2026 THEME — “SEEING LIFE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
This focus is not about coping better with life—it is about seeing life differently. God is inviting us in 2026 to lift our eyes above pressure, fear, and reaction, and to learn how to live from His perspective. This will be a year of realignment, where hearts are gently corrected, faith is strengthened, and trust replaces striving. God is calling us to recognize His wisdom, rest in His ways, and respond to every season with confidence rooted in Him. We will begin this journey in January with Prayer from God’s Perspective, because prayer is where vision is restored and hearts are reshaped. This is not about learning how to get God to agree with us—it is about allowing Him to bring our hearts into agreement with His will. What God is preparing to do among us will require clear sight, surrendered hearts, and a listening spirit.
Do not miss this Sunday. We will cast vision for 2026, share where God is leading us, introduce a clear and life-giving way to read the Bible through this year, and invite you into a moment that could quietly yet profoundly change how you walk with God. Special music by Miss Mae will help usher us into a posture of worship and expectancy as we listen, realign, and step forward together into a season of renewed faith and holy clarity.
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
This morning we did not gather to watch a performance—we stepped onto holy ground. Through worship and song, we were drawn into God’s redemptive story from Bethlehem to the cross and the empty tomb. As we came to the Lord’s Table, the room grew still with reverence; hearts were examined, grace was received anew, and lives were surrendered. Faith was renewed, decisions were made, and we left rejoicing that Emmanuel has come, Emmanuel has saved, and Emmanuel reigns—changed by the presence of God among His people.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
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Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Christmas Day Blessing: All Is Well
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
— Luke 2:10
When heaven finally broke its long silence, the first words spoken were not commands, explanations, or warnings—they were comfort. “Fear not.”
The angels did not appear to kings in palaces, nor to scholars in synagogues, but to shepherds in the fields—ordinary people living ordinary lives. And the announcement they brought was not that everything in the world had suddenly become perfect, but that a perfect Savior had come into the world.
Christmas Day reminds us that God did not wait for conditions to improve before He sent His Son. He entered a broken world, a weary people, and uncertain times—bringing with Him joy that could not be shaken and peace that could not be taken.
GOD’S JOY ARRIVES BEFORE LIFE IS FIXED
The angels did not announce perfect circumstances—they announced good tidings of great joy. Rome still ruled. Poverty still existed. Hearts were still burdened. Lives were still complicated. Yet heaven declared joy anyway. This teaches us something essential: joy is not the result of a problem-free life—it is the result of Christ’s presence. Christmas joy does not deny pain; it overcomes it. It does not wait for everything to be resolved; it rests in the faithfulness of God. If your life is still unfinished today, you are not excluded from joy. Christ came precisely for moments like this.
FEAR LOST ITS FINAL WORD IN THE MANGER
The angel’s first command was simple and powerful: “Fear not.” Fear had long ruled humanity—fear of judgment, fear of the future, fear of loss, fear of death. But the birth of Jesus marked the beginning of fear’s defeat. The One lying in a manger would one day conquer the grave. Because Christ has come:
- Fear no longer defines our future
- Fear no longer controls our peace
- Fear no longer speaks louder than truth
Christmas proclaims that fear does not get the last word—Jesus does.
ALL IS WELL BECAUSE CHRIST IS HERE
“All is well” does not mean everything is easy. It means everything is secure. It means we are forgiven. It means we are not alone. It means God is with us and for us. Scripture tells us that Jesus holds all things together. Even when life feels fragile, He is steady. Even when answers are incomplete, His promises are sure. Because Christ has come, our hope is anchored not in circumstances, but in a Savior who never changes.
Christmas Day invites us to rest—not because life is finished, but because redemption has begun. You do not need to have everything together today. You only need to trust the One who holds everything together. Let your heart be still. Let joy rise gently. Let peace settle deeply. Because Jesus is here—all is well.
CHRISTMAS DAY BLESSING
May the peace of Christ guard your heart today. May joy rise stronger than sorrow. May hope anchor you through every season. May your home be filled with His presence, and your heart with His assurance. Because Jesus is here—all is well.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You that You came near when we could not reach You. Let Your peace rest deeply in my heart today. Help me to live unafraid, anchored in Your joy and hope. Amen.
CHALLENGE FOR TODAY: At some point today—quietly and intentionally—pause and say aloud: “Because Jesus is here, all is well.” Let that truth shape how you speak, how you rest, and how you love today.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Cheryl Knight’s Brother Passed on Tuesday
Marsha Layfield
Amy Garner’s Dad
Brando Echarte
Debbie Foskey
Don Franklin’s Daughter, Darlene, Son, David
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Luther Roach
Tammy Parker
Gloria Young
Jake Jenkins
June Cronan
Louise Jackson
Jean Partee’s Sister
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Deon Lotter
Doris Loyd
Nancy Brown
Annette Ford
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Ann Stanley
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
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
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
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
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher