September Theme – The Mind of Christ:                                                                                                      Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

When God entered our world, He came not with thunder or crowns but in meekness—born in a stable, walking dusty roads, touching lepers, washing feet, and dying on a cross. The Creator stooped low, saying, “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Pride has always been humanity’s downfall, but in Jesus we see its reversal—He humbled Himself, and the Father exalted Him. In God’s Kingdom, the way up is always down. Greatness is not measured by climbing higher but by stooping lower in love. Pride insists, “My will, my way, my rights,” but humility whispers, “Not my will, but Thine.” In marriage, humility disarms bitterness. In the church, it heals division. In daily life, it opens the floodgates of grace. When we bow low, Christ’s life rises in us, and His resurrection power flows through us.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

The Doorway of Humility

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” — James 4:10

Humility is not weakness—it is strength surrendered.

The humble do not think less of themselves; they think of themselves less. Jesus, the strongest Man who ever lived, knelt to wash His disciples’ feet. His power was not diminished by humility—it was displayed through it. True humility is not self-hatred; it is self-forgetfulness in the presence of God.

Pride resists grace, but humility welcomes it.

Pride builds walls that keep God’s help out, but humility opens the door wide for His mercy to flow in. Scripture says, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Every time you humble yourself before Him, you are positioning your life under the downpour of His blessing.

The way up in God’s Kingdom is always down.

The world tells us to climb higher, promote ourselves, and demand recognition. But the Kingdom of God operates on a reverse order—exaltation follows humiliation. Jesus descended into the form of a servant and was obedient unto death, and therefore God highly exalted Him (Philippians 2:8–9). The same promise is yours: when you bow low, He will lift you up in His time.

Imagine two ladders standing side by side. One stretches upward, with people scrambling to reach the top, pushing others aside to climb higher. The other points downward, leading to service, sacrifice, and surrender. The world chooses the first, climbing over others to be noticed. Jesus chose the second, stepping lower into the place of a servant. Yet, when He reached the lowest rung—Calvary—the Father raised Him to the highest place of honor. The way up is always down.

Prayer: Father, bend my heart low before You. Break every trace of pride that blinds me from Your grace. Teach me to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who humbled Himself and became a servant. Let Christ’s humility be formed in me, that others may see Your glory and not my own. Lift me only in Your way, and in Your time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge: Today, choose humility in a tangible way. Yield your rights in a conversation, let another go first, or serve someone without expecting recognition. When tempted to defend your pride, pause and surrender it to God. Trust Him to lift you higher than self-promotion ever could.

FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Nancy Brown – Fall

Allysa Elliott

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 – Knee Surgery Soon

Darlene Wiggins

Debbie Foskey 

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

George & 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 Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah 

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