As your pastor and under shepherd of Belmont, my deepest desire is to make sure that every person here knows—without a doubt—that they are truly born again and on their way to heaven. It’s not enough to simply know about Jesus; you need to experience Him personally in your life. Knowing about Jesus is like having head knowledge—you understand the facts: that He is the Son of God, that He performed miracles, and that He died on the cross for our sins. You may have learned these things through church and Bible studies, but this knowledge stays on the surface. It’s intellectual, not transformative. You may know about Jesus like you know about a historical figure, but that’s not the same as having a real, personal relationship with Him.
Experiencing Jesus, however, goes much deeper. It means having a real encounter with Him as your Savior and Lord. When you experience Jesus, you don’t just know the facts—you know Him. You feel His love in your heart, His peace in your mind, and His power working in your daily life. It’s no longer just about beliefs—it’s a living relationship where you surrender your life to Him, trust Him with everything, and allow Him to guide and transform you. When you experience Jesus, your relationship with Him is intimate and personal. You are no longer observing from a distance—you are living in His presence, knowing His forgiveness and grace in a way that changes you from the inside out.
If you’ve been feeling distant from God or uncertain about your relationship with Him, I encourage you to take this opportunity to draw near to Christ today. His grace is a free gift, and His transforming power is available to you right now. You don’t have to strive to be “good enough” or carry the weight of your past mistakes. Jesus has already done the work on the cross, and all you need to do is receive it. Don’t let fear, doubt, or pride keep you from the new life He offers. Today can be the day of your transformation. You are not defined by your past, but by the new life that Christ gives. Step into His grace, fully surrender, and experience the peace and assurance that come from knowing Him personally and deeply. Let today be the day you embrace your new identity in Christ and live in the fullness of His love.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
VOTE FOR JESUS IS LORD!
Many people are asking, “How should I vote? I want to make sure I cast the right ballot.” Let me remind you of what’s been shared before: vote for LIFE, vote for religious freedom, and vote for common sense rooted in biblical principles. Just this past weekend, one of the presidential candidates made their stance clear by opposing pro-life views. When a pro-life advocate boldly proclaimed, “JESUS IS LORD,” the candidate, without hesitation, responded, “Sir, you are at the wrong rally. You need to go to the smaller rally down the road.” This response makes it clear that any candidate who disregards the value of life and biblical truth is not worthy of the vote of a born-again Christian. Now is the time to stand up, be counted, and make a difference for truth and righteousness. Don’t wait until the last minute—vote early. Voting early ensures that your voice is heard and that you don’t miss the opportunity to cast your ballot. With so much at stake, including the future of religious freedom and the protection of life, your vote is more important than ever. Let’s not sit on the sidelines or assume that others will make the right choice. It’s up to each one of us to take a stand for biblical values. Early voting allows you to ensure that your vote is secured without delay or distraction. Be proactive, be bold, and let your vote reflect the truth and principles you stand for.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
KNOWING VS. EXPERIENCING JESUS
Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
The Pharisees were the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, and they prided themselves on their knowledge of the Scriptures and their adherence to religious customs.
They knew the letter of the law, but they missed the heart of God’s message.
Jesus rebuked them, saying, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8).
Though they knew about God, they lacked a genuine relationship with Him.
Their knowledge was superficial, focused on external obedience rather than internal transformation.
We can easily fall into the same trap as the Pharisees.
We may know Bible stories, attend church, and say all the right things, yet still miss out on a real relationship with Jesus.
True faith is more than intellectual knowledge—it’s an experience of God’s love and presence that changes us from the inside out.
Ask yourself: Is my relationship with Jesus more about facts and rituals, or do I truly experience His guidance, peace, and love in my daily life?
Think of someone who is a fan of a celebrity.
They might know everything about that person—where they were born, their achievements, their family history—but they’ve never actually met them.
There’s no personal connection.
That’s what it’s like to know about Jesus without actually knowing Him.
Jesus doesn’t want to be a distant figure; He wants to be your Savior, friend, and constant presence in your life.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to move beyond just knowing about You. I want to experience You personally in my life, to know Your love, Your peace, and Your presence every day. Transform my heart and draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ASSIGNMENT
Today, take a moment to reflect on your relationship with Jesus.
Is it just knowledge, or do you experience His presence?
Spend 10 minutes in quiet prayer, asking Him to make His presence real to you.
Seek to experience His love and peace, not just know about them.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Danny Jarrard – SURGERY TUESDAY
Amy Garner’s Mom
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ben Bruce
Carol Lawhead
Daniel Cooper’s Mother
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donna Plunkett’s Brother in law
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Ellen Boyd
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
James Burnette
James Parker
James Parker
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Matt Barron’s Mother
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sandra Graham’s Family
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
Tom Witcher