September Theme – The Mind of Christ: Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
The greatest war you will ever face is not fought with weapons in your hands but with thoughts in your head. Deep wounds, painful rejections, and past failures often shape the way we think, and if those thots are left unchallenged, they harden into strongholds that chain us. The enemy fuels this by whispering lies—“You’ll never change, you’re unwanted, you’re not enough”—and if we believe him, those lies grow into fear, shame, bitterness, and despair. Scripture says, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, the thots we allow to rule our minds will eventually rule our lives.
But here’s the hope: God sees every secret thot (Psalm 139:2), and He does not leave us trapped. He gives us His truth to overthrow deception. That’s why we are commanded to “bring every thot into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Victory is not about gritting our teeth or trying harder—it comes when we surrender our minds to Him and let His Spirit reshape the way we think.
To put on the mind of Christ is more than positive thinking; it is supernatural transformation. Just as Jesus carried our sin and clothed us in His righteousness, He also takes our toxic patterns and renews us with His wisdom, humility, purity, and peace. Paul boldly declared, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). That means anxiety no longer has to dominate, confusion no longer has to define, and despair no longer has to dictate your future. We now have access to the very perspective of Jesus—the One who obeyed perfectly, loved completely, and defeated every temptation.
Yes, the battlefield is still the mind, but it no longer belongs to the enemy. With the mind of Christ, storms don’t have to shake you, lies don’t have to control you, and fear doesn’t have to enslave you. You can see with His eyes, think with His truth, and walk in His victory. The question isn’t, “Can I really have the mind of Christ?” The Word already answers: you do. The question is, “Will I yield my mind to His today?”
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
No Longer a Slave to Fear
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear is not just nerves before a test or anxiety before a challenge—it is a spirit that tries to invade our thinking, control our choices, and paralyze our faith. That’s why Paul was clear: fear does not come from God. If it doesn’t come from Him, it doesn’t belong in me. Victory began the moment I stopped excusing fear and started confronting it as a thief.
When I believed God’s promise, I discovered that He already gave me everything fear tried to steal: power to face battles, love to drive out insecurity, and a sound mind to silence chaos. Fear made me hide; God’s Spirit made me bold. Fear made me doubt; God’s Word made me stable. I don’t have to fight for these gifts—they are already mine in Christ.
Fear hasn’t disappeared from my life—it still knocks on the door with threats and “what ifs.” But the difference now is that I know who I am: a child of God, not a slave to fear. I don’t have to answer the door when fear calls. I can speak back with authority: “God has not given me a spirit of fear.” And the moment I do, fear loses its grip.
David stood before Goliath while Israel’s army trembled. What set him apart? His thots were anchored in God’s greatness, not in the giant’s size. Where others saw danger, David saw destiny.
Fear is like a barking dog behind a fence—it makes noise to intimidate, but it cannot reach you. The fence is God’s protection. Once you realize fear can bark but not bite, its voice loses its power.
Prayer: Father, thank You for breaking fear’s hold on me. Keep me walking in the power, love, and soundness of mind You’ve already given. Help me see fear for what it is—a defeated enemy—and keep my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge: When fear rises today, declare aloud: “God has not given me a spirit of fear.” Then deliberately take the step fear tried to stop you from taking—make the call, share your faith, forgive the offense, or trust God with what feels impossible.
TUESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley
Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe
Danny Jarrard – Knee Surgery Soon
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
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
James Parker
Jason Parker
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
John Parillo
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
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sadie Almand
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Sheila Simmons
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher