SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
Ian Moore, Paul Lackey’s Helper, received Christ at the conclusion of the service.
Our journey as followers of Christ is a unique and carefully designed path that God has chosen for each of us. This journey isn’t about random steps; it’s about purposeful growth and transformation into His image. God doesn’t place us in isolation but within a church family where we can grow consistently and effectively. He knows we mature best when we’re surrounded by a community of believers who offer support, encouragement, and accountability. Together, we become stronger as we share the path, learning to surrender our personal desires and walk in faithfulness daily. The church serves as a foundation for our spiritual lives, giving us the environment we need to thrive and draw closer to Christ through fellowship, teaching, prayer, and encouragement.
The church is more than a place we gather on Sundays—it’s the body of Christ on earth, where each member plays a unique and essential role. Just as our physical bodies require every part to function healthily, so does the church require every believer’s involvement to fully flourish. Our presence, our commitment, and our participation are crucial. Being part of a local church isn’t optional for our spiritual growth; it’s God’s intentional design for each believer. When we fully embrace our role, investing our hearts, time, and resources, we begin to see the deep joy and purpose that come from belonging to a community that loves, supports, and challenges us to grow in Christ. Let’s choose to be the most committed members we can be, fully present and enthusiastic, building up one another in love, knowing that in doing so, we are honoring God’s vision for His church and experiencing the blessings of belonging to His spiritual family.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
THE JOURNEY OF FAITH BEGINS WITH SURRENDER
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Every journey starts with a first step, and in our journey of faith, that first step is surrender.
God invites us to submit our lives into His capable hands, to let go of our own understanding, and to trust the path He has prepared for us.
This isn’t always easy.
Surrendering to God means releasing control over our desires, plans, and ambitions, placing our confidence in His greater purpose.
It’s about recognizing that His ways are higher than ours, and that He places us within a church family for our spiritual growth and encouragement.
Our church community is part of God’s design to strengthen us, challenge us, and remind us that we are not alone on this journey.
Are we willing to embrace this design and lean into the support He has provided?
True surrender means setting aside our own plans, trusting God’s perfect wisdom, and accepting His guidance as we grow together in faith.
It’s choosing to believe that His love and intentions are always for our good, even when the road is difficult or the future unclear.
When we surrender, we open our hearts to the blessings God has in store for us, knowing He often works through the relationships and wisdom of those in our church family.
Our personal dreams and ambitions, while valuable, are best placed in God’s hands.
By surrendering, we acknowledge that He has plans that may stretch us, leading to a transformation we couldn’t achieve on our own.
Surrendering can also mean being willing to receive constructive words and support from fellow believers.
Our church family may see aspects of our growth that we miss, helping us in ways we may not initially recognize.
Sometimes, surrender means we allow God to use our brothers and sisters to strengthen and refine us, knowing they, too, are part of His divine plan for our growth.
When we yield to His guidance, we gain clarity, strength, and a deeper peace that cannot be achieved through self-reliance.
Surrender teaches us that God’s direction is always filled with love and leads us to become more like Christ in every aspect of our lives.
In moments when we hesitate, we can trust that each act of surrender brings us closer to the abundant life He desires for us.
Remember that surrender is a daily choice, not just a one-time decision.
Each day offers us a new opportunity to submit to God’s will and to allow His Spirit to guide our steps.
Let this be the day you fully embrace God’s plan for your life and the role of your church family in it.
Through surrender, you’re choosing a life of deeper peace and purpose, grounded in the truth that God is always at work in and through you.
When surrender becomes a habit, it shapes our hearts, giving us a spirit of humility and trust that deepens our relationship with God.
Consider an area in your life where you find it difficult to let go of control.
This might be a relationship, a personal goal, or a specific fear.
Reflect on why surrendering in this area feels challenging, and spend time in prayer, asking God to help you release it into His care.
As you pray, remember that God has placed you in a church family to help you with this journey.
Ask Him to open your heart to the relationships and support within your church, trusting that He is using them to shape you into His likeness.
Surrendering can feel like a loss, but in God’s hands, it leads to a far greater gain than we could imagine.
PRAYER Lord, I come to You with a heart that often struggles to let go and trust. Help me to surrender my plans, my worries, and my desires into Your hands. Show me the strength that comes from letting You lead and guide me. Teach me to lean into the church family You’ve given me, to accept the wisdom and love they offer, and to grow in unity with those who walk this journey of faith alongside me. May my surrender be a reflection of my love and trust in You. Keep reminding me, Lord, that surrender to You is not weakness but the greatest strength. Grant me the courage to embrace the path You’ve set before me, knowing it leads to true peace and fulfillment. As I walk this journey of faith, may I daily choose surrender, finding joy in the purpose You have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sandra Roach Mitchell – Knee Replacement
Danny Jarrard – Riverside In Covington Dale Lake
David Newby
Amy Garner’s Mom
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ben Bruce
Carol Lawhead
Darlene Wiggins
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donna Plunkett’s Brother in law
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ellen Boyd
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
James Burnette
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
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher