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
“ENTERING THE SECRET PLACE OF COMMUNION”
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…” — Matthew 6:6
God does not merely want our religious activities—He longs for intimate fellowship. When Christ taught us to pray “in secret,” He was inviting us into a private place where walls disappear and our truest selves meet Him. Too often, our devotional lives become about performance: ticking boxes, repeating formulaic prayers, or simply staying busy at church functions. But Jesus calls us to “shut the door,” to abandon distractions, and to come as a child craving closeness with a loving Father.
In the secret place, we bring not only requests but our griefs, fears, joys, and deepest longings—knowing that He hears each whisper of our hearts. This is where we stop striving and start communing. The secret place is not just a location; it’s a posture of openness before God. As we linger there consistently, we develop spiritual ears to hear Him more clearly and spiritual eyes to see His hand at work in our lives. Over time, this hidden communion transforms how we live publicly, because what flows from the secret place shapes our every word and action.
Hannah’s example in 1 Samuel 1:12–18 illustrates this intimate posture. In the temple court, she poured out her soul, weeping and praying silently, while her lips moved though her voice was not heard. Eli the priest assumed she was drunk, but she explained, “I have poured out my soul before the Lord.” God heard her unspoken prayer, granting her a son—Samuel—who became a great prophet. Hannah’s secret communion was so sincere and unpretentious that God honored it above all the outward religious ritual around her. She didn’t need to impress anyone—just to be heard by her Heavenly Father.
Create a “devotional closet” in your home—ideally a quiet corner free from screens, noise, and obligations. Commit to entering it at least once today for a minimum of ten minutes. Rather than opening with a laundry list of requests, start by simply resting in God’s presence. Breathe slowly and focus on two truths: “God’s love for me is unwavering” and “I am fully known by Him.” Allow your breath to become prayer, speaking from your heart. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to those truths. Let His presence calm your inner world. Over time, measure whether your heart feels more at peace and whether you find yourself pausing more frequently throughout the day to “come back into the secret place” in your spirit.
Prayer: Father, You are the One who searches my heart and knows me completely. Today, I step into the secret place with nothing to hide. I lay down my public persona and my performance-driven devotion. Teach me how to abide in You—my Shelter, my Refuge. Fill me with Your Spirit as I quietly rest in Your presence, that the peace and wisdom I find here may overflow into every moment of my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Challenge: Before you go to sleep tonight, spend five minutes thinking back over your day. In a journal, note any time you sensed God speaking to you or prompting you—however small. Write one sentence about how you responded or how you could have responded more intentionally. Let this daily reflection become a doorway to deeper communion tomorrow.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Ann Stanley
Doug Stephens
Mary Williams – Rehab
Paula Ferus
Sadie Almand & Unborn Baby
Scotty Nix
Lynn Garner’s Daughter
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
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