APRIL THEME – “SEEING THE RESURRECTION FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”

BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART

Choosing the Voice That Makes You Strong

John 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Spiritual strength is not something you drift into—it is something you develop. It is not built in one moment, one service, or one emotional experience. It is built in the quiet, daily decisions of whose voice you choose to listen to. Every day, multiple voices are speaking—fear, pressure, opinions, memories, and your own thoughts—but only one voice leads to life. You don’t become spiritually strong by accident—you become strong by consistently choosing God’s voice over every other voice. And as we reflect on Good Friday, we are reminded that the voice of God was not cheap—it was purchased through the suffering, silence, and sacrifice of the cross so that you could hear Him clearly today.

Strength Is Built Through Daily Choices, Not Occasional Moments

Many people want spiritual strength, but they are looking for it in big moments instead of daily decisions. They wait for a powerful service, a breakthrough experience, or a sudden change. But strength is not formed in occasional intensity—it is formed in daily consistency. Every time you choose God’s Word over your feelings, truth over opinion, and obedience over convenience, you are building strength. What feels small in the moment is shaping something strong within you over time. Even the strongest believer does not stay strong by past victories—they stay strong by present obedience. And the newest believer does not become strong overnight—but begins with one simple, daily choice to listen and follow.

Every Voice You Entertain Is Shaping You

You are always being shaped by the voices you allow into your life. What you listen to repeatedly will eventually lead you. If fear speaks the loudest, you will live cautiously. If pressure speaks the loudest, you will live anxiously. If your own thoughts speak the loudest, you will live inconsistently. But when God’s voice becomes the loudest, it produces clarity, peace, direction, and confidence. The question is not if you are being influenced—the question is by which voice. On Good Friday, the crowd chose the wrong voice—shouting over truth, rejecting what was right in front of them. And today, we face that same choice: will we follow the noise around us, or the voice that died to save us?

Choosing God’s Voice Requires Intentional Discipline

God’s voice does not compete—it must be chosen. It requires you to be intentional. You must open His Word, quiet the distractions, and choose to listen even when it is inconvenient. There will be days when you don’t feel like it, days when your schedule is full, and days when other voices seem louder. But spiritual strength is built when you choose God’s voice anyway. Discipline today becomes strength tomorrow, and what you consistently choose will eventually define you. The cross reminds us that obedience is not always easy—but it is always right. Jesus chose the will of the Father over every other voice, and that choice changed everything.

Imagine two people lifting weights. One lifts once a week with great effort, while the other lifts a little every day with consistency. Over time, the one who is consistent becomes stronger—not because of intensity, but because of repetition. Your spiritual life works the same way. Strength is not built in occasional effort—it is built in daily, consistent choices to listen to God. What you choose today may feel small—but it is shaping who you are becoming.

Spiritual strength is not reserved for a few—it is available to anyone willing to choose the right voice. You don’t become strong by accident, and you don’t stay strong by chance. You become strong by choosing, day after day, to listen to God above everything else. The life you live tomorrow is being shaped by the voice you choose today. And when you remember the cross, you realize this is not a casual decision—the voice you are choosing was purchased at a great cost.

For the strongest believer: Don’t rely on yesterday’s walk—choose His voice again today.
For the growing believer: Stay consistent—don’t let distractions weaken your foundation.
For the new believer: Start simple—just begin listening and obeying one step at a time.

Because no matter where you are—your strength will always be determined by the voice you choose.

Warfare Prayer

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You and acknowledge that too many voices have competed for our attention. We take authority over every voice of fear, distraction, confusion, and self-reliance. We silence every lie that has tried to lead us, and we choose Your voice above all others. Give us discipline to seek You daily, clarity to hear You, and strength to obey You. Let Your Word become the loudest voice in our lives, shaping our thoughts, our decisions, and our direction. We declare that we will not be led by the world, our feelings, or our fears—we will be led by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Today, be intentional about what voice you follow:

When a thought comes—ask, “Is this from God?”
When a decision arises—ask, “What does God’s Word say?”
When emotions rise—choose truth over feeling

Then act on it. Because the voice you choose consistently… is the life you will live eventually.

FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda

Jillian Gray – Surgery Tuesday

Mary Williams

Theresa Bain

Wes Knight – Much Improved

Ellen Boyd – Fractured Shoulder – Sling For 6 Weeks Then Rehab

Ann Stanley  

Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer

Mateen – Kim McClain’s Sister

Mike And Paula Ferris And Family  

Phillip Roach – Surgery Went Well

Amy Garner’s Dad

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sisters

Annette Ford

Brando Echarte

Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers

Christopher Kelley

Danny Jarrard  

Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment

Darlene Wiggins

Debbie Foskey 

Deon Lotter

Don And Carol Franklin – Mae’s Cousins

Don Franklin’s Son, David

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards

Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

Gloria Young

Jake Jenkins

James Burnette

Jean Partee

Jean Partee’s Sister

Jessica Headrick  

John McClain’s Mother

Joni Oberhage

June Cronan

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Linda Mays

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nancy Brown

Nora Allison

Paul Bateman

Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Roy Roach

Sandra Mitchell

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Steve Michaels

Tammy Shelnutt

Tom Witcher