NOVEMBER THEME — Worship Is Your Most Powerful Weapon

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY

Worship is not the rise of emotion or the swell of music—it’s the moment where your will meets God’s truth. Jesus said worship begins in the spirit, not in the sound. That’s why worship always starts at an altar. Throughout Scripture, altars marked turning points: Noah thanked God, Abraham obeyed God, Elijah called a nation back to God, and at Calvary Jesus surrendered completely to God. The altar was never about the stones—it was about the surrender. It’s the place where something you hold onto is laid down so something God desires can rise up. The Holy Spirit helps us live this way. He doesn’t shame us—He guides us. Peace is His signal that our heart is aligned with the Lord. When peace fades, He’s not punishing us; He’s showing us an area we haven’t released. The moment we surrender that thing—even quietly—peace returns like a river. This is how God designed His people to function in a chaotic world: not ruled by emotion, but steadied by His peace. Stress is usually a sign that we are gripping too tightly, trying to steer what only God can control. But the instant we loosen our grip and yield, the soul settles. Surrender isn’t defeat—it’s divine wisdom. Every moment of yielding becomes another altar where heaven touches earth.

That’s why true worship is not defined by the volume of our song but by the posture of our spirit. In the Bible, whenever God’s people rebuilt the altar, the fire fell. Surrender always made room for God’s power. And when the Holy Spirit finds a heart fully yielded, hell trembles—because obedience carries an anointing emotional worship can’t imitate. Every quiet “yes, Lord” becomes a declaration that Jesus rules this place. So let this moment be more than another service—let it be a return to the altar. Whatever battle you’re facing, whatever weight you’re carrying, whatever war is raging inside you—bring it to Him. When you kneel, you’re not giving up; you’re giving in to the One who is greater. The God who met Elijah with fire, Abraham with provision, and Christ with strength in Gethsemane is ready to meet you here. When you worship in spirit and in truth, God steps into your battle—and victory always begins at the altar.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

The Peace That Comes Only From Surrender

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7

Peace is not the absence of problems; it is the result of presence—God’s presence ruling over your will. Many believers wait for everything around them to calm down before they believe peace can return. But Scripture teaches the opposite: peace is born the moment surrender happens. True peace doesn’t flow from changed circumstances but from a changed posture—a heart yielded to Christ. You will know you’ve surrendered when your soul stops fighting for control, the “what ifs” quiet, and the anxiety that once governed you loses its voice. Peace is not passive; it is powerful. It stands guard over your mind like a soldier at the gate, refusing entrance to fear, torment, or confusion. But that peace only comes when the will bows. The flesh will always argue, demand, and negotiate, trying to convince you that peace comes from holding tighter. But the Spirit whispers, “Peace comes when you let go.” The greatest struggles of your life may never be solved by strategy, but they can be stilled by surrender. God’s peace is not shallow—it is deep enough to steady you in storms, strong enough to calm your emotions, and holy enough to quiet internal chaos. When the heart yields fully to Christ, peace becomes the evidence that your battle has shifted from your hands into His. Stress announces, “I’m carrying this myself.” Peace testifies, “God is carrying me now.” Every time you surrender something to God—your fear, your impatience, your timeline, your expectations—peace rushes in like a river, filling the space where striving once lived. The more you surrender, the more peace you experience. And this is why peace surpasses understanding: because it isn’t logical—it’s supernatural.

Prayer: Lord, let Your peace rule in my heart today. Quiet every fear, silence every anxious thought, and steady my spirit as I surrender to Your will. Fill the places where I once carried stress with the peace that only You can give. Amen.

Challenge: Identify the one thing that has stolen your peace lately. Surrender it to God in prayer—and refuse to take it back.

WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

George Alexander – Abbey Hospice – Social Circle

Richard Blount – Heart Procedure

Louise Jackson – Richard’s Sister – Open Heart Surgery

Wes & Liz Knight In Passing Of His Sister

Debbie Foskey – Surgery Today   

Brando Echarte

Betty Hammock

Cheryl Knight’s Brother

Don Franklin’s Daughter, Darlene, Son, David

Jean Partee’s Sister

Kathryn Rains 

Kay Woodson

Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda

Deon Lotter

Doris Loyd

Mike Bryan

Mike Hollinhead

Nancy Brown – Rehab

Amy Garner’s Dad

Annette Ford

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley  

Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe

Danny Jarrard   

Darlene Wiggins

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

Linda Alexander 

James Burnette

Jessica Headrick  

John McClain’s Mother

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 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

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Sheila Simmons  

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher