JULY THEME – “Seeing Ebenezer- “Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us” From God’s Perspective”
Join us in prayer and celebration as Belmont Baptist Church celebrates our Year of Jubilee, marking fifty years of God’s amazing faithfulness and looking forward with grateful hearts to all He has yet to do.
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
Don’t Give Up the Battle with “I, Me, and My”
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” — Galatians 2:20
One of the greatest battles every believer faces is not primarily against Satan, difficult people, or painful circumstances. It is the daily battle against one small but powerful word: “I.” “I was hurt.” “I deserve better.” “My feelings.” “My rights.” “My way.” From the Garden of Eden until this very moment, the flesh has spoken the same language—it continually points us back to ourselves. Yet the Christian life is not about improving self; it is about replacing self with the life of Jesus Christ. Salvation gives us a new life, but sanctification is the daily process of allowing Christ to live that life through us. The encouraging news is that if you are aware of this struggle, you are not failing—you are fighting. Every child of God faces this conflict. The question is not whether the battle exists, but whether we will surrender to Christ each time self attempts to reclaim the throne of our hearts.
The Greatest Enemy You Carry Is the One Within
Most of us naturally think our greatest problems are outside of us—a difficult spouse, unfair criticism, financial pressure, physical pain, or spiritual opposition. Yet Scripture continually points us inward. The greatest battlefield is the human heart. The Apostle Paul understood this struggle. Even after years of faithful ministry, he acknowledged the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. Spiritual maturity does not eliminate the battle with self; it simply makes us more aware of how desperately we need Christ. The flesh never retires. It never becomes sanctified. It waits patiently for opportunities to reclaim control through pride, selfishness, resentment, self-pity, jealousy, or the desire to be recognized. The believer who believes he has conquered self completely is often the one who has simply stopped recognizing its subtle influence. Rather than discouraging us, this battle should continually drive us to Jesus. Every struggle reminds us that we were never meant to live the Christian life in our own strength.
The Cross Is God’s Complete Answer to Self
When Jesus died on Calvary, He did far more than provide forgiveness for our sins. He also broke the legal authority of the old sinful nature. Through our union with Christ, the old “I” no longer has the right to rule. This does not mean self disappears. It means self no longer has to be obeyed. Every morning we have the privilege of presenting ourselves to Christ once again. “Lord, this conversation belongs to You.” “My marriage belongs to You.” “My ministry belongs to You.” “My emotions belong to You.” “My schedule belongs to You.” “My reputation belongs to You.” Victory is not found in trying harder to become more spiritual. It is found in yielding more completely to the One who already lives within us. Every surrender says, “Jesus, You lead. I will follow.”
Every Conflict Is an Opportunity to Display Christ
God wastes nothing in the life of His children. Every difficult person…Every misunderstanding…Every criticism…Every disappointment…Every delay…Every unmet expectation…becomes another classroom where Christ teaches us to die to self and allow His character to be seen. The world’s question is, “How can I win?” The disciple asks, “How can Christ be glorified?” Sometimes the greatest victories are the words you choose not to say. Sometimes they are the offenses you choose not to remember. Sometimes they are the rights you willingly surrender for the sake of peace. Every time self steps aside, Jesus becomes more visible. Others begin to see His patience instead of our irritation, His gentleness instead of our harshness, His humility instead of our pride, and His love instead of our selfishness. The goal of every day is not to protect ourselves but to reveal our Savior.
Imagine an old king who has been legally removed from his throne. A new king has been crowned, yet the old ruler refuses to leave the palace. Although he no longer possesses legal authority, he continually whispers commands to the servants, attempting to regain control of the kingdom. The wise servants simply ignore his voice and continually submit themselves to the rightful king. That is exactly what happens in the Christian life. At salvation, Jesus became the rightful King of your heart. Through His cross, self lost its authority. Yet the old nature continually whispers: “Defend yourself.” “Get even.” “Demand your rights.” “Make it about you.” Each day we choose which voice we will obey. Every act of surrender strengthens our fellowship with Christ, and every act of self-reliance weakens our spiritual joy. The more we acknowledge King Jesus, the less influence the old king possesses.
Perhaps today you lost the battle. Maybe impatience surfaced. Maybe pride spoke before humility. Maybe criticism replaced compassion. Maybe you defended yourself when God was asking you to trust Him. Do not stay discouraged. Run immediately back to Jesus. Confess quickly. Receive His forgiveness. Yield again. God is not finished with you. Sanctification is rarely one dramatic victory. More often it is thousands of quiet surrenders made throughout an ordinary day. The greatest victories on earth are often invisible. No applause follows the moment you refuse to speak a hurtful word. No headlines celebrate the decision to forgive. No earthly trophy is given when Christ quietly replaces “I” with Himself. But Heaven notices every surrender. One day the battle with “I, me, and my” will end forever. Until then, keep coming to the cross. Keep yielding to the Holy Spirit. Keep allowing Christ to increase while self decreases. May those around you see less of you and far more of Jesus. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30
Warfare Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that my greatest battle is often not around me but within me. Too easily my flesh seeks recognition, comfort, control, approval, and its own way. Thank You that through the cross of Jesus Christ the power of self has been broken. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit today. Guard my mind from pride, my heart from bitterness, my tongue from harshness, and my emotions from self-centeredness. When the old nature begins to rise, remind me immediately that Christ lives within me. Teach me to surrender before I speak, before I react, and before I defend myself. Let my home, my church, my friendships, and my ministry experience more of Jesus and less of me. Strengthen me to win the unseen battles that only You and I know about. May my life continually declare, “Not I, but Christ.” In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Before every significant conversation today, pause for just a few seconds and ask yourself, “Who is about to respond—my flesh or Christ living in me?” Then consciously surrender your words, your attitude, and your reactions to the Lord Jesus. At the close of the day, spend a few quiet moments thanking Him for every victory He gave you over self. Do not dwell on your failures. Instead, confess them, receive His forgiveness, and rejoice that His grace is still at work. Remember, every surrender today is preparing you to look a little more like Jesus tomorrow.
SATURDAY’S PRAYER NEEDS
Tom Witcher’s Memorial Service Today 2:00 PM @ Belmont
Rob Davis – cancer
Mary Williams – Rehab for Broken Hip
Kim McClain’s Mother