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

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

The greatest fight you will ever face is not against people, weapons, or outward enemies—it is against the thoughts that fill your own mind. Painful memories, past rejections, and repeated failures try to shape the way you think, and if those thoughts are not challenged, they harden into chains that hold you captive. The enemy fuels this by planting lies: “You’ll never change. You’ll never be loved. You’ll never be enough.” When those lies take root, 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, what rules your mind will eventually rule your life.

But God never leaves us trapped. He sees every hidden thought (Psalm 139:2), and He provides truth strong enough to 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). The path to victory is not sheer determination—it is surrendering our thoughts to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to renew our minds. Putting on the mind of Christ is not just positive thinking—it is a holy exchange. Just as He took our sin and gave us His righteousness, He takes our toxic thought patterns and fills us with His wisdom, humility, purity, and peace. With the mind of Christ, fear loses its grip, confusion loses its voice, and despair loses its power to define our future.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

Living From Victory, Not For It

 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57

For years, I chased victory like it was a finish line I had to reach. I thought if I prayed harder, worked longer, or resisted temptation better, I might finally “earn” the right to feel victorious. That mindset left me exhausted, always wondering if I was enough. But the truth of the gospel set me free: I don’t fight FOR victory, I fight FROM victory already won by Christ. At the cross and through the resurrection, Jesus declared the battle finished. That means my striving ends where His triumph begins.

This shift changed everything. Defeat no longer defines me, because I walk in the victory of His resurrection. My failures may shape me, but they no longer enslave me. My mindset is no longer “I hope I make it”—but “He already made me free.” Instead of living in fear of falling, I live in gratitude for His grace. This changes marriage too, because I no longer see my spouse as the opponent to overcome or the standard to live up to—I see us both as victors walking in Christ’s triumph.

Now every battle becomes proof of His strength, not a threat to my worth. The enemy tries, but the outcome is already settled. Victory is not a possibility—it’s my inheritance. Even when I stumble, the scoreboard has already been set by Christ’s blood. Satan may roar, but he cannot rewrite the outcome. This assurance gives me courage to face struggles in life and in marriage with confidence, knowing we fight battles that have already been decided by the cross.

Israel didn’t shout to bring down Jericho’s walls because of their power, but because God had already promised victory (Joshua 6). Their obedience and faith unleashed the fulfillment of a promise that was already secured

It’s like walking into a game knowing the scoreboard is already settled. Every play may feel tense, but the win is guaranteed. That’s the posture of a believer walking in Christ—fighting daily battles with the confidence that the war has already been won.

Prayer:  Thank You, Jesus, that my victory is in You. Keep me walking with confidence, not striving to win what You’ve already secured. Teach me to rest in Your finished work and remind me daily that my scars are not signs of defeat, but testimonies of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge:  Today, every time you feel discouraged, declare aloud: “I already have the victory in Christ.” Write it somewhere you and your spouse will see, and remind one another of this truth throughout the day.

FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Anette Ford

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