September Theme – The Mind of Christ:                                                                                                      Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

The fiercest battle you will ever fight isn’t with fists, swords, or guns—it is with the thoughts that run through your mind. Old wounds, rejections, and failures try to shape how you think, and if those thoughts go unchecked, they harden into chains that hold you captive. The enemy fuels this by whispering lies: “You’ll never change. You’ll never be loved. You’ll never be enough.” And when those lies are believed, they grow into fear, shame, bitterness, and despair. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, whatever dominates your mind will eventually direct your life.

But God has not left you trapped. He sees every hidden thought (Psalm 139:2), and He offers truth that can tear down the enemy’s deception. That’s why Scripture commands us to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Victory doesn’t come by sheer willpower—it comes by surrendering your mind to Jesus and letting His Spirit reshape the way you think. To put on the mind of Christ isn’t just about thinking positive—it is a supernatural exchange. Just as He took your sin and gave you His righteousness, He takes your toxic thoughts and fills you with His wisdom, His purity, His humility, and His peace. With the mind of Christ, fear no longer enslaves you, confusion no longer defines you, and despair no longer dictates your future.

GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

Trading Lies for Truth

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17

Victory came when I stopped listening to the enemy’s lies and started feeding on God’s truth. Lies told me, “You’ll always be broken. You’ll always be the same. You’ll never change.” For years I rehearsed those words until they felt like my identity. But then I opened the Word, and truth spoke louder. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Truth didn’t just argue with the lie—it erased it. I learned that my freedom didn’t depend on how I felt, but on what God said. And what He says is final.

The enemy’s lies always seemed loudest in the dark. At night, when everything was quiet, my mind became the devil’s playground. Fear replayed old failures, shame whispered new accusations, and despair tried to drown me. But then I opened the Psalms and found the promise: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Light doesn’t have to fight with darkness—it simply shines and darkness flees. Every time I read, quoted, or prayed the Word, the shadows broke apart. Lies cannot survive in the presence of light.

Now, when lies attempt to return, I don’t argue with them—I answer them with Scripture. I don’t try to reason with the enemy; I declare God’s Word, because it is sharper, stronger, and final. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.” Lies may come back knocking, but I no longer invite them in. Instead, I lift the sword of the Spirit and cut them down with “It is written.” That’s where victory is found—not in my effort, but in God’s truth spoken with authority.

Jesus Himself silenced Satan in the wilderness with “It is written” (Matthew 4). Three times the enemy whispered lies and temptations, but each time the Lord answered with Scripture. Victory over lies always comes through truth.

It’s like wearing noise-canceling headphones. Lies may shout all around you, but when truth fills your ears and mind, the noise fades into nothing. The voice of the Shepherd drowns out the hiss of the serpent.

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for the truth that sets me free. Keep me hungry for Your Word so that my mind always stays anchored in You. When lies try to return, remind me that Your Word is final, unshakable, and everlasting. Amen.

Challenge:  Memorize one verse this week that directly speaks to a lie you once believed. Speak it out loud every time temptation comes. Watch how the light of truth silences the darkness.

WEDNESDAY’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