JULY THEME – “Armed for Battle: Winning the War You Can’t See”
This Sunday at 10:30 AM — Join us for a powerful Freedom Celebration Service as we honor the true freedom we have in Christ and the blessings we enjoy as Americans! Our choir will present Sweet Freedom’s Song and the Spirit of God will meet us in a mighty way. No Sunday School—we’ll all gather together in one service. Bring a friend and come ready to worship the Lord who sets us free!
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
THE SPIRITUAL COST OF BUSYNESS
“Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10a
In our fast-paced world, busyness is often worn as a badge of honor. Even in ministry, we can be so consumed with doing things for God that we forget to simply be with God. Many believers live like practical atheists—saying they trust the Lord while living like everything depends on them. We scramble to lead, to fix, to organize, to rescue—while neglecting the one thing that restores the soul: stillness before our Savior.
We pour out until we’re empty, convincing ourselves that tiredness is a spiritual virtue. But busyness that replaces stillness is not a sign of faithfulness—it’s a red flag of misplaced priorities. Without intentional time in God’s presence, we start to operate in our flesh, quoting Scriptures we haven’t lingered over, praying prayers we haven’t felt, and offering guidance we haven’t received.
Jesus never rushed, though His mission was urgent. He withdrew often to pray. If the Son of God required stillness to stay aligned with the Father, how much more do we? When we lose our connection to the Vine, our fruit withers—even if our calendar stays full. What we call “commitment” can sometimes be a cloak for spiritual avoidance. In the end, it’s not our effort but our abiding that bears lasting fruit.
In Luke 10:38–42, Jesus visited the home of two sisters—Mary and Martha. Martha was busy serving, preparing, and fulfilling all the expectations of a gracious host. Mary, on the other hand, chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Martha became frustrated, thinking Mary was being lazy or irresponsible. But Jesus gently corrected her. “Martha, Martha… thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Mary wasn’t being unproductive—she was prioritizing what mattered most.
A well-known pastor once collapsed in the pulpit from sheer exhaustion. His schedule was packed—preaching multiple times a week, counseling, traveling, and leading a growing congregation. His sermons were powerful, his influence wide-reaching. But privately, his time with God had grown thin. In his own words, “I was feeding others from a pantry I hadn’t replenished in years.” Eventually, the emptiness within caught up to the image he projected. It wasn’t moral failure that threatened his ministry—it was spiritual neglect born of busyness.
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that I’ve mistaken movement for maturity and busyness for fruitfulness. I’ve allowed the noise of activity to drown out Your voice. Forgive me for the times I’ve served others without first sitting with You. Deliver me from the addiction to performance and the illusion that I must earn what You freely give. Quiet my soul, Lord. Help me find joy not just in doing for You, but in being with You. Teach me to serve from the overflow of Your presence, not the exhaustion of my own efforts. Align my heart with Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge:
Today, unplug and retreat. Set aside 30 minutes to be completely still before the Lord. No phone. No journal. No worship music. No list of requests. Just sit in silence and listen. Let God speak into the space you’ve been too busy to give Him.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sadie Almand – Home
Linda Mays – Piedmont Atlanta
Ann Stanley – Home
Doug Stephens
Lynn Garner’s Daughter
Mary Williams – Rehab
Sarah Parker
Jason Parker – James & Sarah’s Son – stroke
Scotty Nix
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
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter
Tom Witcher