece, Jodi
Sadie Almand & Unborn Baby
Paula Ferus – Cataract Surgery 6/3
Ann Stanley – Transferred to Piedmont Atlanta
Doug Stephens
Mary Williams – Rehab
Jill Haines
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Mike, Gwen, Michael Rice Family – Friends of Blount’s – Car Accident
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Loyd
Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter
Tom Witcher