GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
CHANGE A KID’S LIFE FOR ETERNITY!
July 15-19, we will take our young people to the Arise Youth Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN. This will be a life-changing week for our youth. We need your help to cover the cost, which is $185 per child for registration, plus food and lodging expenses. Thank you for making this need a matter of prayer. Your support can make a lasting impact on their lives.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Philippians 1:8: “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.”
When the divine life enters us, it brings a profound consciousness and rich feelings.
Since God’s life is the highest form of life, it possesses the highest awareness and sensitivity.
If animals and humans have consciousness, how much more does God’s divine life!
Because the divine life is a Person within us, not just an impersonal force, we experience God’s love, joy, peace, and compassion deeply within us.
The apostle Paul expresses this in Philippians 1:8, where he speaks of the “bowels of Jesus Christ.”
The term “bowels” in this context refers to the deepest affections and emotions.
Paul felt Christ’s compassion and affection within him because Christ lived in him (Colossians 3:4).
This deep, inner feeling was not unique to Paul; every believer who is born again experiences this life-consciousness.
Romans 8:10 says, “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
This indicates that while our physical bodies may be subject to death due to sin, our spirits are alive because of the righteousness imparted to us by Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:45 tells us, “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
This means that Jesus, the last Adam, brings life to our spirits.
1 Corinthians 6:17 says, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
This signifies that when we are united with the Lord, we share in His life-giving Spirit.
The life of Christ within us is not just a passive presence; it is active and dynamic.
This divine life-consciousness flows from our spirit, the source of all divine feelings and awareness.
As believers, we have this rich, inner life that connects us deeply with God’s feelings and thoughts.
Imagine a time when you felt a deep sense of peace or joy that you couldn’t explain.
This could be a moment when you felt God’s presence in a powerful way.
This is the life of God stirring within you, giving you a taste of His love, joy, and peace.
Consider the story of Paul, who despite being imprisoned, could still express such deep longing and affection for the believers in Philippi.
This shows the transformative power of Christ’s indwelling presence.
Paul’s experiences illustrate how the life of Christ can profoundly change our inner lives, giving us new perspectives, emotions, and desires.
Think of a plant that thrives when it is connected to a source of water.
Similarly, when we are connected to Christ, the life-giving Spirit, we thrive spiritually.
Our spirits become the source of rich, divine feelings that overflow into every aspect of our lives.
Have you ever felt moved to compassion in a way that surprised you?
Perhaps you felt a sudden urge to pray for someone, or you felt deep empathy for someone’s suffering.
These are manifestations of Christ’s life within you, guiding your thoughts and emotions to align with His.
To fully experience this life-consciousness, we need to cultivate our relationship with Jesus.
This involves daily prayer, immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, and worshiping God with a sincere heart.
As we do this, we become more attuned to the Holy Spirit’s leading and the divine life within us becomes more evident in our actions and attitudes.
As we grow in this divine life-consciousness, we find that our capacity for love, joy, peace, and compassion expands.
We start to see others through the eyes of Christ and respond to situations with His grace and wisdom.
This transformation is ongoing and deepens as we continue to abide in Him.
In conclusion, the divine life of Christ within us brings a profound consciousness and rich feelings that transform our inner lives.
This life-consciousness, sourced from our spirit, enables us to experience and express God’s love, joy, peace, and compassion in powerful ways.
Let’s continue to cultivate our relationship with Jesus, allowing His life to fill and overflow in us, so we can reflect His transformative power in every aspect of our lives.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Steve Michaels
Tom Graham
Gail Sparks
Ellen Boyd
Friend of Linda Hodge
Joy Gilbert
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
Joe Shelnutt
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
Tom Witcher