AUGUST THEME – “Experiencing God: From Knowing About Him to Walking With Him”

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

This morning, let me remind you of a sobering truth: knowing about God is not the same as knowing Him. Many of us can list His names, quote His promises, and even sing them aloud in worship—but head knowledge will never steady a soul in the storm. Only His presence can.  When the winds howl, He alone becomes our Refuge. When hearts shatter, He reveals Himself as our Healer. When enemies surround, He comes as Deliverer. And when idols rise up in hidden corners of our lives, He shows Himself as a Consuming Fire.  Trials are not barriers meant to keep us from God—they are invitations drawing us closer. God never wastes the fire; He uses it. Moses trembled before a burning bush, Isaiah was undone at the altar, and Peter wept beside a fire on the shore. Each encounter revealed the same truth: the flame of God does not ruin—it refines. It doesn’t destroy—it prepares. But the fire also demands a response. Holiness cannot be admired from a safe distance; it must be entered into through surrender.  Revival will not begin in your life until you stop protecting your idols, your secrets, and your wounds. Lay them on the altar and let the fire fall. What once feels like shame, He will cover with grace. What feels like fear, He will replace with peace. What lies in ashes, He will transform into beauty. The fire does not come to consume you—it comes to consume what has been holding you back.  So today, choose surrender over regret. Choose His flame over your chains. And when you rise, you will not be marked by your past, but by the hand of the Refiner.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

The Cost of Lukewarmness

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” — Rev. 3:16

The Deception of Comfort

Lukewarmness is far more dangerous than outright rebellion. The sinner who is cold knows he is far from God and feels the weight of his sin. The believer who is hot knows he is alive and surrendered. But the lukewarm believer deceives himself into thinking all is well, even while drifting away. This was the tragedy of Laodicea: their greatest enemy was not persecution, but comfort. Their apathy made Christ nauseated.

We often fear God’s fire of refining because it feels painful, but the greater fear should be remaining unchanged. Half-hearted obedience is the soil of spiritual rot. Silent compromise leads to loud regret. One day, before Christ’s judgment seat, excuses will evaporate like mist, and the true measure of our devotion will be revealed. The tragedy will not be the sins confessed, but the opportunities wasted.

The Call to Burning Faith

God has never been impressed by polished appearances, eloquent words, or outward show. He looks for a heart fully His. Lukewarm faith never risks, never surrenders, never truly lives. It maintains a “safe distance” from God—close enough to feel respectable, but far enough to remain in control. Yet the very control we cling to is what keeps us from the abundant life He offers.

The fire of His holiness is not meant to ruin us, but to refine us. Moses trembled before the burning bush, Isaiah shook before the altar’s flame, and Peter wept by the fire of Christ’s presence—yet each encounter transformed them for God’s purpose. Fire demands a decision. You cannot spectate revival from the sidelines; you must step into the flame. Today the invitation is to trade shame for grace, fear for peace, ashes for beauty. Better to burn now in surrender than to stand empty later.

A church once installed a heater in its baptismal to keep the water comfortable—not too hot, not too cold. It made every baptism easy, but the pastor solemnly reminded them, “Faith that is always comfortable never truly follows Christ. The cross was never padded; discipleship was never meant to be lukewarm.”

Prayer:  Lord, ignite my heart with Your holy fire. Break me free from the prison of half-hearted faith. Let me not settle for shallow comfort when You call me to radical surrender. Consume my pride, my fear, and my excuses. Make me fully Yours, set ablaze for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge:  Step beyond comfort today. Obey in a way that stretches your faith—whether through sacrificial giving, bold witnessing, or letting go of a hidden idol. Choose surrender over safety, and let His refining fire mark you with His presence.

FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe

Sheila Simmons – Surgery Today

James Parker

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Ann Stanley – Surgery Tomorrow

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Debbie Foskey – Home

Jessica Headrick   

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda  

Linda Mays – Home     

Danny Jarrard 

Darlene Wiggins

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

Jason Parker  

John McClain’s Mother

John Parillo

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kathryn Raines

Lee Cronan

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah 

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Sadie Almand 

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher